Chapter 11
Eli
“You love her, don’t you?” Hazel turns her back to the window, her gaze stripping me bare.
“I don’t understand it.” I look down at my hands.
“Son, you’ve loved Sybil her whole life.” Chuck turns to the back of the truck, his voice gentle.
“No.” I shake my head, feeling small. “I love Lara.”
“Of course you do.” Hazel grips my hand.
“I’m not saying it’s always been the same kind of love.” Chuck reaches behind the driver’s seat and pats my knee. “I’m thinking you just picked up on the in love part, but you’ve always loved her. Some part of you. And you’ll always love Lara.”
I snap my gaze to him. Chuck would know. He lost his wife when Sybil was born. She died in childbirth. “You don’t have to stop loving Lara to allow Sybil into your heart. You and that boy have got enough love to go around for the both of them. Trust me.”
“I feel like I’m cheating on her—on her memory.” The weight of it curves my shoulders forward.
Kellan groans from the driver’s seat. “Ugh, are you boning my sister?”
Hazel squeals from beside me. “He totally is! You saw the video.”
I roll my eyes. My gaze drifts to the blurring trees out the window.
“Lara loved you, Eli. More than anything, she wanted you to be happy. So be happy.” Chuck pats my knee again, settling back into his seat.
“You should text Karen.” Hazel winks when I side-eye her. “She’ll tell you the same thing, but I bet you’d feel better hearing it from her.”
I tap my finger on the door of the truck, nodding to myself before I pull out my cell phone and text my mother-in-law.
Me
Hey Karen
Sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you a question
Karen
Eli! How are you sweetheart? Dad and I were just talking about our trip coming up. We can’t wait to see you and Tucker.
Me
Tucker talks about it constantly. He can’t wait to see you both.
We’re doing well. Thanks
Karen
Good. We’re going to spoil the heck out of him while we’re there.
Me
I’m sure you will
I set my phone back down, unable to formulate the words I need to ask her.
Karen and Joe are the only people I talk to about Lara.
It’s too hard to avoid it altogether with them, but I can’t bring myself to mention her around others either.
People don’t really want to hear about my dead wife, right?
Karen
What’s up honey? You said you had a question
Me
I don’t know how to ask. It’s not even really a question
Karen
Color me intrigued kiddo. What’s on your mind?
Me
I think I met someone…
Karen
Oh!! I am so thrilled for you!! Who is it? Do we know her?
Me
It’s Sibyl
Karen
SIBYL MASSY?
Honey… Sibyl is perfect for you and Tucker.
I chuckle. Did everyone know it but me? It certainly feels that way, now that I see her.
Karen
What’s the question though?
Me
It feels wrong?
Karen
Because she’s Kellan’s sister?
Me
No. Because I have a wife.
Karen
Oh.
Listen I can only imagine how hard this might be for you. But Lara would want you to be happy.
Me
Isn’t it too soon
to feel like this?
Karen
You’ve known her for your whole life. I don’t think your feelings are new.
But hon. If you wait until you feel ready you’re never going to move forward. Not with Sibyl and not with anyone else.
Personally I hope it’s with Sibyl. I adore her. And she adores both of you. What more could this grandma ask for?
Me
How is no one but me shocked by how fast this happened?
Karen
Eli. You and Lara got married three months after you met on Tinder… realizing you’re in love with a girl who you’ve been friends with for over twenty years isn’t a surprise.
Me
I’m kind of kicking myself that it took so long to see it
Karen
I bet you are, kid.
Give yourself some grace. On both accounts.
Me
I’ll try. Thanks Mom
Karen
Anytime hon. You know we’re always here for you.
Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of Sibyl on this next trip then??
Me
It really doesn’t bother you?
Karen
No Eli. It really doesn’t bother us.
We want you and Tucker to be happy. If that just happens to be with the incredible Sibyl Massy who are we to question it?
Me
She’ll be around then. If I can find her to apologize
Karen
grovel if you have to. Sibyl is a special one
Me
That she is
Hazel’s squeal pulls me away from my phone. The earsplitting sound makes all of us flinch.
“You guys have over a million views and counting!” She shoves her phone under my nose. Sibyl and I appear on the screen. The video is less than a minute-long, but I feel every single heated stare. Every stolen kiss, every earth-shattering smile, like it’s still happening.
I told Sibyl I needed to make her mine, and it’s never felt truer than in this moment. I was stupid to let her go, stupid to wish I’d never let it go that far. Truth is, it’ll never be enough where Sibyl is concerned.
I need her in my life. In my house. On my bed. In my arms. Mine. I don’t think I’ve ever needed anything more. Ever.
Sexy Hunky Man
Sexy Hunky Man Sent a Link
Looks like your plan worked, huh?
“Your plan?” I pass Hazel her phone back, one eyebrow raised in her direction.
“Oh shit.” Her eyes widen as she locks the screen, and tucks her phone away.
“You did this?”
“I…might have?” she grins. “I mean, I didn’t know for sure you’d get matched with Sibby, but I hoped you would.”
“Nobody thought to ask me about this?” Kellan grumbles.
“Sibyl doesn’t need your permission.” Hazel reaches forward to whack him on the shoulder.
“Jesus.” I blow out a breath and run my hand through my hair, chuckling. “Guess I owe you a thank-you then.”
Hazel squeals, throwing her arms around me in an awkward hug. “I’m so excited for you two. You’re the best people I know! You deserve to be happy together.”
I give her a smile, my eyes locking with Kellan’s in the rearview.
“Don’t think I won’t knock you out if you break her heart,” he grumbles.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less. I seem to recall bruising a few faces with you over the years.”
“Yeah, well, I was hoping you’d continue being oblivious to how hard she’s been crushing on you.”
“Jesus, did everyone know but me?”
“Apparently.” Chuck cackles from the front seat. “We shoulda made a bet about these two.” He peers back to wink at me.
“Well, Taylor knows. So, the whole town is about to know.” Hazel grins, her face still tipped down at her phone.
“Maybe we should refocus on trying to get her back.”
“I’d still like to know what you did that sent her running.” Kellan’s eyes narrow at me in the mirror.
“Trust me,” I groan. “You don’t.”
“Shit,” Hazel sighs. “Now I have to know.”
“You’ll have to try to wring it from her then. I’m taking this shit to the grave.”