I toyed with a strand of Laiken’s hair. “Any word from Eli?”
I wanted to kick myself as soon as the words were out of my mouth. The smile slipped from my mother’s face, and that muscle in my dad’s cheek began to flutter. He wrapped an arm around Mom’s shoulders. “I’ve talked to him twice. I told him I’m here for him, to listen and support him, but I’m not paying his legal fees. I guess the cartel he was working for isn’t either because he has a court-appointed attorney now.”
It was the right thing, but I knew it was harder than anything my parents had ever had to do. “I’m sorry.”
“It was time.” My mom looked up at my dad, patting his knee. “We should’ve taken a stronger stance years ago, but it’s hard when it’s your baby. The one you changed diapers for and nursed at three in the morning.”
“This is your way of loving him,” Laiken said softly.
Mom turned to her, eyes glistening. “That’s a good way to look at it. I’m loving him by letting the consequences of his actions take hold. All I can hope for is that it wakes him up.”
I hoped the same thing, but I knew it was a long shot. Sometimes, people were too far gone, with too much anger in their hearts.
Laiken bent her head and pressed her lips to my arm on her shoulder. She always seemed to sense when I needed that point of contact—that little extra soothing touch.
As I lifted my gaze, I met my dad’s eyes. There was so much in them. Pride and joy for me at what I’d found. We’d gone for a drive yesterday, much to my mom’s and Laiken’s chagrin, and had one of our epic talks. I’d told him what Laiken had come to mean to me, and he only said one thing.“This is what I’ve always wanted for you. Someone who cares for you as much as you do them. It’s time for you to be happy, Bo.”
It was time. What the shooting had taught me was that there was no time to waste. You had to live every moment fully and couldn’t be afraid to chase what you wanted most.
I squeezed Laiken’s shoulder. “Come with me?”
She shifted in her seat. “Your mom just made snacks.”
Mom waved us off. “They’ll be here when you get back, and I can get some cuddles with those pups while you’re gone.”
Laiken’s lips pressed together. “I don’t know if you should be in a car again—”
“Ten minutes,” I pressed. “I have something I want to show you.”
“You’ve been locked up in a hospital for almost two weeks. What could you have to show me?”
The corner of my mouth kicked up. “Come with me and you’ll find out.”
“You’re nothing but trouble. You know that, right?”
“That’s what makes me so fun.”
Laiken shook her head but stood. She hovered as I climbed to my feet. By the time we reached Laiken’s SUV, I was breathing heavily. It was crazy how two weeks of no activity could have me huffing and puffing. But I’d get back in shape. The doctors had already cleared me for short walks, and I’d be meeting with a physical therapist tomorrow.
I buckled my seat belt, and Laiken started the engine. “Where to?”
I gave her turn-by-turn directions. We wound through backroads until we reached a gate. “Plug in this code. Two, nine, one, three.”
Laiken arched a brow but did as instructed. The large iron gate swung open. We made our way down the gravel road until we reached a house. It looked like the quintessential mountain lodge—a mixture of wood and stone. The colors chosen went perfectly with the surrounding landscape of fields, forests, and those epic mountains.
Laiken slowed to a stop. “Who lives here?”
“No one right now. Come on.” I got out of her vehicle before she had a chance to argue.
“This isn’t taking it easy.”
“Just a few more minutes.”
We walked up the front steps, Laiken matching my turtle’s pace. I pulled a set of keys out of my pocket and unlocked the door. We stepped inside the empty house.
The entryway was open, leading into a massive living space, which poured into a kitchen and dining area. I knew that a conservatory and library were on the other side of the house, and that a screening room and a game room were below us. Above were six bedrooms and a playroom. There was a garage with a gym above it, as well.
I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to call home. But Laiken had to love it. She slowly strode towards the massive windows at the back of the house. “These views are incredible.”