Page 136 of Call You Mine
And I don’t know if I’d be able to keep my mouth shut about how fucked up I think it is that they take advantage of Anderson the way they do.
“What about your brothers? I ask.
Anderson shrugs, but it isn’t convincing. “Just a few texts here and there.”
I can almost see the guilt form, like a cloud hanging over his head. He thinks it’s his fault that his family doesn’t show the same care for him and his life that he does for them and theirs.
And I wish I could take it away, even though it’s a feeling I know all too well—one that belongs to us even though we know it’s ours to carry.
As eldest children, we were expected to keep it together, to be the pillar of strength for everyone else. We weren’t allowed to crumble under the pressure or break when it all became too much.
Our tears, our exhaustion, our silent cries for help were buried under the weight of everyone else’s needs—while ours went unnoticed.
And that guilt comes from never feeling like we were doing enough—even when we were giving everything we had.
And I know Anderson is trying. He’s sticking to his boundaries, working through it all in therapy, and I’m here to understand on a level not many others can.
“Whatever happened with the hospital bill your mom had called about that night at Lenny’s?”
Anderson blows out a breath, his eyes finally finding mine. “As far as I know, Auggie figured it out. I texted him the next day about it, and he said he had it covered.”
“Well, I guess that’s good,” I offer. “Hey,” I say, grabbing his hand and pulling it to my lap. I hold it tightly between my palms. “It’s okay to be upset that they don’t show up for you in the ways you always show up for them.”
He nods, watching me carefully in a way that makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world—that nothing matters except for me and what I’m going to say.
My hands find each side of his face as my mouth finds his, and I feel his palms against my belly, tenderly caressing my bump before he finds my waist.
He’s been so gentle with me. He always has been, but even more so since I told him I’m pregnant.
It’s another thing that’s healed me in ways I didn’t know I needed. The way he holds me, the way he touches me, the way he looks at me.
He’s careful—but not in the way he used to be, like I wasgoing to disappear. And it’s not like he’s scared I’m going to break, like I’m too fragile.
It’s more like he knows who I am—like he cherishes every aspect, knowing I’m strong but choosing to be soft with me anyway. Because no one ever has been.
“But it is not your fault.” My voice is strong, stern in a way. Because I need him to hear me. “It never was, and it never will be.” I squeeze his hand between mine. “And I promise you, sunshine,” I start, my throat tightening as the back of my eyes prickle with emotion. “I willalwaysshow up for you.”
His lips curve to the side, his eyes glistening. His lips part to say something when I feel the familiar kick in my belly and his eyes go wide.
“Wait, was that—? He can’t even finish the words, his features hanging with pure disbelief at the feeling of our daughter kicking for the first time.
I nod, tears blurring my vision. “I guess I should saywewill always show up for you.”
He lowers to his knees, pressing a soft kiss to my belly just before whispering against the fabric of my sundress, “Hi, little one.”
Anderson is always talking to my belly, and our daughter loves it. She flutters and kicks the entire time, but never big enough for him to feel—until now.
She kicks again, right where he’s talking to her.
“That’s my girl,” he says as a tear falls from the corner of his eye. I use my thumb to wipe it away, and he looks up at me.
“I love you, Ava Montgomery,” he says, using our last name. He always drops it into conversation any time he can, but I don’t mind. Especially in this moment—thisperfectmoment.
I like the reminder that I’m his.
CHAPTER 50
ANDERSON
