Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

I smile at her concern before walking back over to her; standing so close that we’re nearly touching as I bring my hands up, cupping her cheeks.

She leans into me and I tilt her head down, kissing her lightly on the forehead. “Of course I am, I’d never keep them away from here.” I pull back slightly. “I’d never keep them away from you.”

She blows out a breath of relief as I let her go before walking out of the studio, knowing that this time I’ll be coming back.

I drive home as quickly as I can, not being able to stand being away from her for so long; at least not until I know exactly where we stand after she knows the truth.

We’re on a seesaw, going this way and that, not quite settling on what we are or where we want to go. That all changes today once I’ve told her what happened ten years ago.

As soon as I walk into the house, I head for a shower, knowing that if the kids catch me before I take them to the studio that I’ll never get away.

After my shower, I throw some dark jeans on with my black, leather combat boots and a simple white t-shirt before grabbing my leather jacket and jogging downstairs.

“Daddy!” Izzie squeals, jumping down from her seat and running toward me. I catch her, lifting her up in the air before cuddling her to my chest and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Where was you?”

I set her back down in her seat and say, “You’re so nosey,” before touching the end of her nose and walking over to Clay, kissing the top of his head too before grabbing myself a cup of coffee.

“I take it that it went well?” Amelia asks, standing next to me and leaning against the counter.

“We’ll see,” I say, shrugging and finishing my coffee, trying not to think too much into how today is going to go even though the dread is settling like a heavy weight on my chest. “You okay to pick them up from art class?” I ask, to which she nods before I turn back to watch the kids.

“Tris?” My gaze swings back to Amelia as I raise my brow in question. “I need to talk to you.” She bites her bottom lip, her gaze swinging from mine to the kids. “I know now isn’t exactly the right time, but… I’m thinking about moving out.”

My head reels back and I step closer to her. “Why would you do that?”

She opens her mouth, her features scrunching up. “I—”

“Dad? What time is it?” Clay interrupts, standing up and bringing his plate over to us.

Amelia takes it from him and wanders off toward the sink as I check my watch. We need to be leaving and as the kids are ready, I don’t have time to see why Amelia wants to move out. It doesn’t make sense to me, but right now, I have other things on my mind.

“A?” She turns toward me but doesn’t meet my eyes. “We’re talking about this later.”

I don’t wait for a reply before I walk out of the kitchen and head to the car with the kids.

We make it to the studio within ten minutes and when I double park right in front of the studio, Clay asks, “Why is Harmony outside?”

I turn my head, switching the ignition off and watching her standing there: shoulders slightly drooped and head turned down toward the cobblestone path. It’s not until she hears Izzie calling her name from inside the car that she snaps her head up and pastes a smile on her face.

I’m enthralled as she walks toward us, not able to move even if my life depended on it. She captivates me like no one else ever has, and I kick myself for all the pain that I’ve caused her: not only in the past, but in the present too.

She opens Izzie’s door and as she does, Izzie launches herself at her; Harmony catching her just in time and chuckling as Izzie giggles before looking over at me and smiling wide.

I jump out of

the car, letting Clay out and following them into the studio.

“Amelia will be picking you up today,” I tell them as Harmony sets Izzie down next to her.

“Why?” Izzie asks, her lips turning into a pout as she widens her blue eyes.

I crouch down in front of her. “Because Harmony and I are going on a day trip—”

“I want to come!”

I chuckle and shake my head. “You can’t come, pumpkin.” She pouts and looks down so I place my finger under her chin, bringing her gaze back up to mine before saying, “Next time.”

“Promise?” she asks, holding out her little finger.