Page 84 of Just Between Us

I peek through the crack in the door in time to see Liam hold up his fist. Jay and Abby exchange a look, then bump their knuckles against his, both looking a little sheepish.

“Now, unpause this game so I can destroy you.”

“You can’t destroy me! Liam—no!”

The sound of the game erupts, Jay shrieking in protest while Liam laughs, full bodied and genuine. Something in my chest squeezes, tightens, all warm and tender.

I’ll take every version of Liam, but this?This.This is the Liam I’ve been missing.

I watch a few more seconds before I knock softly and push open the door.

Abby gives a small wave, barely looking up from her phone. Jay doesn’t even acknowledge me, so engrossed in the game. Liam’s body is draped across a recliner, controller gripped in his hand, but the moment I step into the room his head snaps to me, lips parting and his whole body goes still.

“Cassie—”

“You’re dead!” Jay shrieks, jumping to his feet, pumping his controller into the air. “I finally beat you!”

“What?” Liam looks at the screen where his character is indeed dead, face down on the ground, then to me, a slow grin spreading across his face. “That doesn’t count. A major distraction just walked in.”

Heat creeps up my neck, but I wave a dismissive hand. “Carry on. Don’t stop on my account.”

“Come on, Liam. Let’s play another,” Jay begs, already resetting the game. Liam’s eyes linger on me a heartbeat longer before returning to the screen. Jay hits play for another round, and I take a seat on the other end of the couch, next to Abby, tucking one leg beneath me.

I’ve been around her a handful of times now, and the shock that we’re related still hasn’t worn off. Every time I look at her, I see flashes of Tyler. She’s his through and through, whether she knows it or not. Honestly, that part is frustrating the fuck out of me. Josie’s stubborn streak is a mile wide, and she still hasn’t told Abby that Tyler is her father. I get that it’s complicated. Fear makes people do all sorts of things to protect themselves and the ones they love. But Tyler deserves to be more than a secret and so does this kid sitting next to me.

Abby scoots closer and tilts her phone my way.

“Look at this.”

On the screen is one of those compilation videos full of cats experiencing the jump scare of their life from completely mundane objects. An orange tabby launching straight up, all four legs airborne, tail puffed to three times its normal size. Then it cuts to a fluffy black cat investigating a toaster oven. When the bread pops out, the poor kitty leaps from the counter.

I release a snort laugh, and Abby grins, swiping to the next one.

We sit like this, watching animal videos for at least five minutes while Liam and Jay’s game gets increasingly more competitive.

After two more videos, Abby swipes off the app and sets her phone down. “Can I tell you something?” She’s dropped her voice so it’s low enough only I hear her.

“Of course. What’s up?”

She leans in, her face turning serious, and I’m hit again byhow much she favors Tyler. “I think Tyler is my mom’s boyfriend.”

My pulse skips.Oh, sweet child, if you only knew.Tyler is so much more than that. But that isn’t my truth to tell, so I school my face into something neutral and curious.

“What makes you think that?”

“She’s happier, for one. He slept at our house during Christmas and Mom looked crazy. Like, grinning all the time.”

I already knew all of this from my group chat with Josie and Penny. Tyler got snowed in for a few days at Josie’s. Obviously he could have stayed at Penny and Austin’s since they were with me in Texas, but Penny didn’t mention it, so neither did I. And good for Tyler. Get you some, dear cousin.

“And you and Jay like Tyler?” I ask, keeping my voice light.

Abby nods emphatically. “A lot. He’s nice.” Her eyes cut to Jay’s and back to me. “He plays video games with Jay. You know most adults don’t do that. They aren’t usually like Liam.” She pauses, picking at a thread on her sleeve. “Jay needs someone like that. He doesn’t have a—” She presses her lips together.

Abby was going to say he doesn’t have a dad. I’m sure of it. She might have even added, we don’t have a dad. The absence is one Tyler could easily fill if Josie would only let him.

“Tyler’s a really good guy,” I say carefully. “Whatever is going on with your mom, I’m happy it’s Tyler making her smile like that.”

Abby studies me for a second, and I wonder what she sees. Does she see that our hair is the exact same shade or that her eyes look an awful lot like mine and Tyler’s? Then she gives a small nod and picks her phone back up. Conversation over.