Left (Left 1)

“How?”

“That it might’ve skewed their view on families and taken away from what it means to have a mother. Phoenix told a kid, he had something better than a mom, he had a Livy.”

Braeden chuckles. “I love that little dude.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty impressive.” Pride washes over me.

“He has a hell of an example to learn from.”

“Thanks, man,” I mumble.

“What did she do after that happened?”

“Said she needed space and pulled away. This weekend is the most time I’ve spent with her in like a month.”

“What’s your plan?”

“I’m figuring it out as I go. I don’t want to spook her. Told her already if she runs, I’m chasing her ass.”

Braeden snickers. “Damn, tell me how you really feel.”

“You know I’m not one to bullshit.”

“Sounds like you made your decision,” he says.

“Maybe I have. You don’t get many chances in life like this.”

“Dude, this is huge.”

“Yeah, it is,” I admit. The conversation’s illuminating. There’s no going back to what we were. I want more. We deserve to find happiness after all the utter hell we’ve lived.

“Well, you aren’t going to make any Leigh way from over here, let’s go bug, Neve,” Braeden says as he rises from his chair. I follow him across the lawn.

“You up for some corn hole, or what?” Braeden asks.

I want to hug him for his laid back approach.

“Girls against boys?” Neve asks.

“What? You still think I got cooties, sis?” Brae wraps his arm around Neve’s shoulders, and she laughs.

“I’d be amazed if you don’t have something. You want to play with me? I’m game big brother,” Neve says.

“Maloney’s versus whatever lame name you guys come up with,” Braedon says with a wink.

“Brats,” I call as they walk over to the slanted board with a hole in the center. They pick up the black bean bags.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “You ready to slay them?” She relaxes against me, and I mentally pump my fist in the air.

“We should be the slayers.”

“Sick name. We’re the Slayers. Yes, I know you’re regretting your name choice now,” I say.

“Nope. I stand by Mahoney.”

“And you’ll lose by it too,” Liv says.

I bark a laugh.