Page 18

Chapter eighteen

Abby

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

The words slip out before I can stop them, barely above a whisper.

I’m standing by the kitchen window, staring down at Beck’s backyard where Jake is practicing slapshots with Beck. Spotty is running in circles around them, barking excitedly every time Jake sends the puck sailing toward the makeshift net.

They’re laughing. Carefree. Happy.

And my heart aches at the thought of that happiness slipping away.

“You can’t do what exactly?” Quinn’s voice drifts from the stove behind me, where she’s prepping food for our afternoon cookout.

I don’t turn around. I can’t.

“Move,” I murmur, my throat tightening. “If Beck takes that offer…”

My chest clenches just saying the words.

“Abs…”

Quinn’s tone softens, and I hear the rustle of fabric as she abandons the stove and comes to stand beside me.

“Have you told him how you feel?”

I shake my head, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” I swallow hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if I tell him I’m willing to uproot everything for him… and he still leaves on his own?”

The weight of that fear presses down on me, making it hard to breathe.

“Abs,” Quinn murmurs, her hand resting gently on my arm. “You’re forgetting something.”

I glance at her; my eyes filled with uncertainty. “What?”

She offers a small, knowing smile. “You’re not the only one making a sacrifice here.”

I’ve spent the better part of the morning lost in thought, pacing the length of Beck’s living room while Spotty snoozes on the rug and the cats all eye me like I’m a crazy woman.

“Okay, Quinn.” I mutter under my breath, stopping mid-step and rubbing my temples. “Pros and cons. It’s time.”

I grab a notebook from my bag and settle onto the couch, determined to figure this out.

Pro: I can work from anywhere.Freelance writing gives me the flexibility to move wherever I need to be. Sports and travel articles don’t tie me to Irondale. I’ve built a solid career doing what I love—and that part won’t change, no matter where we end up.

Con: Jake’s stability.Irondale is home. It’s where Jake’s friends are, where his school is, where he’s finally started to feel safe and secure again after everything we’ve been through. My heart aches at the thought of pulling him away from that.

“Mom?”

Jake’s voice startles me, and I look up to see him standing in the doorway, his hair damp with sweat and a smile plastered across his face.

“Hey, bud.” I tuck the notebook under a pillow, not ready for him to see my scribbled mess. “How was practice?”

“Awesome!” He bounces onto the couch beside me, Spotty instantly lifting his head and plopping into Jake’s lap. “Beck says I’m getting better at my wrist shots!”

The pride in his voice makes my heart swell.

“Of course you are,” I murmur, gently using my thumb to wipe away some of the dirt on his chin.

Jake leans back against the cushions, a contented sigh escaping his lips as Spotty licks his cheek.

“Mom?” Jake’s voice is quieter now, thoughtful.

“Yeah?”

“If Beck goes…” His eyes meet mine, filled with a vulnerability that squeezes my chest. “Will we go too?” My throat tightens, and I force a smile I don’t quite feel. I wasn’t expecting that particular question.

“I don’t know yet, buddy,” I whisper, brushing his hair back gently. “But no matter what happens… I promise we’ll figure it out.”

Jake nods, but I can see the uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

And it kills me that I don’t have the answers he needs.

I spend the afternoon helping Quinn and Beck finish the food for tonight’s BBQ over at my house. There’ll be quite a crowd packed into my backyard, but I want to host tonight to take some of the pressure off Beck. We each have a lot on our mind, but I know Beck is really struggling.

***

We’re back at my place later that evening, and first to arrive just after five are his folks and Quinn. Of course, they come early to be useful and to help finish last-minute things. I adore his parents, especially the way they have taken Jake in and treat him like a true grandson. It’s something that Jake has never had, so I really treasure that they want to do things with him, take him places, and even teach him to fish.

I’m surprised that Wes shows up early. That’s definitely not his style. The mischievous glint in his eyes screams at me to not trust him one bit with my sister, but I’m afraid she has a different point of view.

“Okay, so what are we doing? What do you need?” Quinn asks, her arms crossed as she eyes Wes suspiciously.

“Cornhole,” he says casually, setting up the boards in my backyard like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“Cornhole?” Quinn arches an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“Yep.” Wes flashes her a grin that’s equal parts cocky and playful. “Unless you’re afraid you’ll lose.”

Quinn snorts. “Please. I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back.”

“Prove it,” Wes challenges, tossing her a beanbag.

Quinn catches it easily, her lips curving into a grin that tells me this is about to get interesting.

“I hope you’re ready for a beatdown, Archer.”

“Bring it.” Wes’s eyes glint with anticipation, and I swear there’s something… something more in that look.

For a moment, they just stand there, locked in a silent standoff, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Should we leave them alone?” I murmur to Griffin, who’s standing beside me, watching the scene unfold with amusement. “Nah,” Griff replies, a lazy grin tugging at his lips. “This is too good.”

As Wes and Quinn battle it out in the most intense cornhole game I’ve ever witnessed, I glance over to find Jane standing off to the side, arms crossed, watching Griffin with a mixture of curiosity and guardedness.

“Not joining the fun?” I ask softly, stepping beside her.

“Cornhole isn’t really my thing,” Jane murmurs, her eyes flicking back to Griffin, who’s laughing at one of Wes’s sarcastic remarks.

“Griffin … he’s not what I expected,” she admits after a moment, her voice quieter now.

“What do you mean?”

Jane’s lips press together, her brow furrowing slightly. “I thought he was all charm and bravado.” She pauses, her gaze softening as she watches him. “But there’s… more.”

I follow her gaze, watching as Griffin’s laughter fades, and for just a moment…

There’s something raw in his expression. Something vulnerable.

“You’re right,” I murmur, a small smile tugging at my lips. “There’s a lot more to Griffin than he lets on.”

Jane’s eyes linger on him a moment longer before she looks away, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush.

Oh, this is getting interesting .

And just as expected, both of Beck’s two best friends seem to be headed down a rabbit hole of interest and flirtation. If I’m not wrong, Quinn and Jane are quite smitten, and it looks VERY reciprocated.

***

Later that night, after everyone has left and Jake is asleep in Beck’s spare room, I find myself standing outside on Beck’s deck, the cool night air brushing against my skin.

I wrap my arms around myself, staring up at the stars, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

I can’t stop thinking about Jake’s question.

If Beck goes …, will we go too? Will me? Now that’s a million-dollar question.

My career gives me the flexibility to move. I can write from anywhere. But uprooting Jake? Taking him away from the life we’ve built here?

I’m not just making this decision for myself. I’m making it for him .

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Beck’s voice is soft, but it startles me, and I turn to find him standing behind me, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets.

“Jake’s asleep and I didn’t want to wake him yet for the ride home.” I murmur, offering him a small smile.

He steps closer, his warmth wrapping around me even before his arms do.

“Abby…” His voice is barely above a whisper as he presses his forehead against mine.

“I’m scared, Beck,” I admit, my voice trembling slightly. “Scared of making the wrong choice. Of uprooting Jake. Of losing…”

“Me?” he finishes softly, his thumb brushing against my cheek.

My throat tightens, and I nod.

“I don’t want to lose us ,” I whisper, my heart pounding so hard I swear he can hear it.

“You won’t.” Beck’s voice is filled with quiet conviction. “No matter where we end up… I’m not going anywhere without you.”

His words ease some of the tension in my chest, but I know the final decision still looms over us.

“What about you?” I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“What do you want , Beck?”

For a moment, he doesn’t answer.

And that silence?

It says more than words ever could.