Page 248 of Second Sets Omnibus

Setting back in her seat, Asher finally straps her in with success as she babbles until he kisses her forehead. “I love you, Daddy.” Her big eyes stare at him like he hung the moon for her.

Yup. There goes my heart. It’s a melty puddle in my chest, beating rapidly when he beams.

“I love you too,” he murmurs, softly shutting the door.

She preens, pulling the flowers into her nose and taking a big whiff. “Mmm, I think Grandma will like them. Do you think Grandma will like them, Mommy?”

“I’m sure Grandma will,” I rasp, side-eyeing Asher again when he settles into the front seat, unable to look at me.

“Flowers for grandma?” I murmur, resting a hand on his forearm and gently squeezing until his eyes snap to mine, dilating the littlest bit from the warm contact. Electricity zaps through my fingertips, running straight to my toes from the slightest touch of his flesh. My hairs stand on end when his eyes fall on our connecting flesh, and he swallows hard.

He shudders at the contact, the briefest hint of a blush pinkening his cheeks. “Flowers for both grandmas,” he murmurs. “Our mothers are both at the same cemetery.”

The world stops moving. I freeze in place, letting his words knock around inside my brain. My mother. His mother. They’re in the same damn place?

“Oh, Asher,” I breathe, pressing my fingers to my trembling lips. “The cemetery?” I lamely ask with a rock stuck in my throat.

“We weren’t there for you when it happened. I feel—” His grip tightens on the steering wheel as his chest expands. Heavy breaths pour from between his parted lips as his body loosens more. “I feel so fucking responsible for you not having the support you deserved. It was me. I did that. We should have been there for you and held you. Let you cry on our shoulders. Rad could have made some ridiculous apple pie and any comfort food you needed. And…and…we weren’t there.” Asher blows outa shaky breath. “It may be a little late, but that’s what we’re doing now.”

“Yay! Grandma gets flowers!” Lyric sings, swaying in her seat. “I can’t wait to give them to her.” She continues babbling, not comprehending what we’re about to do.

I’ve had this talk with her before. She constantly questions where my mommy is and why she’s not here. I’ve explained to her by pointing to the bright orb hanging out in the darkened sky that she’s with the man on the moon. She left this world because she was sick, and now she watches us with a smile. Sometimes it’s hard to explain to a four-year-old that my mom is never coming back to meet her.

“Jesus Christ,” I rasp through the razor blades sitting in my throat every time I swallow.

“That’s okay, right?” Asher asks, pulling out of the parking lot with concern twisting his face. “I can just take you back to Cal’s, and you can do it privately if you want. Take the flowers and do what you want with them. I’ll call the boys and tell them you need this time to yourself.”

“Please take me there, Asher,” I whisper through the tears heating the backs of my eyes. “I want to do this with you.”

And I do. Every molecule in my body settles at the thought of visiting these graves with him.

It’s been five years since I faced my mother. The moment they lowered her into the ground was the hardest day of my life. I had my found family with me that day. I cried on their shoulders. But when I went home all by myself with no one to pick up the pieces, I fell hard.

When I was pregnant, I made a vow to visit my mother any chance I could. I’d sit in the sun and talk to her, letting her know about Ly and what was happening. I’ve celebrated her life from far away for too long. It’s time to face her again and tell her everything that’s happened while she’s been away.

As we travel closerto the cemetery, I can’t look away from the man I once saw as a monster. My enemy. The man who took everything away from me with one little lie. He’s no longer the man he once was. Not at all.

My gaze eats him alive, taking in every inch of his profile and memorizing them. My eyes trace the tired lines, old bruises, and scrapes I had missed. A few scars line his cheeks and neck, falling beneath his tight black T-shirt.

Were those there before? From his father? From something else?

“Wow!” Lyric proclaims, knocking me out of my thoughts as we travel beneath the iron banner, welcoming us to the last place I ever thought I’d be.

Central Cemetery hasn’t changed much since I was here last. Gray stones peek above the trimmed grass. Bright flowers sit all around in memoriam for loved ones lost. Tall mausoleums with last names carved into stone sit on the horizon in various spots.

“Is this where the dead people are?” Lyric asks, swallowing a lump in her throat. Her curious eyes dart across the stones passing by in slow motion.

“Buried here, yes.” I watch her shuddered expression closely as she nods.

“No zombies, Mommy?” she whispers frantically, searching her surroundings. “Daddy Rad and me watched zombies, they eat people's brains.”

“Did he?” Asher asks with a disappointed head shake. “Idiot,” he murmurs quietly, enough so she doesn’t hear.

“We’re going to have to give your daddy a parenting class on what four-year-olds should watch,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief. One dad always throws on a horror movie for a child who shouldn’t be watching it, and that dad is Rad.

“And say,” Asher chuckles, unclenching his fists.

My heart pounds when the car stops near the row my mother is buried in. I eye the names etched into the marble with interest, bouncing from one to the other.