Page 92 of All This Time

Could I see a life back here with Laney?

But that would mean a life with my dad in it again too.

***

“At least some things haven’t changed around here,” I say as I lift my meatball sub to my mouth and take another bite. The Happy Belly Deli is a staple in Blossom Peak, and when Rhonan called to see if I wanted to grab lunch with him, he didn’t even have to finish his thought when he mentioned sandwiches.

“Trust me, the locals would riot if Riley changed anything.” Rhonan says, taking a sip from his drink.

“The seasonal menu is new though.”

“Yeah, and he’s had some winners on there too. But nothing beats the meatball sub.”

Homemade meatballs and sauce, with thick slices of provolone cheese melted to bubbly perfection on toasted garlic, parmesan, and rosemary bread—this meatball sub would even make Joey fromFriendsweep with happiness.

“Agreed.” I take another bite, savoring this meal because I’m not sure when I’ll have it next, and I’m starving after signing autographs and taking pictures for a while after we first arrived.

For a moment, I debate bringing up the meeting with Principal Hastings, but decide against it. I don’t want to cause rumors or false hope when I don’t even know how I feel about his offer just yet. “So, how’s bike riding with no training wheels going?”

Rhonan flashes me a deadpan gaze mid-chew. “I didn’t realize there were multiple versions of hell until I became a parent.”

My chest shakes with laughter. “Aw, come on. It can’t be that bad.”

“All I know is that my daughter’s stubbornness will either be her greatest strength, or her doom. I thought maybe since it was her idea, she’d be more proactive about it, but she won’t even touch her bike after this past Sunday when Laney and my dad were over.”

“Laney was the one that told me about the whole ordeal.”

Rhonan shrugs. “I figured. Speaking of my sister, how is she handling everything?”

Oh, she’s thriving. Your sister seems to be very fond of the orgasms I’ve been giving her.

“It doesn’t seem to be fazing her at all,” I reply instead, knowing he’s referring to the wedding planning. “And by the way, she wasn’t too pleased with you and Henley telling me about Spencer.”

“She can be mad all she wants, but someone has to look out for her.”

“I agree. She seems to always be doing things for other people, but not herself.”

“She takes after my mom in that regard.” Rhonan lets out a sigh, dropping his eyes to the table. “Fuck.”

“What’s up?”

He shakes his head, clearly debating what to say as he glances to either side of us and then lowers his voice. “I don’t mean to be a downer, but sometimes I just feel like Laney and I are so fucked up from losing our mom that our lives will never be normal.”

My brow furrows. “That’s a strong statement…”

Sighing, he picks up his drink. “You know how when we were kids, and every cut or scrape left a scar? Visible proof that something hurt.”

“Yeah…”

“Well, those scars were on the outside as physical reminders of pain we felt. But the older I get, the more I feel like I’m collecting scars on the inside, Fletcher.” He pauses, pushing his tray aside. “I lost my mom at twenty, so I ran off and joined the Marines to avoid it. Well, then I lost my fellow marines in combat. But when I came home after meeting Sarah, I thought she was my gift for all the loss I’d experienced in such a short time. Yet lo and behold, I fucking lost her too.” He shakes his head. “If it weren’t for Ellis, I’m not sure where I’d be rightnow.”

“Fuck, Rhonan.”

He blows out a breath. “Sorry to unload on you, but I guess Elliot’s wedding is just bringing shit up for me.”

“You know you can always be real with me.”

He nods. “Yeah. Just be glad your life’s been easy for the most part.”