Page 196 of The Path to Loving Him
With a smile, she shrugs and says, “He’s okay.” Then she nudges me. “What’s on your mind?”
“Just how happy I am.” And the minute the words come out of my mouth, those tears well up again, but I can’t stop them this time. “God, I’m sorry.” I dab at them. “I swear I’m not the type to cry when someone asks how they’re doing.” I let out a deep breath. “Just been an adjustment.”
“What’s been an adjustment?” Aubree asks in a caring voice.
“All of this,” I say. “Bennett, my brother, and I have been on our own for so long and we’ve been clawing to make something of our lives, and now that I’m here, teaching, coaching . . . in a relationship with your brother, it all feels too good to be true, especially when he comes with a family like yours.”
“I can understand that. I know how important family is, how important it is to feel at peace, and to feel like you’re finally in a position in your life where everything slows down and you can just enjoy it. It’s okay to cry about it. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are.”
“I have.” I wipe at my tears again, hating that I’m crying in front of Aubree.
“Just means you’re in the right place if you’re this happy, so happy that tears come to your eyes. And we’re really happy that you’re here. Ryland deserves you in his life. He was, uh . . . he was texting us earlier about his conversation with Mac yesterday, and his sentiments about you, and how you treat Mac. It’s a relief, Gabby. When Cassidy passed, our lives were turned upside down. So much responsibility was placed on our shoulders, and all we wanted to do was keep our sister’s legacy alive. The pressure of it was insurmountable. Yet slowly but surely, we were able to wade through the darkness and find some light.”
“That’s what it feels like to me, wading through the darkness and finally seeing the light. I just fear the darkness will come creeping back in.”
Aubree shakes her head. “You can’t think of it that way. Coming from someone who has suffered a lot of trauma, and has finally found her peace, trust me when I say the light stays as long as you hold on to it.”
I stare down at my hands, thinking about the light in my life. How that light is in the form of a six-foot-two man with brown hair and green eyes, who told me just hours ago that he was infatuated with me, a man who had no problem crying in front of me because his niece had called him Dad. He’s the light, and I will cling to him as much as I can.
“Come on,” Aubree says. “If we don’t hit up the appetizers now, Hattie will eat them all. Also, she really wants you to try her favorite pickles.”
“Oh?” I ask, curious.
“Yup. It was a special pickle between her and Cassidy, and she offers them to everyone who comes to the house. I kindof think it’s her weird way of making sure Cassidy’s a part of everyone’s life.”
“That’s kind of sweet.”
“In an odd way, right?”
I laugh. “A little bit.”
Together, we head toward the firepit where Hattie and Echo are sitting along with a new girl who I’ve never met. Must be Hattie’s friend, Maggie.
“There she is,” Hattie says. “Maggie, meet Gabby. This is Ryland’s girlfriend, but we aren’t telling people outside of this inner circle because, get this, they work together and coach together.”
“Ooo, scandal, I love it,” Maggie says and then shakes my hand. “I’m Maggie. It’s really nice to meet you. I’m glad Ryland found someone. He’s a good guy.”
“A really good guy,” I say, glancing at Aubree, who smiles back at me.
“Okay, now that we’re all here. I think we need to start the evening with a celebratory?—”
“Maggie,” Hayes says, interrupting. “Brody’s looking for you.”
“Why?” Maggie asks and then turns to me. “Brody’s my man, and he’s very needy.”
“Something about his zipper. I didn’t ask,” Hayes says.
“Jesus,” Maggie grumbles, setting her drink down on the outer ring of the firepit. “Don’t start anything without me.”
“I thought men weren’t invited,” Echo says. “Yet Hayes, Brody, and Wyatt are here. What’s happening?”
“Aunt Hattie,” Mac’s little voice rings out as she comes charging toward Hattie and wraps her arms around Hattie’s legs. From the sliding glass door, I catch Ryland, hands in his pockets, looking all types of yummy.
“Mac, what are you doing here?”
“Uncle Dad said that Uncle Hayes had food for me.”
Uncle Dad, my freaking heart. I can’t take it.
