Baby Doll(28)

“I got into Penn. Full ride,” he’d said.

Eve beamed like a proud mother. “That’s amazing, Wesley. Congratulations.”

But Wes wasn’t celebrating. In fact, he appeared tormented by this opportunity.

“I’m not sure I should go. I mean, Abby’s staying here, and I… I don’t know.”

His thoughtfulness touched Eve. But she also felt ashamed. She’d failed him. This kind, sweet boy had done his part. It wasn’t his responsibility to keep Abby from falling apart. That was Eve’s job.

“Stop it, Wes. I know how hard you’ve worked for this. How much you’ve accomplished in spite of your circumstances.”

“I know. It’s just Abby…”

“She will be fine. I know you love her, but listen to me. You cannot give up your future for her. You deserve this. You’re going to do this. You hear me, don’t you?”

He’d left, seeming tormented by the weight of his decision. Eve had been certain that he would stay, that his sense of obligation would be too much, but he’d headed off to college that fall. Abby had faltered at first, but eventually she got her act together. She’d returned to school and finished her LVN degree. She’d started seeing a therapist. But the cracks were still there. The binge drinking. The pills. The casual sexual encounters. The hospitalizations.

When Wes returned, when they’d seen him at the TGI Friday’s, Eve knew instantly that there was unfinished business between the two of them. She hadn’t been thrilled about the pregnancy. They were still young, and Abby’s sobriety was precarious. Still, there was a small part of Eve that hoped the baby gave Abby a reason to get her act together. But it wasn’t working out that way.

Wes cleared his throat, waiting for Eve to tell him what to do.

“Eve, I’m as happy as anyone that Lily’s back. But Abby can’t shut me out.”

Eve knew that’s exactly what Abby would do if it meant protecting Lily from the truth. But she wasn’t going to tell him that.

“Give her a day or two. We’ll figure all of this out.”

“All right. I’ll wait. For now. But I can’t just sit around and do nothing. There has to be something you need?” Wes asked.

That’s what she admired about Wes. He didn’t dwell. He was all forward motion.

Eve had a million tasks looming ahead, but the most pressing was picking up the rest of their family from the airport.

“My parents and Dave’s mother are coming in tomorrow at noon. Could you pick them up from the airport?”

“It’s done. Text me the flight information. Anything you need, Eve, I’ll do it.”

“You’re a good man, Wes.”

He’d never been great at accepting compliments, so he simply ignored her.

“Do me a favor and tell Abby that I love her.”

Eve was certain this was the last thing Abby wanted to hear right now, but she owed Wes some peace of mind.

“I will. Hang in there, sweetie,” she said.

He left, leaving Eve alone in the deserted lobby. She collapsed into one of the hard-backed chairs. She wanted to see the girls, but she needed a minute. The next thing Eve knew, someone was shaking her. She looked up to see Tommy staring down at her. She smoothed her hair, knowing she was probably a complete and total disaster. Tommy didn’t seem to notice. He shuffled his feet, hat in hand. She recognized the tense expression on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

“I wanted you to hear it from me. They’ve sent in the FBI to oversee the case. They’re not real happy with how things went down today at the school. I tried telling them I had no choice, that we played things Lily’s way, but there’s a chance I’ll be benched.”

“That’s crap. You know that’s crap.” Eve could barely contain her anger. Tommy had been there all these years, tirelessly working on the case, and now the FBI wanted to swoop in. “This is your case. I’ll fight. I’ll put up a fight.”

He held up his hands. “You need someone impartial. I hate the guy, and they probably know that. I’ll still be involved, I just won’t be calling the shots.”

Eve went to shake his hand, but she somehow found herself wrapped up in his arms. He hugged her tightly, and she breathed in the masculine smell of cologne and sweat. She held on for longer than she should have, and he finally pulled away. There was something else he wasn’t telling her.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Eve asked. “I can handle it. Just tell me.”

“There are half a dozen videos online of Rick’s arrest and Abby’s meltdown so far. It’s officially gone viral. Excuse my French, but it’s a goddamn shit show. You need to be prepared.”

Eve grabbed the chair to steady herself.

“I can’t deal with that, Tommy. Neither can the girls.”

“I know. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you shielded from it.”

She saw the kindness in his eyes, the kindness she’d seen that first day when he’d stood in her kitchen and swore that he’d find her child.

“I’ve got to meet the feds at Hanson’s cabin, but if you need anything, Evie, you still have my number.”

“Of course.”

They stared at each other, their silence saying more than words ever could. He finally left and Eve was alone again. Profoundly alone. She kept thinking about what would happen with Lily and Sky. How would they all navigate the Wes and Abby situation? Rationally, Eve knew that tomorrow would bring on more challenges than she’d ever imagined. But right now, Eve was going to focus on all of her blessings. She’d been reunited with Abby, Lily, and Sky. She had a granddaughter. The rest of it was meaningless. Her life, her girls’ lives were going to be perfect from here on out. It had to be.