Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“I think basketball is the only thing keeping my head straight.”
“Well, it’s a good thing baseball starts right away; otherwise, someone might have to knock your melon straight.”
“Har, har,” he said.
“Good night, Cutter,” I said when I got to the door. “I know I’m not your mom, and shit’s going to get rough at times, but never for a second doubt that I love you as if you were my own.” I pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway.
“Toni?”
“Yeah?” I peeked my head in.
“It hurts, knowing my mom is never coming back, but I’m thankful for you, because I couldn’t imagine losing my mom and ending up in foster care or with grandparents who never cared to know us. So, thank you for being our person.”
Words escaped me. I went back into his room and pulled him into my arms. Before I left, I kissed the top of his head and told him I loved him, and then left before he could see me crying.
I closed Miri’s door for the night, not wanting to be in there without her, and made my way to the couch. I could’ve taken the guest room, but my parents were using it.
The last thought I had before I closed my eyes was about Weston and whether I’d see him in the morning for what had become our weekly walk to the Cozy Cup Café. I hoped I would.
Chapter 30
Weston
As soon as I hooked Scout’s leash to his collar, he pulled me toward the Vaughns’ house. Did I need to refer to the location differently? What an odd thought to have as I walked down the road. It was still Cutter’s residence, and he was a Vaughn. At least for right now.
This morning was a crapshoot. Every weekend since Antonia arrived, we’d ended up walking to the café at the same time. Although the purpose of my walk was to get some exercise, while hers was to eat one of Samira’s damn pastries. I couldn’t say I blamed her, though. I’d had my fair share and found it extremely hard to deny myself the luxury.
As we neared the house, I felt a little trepidation start to build. What if Antonia wasn’t outside? It wasn’t like we had a standing reservation to meet each other at the end of the driveway. But I was hoping.
It took a couple of yards before Scout finally fell in step beside me. It wouldn’t last long, though, as he’d grown accustomed to hanging out at Cutter and Nova’s. I liked that he’d taken on the role of protector and therapist for them—especially for Nova. I was a grown-ass adult, and my parents were still alive. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how Nova was feeling.
As we neared, I saw a figure at the end of the driveway, and without a single thought, a smile formed. Scout must’ve seen her as well because he began to pull on his leash more. I let him go and watched my dog sprint to the woman who had captivated me so easily just by being at the game.
I ran the rest of the way.
When I reached Antonia, she looked up at me and smiled before turning her attention back to Scout. Right then, I knew I would pursue this woman until she told me to back off. She could’ve stayed home, forgotten about our unspoken Sunday morning breakfast after what had happened, but she hadn’t. She was there, putting in the effort in her own way, to show me she wanted to spend the morning with me. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming. It felt like I had a high school crush all over again, with sweaty palms and a palpitating, out-of-control heart.
Still crouched and petting my dog, she looked up at me. “Would you be okay with Scout staying with Nova while we go to breakfast?”
It didn’t escape my notice that she considered our Sunday morning trip to the café a date. Although the word “date” probably wasn’t what this was called.
“Of course. Is she okay?”
Antonia stood, and as she did, she shrugged one shoulder. “The nights are rough, and my parents are leaving today. I thought if she had someone or something to focus on while they packed their car, she’d be okay.”
“I don’t think Scout minds as long as I bring him a doughnut.”
“We’ll bring him two,” she said to my dog as she made kissy faces at him. Antonia started toward the house, with Scout following behind. She looked over her shoulder at me.
“Are you coming?”
“Yeah.” I couldn’t recall the last time I’d moved so damn fast. I was by her side instantly, holding the screen door open for her.
Inside, the house was the same, yet it wasn’t. I expected the house to be quiet, filled with mourning, but the television was on, there were voices in the kitchen, and a half-dressed teenage boy thundered down the stairs.