15. Heath
“Make sure she takes it easy,” the nurse says as she helps Mom into my truck. “She’ll still feel weak for a while until she recovers.”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
The nurse makes sure Mom is settled comfortably and then closes the truck door.
“Thanks, Heath,” Mom says, putting her seatbelt on. “I’m so ready to be in my own home.”
I wait for her to be buckled before putting the truck in drive. “I know, Ma. Me too,” I say.
Mom dozes most of the way back to our house. The drive is slower than it should be since everyone and their brother seems to be out on the roads today. I glance at the clock, hoping we make it before Evan and Karlee are due to deliver dinner. By the looks of it, we’ll be lucky to be pulling into the driveway when they show up.
My back is screaming from sleeping in the pull-out chair in Mom’s room the past few days. I didn’t care how lumpy it was. I refused to leave her. Thankfully, my job at Lost Creek Construction is still safe. I’ve come to really enjoy working on Bradley’s crew. He’s been calling me every few days to check in and see if we needed anything. They even sent flowers to Mom’s room.
We pull into the driveway a half hour later than I expected and see Evan’s truck there already.
“Who’s that?” Mom asks, waking up when I turn off the truck.
“Evan and Karlee brought us dinner.” I step out of the truck and walk around the back to her side. The front door of the house swings open just as I’m helping Mom down.
“Here,” Evan calls as he walks over to us. “Let me help.” He lifts Mom up and carries her inside.
“Put me down, silly boy,” Mom says, but there’s a lightness in her tone that’s been missing for too long. “You’ll break your back.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Evan says, laughing. “I’m a big strapping man now, Momma A.”
I follow them inside and watch as Evan lowers her into her chair. “See,” he says, flexing his biceps. “Piece of cake.”
Karlee laughs. “You better carry me across the threshold one day,” she says, grinning. “Since you’re so strong and everything.”
He pulls her into a hug and dips her for a kiss. “I’ll carry you anywhere you want to go.”
Mom’s eyes fill with tears and I wish I had a camera to capture the smile on her face. Unfortunately, my phone’s still in the truck.
“I’ll heat up dinner while you help Heath get everything out of the truck.” Lacey kisses Evan’s cheek and turns toward the kitchen. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Mrs. Atkins,” she says on her way out. “We’ve got it covered.”
“You know,” I say to Evan once we are outside. “I could have gotten this by myself.”
He shakes his head. “Not according to my girl.” He laughs. “Really, I think she wanted me to grill you about Gabby. Apparently, Lacey let it slip that she thinks Gabby is still in love with you.”
The heavy feeling I’ve had in my chest since Gabby told me she didn’t think we had a chance is back in full force at his words. “Nope,” I say, popping the p. “The day Mom got sick, I ran into her at the lake, and she made it pretty clear she’s not interested in being more than friends.”
Evan shakes his head. “You sure about that?”
I shut the truck door and lean against it. “I wish it was different. I’d give anything to be with her again.”
Evan stares at me a moment before his face breaks out into a huge grin. “So you were together before you left for the Army! I knew it!”
I rub my free hand over my face and groan. “Yeah, we were. We just didn’t tell anyone. It doesn’t matter anyway. I messed up. Now she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“We all mess up,” Evan says. “If she’s the one, show her.”
“It’s not that simple,” I say. “She thought I was Zade’s father.”
“What? Why did she think that?” Evan asks.
“Because that’s what someone told her, right after I broke up with her. It’s a long, dumb story.” I give him the short answer. If I could go back in time and change it, I would. “I won’t keep pushing for something if she’s not interested. I’m not that guy.”
“You broke up with her? That was dumb.”
“I know. I said it was dumb. I didn’t want her waiting around for me. I thought I was being, well, nice.”
Evan pats me on the shoulder. “So, be her friend for now. Show her that you’re here. That you’re not going anywhere. Maybe she’ll change her mind.”
“Maybe,” I say. “I was actually thinking of moving back to Kentucky after the first of the year if I can convince Mom to come.”
“You’d leave Piney Brook again?” Evan asks.
“I don’t think I could stay here and watch her fall for someone else,” I answer honestly.
“Guys, what’s taking so long? Rosie and I are ready to eat,” Karlee calls from the front door.
“Coming,” Evan and I say at the same time.
