Chapter 32
STAY STANDING
“I’ve got an appointment tonight I can’t miss,” I tell her as I steal another kiss. “But I’ll meet you at your place for dinner. I’ll bring takeout.”
She drops her head back on a groan of relief. “That would be perfect. Cooking after the insanity of dance and soccer is brutal.”
I chuckle. “What do you want?”
She considers. Her button nose scrunches, and I pretend the adorableness doesn’t totally get to me. It does.
“Italian subs.”
“Can do.” I give her another kiss, this one to her forehead.
My chest tightens as she melts into me. If we weren’t already in a time crunch, I’d lift her onto my desk and have my way with her.
Since I had her the other night, being inside her is all I can think about.
But we’re taking it slow-ish. In front of the kids, at least.
We agreed, no over-nights for a while. In respect for them.
We plan to have the conversation tonight with Owen that we’re going to be seeing each other. I don’t foresee it being a tough one, considering he gave Faye his blessing already. Still, I want to feel the kid out myself. He matters to me. A lot.
If I sense he needs more time, I’ll give it to him.
But I want him to know that I’m not going anywhere, even if I am going to continue playing hockey.
From here on out, I’ll be a part of his life.
I might not be his dad, because I can’t ever take that from Tate, but I hope to be the man he comes to whenever he’s in need. The man he turns to and looks up to.
“Owen’s getting a ride home with Colton’s older brother?” I ask, pushing the fantasy of Faye on my desk out of my mind.
She slides away from me to pull her purse onto her shoulder. “He is. He’ll be home shortly after us.” Then she looks at me, a little wrinkle between her brows. “What are you doing tonight?”
“I’ll tell you about it later.” I’m not ready to tell her about the property I own, or the house I’m secretly building on it.
The home I’m building for her on the property she once told me was her dream property.
The house will overlook the lake where we made love so long ago—before everything we had and were fell apart.
We’ll craft a future in that house. I just know it. But I don’t want her finding out like this. I want to surprise her with it. I want to do that when the shell is composed so she can craft whatever she dreams from the inside.
She accepts my blow off easier than I expect with a simple, “Okay.”
I walk her to her car before I climb into my truck. We part ways, but only for a few hours.
I lay the bag of subs on the island counter as Faye pulls a beer from the fridge, cracking the top and handing it to me. She beat me home, so she’s already poured herself a glass of wine.
Swiping the glass from the counter, she takes a sip as she touches the screen of her phone. It lights up and she frowns.
“Owen’s late.”
“It’s nice out. They probably messed around a bit after practice.” I take a swig from the beer as Mabel slides a long box on the counter.
“Can we play Hungry Hippo?”
“Whoa.” I peer at the box, thrown back in time. “This is still around?”
“It’s changed a bit.” Faye slides onto a stool. “But it’s fun.”
“All right.” I nod at Mabel. “Set it up. I’m ready to kick butt.”
Mabel scrunches her nose just like her mom. “I winned last time.”
“Won, honey.”
Mabel ignores Faye as she pulls pieces from the box. We assemble the game and play a round. I don’t kick butt because this game is damn hard. Mabel takes the win. I’m convinced she’s cheating.
“Another round,” I say as Faye taps Owen’s contact. She brings the phone to her ear, and I try not to let the feeling of dread spread in my veins as I listen to it ring, and ring, and ring.
It goes to voicemail.
She hangs up and presses into another contact.
There are two rings before she speaks, “Hi Laura, it’s Faye.
Did Kyle pick up the boys from soccer?” There’s a pause and then, “Owen’s not home yet and he’s not answering.
” She slides from the stool to pace. I don’t miss the way she hugs her middle with one arm.
“I’m just starting to worry a little, is all.
” Another pause and then, “Okay, please let me know.”
She hangs up.
I try not to sound worried as I ask, “What did she say?”
“She’s going to call Kyle and Colton.”
I nod. “Maybe they stopped for slushies.”
Faye nibbles her lip as she clutches her phone. “You’re probably right.”
I don’t like that the feeling of dread is beginning to spread inside me. To infect all the parts of me.
I stand, ready to go to Faye as Mabel sets up the game for another play.
The doorbell rings.
I tense, but Faye’s shoulders drop as she looses a little giggle of relief. “He probably forgot his key.”
I follow her to the door, my throat so tight I feel like I’m being strangled by dread.
Two police officers stand, looking grave. A slither of cold feathers over my flesh and the strangled sound that leaves Faye is almost enough to make me hit my knees.
I place my hands on her hips. I’m not sure if I’m trying to hold her or myself up. Somehow, we both stay standing.
“What can we do for you?” I ask. The words sound rough.
“Mr. and Mrs. Wilder?”
“Yes?” There’s panic and question in Faye’s word.
One of the officers looks to his boots. The other holds Faye’s eyes. “There’s been a car accident. We found your son’s identification in his backpack. He’s been transported by air to City Peak Hospital in Calgary.”
“Oh my God…” I do catch her as she crumbles. Even still, there’s a shrill ringing in my ears.
Everything that happens next is a blur.