“Yes, do you want to come over here and hang out while we wait for the good news? Raven, Declan, and the kids are coming. Jenna is bringing take-out, which is good, because out of all the men, James always calls Jenna first. So we’ll be in the know as soon as it’s all over.”
“Absolutely. I need to run by my dad’s for about an hour, but then I’ll be there.”
“Sounds good. See you in a bit.”
I change out of my wet shirt and throw a towel down to soak up the water on the floor. Then I grab a few things and head out to my dad’s with a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Reese calls me for an update, and Tripp gets on the phone, sounding pleased with the news I relay. He promises to call Max and says he’ll be stopping over at Robbie’s. The last call I make is to Evelyn. She’s already heard a small update from Jenna, but asks me to keep in touch as I hear from Finn.
Winnie and Johnny are in the driveway when I drive up, her on her bike as he shoots hoops.
“Hey!”
“You look chipper.” Johnny gives me a one-arm hug.
“I have great news. Where’s Dad?”
“Inside finishing a call.”
“Come on.” I link my elbow through his and gesture for Winnie to follow us inside.
Dad gives me a welcoming smile and kiss on the cheek when we meet him in the kitchen. Due to the sensitive nature of Finn’s work, we’ve purposely avoided talking about it in front of Winnie, so I get her set up in the other room with a movie. Once she’s settled and out of earshot, I tell my dad and brother the newest developments.
“Isn’t this terrific?”
“Sure is, do we have any idea of the timeline?” Dad grabs three beers and hands one to Johnny and me.
“No, but we can turn on the news in here. I’m sure there will be some sort of announcement once the family is released.”
Johnny flips it on and turns it down as we all sit around the island talking about nothing specific. It hits me that I’ve been so wrapped up in my life with Finn, it’s been forever since I’ve spent solid family time with my own family.
“Dad, you have any food here?”
“Went to the grocery store yesterday. What do you have in mind?”
“How about I make us dinner. It’s been too long since the four of us had a nice meal together.”
“Hell yeah, I vote for anything homemade. Your love life put a huge dent in my homestyle cooking.”
I swat his shoulder and go to the fridge to inspect the contents. “Tell you what, when we get into the new house, I’ll plan a dinner or brunch at least twice a month with home cooked meals.”
“Deal!” both men say in unison.
I take out the ingredients for Johnny’s favorite meal and send a quick text to Ember that I’ll be a few hours, explaining dinner with my family.
They offer to help, but otherwise, sit and talk, keeping me company. Johnny rambles on about a new girl he’s seeing, but swears it’s too soon to talk about emotional commitment. He actually stutters, and his neck starts to splotch when I mention meeting her. Dad’s laughter bounces through the room, causing Johnny to become flustered.
The memory of Finn meeting us at Chick-fil-A floods my mind, and how he pretty much invaded my life from that first night. If he had any issues with emotional commitment, he hid it well.
I take my time cooking, enjoying the time with these guys. The last time we did a dinner together at Dad’s with me cooking was before Simon died.
Winnie’s movie ends right as I finish dinner. We sit down and listen intently as she tells us everything happening in her life. No one gets to say more than five words as she dominates the conversation, jumping from subject to subject.
I sit back in my chair, stuffed full, as Johnny and Dad clear the dishes. Winnie climbs in my lap and starts to ask about Finn, when there’s a crash from the kitchen, startling us both. My phone rings from my purse at the same time Dad comes back, his face ashen.
My heart slams against my chest, my gut turning. Something’s gone wrong. Terribly, terribly, wrong.
Ember’s house is solemn when Johnny and I walk in. She’s sitting on the arm of the sofa with Jenna holding her hand. They both give us a weak nod then go back to watching the television.
Reese leaves Tripp’s side and comes to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and laying her head on my shoulder.