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Until Tee hurls herself at my side and starts sobbing.
Her exuberance calms me. It’s as if she gives me permission not to be a McAllister and to feel things like a normal person.
I hug her, holding her tight, both of us rocking as the reality hits—tonight, I won’t be sleeping here.
Tonight, I’ll be in a hotel in Saskatoon.
Tonight, this will stop being my home.
I can’t deny I thought he’d hurry us along. But he doesn’t.
Of course not.
He’s still as kind as he used to be… before it all went wrong.
Colt stands there, talking quietly with Parker about God knows what, and leaves us alone in our misery.
Eventually, Tee’s all cried out but she’s still sniffling as she wails, “Who’s going to wait up for me when I get in from a gig?”
“You can always call me,” I tell her, gently stroking a hand over her hair. “That won’t stop. You can call me whenever you want.”
Tee’s bottom lip wobbles but she nods. “And who’s going to make sure your blood sugar’s all right?”
My laughter is croaky. “I can manage.”
I haven’t had many major incidents since I was a teenager. Day to day, I’ve gotten good with the balancing act as a type 1. As good as you can get when experiencing an adrenaline high in the afternoon can make your blood sugar bottom out at 2AM.
“And if she can’t, I will,” Colton assures her, stepping toward us and invading the conversation.
I don’t mind though. Not when his smile is kind and his gaze is gentle as he studies Tee and me.
“You’ll check her monitor?” Tee demands.
Colton nods. “Gladly.”
“You’ll get alerts at 5AM,” she cautions.
“I’m awake then,” he soothes. “I got this.”
She sniffles. “It’s my job.”
I kiss her cheek. “Technically, it’s mine.”
“You need a blood-sugar keeper, Susanne McAllister.”
“Ouch. Full name?”
We share a look—one that speaks of the many occasions she’s force-fed me snacks and how she carries sugar gels in her purse for me. Sometimes, she’s who realizes that I’m acting loopy or more confused than usual…
This transition is going to be difficult for both of us.
“Who will make you laugh when you get all sad?” is what she says, though.
“You will. Because I’ll call you and you can cheer me up long distance?” I squeeze her tighter. “And you can do the same with me. I’m moving, not dying. I’ll always be on the other end of a phone.”
“Dying is not allowed.”
“We have to go catch our flight?” I whisper, shooting Colt a look.