maybe.
“I know.” I dipped my head lower and stared at our intertwined fingers. “I’m not ready to open my heart yet.”
Abby stroked my hair and pulled me into her arms. Talking about Jayden had me all worked up and I found myself tearing up a bit, my healing heart ripping at the seams.
I had put up a barrier and acted like I no longer cared for him. Jayden and I were not meant to be together, I got that, but breaking up wasn’t easy. In losing him, I’d also lost my best friend. It felt almost like death.
“It’s fine. I’m sorry I brought it up. I just want the best for you.” She caressed my arm.
“I know.” I drew back and wiped my tears. The truth was, the thought of moving on with someone new scared me.
“Love is easy when it’s with the right person,” Abby added. “So, you got paint on him ... does that mean you’re going to start painting again?”
She sounded excited and I didn’t want to let her down.
“Sort of. I painted on the huge canvas and it looks like something Ty would paint, but I’ll eventually get there.”
“Something I can paint?” a small voice asked. “Is it okay if I come in?”
I had asked Tyler to stay in his room until I finished speaking with his mother. I patted the comforter. “Sure. Come here, you, and join our hug.”
“Come here, baby. I’ve missed you.” My sister threw her arms open.
Tyler jumped on the bed and flopped between us. We both hugged him and planted kisses all over his face.
“We should stay like this,” I said, my arms still around Tyler.
“But I’m hungry.” On cue, the doorbell rang. Tyler bolted out of the room and waited by the door. “The pizza guy is here.”
He knew better than to open it, so he eagerly waited for me. I grabbed the exact amount and tip out of my wallet and handed it to the pizza guy.
I closed the door and placed the box on the table as I savored the comforting aroma of melted cheese and the spicy tang of pepperoni. Tyler set the table with paper plates and napkins for the two of us. I dumped two pepperoni slices on his plate and grabbed the other side with all the toppings on it. Just the way I like it.
Tyler gave me a goofy smile and stuffed his face. “Can we play Unicorns versus Skeletons after dinner, Auntie Kate?”
“Sure, only if you tell me why you looked sad when I picked you up.” I grabbed an apple juice box from the fridge and placed it in front of him. Then I went to the family room.
The lights were turned off so I switched on the Christmas tree lights ... There. Red, blue, green, and violet lights twinkled along the wall. And the star on top glowed the brightest. It perked up the gloomy atmosphere.
I went back to him and poked the straw through the juice box for him as I waited for him to answer.
He pointed to his mouth, letting me know he was chewing. That sly boy, he was buying time. “I already told you I had a good day,” he said with a hint of annoyance.
“You did, but I know you. Something is wrong.” I took a warm bite, watching the string from the cheese stretch.
“How do you know?” He furrowed his brow.
“Because I have a feeling.”
He nibbled on the crust, slowing down. “That’s what Mom always says. Grownups must have some kind of feeling power or something. Fine. It’s no big deal. Bridget is on level five. Jace is on level six, and I’m on level four. They’re moving up too fast and I can’t keep up.”
“I’ll tell you what. If you wash up and do everything your mom expects you to do before bedtime, then I’ll help you move up, but we have to leave time for a bedtime story. Deal?”
His eyes bulged. “Deal. You’re the best.”
After dinner, while Tyler washed up, I warmed up Abby’s dinner. Secretly, I couldn’t wait to play the game with him. It was our special time together.
“Can we play now?” Tyler walked into my room in his PJs, holding the tablet, and then bobbed on the balls of his feet.
“Come.” I patted my bed.
He crawled under the comforter beside me.
“Watch where my fingers move. Remember to touch the plants in front of you then move to the sides.”
“What if two come out at the same time?”
“Then you have