it all sink in, but she found out when I did. And she’s sitting there like she’s watching a fucking play.”
“Who says I’m not losing my shit?” she asks, her voice rich with her grievance at his statement. She stands up and faces him. “Just because I’m not screaming like the rest of you?” She flings her arms wide. “I’m thinking about my own fucking children, Tyson. Something you don’t have to consider.”
I step in between them. “Hey. We should not be fighting with each other,” I say gently and try to appear calm, although it is the very last thing I am.
“Guess what, Legend, you are the only people I want to fight with right now. I’m done with this little circus you put on tonight.” His gaze sweeps the room once before he turns and stalks out. I don’t try to stop him. I know how he’s feeling and I know it will take time to process and come to terms with all of this.
Everything slows and I sit down heavily in the chair across from them. My mind is reeling and I just want this night to end, but I have a feeling the nightmare is just beginning. I stare between the two of them.
“I found him,” I add, and Gigi’s eyes fly open, her hand covering her mouth as she watches me wide-eyed.
“You didn’t,” my mother says.
“He’s here.” I watch her face.
“He’s dead,” she shouts almost as if she says it loudly enough it will be true.
“He’s not.” My mother’s face pales as she takes in my expression. She knows I’m serious. She drops down in her chair. Regan, takes her hand. She snatches it back.
Gigi breaks the stillness in the room and rises slowly from her seat. “Remington, you know where he is? Right now?”
I nod.
“Oh my God,” she cries and starts toward the door. Hayes is out of his seat and after her in a flash.
“Gigi, if you just—”
“Where is he?” Her voice is thin and ragged, her eyes move in wild swings around the room and she turns in an almost full circle.
Hayes wraps an arm around her shoulders and leads her back to her chair. “G, let’s go sit down. I know you want to see him, but we have to talk first. And then, I promise I will take you to see him myself.”
She looks up at Hayes, her expression dazed as she searches his face.
“Come on, darlin’. Come sit down.”
“Sit down?” She pushes out of his arms and looks at him like he’s got three heads. “I’m not going to sit down. Are you insane?” She spins to face me. “Where is he? I want to see him right now.” She doesn’t raise her voice, but I know it’s time.
I nod in acquiescence and pull out my phone.
“Who are you calling?” my mother asks as my fingers start to fly across the screen. Her voice is anxious and sharp.
I glance at her. “Kal. He’s with her.”
“Kalilah? She’s here? Where?”
“Upstairs. With Lucas. I just texted her to bring him down.”
“I’m not sitting here for this.” She stands and starts to stride from the room.
“You’re not going anywhere.” I stand in her way. She looks up at me and for the first time in my entire life I see the heartbreak, free of anger and resentment, in her eyes.
“I am not going to sit here and watch their reunion, Remington.” She’s speaking in a whisper, but her eyes are yelling at me.
“He doesn’t remember her,” I tell her.
“He will,” she says quietly, assuredly, brokenly.
“He won’t.” I insist.
“Please. I know I don’t deserve any kindness or any care. But please do not make me watch this. It’s more than I think I can bear.” She’s naked, but for her pain, right now.
And I hate it.
All of it.
She didn’t choose this. She married the love of her life only to discover she would never be his.
I swallow down a lump in my throat as I remember how I felt when Kal told me she was getting married. It had been a knife to my gut. I can’t imagine if she had been my wife first. I step out of her way.
“I’m going to call you when we’re done and we’re going to talk.”
She nods and starts out of the room.
“I’ll take you home, Mama.” Regan, who hasn’t looked up from her hands since Tyson left, stands up.
“You will?” My mother pauses and looks doubtfully at her daughter.
“Of course.” Regan links an arm through hers.