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"Buying me a suitcase. Can't really take a garbage bag on the plane," Tilly says, her smile making the situation feel less dire. Ma has thought of everything, as usual. Spotting a sign for a 24-hour Walmart, my stomach reminds me I've skipped dinner in all the chaos. Hopefully, Ma is grabbing snacks too.
Tilly seems to notice, offering some jerky from the front seat. I gratefully start munching, and amidst the silence, she whispers, "I'm sorry."
My heart swells. "Don't be sorry, Tilly. Please. I'm the one who should be sorry. I should never have left your side. Then we'd have run together."
She scoffs and my head snaps her way. But right when I'm about to demand an explanation, Ma returns. "Okay, I got some cold brew and a suitcase. Baby, can you put her clothes in it?" I nod and climb out of the car.
But Tilly's scoff stung more than I'd like to admit. Did I say something wrong? Am I coming on too strong? I need to keep my emotions in check. Maybe Ma is right, I should give her some space. Let her come to me. We haven’t touched since I found her, and the urge is so strong I have to tuck my hands into my pockets to resist.
I hurriedly pack her clothes into the suitcase, closing the trunk with more force than necessary. Playing this game is hard, but I’m determined to win. A win means a life with Tilly, of being with her every day. If that means I keep my hands to myself until she’s ready, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Chapter thirty-one
Tilly
Seven hours later, we finally step into Ma’s house. Mack and Miranda are already there, waiting for us. Miranda dashes across the living room, enveloping me in a bear hug that nearly squeezes the breath out of me.
"Oh my God, Tilly!"
"Okay, Andy. Jesus," I manage to gasp, my head spinning from the tight embrace.
She pulls back, wiping her eyes. "Sorry, I just... well, damn it, I missed you, Tilly."
Everyone laughs, but I'm in shock. Never in all our lives has Miranda been so touchy-feely. Her cheeks pink up and she looks away. Being her sister, I know embarrassment when I see it. I have the sudden urge to pull her back into the hug and admit I missed her too. Before I can, she steps back. "Okay, long day." She laughs lightly, then tells the room, "I'm going to bed. Don't wake me up in the morning."
I watch Miranda head off and I'm not the only one. Mack's entire head follows Miranda's movement, his tongue practically dangling out of his mouth. I almost giggle. I'll have to ask her about that tomorrow. Never in a million years would I suspect Mack of being anything but an intimidating slab of stone. But that facade dropped the moment his eyes settled on her retreating form. Almost as if he was waiting to look at her until her back was turned.
I push the thought away. It's late and I'm probably seeing things that aren't really there. It’s close to two am, and Henrietta claps her hands together. “I for one, need my bed like a stripper needs a pole. I suggest you all do the same.” She gives a pointed look to each of us in turn then moves toward the master bedroom, while Mack settles on the couch.
“You sure you’re okay out here?” I ask him.
“Better vantage point,” is all he says. I decide it’s best to just let a sleeping bear lie and turn around. I’m planning to ask where Tommy wants me to sleep, but he’s already on the move, disappearing down the hall. I hear the unmistakable sound of his door closing—and I'm almost certain, locking—behind him.
"Guess that’s my hint that I’m bunking with my sister," I mutter.
"It could be worse," Mack says with a shrug. “You could be in some god-awful place like Kansas.”
I flash him a wry smile. "Ah, yes. The love of my life is ignoring me, I’m pregnant and jobless, and I'm being threatened by my own family." His cheeks flush, a reaction that surprises me enough to elicit a chuckle.
"I guess that is a little… complicated," he says.
"Oh stop. I’m teasing. I actually feel pretty good right now. Better than I have in a while,” I say. And it’s true. Being here feels right. With Tommy, Miranda, and Henrietta here. Only Sam and family are missing. “Night Mack, sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
He chuckles. “You’re fine, Til. Night.”
I head to the second guest room, finding Miranda already in bed but awake. "Can I bunk with you?"
"Erm, sure. You’re not going to sleep with—"
"Don’t ask," I cut her off.
Miranda chuckles. “That good, huh? Well, I have some pajamas if you want,” she says. Instead of fishing something out of my own bag, I grab her offered clothes. As I change, she suddenly bolts upright. "Tilly!"
"What?" I ask, almost certain she’s about to tell me there’s a giant spider on my head by the way she’s looking at me.
She points at my stomach nearly flat stomach. "I was wondering why your boobs were so big! You're pregnant?"
I rush over, frowning. There is barely anything there, the tiniest little bump, but if anyone knows my body, its my twin sister. Trying to lie to her has always been impossible. "Shut up! I don’t really want the whole house to know."
