Chapter 28

Stephanie

I feel my face heat up. I’m totally going to deny it, but then realize there’s no denying it. She totally knows. I shrug. “Maybe.” I know I’m totally smiling.

“I can’t believe I just figured that out!”

We both turn back to the tv for the last few seconds. When the other team doesn’t score, and we win, we both scream and cheer. When it finally dies down, I collapse on the couch, grabbing a snack. “That was intense.”

She drops onto the couch next to me. “Yeah, it was! I’m exhausted.”

“Me too.” Then we both laugh because neither of us played an ounce.

“Do you mind if we watch the follow-up?”

“Go for it.” I grab some popcorn and settle back against the cushions, thankful the game is over so I can finally relax. I stay relaxed all through Aiden’s interview and then Gunner’s. But when Sebastian heads to the table, I suddenly find myself nervous all over again. His first few questions are about the game, and I try to relax. And then, like always, they manage to turn the conversation to his love life. I watch as he stays perfectly calm. He simply smiles at the guy. “I already addressed that question; feel free to watch the replay. Next.” He’s done a few minutes later.

“Whew. Well, he dodged that question well enough,” Bri says.

“Yeah.” I sigh and lean back against the couch cushions for a moment before standing. “I’d better head home before I’m too tired to go. I’ll help you pick up first.”

A few minutes later, I hug her and head home. When I settle in bed a little bit later, I check my phone once again. Still nothing. I don’t know why I keep obsessing over it; he told me he doesn’t have his phone. I guess some part of me keeps hoping they’ll send it to him. I roll over, and it only takes a few minutes to fall asleep.

I spend all of Saturday grading papers and working on my book. With all the extra time on my book, I’m feeling really good about it. I feel like I’m at the point where I can start putting out teasers to my fans on social media. I go to bed late Saturday night, but it feels good. The next morning, however, feels anything but good. I can’t believe I agreed to go to Sebastian’s family get-together without him! I feel like pleading temporary insanity and begging off. But I make myself get ready and head over there. I dress in a soft purple sweater and black dress pants. I’m not sure if I’m overdressed; Brielle would probably say I am, but I can’t help it. I want to look nice; it’s Sunday brunch after all.

When I pull into the driveway behind the other cars, I sit there a few minutes, trying to work up the courage to go in. A knock on my window startles me. I turn my head and see two little girls peering into my car window. I mentally place them. Brittney and Eliza, ages seven and five, daughters of Tina and Andrew. I can’t help but smile at their angelic faces. I open my door. “Hi, Brittney; Hi Eliza.”

“Hi, Miss Stephanie,” Brittney says with perfect manners. “Mom told us to come walk you in.” I”m just about to thank her when she continues. “Uncle Keith said you were too scared to come in.”

Out of the mouth of babes. I can’t help but smile. “Well, he was right; so thank you for coming to be my escort.”

Eliza giggles and puts her hand over her mouth while Brittney offers in a very grown-up voice, “Can I help you carry something?”

“Sure. I brought a pastry ring and some scones to go with brunch. Does that sound good?”

Brittney frowns. “I don’t know. Are they sugary?”

I think for a second. “They taste sweet.”

Brittney nods affirmatively. “Then we will like them, especially mommy.”

I can’t hide my grin. “Your mom has a sweet tooth, huh?”

“Daddy says she has a sweet mouth,” Eliza finally adds to the conversation.

I do my best not to laugh. Somehow, I don”t think that’s the context in which Andrew was talking about his wife’s mouth. “Well, we’d better take these in then.”

I hand each of them something to carry, and they march toward the house, proudly carrying their items. I follow along behind them, thankful for the cutest welcoming party. They walk right up the steps and into the house, so I do the same. “Hello,” I call out as I enter the home.

“Hey, Stephanie,” several voices call out.

“Come join us in the kitchen.” I recognize Sebastian’s mom’s voice and head that way. I step into the kitchen and the warmth of it hits me both in my face and somewhere deeper. I feel the warmth in my heart.

Kelly wipes her hands on her apron before turning to me. She opens her arms wide. “How’s my girl?” She wraps me in her arms, and I stand there absolutely paralyzed. It takes me a moment to get my arms to work, and I finally wrap them around her. I swear it’s the warmest hug I’ve ever had. Something about it makes my eyes water. I don’t know how long she hugs me, but I know it’s the longest hug I’ve ever received. When she steps back, I have to wipe my eyes. She puts her hands on my shoulders. “I don’t know if I ever thanked you for what you did for my granddaughter.”

“You did,” I reassure her, but she doesn’t stop.

“But I want you to know how grateful I am.” Her voice wobbles, and the sound brings tears to my eyes. Again. Drat! I am not the crying type! But my body doesn’t want to seem to listen to me.

“Stephanie? I thought I heard—Oh, no, Mom. Don’t start because then I’ll start.” I look up to see Kristin walking towards us, wiping her eyes.

