Page 76 of When She Needs Them Most
Lincoln leaves to take Sky on her morning run, and I walk my mom out. I’m kinda realizing Chelsea could have had three heads, and Mom would have been just as ecstatic, because she gets a granddaughter without the nine-month wait. It’s still a win in my book.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, pulling her in for a hug as she unlocks the doors on her SUV.
“She’s so pretty.” She laughs, patting my back. “And she lost her partner while pregnant. God, that’s unfathomable.”
Technically speaking, Clark broke up with her, so they weren’t together, but Lincoln suggested keeping the information simple. Especially since he probably wouldn’t have broken up with her if he hadn’t gotten sick.
“She’s getting close. Just remember, she’s going through a lot of changes. I’d be genuinely surprised if she doesn’t have a breakdown at some point.” Mom hums. “More than likely once the baby is in her arms, and she remembers he’s not around to hold his daughter.”
My teeth grind, because Luna is nowourdaughter. That’s the way it’s supposed to work, anyway.
My mom reaches up, patting my cheek. “I know that look. You were never good at sharing your things. This is different, Kason. She’ll be torn between celebrating the new arrival and grieving all over again. It’s a loss the rest of us can only imagine. Don’t let it bother you. She needs support while she works through those emotions.”
I nod, giving her a squeeze and stepping away. “Thanks again.”
She grins and moves to her car door. “Keep me updated.”
I make it back inside to find Chelsea lugging the basket toward me. My guess would be that she’s headed for the stairs.
I scurry forward. “Here, let me help with that.”
She hands it over, and I notice her nose and cheeks are a little red. “Thanks.”
“What’s wrong, Chelsea?” I ask, brushing my fingers over her cheek.
Her eyes dart away, but I wait her out.
She finally shrugs. “Your mom is amazing. So freaking sweet.”
My forehead wrinkles, because isn’t that a good thing? Evil mother-in-law jokes are everywhere. That will never be my mom. She loves everyone. It’s kinda her thing, which is interesting, since my sister and I are the opposite. We hate everyone.
“She really likes you,” I say, still trying to figure out what went wrong.
“I guess I just miss my mom,” she whispers, and her eyes fall shut.
Shit.
I should have guessed that.
Moving my hand to the back of her neck, I tug her face to my chest. “I’m sure you do. How can I make it better? Is that insensitive? I know it won’t fix it altogether, but do you want to cuddle and watch a movie or work on the nursery?”
Chelsea wraps her arms around my lower back, squeezing me tight as her face wiggles around my T-shirt. “You make me really happy, Kase.”
“Me too.”
“I guess we should double-check the hospital bags and tackle putting away the stuff I didn’t get to last night,” she says, sniffling.
“That sounds like a good plan to me.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chelsea
On Friday, the furnace guy finally shows up to replace the broken parts. It doesn’t impact me much, since I’m now exclusively living with the guys, but I bet Briar and Easton and the other two, whose names I can’t remember, appreciate having working heat.
Lincoln told me they had furniture delivered. Honestly, I couldn’t care less, as long as they dispose of it when they leave. I need to speak to Mrs. Wilson and see what the options are. I feel terrible taking up that house if someone else in the area is looking for a place to live, but it did sit empty for months before I rented it, so it’s probably not a huge deal. It is a big waste of money, but I’m locked in with a lease, and I’ve already accepted that I’ll have to pay out the remaining eleven months.
My focus is crap, and I’m exhausted from barely sleeping, which could be from the constant pelvic and lower back pain.
