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“It’s changed,” Cain said. “Before Jackie, I lived there mostof my life. And now I see something totally different when I visit.”
“Some people say change is a part of life, but it’s ... a lot. Going back will be an adjustment.”
“How long are you staying?” Eric asked.
“I have no idea. Maybe for a while.”
“Yay! We should eat dinner together as long as you’re here.”
I glanced at Cain, wondering if he would be staring at me like he usually was.
Instead, he was looking at his nephew.
And it hit me that I might be here longer than Eric was. That had to be what Cain was thinking.
Despite us not getting along, I couldn’t help but feel the same way. Eric belonged with Cain. Hopefully, things would stay as they should.
“I won’t impose,” I said. “But maybe sometimes. I’d offer to cook, but I don’t make anything as good as this.”
“I’d try it!” Eric exclaimed before going back for another bite. I did the same, and we all ate in relative silence. Cain immediately started on cleaning up, another point in his favor.
“Need any help?” I asked.
He gave me a flat look, one that was a resounding no.
“Okay, maybe you don’tneedit. But do you want it? It’s only fair since you offered dinner.”
“That was a one-time thing. As a thank you for the lawyers.”
I turned to see Eric playing with LEGO bricks in the living room. “Does he know?”
“Some of it. He knows that there’s a lawsuit. I told him on the way home.”
“He seems to be in a good mood regardless.”
“He said he would tell the judge that he doesn’t wanna go. As if it were that simple.” He put a dish in the dishwasher. “I’ll know more when I go to Nashville next week.”
“I don’t envy you, having to drive there. But I’m glad you called.”
“There’s no wasting time. Even if the traffic might send me to an early grave.”
I laughed. “Don’t let that happen. It’smyjob to do that to you.”
He nodded, and I saw a ghost of a smile on his face. My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t even think it was possible for him to do that, much less because of me.
“When we inevitably find something to fight about tomorrow,” I said, “I’ll remember this one good moment we had together.”
“You could overachieve and find something new. What controversial topics do you have?”
I raised my hand. “I plead the Fifth. Unfortunately, I do have more work to do.”
“Does it ever end?”
“Not where Trevor’s concerned,” I muttered. For a man who didn’t want me working, he sure did have a lot for me to do now.
“Who’s Trevor?” he asked. “I’ve heard that name before.”
For a second, I froze. I’d barely told my best friend about some of the things Trevor had done. If Cain found out, he would never let me live it down for being with someone so awful.