Page 26 of In Every Chapter

Rising from the couch, Mama D chuckled. “I’ve held the hounds back this long under pain of giving a detailed report when I get home.” She patted Greyson’s arm. “But they might be dropping in over the next few days if you give them the green light. We’re all worried about our girl.”

Her words were as warm as the hug she pulled me into.

“They’ve already tried dropping in virtually,” Greyson grumbled, but a half smile touched his lips, like he appreciated his siblings’ concern.

Greyson and Mama D’s murmured undertones faded, disappearing into the entryway.

“I need a shower,” I said to Juliet, and she nudged me down the hall towards the stairs.

In the doorway of my room, I stopped and turned to my best friend. “Jules, I still need answers. I’m not a child in need of coddling.”

Her expression was dead serious. “I know. I think we kept hoping you’d just wake up this morning and this would all be over.”

I frowned. “Well, it didn’t. What if this doesn’t go away? This is my life. I . . .” My words trailed away, unsure how to finish.

“I’m sorry. You’re right.” She started gathering a few clothes for me. “You up for a girls’ night tonight? Steph and Liz have to head home tomorrow.”

I nodded but winced at the movement. “There’s no way I can wash my hair,” I whispered, and that helpless feeling had the waterworks ready to burst again.

Juliet tucked a bundle of clothes under her arm. “I’ll help you.”

“What about Greyson?”

“You want him to help you?”

My face burned. “No! I meant . . .” What did I mean? How was he doing? What did he think of having a wife who couldn’t remember him? I was still trying to wrap my head around him being my husband. Of being his wife. Jared still lingered close to me, like my present, not my past. “’You are strangely troublesome,’” I settled on.

Juliet hugged me. “You must be feeling better if you’re quoting Shakespeare at me again. And don’t worry, he’s . . . he’s coping. Trust me, he’s not blaming you for this.”

That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind until just this minute. But as I trudged down the hall after Juliet to the washroom, it was the only thought on replay in my mind.

Chapter ten

Greyson

“You okay, hon?” Mama asked as I walked her to the door. Juliet’s and Paisley’s shuffled footsteps drifted off upstairs.

“Of course.” I offered a tight smile. “Thanks for dropping that off.”

Mama arched an eyebrow. So, that’s who Juliet got it from. “Greyson Michael, don’t lie to your mother.”

“Not lying, Mama.”

She hummed in a way that told me she didn’t believe me for a minute. Mothers. They really knew everything. “I can stick around and help if you need to get to the shop.”

“Nah, the guys have things handled, and Juliet’s gonna take her over to see the girls.”

We stepped out onto the front porch, the morning heat already oppressive compared to inside.

“But she’s flying out to see Myles tomorrow,” Mama gently reminded me. “I can—”

“I’ve got her,” I blurted out a little too forcefully, then tried to soften it with a half smile. “Besides, you and Pops are taking Khia to see the game, too. I can manage by myself.” I always do. I needed to prove to Paisley, to myself, that I could protect her. I’d failed her once already. I wouldn’t do it again.

Mama’s sunny expression wrinkled into a frown like she could read my thoughts. “Ever since you were a little boy, you’ve been obsessed with being a hero. Making the world a safer place for the ones you love.”

I scoffed. “And look how that worked out? Liam’s gone, and Pais—” My voice cracked, and I shifted my gaze out over the faded-green front lawn and flowers along the fence. I needed to water them before it got much hotter.

“Dallas said you were there when it happened,” she said softly.