Page 35 of In Every Chapter

“Well, we won tonight, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

I had. I’d been keeping an eye on the score between orc battles. “Great goal in the third, but that still doesn’t tell me why you’re here.”

Cal studied me for a minute, and I swore twin telepathy was a thing. At least for us because he simply said, “You needed me.”

I swallowed hard, remembering my silent wish from the hospital. That he could be there. Somehow facing the biggest nightmare in my life was more bearable with my second best friend.

You needed me. Three words, and they dissolved the façade I’d been wearing.

Cal yanked me into a bear hug, and I frayed to pieces. I’d been holding it together for Paisley, for Juliet. But when it was just me and the brother I loved best in the world, he held me up as I fell apart. He came when I thought he couldn’t—hockey-schedule downfalls. But he was here now, picking up the shards of a broken heart. The strong front I wore crumbled, coming face-to-face with the reality that my relationship with my wife as I knew it had shattered. And for once, I wasn’t sure how to fix it. If I even could.

He didn’t mention the tears or ask any questions when we finally dropped onto the couch and Helm’s Deep reentered the living room. He was simply there. Just as I had been when his wife died, leaving him with an infant daughter.

But after Sam gave his speech at the end of the movie—both of us pretending we didn’t choke up—and Cal offered to crash on the couch, the world didn’t feel quite so dark.

Maybe Mama was right. There was comfort in letting someone else shoulder the load for a while. Frodo had Sam, and I had Cal.

“You are so gone, my dude.” Liam nudges me, nearly sloshing the bubble tea I’m bringing Paisley.

“Like you don’t do the same thing for Nora,” I retort with a smile, thinking about how he’s a total goner for his wife. Just like I am for mine. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Liam laughs. “It was about time I visited the place you spent years avoiding. I should have known you were allergic to charm because this”—he waves his hand around Main Street—“is as fine as it gets. Maybe we’ll move here once I get out of the service.”

“It grows on you.”

“You make it sound like a fungus.”

A car backfires, and I don’t flinch. Just throw a wave to Mrs. Gulliver as she passes in her mustang. Rosie whines, and Liam goes full on baby-talking to her.

I stop in my tracks, catching sight of Paisley. She’s perched on the ladder, painting the library windows. The afternoon light frames her, giving her an angelic aura. I wish I could paint—or draw something better than a stick figure—because she’s beautiful. Lost in her own world until she shifts and her eyes meet mine. She smiles, and I’m a moth to the flame. Utterly entranced by her.

I love that smile. The one just for me.

Liam nudges me, reclaiming my attention. Small-town life with one of my best friends would certainly be enjoyable. And I’d pay good money to see him take on Mrs. Gulliver. They’re both forces of nature.

A shrill scream pierces the comfortable bubble of companionship, and Paisley wobbles on the ladder, arms flailing in slow motion.

“Pais!” I bellow, dropping the drink and racing towards her. I should never have looked away.

But I’m too late, and she’s already hitting the ground.

Once she’s in my arms, she’s too still. Sticky redness coats my hands and stains the concrete.

“Liam, give me a hand!” I bark.

But it’s quiet.

I fumble with my flannel overshirt, pressing it to her head, but the blood isn’t lessening.

“Liam!” I scream again, glancing around.

But I’m alone. No teens. No Rosie. No Liam.

Because he was never here.

I’m in an echo chamber, hollering into the void. No birdsong, no street chatter, no Liam.

Just the woman I love broken in my arms. “Pais, open your eyes,” I beg.