I clear our barely touched plates of food and let her sit there alone, feeling sorry for herself. I have to tell you, it’s fucking embarrassing. I need to get her the hell out of here before anyone sees what she’s doing.
I hear Tessa yell, “Luke!”
I laugh when I see my godson walk up to Tessa and hug her.
I head over and give him a hug, too.
“They let you come home?” I ask.
“I have two weeks leave.” Luke pats me on the back.
“That’s it?” Tessa asks.
“I have two more weeks this summer, and then my time is up.” Luke takes Tessa’s hands. “I am so sorry. Mom told me what happened, and I would have been here sooner, but—”
“You’re here now.” She hugs him again.
“Where is Harper and the guys?”
“Over there.” Tessa points to the kids.
“Thanks. See you in a bit. You, too, right?” Luke asks me.
“Of course. You know where to find me.”
“Right next door.” Luke winks.
“You should all come up after the service. Too much food at the house, and I hate to throw it away.” Tessa smiles then pushes him toward his cousins and my kids. “Go have fun.”
She looks back at me. “Ashley okay?”
“No.”
“What’s going on, Lucas?”
I smile and bullshit my way through this.
“Pretty sure she’s going through the change.”
Tessa stops her laugh by catching her lip between her teeth to hold it back.
“Tell me what you need, Tessa. Anything you need.”
She shakes her head and shrugs. “Nothing. We’re all—”
“Don’t do that.” I want to hug her so damn bad.
She swallows hard. “I can’t be anything but strong right now. Those kids of mine need me.”
I understand how she feels. “When you need to fall apart, call me?”
“I was thinking about trying to get my hands on a joint,” she whispers, and I laugh out loud.
“Shh …” she says, looking around.
“No, it actually sounds like a damn good idea.”
“It sounds irresponsible, Lucas.” She shakes her head. “I was thinking the other night that, if I did do that, Collin would probably rise from the ashes just to kick my ass.”