She joins our small circle and takes my hands. “I never got to say thank you in the rush of everything. But I can never tell you how grateful I am that you were there, that you knew what to do, and that you stayed with her. She told me she opened her eyes and panicked until she saw your face.” Her voice cracks, and she wipes her eyes. “She told me that she knew that she would be okay; because you were with her.” Her voice breaks on the last word. “I’m sorry.” She wipes her eyes. Of course, now my own eyes are watering.

“Oh no. Is everybody crying?” Tina asks as she walks into the kitchen. “Is this about Kayla?” Kristin nods but doesn’t say anything. I certainly can’t say anything with all the emotion I’m feeling.

It’s Kelly who takes a deep breath and says, “She was telling how Kayla woke up in the ambulance and panicked until she saw Stephanie. Then she knew everything was going to be okay.” Now, Tina’s crying.

“Oh boy.” Lou walks into the kitchen, takes one look at all of us crying, and then heads right back out. We all laugh, and it’s just what we need to break the sadness.

“Whew.” I rub my eyes. “Thanks for all that.” The ladies laugh as they wipe their own eyes.

“I guess you may as well get used to us if you’re going to join the family,” Kelly says as she turns back to her stove. I freeze as her words settle over me and see Tina eyeing me. She gives me a gentle smile, but I’m not sure if I have anything but panic on my face. Tina pats my shoulder before she picks up a basket of bread and takes it out. I take a deep breath, trying to collect myself.

“What can I do to help?”

“Here, stir this a moment, will you? I need to grab something from the fridge.” I take over Kelly’s job at the stove and stir what smells like a delicious sausage gravy.

“This smells so good,” I tell her.

She smiles widely. “Good. I hope you’re hungry. I made tons of it, and my biggest eater isn’t here to enjoy it,” she says with a wink at me. I can almost hear the retort Sebastian would make if he were here.

“I wish he was,” I say without thinking. I blink; I can’t believe I just said that out loud.

Kelly puts her hand on my shoulder. “Me too.”

I don’t say anything, because how can I? I still can’t believe I blurted that out. I feel eyes on me, and I look over to see Tina watching me carefully again. I turn back to the gravy, giving it my very apt attention. Soon, Lou calls everybody to gather at the table. I walk out of the kitchen and see Kayla for the first time since everything happened. Something eases in my chest when I see her run into the house from the patio with a big grin on her face, laughing at whatever somebody said or did outside.

“Miss Winston!” she calls out and runs to me, squeezing me in a big hug. My arms wrap around her, holding her close for a moment.

“How’s one of my favorite students?” I ask. “How’s the stitches?’

She frowns. “They’re annoying.”

“They come out in a few days,” Kristin reminds her gently.

“I heard you got a day of school off out of it,” I say in a conspiratorial whisper.

She grins. “I did, and my dad even got me this new book I’ve been wanting!”

I smile. “I’m so glad.”

She reaches out and wraps her arms around me like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “Thank you for going with me. I was so scared when I woke up and realized I was in an ambulance. And then I looked over at you and felt you squeeze my hand. I knew then that everything was going to be okay; I knew you wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

And now, everybody in the room is crying. I keep my eyes on her face. “You’re welcome,” I whisper and kiss the top of her head. She pulls back, her eyes twinkling. “You’re my favorite teacher, but don’t tell anybody, okay?”

I give an odd chuckle. “You’re sweet, Kayla; but I’m nobody’s favorite teacher. I know that, and I’m okay with that.”

She cocks her head, completely serious. “I’m being for real. You’re my favorite teacher; your class is the only class I have to actually work hard at to get an A. And I freaking love it!”

“Kayla,” both Keith and Kristin call out. She just grins up at me before heading over to the table and taking a seat. I give myself a moment to compose myself before I head over to the table as well and end up sitting between Kayla and Brittney.

“All right, everybody,” Lou calls out, and everybody quiets. “Let’s pray.” I bow my head along with everybody else.

“Grandpa, can Miss Stephanie pray?” Brittney asks.

I go still and try not to panic. When nobody says anything, I lift my head and meet Lou’s eyes. I can tell he’s trying to let me decide what to do. I’m ready to tell him to just go ahead when Kayla squeezes my hand. “You’ve got this,” she whispers.

I squeeze her hand back and bow my head again. Not giving myself any time to think about it, I begin. “Dear God,” my voice falters for a moment. God and I have had a rocky go of it over the years, but somehow I find the strength to keep going. “Thank you for this food and thank you for this beautiful family that is reminding me what it’s like to be loved...by you and by others. Amen.” I finish quickly, afraid my voice will give out mid-prayer. Kayla squeezes my hand and then reaches for a biscuit. When I lift my head, Tina catches my eye.

Thank you, she mouths. I glance down at Brittney, who is gazing up at me happily and I pat her leg. I feel myself genuinely smiling and laughing as the meal goes on. I love listening to their stories, especially the ones where they bash Sebastian. I know they’re telling stories about him for my sake, and I couldn’t appreciate it more.