Page 311 of Manhattan Bossholes

“I did, though,” Dee said. “He’s always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and his world was heavier than most. It’s easy to see why he defaults to pessimism now, and why he always assumes the worst of people. He had to deal with it more times than any child should.” She looked up at me. “I don’t know what Trent’s told you, but the house he grew up in was nothing like a home.”

“Jimmy’s told me some of it,” I admitted.

She nodded. “Davis and I did our best to fill the gaps, but we could never completely replace his parents—especially after Davis got sick and passed.”

For someone who said she wasn’t going to make excuses for Trent, I was sure hearing a lot of them. But that last part stuck with me. I didn’t know how many times I’d wished for someone to step in, to fill the gap created by my parents’ passing, all while knowing no one ever could. Dee had tried her best to be there for Trent, but she couldn’t replace all the love he’d been denied, nor could she wipe away the memories of shouted arguments or toxic silences.

“He’s afraid,” she said. “Afraid to trust someone enough to let them in, let them matter to him, and risk having it all fall apart. And for his sake, I hope he realizes that sooner rather than later. Because being afraid is no reason not to live, not to love,” Dee continued, straightening up beside me. “Which is why I’ve made a decision.”

I blinked at her in surprise. What kind of decision was she talking about? “You have?” I glanced over at Sofia who bit her lip, hiding a smile.

Dee puffed up her chest, looking determined. “You’re actually the first one I’m telling. I’ve decided to get the treatment after all. I’m going to have the heart surgery.”

“Dee!” I said, leaning over to give her a quick squeeze. “That’s wonderful news!” I knew how much Trent had wanted her to try. This was going to mean so much to him and Jimmy and the rest of the Lost Boys and their families.

“I don’t know if I’ll survive it,” Dee said, sounding resolved. “But I suppose none of us really know how much time we get to spend here. But if this surgery can help…if it can buy me more time with the people I love, then I want to try.”

“That’s very brave,” I said.

She laughed. “I think it’s more that I’m greedy, really. I’ve lived a lot of years, but there’s still more I want to see and do. More I want to learn.” She sighed. “I know the surgery might not work in the end. The doctors have warned me of that, but I think it’s worth a shot. I’m not giving up on my life yet.”

“You didn’t strike me as the type to ever give up,” I said. “In this or with your Lost Boys.”

“Don’t you give up on life either, honey,” Dee whispered. “I know that horrible things happen sometimes out of the blue, and they shake our whole foundation. But wonderful things can happen too.”

I wanted to believe that.

Dee reached up and pressed her hand to my cheek. “And I just know that this life holds wonderful things for you.”

27

TRENT

Istood in front of the Luxe Hotel, burying my hands in the pockets of my coat to keep the chill away. I had a reservation at the restaurant for noon—and I’d never wanted to cancel more.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, spotting Jimmy’s name on the screen. “Hey,” I answered.

“Hey…Did you go in yet?”

“Not yet.” I was still working up the nerve. Frankly, I’d rather spend the rest of the month in board meetings than walk through these doors, but I also knew this was the right decision. It was time.

“Are you sure you even want to do this?” Jimmy asked.

“I’m sure.” I’d been back from the High Point trade show for a few weeks now. The launch of the new sustainable, eco-focused line had gone well, and the few pieces we’d headlined with were well received, sparking a swell of new orders from interested buyers. The time away had given me the space and perspective to digest everything that had happened with the fight with my mother and the subsequent fallout with Natasha. I’d taken a step back, assessed the cracks in my relationships, and now it was time to start cleaning up that mess—starting with my parents. “Look, what I choose to do doesn’t have to affect your relationship with them. You know that, right? If it would make you more comfortable, I could leave you out of it. You do whatever you think is right for you. I’m still going to be here for you no matter what.”

“I know,” he said. “It’s not that. I still want you to speak for both of us today.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s just…I wanted the opportunity to be there for you for once. I know you’re, like, old as hell⁠—”

“Ouch, thanks,” I said, laughing. “I’ll remember this when you hit your thirties.”

“I mean it, Trent. I just wish you’d let me be there to support you.” Jimmy huffed. “I can’t manage a lot, but I think I could have handled this.”

“You’re managing everything you need to. You keep your focus on school for these next few weeks, okay? You’ve got final exams coming up next month, and then you’ll be free. We’ll get you moved back home before Christmas, and then we can put a pause on things.”

Jimmy sighed. “What if I bomb these exams?”