Wrapped Up in You (Heartbreaker Bay, #8)(72)

When they’d been family.

“I’ve not been . . . open to talking to you. I was wrong to not listen to what you’ve wanted to say to me.”

She stared down at her own tea for a long moment. When she lifted her gaze, her eyes were filled with regret and sadness. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long. I actually had lost hope of it happening.”

He grimaced and started to say something, but she put her hand on his. “There’s a few things I want you to know. Will you listen?”

He nodded.

“Your dad and I . . . we were best friends. From middle school. By the time you kids came along, we were more like siblings ourselves. We each knew it. But neither of us wanted to miss out on raising you and Remi. So we agreed to stay together until you two were raised and off to college. We both wanted that. We still liked each other, very much. In fact, we loved each other. We just weren’t . . . in love.”

Kel stared at her. “Are you saying you had an arrangement?”

“Yes.” Dropping her gaze, she went back to watching her tea like it was the most fascinating thing. She wasn’t comfortable talking about this.

“So there was never a secret to keep. Not that it’s an excuse for what happened, for what you saw—”

“Mom.” He winced, not wanting to think about his mom having an active sex life. “That’s not what I—You sent us to Idaho.” He shook his head, hating that he felt like a kid all over again. “And you never came for us. You didn’t come back around until I was eighteen and no longer cared.”

She met his gaze straight on. “First, I’m going to hope that’s not true, that you still care, deep down inside. And second . . . I’m sorry. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it. I wish I hadn’t stayed away so long, but I had to.” She shook her head. “I wasn’t okay, Kel. I had a breakdown. I was depressed and anxious and could barely care for myself, much less you and Remy. I know you don’t remember your maternal grandma, but she suffered from depression and anxiety too, and it can be hereditary.” Her eyes filled and she was clasping her hands tight. “It took me a shamefully long time to get it together—”

“Mom.” Kel’s gut clenched, even as his heart seemed to swell so that it was too tight to fit into his chest. He put his hand over his mom’s and squeezed. “There’s no shame in needing to take care of your mental health. I didn’t know—”

“I know.” She swiped at her tears. “For the longest time, I didn’t want you to. By the time I was ready to face you kids again, you were grown up. You no longer needed me.”

But Remy had. Plus, Remy had forgiven, readily. Easily. If anyone should be ashamed, it was him. He held his mom’s hand. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have listened sooner.”

“You’re here now,” she whispered. “Now is all that matters. Family is all that matters.”

Kel’s gaze landed on the walls, upon which, just like at Remy’s place, picture after picture was hung. Pictures of Remy, Remy and Ethan, and of course Harper. His mom was in many of the pics, as was Henry. Through holidays. Birthdays. Family dinners. Outings . . .

And that’s when it hit him just how right his mom was. Love was about showing up. Love was about being there for the people in your life during their darkest moments and doing your best to understand and support those people through whatever course their life took.

Without judgment.

He’d failed there, big time. He’d failed his mom and his family.

And he’d failed Ivy. He’d listened to her, but not taken the time to understand the choices she’d made.

“Are we going to be okay?” his mom asked in a soft whisper.

“Yes.”

With a soft sob, she flew at him to hug him so tight he could scarcely breath. He started to attempt to extract himself, but he realized she was shaking and crying, and with a sigh, he wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay, Mom. Please, don’t cry.”

She sniffled and tried to control herself. “Will you stay for pancakes?”

“Will you stop crying?”

“I’ll try.”

“Then I’ll stay.”

She smiled through her tears and turned happily to the stove. Kel exhaled slowly, trying to find his bearings in a world gone upside down.

Henry was watching from the doorway and gave Kel a single nod of approval. And why that felt like so much more, he had no idea. But he stayed. And he ate his weight in pancakes.





Chapter 26




If you never change, you’ll never change



There was always a lull at The Taco Truck between lunch and dinner, usually around two in the afternoon. Typically, Ivy used that time for a quick but thorough cleanup and restocking. She’d not expected a lot of customers today on Christmas Eve, but for whatever reason, business was heavy. She and Jenny were working like crazy when Jenny’s phone rang. It was Caleb, and it was for Ivy.

She stepped out of the truck to talk to him. “How is he?”

“Devastated,” Caleb said. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him like this.”

Ivy paused. “Arlo’s devastated?”

“No, Kel is.” Now it was Caleb’s turn to pause. “Sorry, I just assumed that’s who you meant.”