One second she was in his arms and the next she’d grabbed an onion out of the fridge and began cutting it. The entire thing happened so fast he wasn’t sure what was going on until KJ flew around the corner exclaiming, “You got us Assassin’s Creed! That’s so dope!”
KJ froze when he saw them. His eyes bounced between them. Ali stood at the counter with her back to the doorway and she took in a shaky breath.
“Aunt Ali?” Concern dripped from KJ’s voice as he stepped into the kitchen, with Ricky close behind him.
“Hey bud,” she glanced over her shoulder as she lifted it and wiped her damp cheek on her gray T-shirt.
KJ’s eyes cut to Kade and he saw a fierce protection in them. It was just a flash before he turned his attention back to his aunt.
“Are you okay?”
Ali lifted the onion that she was cutting over her head.
“Oh.” He sighed and Kade could feel his palpable relief as he turned back to him. “She always cries when she cuts onions.”
Kade nodded in understanding.
The exchange brought up so many questions and emotions. How many times had she been crying and had to use the “onion” excuse? That was a well-executed plan. There was no way that she just came up with that on the fly.
It was clear that she didn’t want the boys to see her upset, but had she had anyone’s shoulder to cry on? While he was doing what he needed to do, he’d convinced himself that the town would rally behind Ali during this difficult time, but had they?
Whisper Lake was a tourist town that experienced an influx of people during summer and winter breaks, but off season it was a sleepy community that boasted less than five thousand residents.
Kade and his father had moved to Whisper Lake when he was seven but the Walsh’s had been in town for generations. Patrick and Ali’s great-grandfather had built the house that they lived in and started Whisper Lake Rentals. The town might have its issues, but it always took care of its own.
Plus, there was Jess. Ali’s best friend was one of the strongest people Kade knew. She’d had health battles that could’ve easily crushed her, but she never even let them slow her down. Surely, Jess had stepped up and made sure that Ali was okay…right?
“Dinner will be ready soon, guys. Set the table and go wash up.” Allison’s voice didn’t even hold a hint of emotion. If he hadn’t been there to witness her sobbing in his arms just moments before, he wouldn’t have believed it had happened.
“Do you want me to take your bag to your room?” Ricky asked.
“Umm…”
Since moving to LA when he was eighteen Kade had always stayed in the Walsh’s guest room when he was in town. So much so that the twins called it “his” room.
But things were different now. He’d hoped that he’d still be welcome at the only place that had ever felt like home with the only people that had ever been family to him, but if Ali’s reaction to him showing up was any indication, then he had to face the very real possibility that he was persona non grata. “I’m not sure where I’m staying.”
“What do you mean?” KJ’s tone was angry. “You always stay here.”
“Are you not going to stay here because dad is…” Ricky didn’t finish his thought but it was obvious what he’d been about to say.
“Of course he’s staying here,” Ali snapped before repeating, “Wash up and set the table.”
As the boys took turns at the sink and then started grabbing plates and utensils, Kade heard Ali sniff and watched as she once again lifted her shoulder and wiped her face on her shirt.
He hated seeing how much raw pain she was in, and he hated even more knowing that he’d contributed to it. He didn’t know how long it was going to take, or what he was going to have to do, but he’d make it up to her.
Somehow. Someway.