My head snapped over to look at her. Her blue eyes sparkled and held my stare. Winking she broke our connection when she glanced back over to everyone. “Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. My momma used to say that to me all the time.”
Closing my eyes, I tried to understand it but maybe I was just selfish.
I wanted Jase with me.
I wanted to have kids and grow old with him.
I wanted our dreams to come true together.
The only thing I could understand now was how sad I was.
I shook my head and chewed on the corner of my lip. “No. No I’m not going to just sit here and believe I should be happy with the memories we made.” My chin trembled as I watched Mireya and Bella playing. “He’s coming back to me, Grams. He promised.”
She took my hand and held it. “Then that’s what you hold on to, Taylor. That feeling right there. Grip it and hold on to it tightly.”
I tried desperately to not withdraw back into myself while everyone sat around both inside and out. Not being able to help myself, I pictured what my wedding would have been like. Most likely exactly like this. Everyone I loved surrounding me in celebration.
Then it hit me. Everyone I loved was surrounding me now. It might not have been to celebrate my wedding, but it was to show me how much they loved me and Jase. My mother and Whitley played hostess to everyone and kept busy making sure everyone had something to drink or they got enough food to eat. They were keeping their minds busy.
I stood and made my way over to Mireya. “You wore Bella out!”
Mireya giggled. “Want to play hide and seek?”
Her eyes lit up as she jumped up. Her bouncy curls going everywhere. “Yes!”
Alex brought Bayli over to us as I called out, “Who wants to play hide and seek?”
Layton carried Nickolas in his arms and walked up. “Count us in.”
Smiling, I reached up on my toes and kissed him on the cheek. His blue eyes reminded me of Jase as my heart dropped. When he smiled back, I knew no matter what happened, I was going to be okay. Surrounded by people who loved me and cared about me, I knew I would be okay.
“Not it!” Alex called out as Bayli jumped in excitement.
“Not it!” Layton cried out and took off running while Nickolas laughed.
My hands landed on my hips as I gave everyone an evil smile. “Fine. I’ll be it. Home base is . . .” Spinning around, I saw Bella. “Bella!”
“Oh lord, that puppy doesn’t stay still for nothing,” Grace said.
“A moving home base. I like it,” Walker replied with a wink in my direction.
I closed my eyes and started counting. Everyone could be heard taking off in all different directions.
This was exactly what I needed if I couldn’t have Jase.
My family and friends.
Jase
Present day
Nate reached out and took the two Advil and a bottled water. “How’s it looking?” I asked.
Rolling his eyes, he said, “Swollen. I swear I have new respect for Ava now.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, that had to have sucked with a broken leg and ankle.”
“Fuck that. I will tell you what I’m grateful for.”