Page 108 of Fight For Me

My eyes slam open. “Well isn’t that the problem? You always loved her because Alex is part of the family.”

“So?”

“So you don’t think it would be weird for me to date someone you consider family?”

“Does it feel weird to you?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Then I don’t see why it should matter what anyone else thinks.” She leans forward, trapping me in her gaze. “Family just means loving each other. That’s all it is. Love. No one should get to tell you how to share that love.”

“I think Levi might have a different opinion.”

She shrugs. “Levi will get over it.”

I laugh even though she’s frustrating the hell out of me right now. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s never easy, Wyatt. But it’s worth it.” Her eyes go back to the wedding portrait, a faraway look settling on her face. “I thought losing Doug Warner was going to break me. You know what kept me together?” She doesn’t give me time to answer, her attention still on the photo of us. “Love. Your love and Alice’s and Bruce’s. That’s the only reason I’m here right now.” She finally tears her eyes away to focus on me. “I understand being scared. I was terrified to let Cash in. I was terrified to fall in love again.” She gestures around the room, at the photos of our family all over her walls, at the home beyond the door where so many happy memories were made. “Look at us now. Look at all we would have missed out on if I hadn’t given it a chance.”

I let those words sink down into my chest, let them make their impression on my heart. After a long moment, she clears her throat.

“You know, it wasn’t the kiss in that episode that shocked me.”

I look up at her in surprise. “No?”

She shakes her head. “It was that scene where you were paddle boarding. The two of you laying there, floating in the ocean.” Tears begin to glisten in her eyes and she blinks rapidly. “The way you were laughing. God, Wyatt. I can’t remember the last time I heard you laugh like that.”

I let out a ragged breath. “She made me really happy.”

“Then I hope you won’t give up. You deserve to be happy, Wyatt Warner.”

We sit in silence for a long moment. Some of the heaviness has faded from my chest, but I know I’m far from being okay.

“Hey Mom?” I eventually ask. “Will you do something for me?”

There’s no hesitation. “Of course.”

“Will you come with me this afternoon? I…I have to bring George back to his owner and I…I really don’t want to go alone.”

“Oh, baby,” she whispers.

I cover my face. After all the heavy shit we just talked about, this is the thing that finally makes me cry. “Alex loves that dog so damn much,” I rasp out. “And she won’t even be able to say goodbye because I was such an asshole.”

My mom’s arms come around me and I don’t pull away. I let her hold on to me just like she did when I was a kid. “She’s right down the street, Wyatt. Why don’t we bring George down to see her before we go?”

I doubt Alex will want to see me, but I know I have to give her a chance to say goodbye, so I nod.

“Good,” Mom murmurs against my hair. “It’s not too late.”

I don’t know if she’s talking about the dog or me. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. Maybe it’s not too late for either of us.

Wyatt

When Mom and I emerge from her office, the first thing I see is Will sitting at the kitchen table. He still has a slightly dazed expression on his face, but there’s also a steely determination in his eyes. He stands when he sees us come out, his attention focused on me.

“Why don’t I go gather up George’s things,” Mom murmurs to me. “And you guys can talk.”

“Oh, goody,” I mutter back. “More talking.”