is Erika, and she’s really cool.” Slade smiled as he thought back to her. “We’ve had great conversation since the day we met.”
His dad looked impressed. “Is that what they’re calling it now?”
Slade laughed and rolled his eyes. “Believe it or not, we’re really having conversation. She’s kind of opened my eyes to things.”
“That could be a good thing.” Slade’s dad walked over to the cake. “Remember when you and Lucas used to fight over the drippings?”
Slade’s chest tightened as his mind went back to the mini battles he’d had with Lucas in this kitchen. Whether it was the drippings or another helping of fries or trying to wrestle the last soda out of one another’s hands, this kitchen bubbled with memories.
And for the first time since his brother’s death, he wasn’t trying to run from them.
“He was a good brother.” Slade drew a breath. “An amazing brother.”
“We are very blessed to have had two incredible sons,” his mom added.
“I’m really glad I came home.”
“It was overdue, but we understand.” His dad rested his hand on his mom’s shoulder. “You two were inseparable.”
“I don’t think we’ll ever be able to move on, but I think we can push forward.”
Slade nodded. “That’s kind of what Erika implied.”
His mom’s brows rose. “Why don’t you tell me more about Erika?”
“She’s the one I met when I was in Silver Ridge. She’s smart and beautiful and kind. A good friend.”
“Ah,” his mom cooed. “So, there could be something there?”
Slade nodded. “She’s the one I’m going to visit after here.”
“That’s quite a friendship.”
Slade let out a happy sigh. “It’s turned into that. We’ve known each other for a month now, and it feels like we’ve known each other for . . .” He stopped himself when he saw the hope in his mom’s eyes. “A long time.”
“As I told you on the phone, friendships like that are hard to come by.”
Slade wandered to where his mom stood about ready to release the cake. The moment she did, he stuck his finger along the hot brown sugar concoction and burned the tip just to get a taste.
“You just never learn,” she teased.
“A truer statement couldn’t have been said.” He laughed, tasting the sweetness as he watched his mom clean off the counter.
Silence sat between them, and he realized that not only had he missed his brother, part of the emptiness he felt was not being closer to his family.
“But I’m actually trying to grow as a person.” He flashed a coy smile. “Believe it or not.”
“I believe it, but I think you’re pretty perfect the way you are.”
“That’s why you’re such a good mom. You look past my flaws and think I’m wonderful.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re perfect the way you are.”
“I should come home a lot more often.” Slade laughed. “It would be good for my ego.”
His mother laughed and shook her head. “The one thing I know is that your ego has never been something I had to worry about. It was big enough for the family.”
Slade’s phone buzzed, and he saw Erika’s face pop up on the screen.
“Don’t let us stop you from your work,” his mom whispered.
“Oh, it’s not work. It’s Erika.”
His mom and dad traded glances, and he shook his head as he answered.
“Hey, stranger,” Erika’s voice rang over the phone. “Did you make it to your parents’?”
“I did. We’re actually all standing in the kitchen devastatingly close to a pineapple upside-down cake.”
Erika moaned into the phone, and Slade about lost it. The sound was otherworldly.
“I just wanted to make sure you didn’t chicken out on your trip home,” she said, sounding relieved that she’d gotten ahold of him.
“Nope. Got here safe and sound.”
He noticed his parents trying to keep themselves busy and look like they weren’t listening, but he knew better.
“Is it going well?”
“Incredibly well.” He let out a sigh. “It highlights just how much I miss being close to my family.”
“Yeah, I feel that way, and mine are all in Washington.”
“Exactly.” He grinned, thinking about getting to see her again.
“Have you touched on any tough subjects?” she asked softly.
Slade straightened in the chair and glanced at his mom and dad.
“No, not a one.” He let out a sigh.
“Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, Slade. Something is eating you up inside.”
“How do you know these things?” he asked.
“I just look in your eyes.”
“Well, that’s a humdinger of a statement.”
“It’s true. Oh, I’d better go. I’m just glad you got there.”
Slade heard Scott calling for his mom, and Erika