Presley

“I HAD A GOOD TIME.” I look at Zach, who’s standing on the bottom step.

I feel ridiculous, but I can’t stop grinning. Last night was everything. He was sweet and a complete gentleman. I didn’t think about the ridiculous amount of debt I’m trying to pay off or the fact that I’m thirty-five living at home with my parents. I was Presley. A woman who has been through hell, but is finding her legs again. I didn’t curl up and die along with Todd. There’s something to be said for that, and I deserve to be happy again.

“I’m glad I went.”

“Me too.” I smile.

“I’ll come by tomorrow to check on the boys’ horses.”

“Be sure to stop by the office.” I bite my bottom lip. I’m a damn schoolgirl all over again.

Zach climbs the steps slowly. “I will. You can bet on it.”

I take a step back, not because I don’t want to be close to him, but because of how much I do. The boys could be anywhere, and I want to keep this between Zach and me. If people realize we’re together, it’ll be the talk of the town. I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.

He keeps advancing, and I retreat. “I’ll see you then.” I walk backward and keep going until I bump into the screen door. “Bye, Zach.”

The deep sound of his laugh fills my heart. “Bye, Presley.”

Once I’m on the other side of the screen, I wave again, and he winks. I close the door and press my back against it. This is going to be impossible. Feelings that were six feet under have come back to life. I remember how special he makes me feel. When you’re looked at like you’re the only person who matters—it’s exhilarating.

I take a few breaths in attempt to collect myself. Before I fully can, the boys are flying down the stairs. “Mom!”

“Hi, guys!” I say with a shaky voice. I glance back one last time, hoping to see him, but he’s gone. It scares me that I wish he weren’t.

“How was camping?”

“Did you see a bear?”

“Were there coyotes trying to eat you?” They rattle off their questions, and I shake my head.

“I missed you guys.”

“We had too much fun to miss you,” Cayden says with all the honesty in the world. Logan laughs.

“Thanks so much.” I grin.

Logan shrugs. “Uncle Cooper is fun, Mom.”

“He used to pull my hair and hide my dolls.” I try to sway them.

Cayden rolls his eyes. “So?”

“So, he’s a butt.”

“Whatever,” Logan dismisses me. “Is Zach coming over today to help train Flash and Superman?”

Of course they would ask this.

“No, Zach just went home.”

“Aww,” they whine.

“You can ask Papa to help you train Flash and Superman,” I suggest.

I still can’t get over the names they picked for their horses. I shouldn’t be shocked, considering last month Cooper found his old comics and let the boys read them. Since then, it’s all we hear about. The argument over whose horse is going to be faster is enough to make my ears bleed.

“Hi, sugar.” Mama saves the day.

“Hi, Mama.”

“Did you have a good ride?” she asks and hands each of the boys a cookie from her secret stash, which is the worst-kept secret ever.

“Thanks!” they both say in unison.

“Now, out of my kitchen,” she demands. “Shoo.”

“Come on, Logan. Let’s go see if Superman has used his laser beam eyes on your slow horse!” he taunts and Logan runs after him.

“My horse has kryptonite!”

I laugh and lean against the counter. “Well?” she asks again.

“Yeah, it was good.”

“You and Zachary were together all night?” she pries while trying to pretend she’s barely paying attention.

I could be honest with her. As much as she gossips, she would never betray me. Mama has been on the receiving end of it and never wants that for me. Plus, she knows it’s the fastest way to get me the hell out of here.

“We stayed in our respective camps. Wyatt and Cooper are going to need to knock it off.”

“They want you to be happy.”

I grab a cookie, and she glares at me. Why is it the boys can eat them, but I can’t? “I’m hungry.” I shrug and take a bite. “They can’t force this. Zach hurt me really bad, and I’m still dealing with all my shi-crap.” I catch myself. She has a wooden spoon and her aim is impeccable.

“He loves you. He’s always loved you.”

“I’m not counting my chickens. That’s all.”

She nods while stirring whatever is in the pot. “I see.” I wait for her opinion, but she doesn't say a word.

“That’s all?” I ask in disbelief. That’s never all.

“You’re a smart girl, Presley. I don’t need to tell you things you already know. Now, hand me that rolling pin.”

I place it in her hand, wondering what alternate universe I’ve stepped into. My mother has always made her feelings on the Hennington boys known. She begged me to date other guys, but no one even caught my eye. I believe there are people that you love so deeply they ruin you for anyone. Zach was that.

“Mama?”

“Hmm?” she asks nonchalantly.

“What did you think when I married Todd?”

She puts the crust on the pie, wipes her hand, and takes mine. “I thought you sure were broken.”

“Broken?”

“Yeah, sugar. You didn’t even give yourself any time. You jumped right into lovin’ that boy. You would tell me all the time that he was keeping you together. But you’d cry as soon as you’d mention Zach. I think you made yourself love Todd so that your heart wouldn’t hurt for Zach.” She pauses, allowing me to absorb what she said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t real. But for you to ask me that . . .” Mama tilts her head and busies herself.

I sit on the stool, watching her and thinking about what she said. The girl I was then was weak. I relied on Zach for everything. He was the reason I went to Maine and the reason I fell apart. Angie would tell me to “get over it” but I couldn’t. I didn’t know how to get over someone who was half of me.

Then there was Todd. He plugged the holes that Zach left.

“No, it wasn’t the same, but I loved him,” I finally say.

“I don’t doubt that.” She looks up. “I think you grew to love him. Which is why y’all worked. You didn’t have this perfect story twisted up in the center of a tornado. That funnel lifted, leaving you and Zach in its wake. But you and Todd were strong at the base. I wish the good Lord didn’t take him from you. So young.” She shakes her head. “Makes no sense why these things happen.”

I close my eyes and everything inside me tenses. She’s said this a few times, and each time she does, I cringe. It’s not God’s fault. It’s his. “God didn’t take him, Mama,” I say without thinking.

Her gaze lifts as she gives me a curious look. “What do you mean?”

I let out a long breath and decide it’s time to be honest with my mother. “There’s a lot more to this . . . to why we’re here.” How the hell do I say the words? I’m so ashamed and hurt.