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Tyler gave her a tentative boyish smile, then turned to Josh. “I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t be.” Stepping to the back of the cart, Josh pulled Tyler into a fierce embrace. “Just remember,” he murmured. “Promise me.”
Tyler held him, rocking slightly, and kissed his forehead. “No choice. Best thing in my life.”
Overwhelmed, Josh could only nod. They leaned together for one last searing kiss, a silent vow passing between them.
“I’ll call tonight. After.” Tyler hopped up onto the trailer, climbed past the piled luggage, and sat down in the empty center space. He propped up the duffel to hide himself from any prying eyes. The cart and trailer just looked like a heap of luggage bound for no place in particular. From underneath it all, Tyler’s muffled voice said, “All set, Dale.”
“You guys take care.” Dale waved, and just like that, the trailer lurched forward and sped off, smuggling Tyler to his plane, hidden by suitcases.
Josh watched until they disappeared, a hollow ache in his chest.
Nadia touched his arm. “Let’s get you home.”
Numb, Josh let her guide him back to the car. The road ahead seemed so much longer without Tyler beside him. But he knew they’d take it one step at a time.
Josh climbed into the passenger seat, feeling unmoored and adrift as Nadia started the engine.
“He’ll be okay,” she said, her voice firm despite the sheen in her eyes. “We’ll make sure of it. You run each morning and sleep every night like he’s there. And keep telling him the truth.”
Josh just nodded, staring out at the acres of concrete and the tarmac beyond the fence. In his mind, he could still see Tyler’s jaunty smile surrounded by heaped luggage, could still feel the press of Tyler’s lips.
“I speak from experience. You cannot protect Tyler,” Nadia continued as she pulled out of the airport. “He always figures it out for himself. Solves the thing. Proves the point. Needs to know if he can do it. Otherwise he’ll always wonder until it drives him crazy.”
Like taking his father’s belt away. He’d fight the whole world to make things right.
“I know.” Josh looked at his lap. Tyler had seemed so hopeful and determined when they first arrived at the airport. Now Josh wasn’t sure if Tyler had been trying to convince himself or Josh. “Thank you for driving. I wouldn’t have been able—”
“Of course.”
They drove in silence for a few minutes before Nadia spoke again. “You’re coming over for dinner tonight. I could use the company, and you could use the practice. Tyler says you can almost boil an egg.”
Josh managed a small smile. “Yeah. That’d be nice.” He reached over and squeezed her hand.
As they turned onto the feeder leading back to the freeway, Josh stared ahead.
He couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that had settled over him.
What if it was too much, too soon? What if Tyler got hurt again? What if the distance and scrutiny tore them apart?
Josh glanced over at Nadia. Her jaw was set, eyes fixed on the road. She was probably more worried than he was.
He thought back to their childhood, their father and the abuse that had shaped so much of Tyler’s anger. Josh imagined that’s where Nadia’s protective streak came from. She’d spent so many years anxious for her fearless big brother.
Josh felt a swell of gratitude for her. She’d always been a wonderful friend, but knowing her better made him admire her in a different way. She was like wild roses, prickly if you messed with her and growing where she wanted. However blunt her manner, he knew she cared fiercely for Tyler, just as he did. He gave her hand another squeeze. “Thanks.”
She looked up at the rearview and abruptly changed lanes. “I still don’t understand who Buckingham is.”
He chuckled. “We’ll get through this,” he said softly.
“Don’t doubt that.” Nadia’s eyes flickered to his, and she held his gaze for a moment before returning to the long concrete arc before them. “Only thing I ever learned about football. Best defense is offense.”
The sky dimmed and purpled as they took the exit for Cinnamar, making the turns toward the Fantana house. Streetlights flickered on, casting a ghosty glow.
“You good with white wine?” Nadia put on her blinker. “I’m thinking stir-fry. Or maybe mac and cheese. Plus I’ve got cupcakes and gin. We could watch something dumb.”
“Perfect.” Josh took a deep breath, swamped by gratitude. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but tonight, at least, he wouldn’t be alone with his thoughts.