We decide to eat in the living room, letting Mom rest in her chair. “Thank you for doing this,” I say to Karlee.
“Hey, I helped,” Evan says, tossing a roll at my head.
“Boys, no food fights. Remember the last time,” Mom says, smiling. “I was cleaning mashed potatoes out of the dining room chairs for weeks. Every time I thought I got it all, I found another spot.” She shakes her head and laughs. “You two were always up to something. It’s so good to see you back together.”
“For now, anyway,” Evan says, shooting me a look.
“What was that dear?” Mom asks.
“Nothing,” I say, cutting him off. “Evan’s just worried that now that he has a girlfriend, I’ll find a new best friend.”
Karlee laughs. “Trust me, there’s enough of him to go around.” She kisses his cheek. “Besides, I’m not one of those girls that thinks my boyfriend shouldn’t have a life outside of me.”
“One in a million,” I joke. “You sure you wouldn’t rather marry me? I’m a veteran, after all.”
Evan growls. “Stay away from my girlfriend.”
“Chill out,” I say, laughing. “I was joking.”
“Heath wouldn’t dare,” Mom says, taking a bite of her chicken alfredo. “He loves Gabby too much.”
I choke on my tea. “Mom!”
“What?” she asks innocently. “It’s not like it’s a secret.”
Evan laughs. “She’s got you there, man. Anyone with eyes can see you’re in love with her.”
Karlee claps her hands together. “I can’t wait to tell Lacey!”
“No one is telling Lacey anything!” I nearly shout. “Gabby made it clear she’s not interested.”
Karlee giggles. “That’s not what I heard when I was getting coffee the other day.”
My head snaps in her direction. “What?”
She makes a motion like she’s zipping her lips.
“Seriously, Karlee. This is important. Did she say she was interested in being with me?”
Karlee’s eyes go wide, and she mumbles through closed lips.
“Fine, I get it. Girl code or something.” I frown and push my plate away.
“Like I said,” says Evan, taking Karlee’s hand. “If she’s the one, show her.”
After they leave, I make sure Mom is settled for a while before I head to my room to unpack from the trip. I dump the bag onto my bed, and my phone bounces from the bed and lands at my feet. Evan’s words echo in my head. “Show her.”
I pick up the phone and send a text.
Heath: I hope you had a nice day. Mom and I are back home and settled in. I’m sure she’d love to see you any time.
I hit send and drop the phone onto my bed. Grabbing the dirty clothes, I head out to throw them into the washing machine. When I get back to my room, I check to see if she’s messaged me back. I’m disappointed when I don’t see a message from her. “Show her,” runs through my mind again.
Heath:I would love to see you.
There, that’s showing her, right?
Things used to be so easy between us. We’d been friends forever before we kissed the first time. The memory washes over me as if it were yesterday. Gabby in her lavender prom dress with butterflies adorning the tulle skirt and top. She looked like a fairy wrapped in cotton candy. It stole my breath away. We went to prom as friends. Neither one of us even considered going with someone else. The DJ played Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” and I realized how much I cared for her. It changed everything.
Holding her in my arms, swaying in time with the music, I realized I never wanted to let her go. She held my heart in the palm of her hand. So, when I dropped her off at home, I couldn’t help but lean in and kiss her. The moment our lips met, it was like coming home. I never wanted to stop, but her grandma flipped on the porch light and we’d jumped apart like we’d been caught doing something wrong. Except kissing her felt like the only right thing I’d done all my life.
After that, things started to change, and by the end of the summer, we were together. When she asked if we could keep it between us, I should have said no. I wanted to yell from the rooftop and let everyone know she was mine.
I knew her mother had hurt her deeply, and I vowed to myself I’d never hurt her like that. In the end, I hurt her anyway.
I bring my fingers to my lips, remembering the way hers felt pressed against mine. If there is a chance she feels the way I do, I have to see this through. She’s been hurt too much. I can’t blame her for trying to protect herself. If it takes time to prove to her that I’m here to stay, I will be the most patient man in history.
My phone dings with an incoming message, and I rush to grab it.
Gabby:I could come Sunday after work and bring dinner. For three?
Well, it’s not a profession of love, but it’s something.
Heath:Sounds perfect. I can’t wait.
The next few days are going to feel like an eternity.