The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller(68)

Tears roll out of my eyes and I’m forced to take a breath before I can continue speaking. “To say I was stubborn is an understatement. But Linda…well, she was tenacious. And she was until the day she left us. Her battle with cancer was one that was incredibly difficult to watch, but as I witnessed it, I gained a newfound respect and admiration for this thing we call life. You see, Linda Walker not only gave me a home. She not only gave me family. She not only gave me unconditional love and patience. On top of all those things, she granted me the greatest parting gift of all, because in her death she passed on to me the importance of learning to how to fully live. Of finding wonder and amazement with each day that passes. Of the realization that certain things should never be taken for granted.”
I break to look at Kaeleb, and as his eyes glisten back at me, I know he understands the meaning of my next statement. “Of the absolute necessity of letting yourself love and be loved.”
A shy smile plays on his lips, and Quinn literally claps with excitement beside him. A slight laugh bubbles into my throat, but I force myself to stifle it as I end the eulogy.
“And for her many, many gifts that she so lovingly bestowed upon me, I will be eternally grateful. I love you, Linda. You are missed more than you will ever know.”
After wiping my cheeks, I fold the paper and place it back into my clutch before making my exit off the stage. My eyes are trained on Kaeleb, and my heart leaps in my chest as I head back to my seat, knowing that there will be no need for her to waste her time haunting me from the beyond.
There’s no way I’m ever letting this man go.

Chapter Thirty-Three

“GO!” Quinn yells, pushing me out the door, her face half full of laughter while the other half is attempting to look scary fierce. It’s not working. I can only take someone so seriously when they’re donning pink flannel pajama pants with their feet clad in big bunny slippers, the ears flopping all over the place with their movements.
“Quinn! Let me in! I want to change!” I yell back, trying to charge my way through the front door.
“NO! No changing! GO!” she adds, with another shove. Stepping back, I cross my arms over my chest and breathe in deeply.
“Quinn, Kaeleb just left like half an hour ago. I would look like an idiot if I went charging over there right now.”
She shakes her head and happily closes the door behind her. “No, you wouldn’t. You would look like you’re going to get the man you love.” She steps forward and sets her hand on my shoulder. “You told me you were finally to the point where you are living. I can’t imagine a better way to start that life than with that man by your side.” She laughs when I give her a conceding shrug, then gently pushes my body away from her. “Go.”
“What about you?” I ask.
She huffs. “I’ll be fine. You already showed me the bedroom. That’s all I need to know. Lord knows I’m stuffed with all the casseroles flying around this place tonight. I’m going to call Tommy, then head to bed.”
I tighten my gaze at her. “You sure?”
“Positive,” she responds. “Now get that hot ass of yours into that car and GO!”
Releasing a long, contemplative exhale, I finally relent. “Fiiiiiiine.”
She giggles and claps the entire way as she follows me to the car. Once I’m inside, I roll my window down, the uncertainty about this whole situation settling into my stomach with a thud. “What if —”
“Nope. Not gonna happen.” She heads back to the door, gesturing excitedly for me to call her afterwards. I nod as I watch her disappear into Linda’s house.
After the funeral, we had a lot of people come by for the repast. There were tears, there were hugs, there were laughs, and there were definitely A LOT of casseroles. Quinn wasn’t lying about that. Palmer came and went, giving me his condolences and surprising me with a tender embrace before he left. When the number of visitors began to trickle down, Kaeleb also headed out, explaining he was getting a hotel room in order for Quinn and me to catch up, which I had planned on doing until she forced me out the door.
I’m still shaking my head as I pull out of the driveway. She could have at least let me change into something more comfortable.
As I drive down the highway, I briefly glance down at my attire, feeling a little overdressed and underprepared to deliver my speech of a lifetime. My nerves are at an all-time high and my brain is in overdrive, listing every single reason that Kaeleb might not take me back. Sudden doubt replaces my earlier confidence with each passing thought.
I left him when he needed me.
I hurt him on purpose.
I lost my virginity to someone else. And I don’t even remember it.
That last one almost causes me to turn around. I am in no way looking forward to that conversation.
That being said, I know what I want. And I want him.
I’m just hoping he still feels the same way.
Once I finally arrive, I make my way inside and bypass the front desk as I head to his room. Quinn announced his room number at least fifty times before my departure, so I know where I’m heading. After smoothing my dress, I take in a long, deep breath and press the elevator button. My heart is bouncing all over the place, ricocheting around like a speeding bullet as I ascend to the second floor. All I can seem to think about is that my life will soon be drastically changed.
For better or for worse.
I run my fingers through my hair as the door opens. An older couple greets me and I shyly smile in response to the laughter in their eyes.
My feet carry me on their own as my mind continues to fill with apprehension and nervous anxiety. My tortuous journey comes to an end after two right turns and an extremely long hallway.