Page 191 of Micah
“No...” Her voice catches. “You don't understand.”
She leans back just enough to look at me.
Those beautiful brown eyes are swimming with tears.
“No one's ever cared what I felt or had to do. They’ve never taken care of me like that before.”
The words hit like a freight train.
I don't know what to say. I don't know if there even are words big enough.
So I do the only thing I know how. I hold her tighter.
Somewhere behind us, I hear chairs scrape against the floor.
Benji clears his throat.
“Ladies?”
Bit sniffs loudly.
“Oh, don't mind me. I'm just crying over here.”
Esme laughs softly.
“Come on. Let's give them some space.”
Sawyer claps me once on the shoulder as he passes.
“You know where to find us.”
I nod.
“Yeah.”
No one makes a joke.
No one whistles.
No one turns it into something it isn't.
They simply leave.
Closing the front door quietly behind them. And I am so grateful for them in that moment.
Jersey Iron takes care of its own.
The cabin falls silent.
Just me.
And Sloane.
She still hasn't let go.
Neither have I.
I slide one arm beneath her knees and lift her effortlessly.
