Page 125 of Then You Happened
The sobs come harder now, and he keeps staring at me with a soft smile and an even softer heart before pressing the most tender of kisses to my lips. It’s the kind of kiss that lacks violent passion but that makes up for it with heartfelt emotion.
It’s the kind of kiss you never want to end.
But when it does, he keeps his hands on the sides of my neck and just leans his forehead against mine.
Relief has been an emotion I forgot how to feel, but today, I feel it in spades. Today, I feel love. And while I know the hard work is just beginning with Steely, I also know it’s so much easier to do when you know your effort isn’t going to be in vain.
“You did it, Jack. You really did it.”
“No. We did it. You and me. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for letting me help.”
There are so many things to say to him, but words can’t adequately express my gratitude or appreciation for him, so instead, I push up onto my tiptoes and kiss him back.
“To little victories,” I murmur.
“This was a big victory, Tate.”
“You told me we needed to celebrate victories,” I say, as my hands run down his chest, my eyes darting down to his crotch.
“What exactly did you have in mind?” He leans back and lifts his eyebrows, suggestion owning his smile.
“You’re the one who claims to be the sure thing,” I tease.
His laughter dominates the air seconds before he kisses me again.
And then he shows me just how sure of a thing he is.
49
TATE
My feet move from one end of the deck to the other as I debate for what feels like the hundredth time whether or not to push the send button.
I look at the phone as if it’s going to give me the answer, as if it’s going to explain to me why ever since Jack told me Steely signed, I’ve w
anted to call my mom.
It’s stupid and silly and so out of the blue after all of these years, but every part of me yearns to hear her voice despite all of the unresolved feelings I know it would churn up.
Maybe it’s just the emotions of everything I’ve been through and the possible success on the horizon that has my finger hovering over the send button.
I chew the inside of my lip and bite the bullet. I push the send button.
Each ring in my ear causes my pulse to skyrocket. Each foot of ground I cover, the only way I have to quell the rush of emotions rioting inside me.
“Hello?”
My heart skips a beat at the sound of her voice. At the sudden urgency I feel, the need I have to simply hear her talk.
“Mom?” My voice is shaky but there are also traces of hope woven in it.
“Tatum?”
My name, which is spoken with such reverence, such longing as if she’s missed me and can’t believe that it’s me, breaks me.
The first sob comes. Then another and then the waves of them are so strong that I can’t get a word out because as much as I resent her for not letting me be a part of her life, I also miss her.
“Tate. Please. Are you okay? Are you—”
