A Simple Wish About love - Karice Bolton Page 0,30

greets me every morning. I’m exhausted. I’m angry. I’m tired of being all those things. But coming to Silver Ridge changed things for me. By the time I flew back to Colorado, it was like I started to release the emotions that I’d bottled up so tightly over this last year. I’m still angry. I’m still mad at myself. I still miss him. But I feel like there might be hope. I feel like you've had something to do with that.

She wrote back.

Don’t give me any credit for that. I just listen, but I’m glad to lend an ear any time you need it. But I will say that I really think you should call your parents today. I can’t imagine not hearing from Scott when he’s older. The thought is paralyzing. The only way to shape your future relationship with them is to deal with it head-on. You don’t want to lose what you have with your parents.

Slade smiled and shook his head. They’ve only known one another for a little over a week, and he’d shared things with her he’d never dream of telling a soul. Their connection was insane, yet it was all emotional. He finally understood what people meant when they talked about having an affair that wasn’t physical. He was emotionally connected to Erika, and it was a good thing Penny wasn’t in the picture.

Thanks. I’ll call them today.

She messaged again.

Good. I’m off to an appointment, but same place, different time tonight?

He laughed.

Sounds good. Have a great day, Erika. Thanks again.

Slade drew a breath and walked over to a wall of photos that were of his brother and him from when they first opened the firm. It was such a happy time for both of them. Slade kept himself busy with women and partying while Lucas kept himself busy with his girlfriend. That was kind of how their lives always were. Everyone always thought Slade was the partier and Lucas was the steady, dependable one.

Maybe they were right.

Slade stared at his cellphone on his desk.

Erika and Charlotte were right. He needed to call his parents.

He walked over to his desk and sat down. He took a sip of coffee, picked up his phone, and dialed his parents.

His mom picked up almost instantly.

“Oh, I’m so happy you called,” she sang into the phone.

And he could tell she meant it. She hollered to his dad that he was on the phone, and he heard him shouting a greeting.

“I’m sorry I haven’t reached out much.” Slade bit his bottom lip and closed his eyes. “I feel awful for not calling, and then the—”

His mom sniffed into the phone, and Slade knew he could no longer keep running from their shared loss. He had to grow up.

“You’re all we have left, Slade.” Her mother sounded weary and almost frail, which was alarming. “We love you more than you can imagine, and frankly, we miss you.”

Slade let out a sigh and opened his eyes. “I miss you both too. I wish I’d reacted better over this last year.”

His mom laughed softly. “There’s no instruction manual for these situations. I wish there were. But we love you, Slade.”

“I love you too.”

Slade toyed with a thought. He hadn’t been back to Idaho since the memorial service. He wasn’t sure he was quite ready to go back to see the house he grew up in with his brother, but there was a part of him that knew he needed to deal head-on with everything.

“Would you and Dad be up for a visit? I’ve been thinking about coming to Idaho.”

His mom didn’t even have to say anything. He could feel the excitement through the phone.

“We’d love that. We really would.”

“Good. I would too.” He’d finally started to let the breath out he’d been holding.

“Charlotte said you went to Silver Ridge to connect with your old high school girlfriend.” His mom cleared her throat. “I only know of one.”

Slade laughed into the phone. “It didn’t go so great, actually.”

“Really?” His mom sounded surprised.

“She stood me up.”

“You’re kidding.” She laughed into the phone, and the sound made Slade happy to be going home.

“I wish I were. I think it was payback.”

“She really did love you. I don’t think she ever forgave you for joining the service and hightailing it out of Idaho.” His mom paused for a minute. “But I didn’t blame you.”

“Well, I’m glad I went to Silver Ridge regardless.”

“Is that so?” His mom sounded intrigued.

“Yeah. I met some great people on the trip.”

“Do any