Page 48 of Derecho

Lainey nodded as she padded across the floor to the hallway.

“Lach?”

“Yeah?”

Her bottom lip went between her teeth before she squared her shoulders. “Thank you. For last night. But I really meant what I said. I don’t want anyone else to know. Not now. Maybe not ever. I feel…like a fool.” Her hand rested on her belly. “I don’t want anyone to treat him differently, you know?”

“I get it. And I won’t say anything.” The tension released from her posture. “But don’t bottle that shit up again. I know, and you can always talk to me, okay?”

Lainey nodded, her cheeks darkening a shade before she turned around and disappeared back up the stairs.

Any one up for swimming at the springs?

“We’re going swimming?”

I couldn’t believe how beautiful Lainey’s smile was. Big, and bright, and like nothing from yesterday was weighing her down. I tried to remind myself that it wasn’t just for her. Although Colt and Hayes had to work, the rest of my family had enthusiastically accepted my invite.

“You remember the road to the springs?”

“Of course I do!” Lainey’s face fell. “I won’t be able to go in, though.”

I flipped on the turn signal, heading down the dirt road that would bring us to the clearing where I knew my family would be waiting for us.

“I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“T-shirt and shorts were always my favorite way to swim,” I joked.

“No. I can’t. I’ll be all wet when we get back in to drive home. But I’ll stick my feet in.”

I pulled onto the grass next to Hawk and Jessie’s SUV.

“Oh, your family’s here?”

“I invited them. Figured what better way to get your mind off everything than listening to us jab at each other?”

“And Jessie?”

“Yeah, she’ll be here, too. Figured she can’t yell too loudly if Ma and Dad are here.”

I watched her swallow. “Yeah.”

“Come on. It’ll be fine.”

Her hand landed on mine as I rested it on the center console. “Are you okay? I mean…is this okay? I know you haven’t left your house since the day you came to get me.”

“I appreciate the check in. And I feel…” Yeah, I felt nervous. I could feel the anxiety buzzing in the back of my head, about keeping everyone safe around the water, and I wasn’t a hundred percent sure I’d remembered to unplug the toaster before we left, but I was working my hardest to push that all down. “Hopeful. That this will be good for the both of us.”

“Okay. Then, I guess, last one in the water is a rotten egg?” She laughed as she turned to open the door.

“Hey! No starting that countdown until I help you get down from here. Wait for me to come around.”

I didn’t wait for her reply. I grabbed my cane and made my way around the front of the truck, opening her door for her before I held out my hand for her to take.

“I’ve got it,” Lainey said as she slid down from the truck. “Oh.” Lainey’s hand flew to her side as she braced her other hand against the truck, and I fought the urge to hold onto her.

“You good? What happened?”

“Yeah. I think I’m not the only one excited for the water. Jeepers, little invader. Calm down in there, would you?”