Page 157 of Broken Vows

“Yes,” I say, my voice unsteady. “He is.”

I can see Levi so clearly—carrying guilt no one asked him to shoulder, punishing himself for damage Drew doesn’t even blame him for.

Stubborn man.

He could have fixed this with one honest conversation. Instead he’s dragged it around for years, buried deep where no one could reach it.

The door opens before I can spiral further. Grace pokes her head in.

“Can we get something to eat?” she asks. “I’m starving.”

“Here we go,” Drew says, standing.

Grace frowns. “I’m growing your child.”

“You’re bankrupting me via pastry.”

Despite everything, a small laugh escapes me.

Grace’s face softens when she hears it. Drew looks almost proud of himself.

For one brief second, everything feels like it could be okay.

44

CARMEN

The days blur together.

I barely leave the motel room. Most mornings, getting out of bed feels impossible. I miss school. I ignore calls. I let Diane bring me groceries and Finn pay for things I pretend not to notice.

It’s worse than leaving Maverick. With him there had been grief but this feels different. This feels like something bright had been switched on inside me, only to be ripped out before I could even brace for it.

There’s a soft knock on the door late one afternoon.

I assume it’s housekeeping, so I drag myself up, pulling my cardigan tight as I cross the room. Fifi lifts her head from her bed, decides it’s not worth the effort, and drops it again.

I open the door a crack, chain still on.

Theo stands there with his school bag slung over one shoulder.

My heart twists.

“Oh, sweetheart.” I slide the chain off and open the door properly. He steps inside, and I pull him into my arms. He clings to me.

“Your brother?” I ask.

“He’s not coming in,” Theo says quickly. “He’s waiting in the car.”

I glance past him. Levi’s Mustang is parked across the lot. I can’t see him clearly through the windshield.

Theo looks down at his shoes. “He said I could see you if you wanted. But if you didn’t, I had to leave right away and not make you feel bad.”

“Of course I want to see you,” I say, pulling him inside and closing the door.

We sit at the tiny motel table while he pulls out his homework. Fifi wakes up properly, sniffs the air, and toddles over.

“Hi, Fifi,” Theo says, voice soft.