Another sob wracks my body, and I let myself get pulled under, the overwhelming grief making it difficult to catch my breath.
31
TROY
August, Present Day
Maple Ridge
I kickthe kid-sized soccer ball toward the makeshift goal—two twigs stuck in the field—and pretend to run after it.
Nova giggles and goes chasing it too. Butterscotch pulls on the leash I’m holding, also wanting to go after the ball as it rolls over the grass.
Nova kicks at it, but her motor skills haven’t quite got things figured out yet, and her foot misses by an inch. She bursts out giggling again, and an infectious grin spreads across her face.
I nudge the ball with my foot, sending it a few feet. Nova tries once more to kick it, this time with more success. The ball rolls farther than my faked kick sent it.
“Whoo-hoo, Nova!” I cheer with the enthusiasm of someone watching their favorite team win the World Cup.
I scoop her up and swing her high. She giggles and attempts to yell, “Hoo hoo!”
I lower her to the ground and check my phone. Jess hasn’t texted, but I’m not sure she would even if she needed me. While she might have pulled down most of the barrier between us, a few fragments remain, like a castle that’s partially standing after centuries of neglect and bad storms.
Shit, what I would give to bring in a wrecking ball and permanently knock down those walls.
Nova yawns. I check the time on my phone. “Okay, princess. Time for me to take you back to your mommy.”
Olivia has texted me a few times over the past two hours, checking on us, even asking for photos. Part of me wonders if she’s just checking Jess isn’t with us.
Nova runs across the field with Butterscotch and me in hot pursuit. She stumbles and trips. I swoop in, picking her up, and carry her to my truck.
The drive to her house isn’t long, but she’s nodding off by the time I pull up in front of it.
I unfasten her from the car seat, gather up all the things that usually come with Nova—like the diaper bag and her bunny—and carry her to the porch.
Olivia is standing on the other side of the door, waiting for us, when I open it. She grins at us both.
“Mommy!” Nova leans forward, reaching for her.
I pass her to her mother. “We played soccer, so I think she should be worn out now.”
“Did you have fun with Uncle Troy?” Olivia asks her.
Nova bounces in her mother’s arms. “Yes!” She then squirms to be put down. Clutching her bunny, she runs toward the living room.
Olivia hugs me. “Thanks for taking her out. It means so much to her.”
That’s an odd thing for Olivia to say. I’ve been doing this regularly ever since Colton’s body was lowered into the grave over a year ago. “You know I love spending time with her.”
“I know. But that doesn’t mean I’m not thankful for you doing it.” Olivia tucks her hair behind her ear, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “Those reporters…do they know?”
“Know what?”
“That you’re dating her. Jessica.” The unwarranted harshness nipping at her vowels has me frowning.
“Probably. Not that it’s any of their business. But you know how the gossip is around here.” Plus, it’s not like it’s a secret. Butterscotch and I have been staying overnight at Jess’s house off and on for several months—and vice versa.
Olivia nods, knowing firsthand how bad the gossiping can get in Maple Ridge. Six months after Colton’s death, rumors spread that I was dating his widow. Everyone knew the three of us had been best friends since we were kids, but that didn’t matter. Of course I was going to be there for her after he died. What did people expect?
