Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 106538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
She swallows hard and clears her throat. “Ozzy, I’m sorry. I hate the woman I am without my daughter. I hate that I can’t stop blaming you for what wasn’t your fault. It’s like”—she shakes her head—“the burden to make it make sense is too much because it doesn’t make sense. Unless . . .”
I do something I haven’t done since Brynn died.
I turn toward Brynn’s grief-stricken mother and hug her. “Unless you can put the blame on me.”
Tia’s body shakes with sobs while her fingers clench my shirt.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I can take it from you. I can’t bring her back, but I can carry the burden.”
She releases me, quickly wiping her face. Tia doesn’t let herself fall apart for long. Her pride won’t allow it.
“Maren will never be Lola’s mom.” She eyes me as if this is a fact that I need to acknowledge.
I slowly nod.
“But it’s okay if Lola is her daughter. I want—I need—to believe that a strong, brave woman will walk beside Lola while she navigates some tough years ahead. And I believe Maren is that person. I see the way she looks at her.”
I smile. “Maren fell in love with Lola before she fell in love with me.”
Tia doesn’t laugh, but her lips quirk into a grin.
“Pa said I can come visit anytime I want to,” Lola says, skipping toward the porch.
She’s free, and it’s beautiful.
“I insist on it,” Tia replies, giving Lola a big hug. “And we’ll be back to visit. Lots of visits.”
Amos rests a hand on my shoulder and gives me the everything-is-good smile.
“I can’t . . .” I press my lips together for a few seconds and swallow past the emotion. There have been so many times over the past nine or so months that I’ve wanted to lose it with them. The guilt and feeling like a failure as a husband and father have created an unhinged version of myself I barely recognized at times. But it doesn’t change the love they’ve given to Lola and to me by being here. I clear my throat. “I can’t find the right words to thank you for putting your life on pause to help us through this.”
“We didn’t pause anything. Being with our granddaughter will always be a gift. And as much as it saddens us to leave, we know that you need time to write your next chapter. And you know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Tia reaches for my face and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a good dad, Ozzy,” she whispers in my ear. “And a good man.”
Fuck. Not her. Tia is not allowed to make me cry. So I turn. “Let me give the house one more quick check to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.”
I should have done more to help my father deal with his drinking problem. Brynn should be alive. Sometimes, life feels like nothing more than a repetition of would’ves, could’ves, and should’ves.
Instead of dwelling on everything I cannot change, I focus on today. Tia and Amos are leaving us for Florida.
And as soon as they pull out of the driveway, Maren will be here to take me to reclaim my Land Rover from Diego.
The shock on Diego’s face is priceless when we pull into his driveway with Lola in the center back seat of Maren’s RAV. She’s still not relaxed like a limp noodle, but she’s improving. And music helps distract her. Today, we’re listening to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” which she’s been requesting a lot over the past few days. And every time I peek in the rearview mirror, she smirks and makes a laughable, although adorable, attempt at winking, especially during the “marry me” part of the lyrics.
She’s anything but subtle.
Diego saunters toward us from the garage, wiping his hands on a rag. He has a blue Dodge Challenger on his lift.
“Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” he asks as we step out of the vehicle.
With a shit-eating grin, I nod. “Diego, this is Maren.”
“It’s great to meet you finally.” He holds up his palms. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m a little greasy. I’ve heard so much about you.” Diego gives me a look, and I know what he’s specifically referencing because he’s a guy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too finally,” she says.
“Is Kai inside?” Lola asks without hesitation, skipping straight toward the house.
“She is. Go on in,” Diego says. “Cheyenne’s at the store. She’ll be so disappointed she missed you.”
I shrug. “We’ll be back. I’m just here to get my vehicle.”
Diego’s face nearly splits in half as he smiles. “I’m so fucking happy for you, man.” He shifts his gaze to Maren and clears his throat. “Sorry. I’m so very happy for you.”
She chuckles. “It’s fine. I’m really fucking happy for him too.”