Could Have Been Us

by Corinne Michaels

  I wonder where it is.

  Maybe in a drawer?

  Whatever. No one is calling anyway. Jack is off in the woods, Kinsley is never calling, and everyone else can fuck off.

  You know what has never failed me? Wine.

  Wine is a good friend. It takes all my pain away.

  My head lulls to the side, and I look for the third bottle I opened but didn’t finish. After bottle number one, bottle number two tasted just fine.

  Well, the few sips I had before I forgot where I put it.

  Probably with the phone.

  “Stella?” I hear what sounds like Jack calling my name outside. I sit up quickly, which is totally a mistake because the room tilts a little to the left.

  “Oof!” I yell as I roll from the couch to the floor. I rub my backside and then call out to him. “I’m here, Jack! In the cabin in the woods!”

  The door jingles a little. “Baby! Come open the door.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” I laugh, remembering the commercial. “I should get a button,” I say to myself.

  “A what?”

  “Nothing. I’m coming,” I say as I roll over and then get on all fours. He’s home early, I muse to myself. He said he was going to be gone for four days, not two. Maybe someone got eaten by a bear.

  “No one got eaten by a bear,” I hear him say.

  Huh. I said that aloud.

  “Yes, you did. Are you okay?” Jack asks with concern in his tone.

  “I’m wine, Jack. I am so wine that I don’t even care.”

  “Oh, Jesus.”

  I climb the door, at least that’s what I think I’m doing because now I’m upright and clutching the metal doorknob to steady myself. I wrench the door open and blink a few times. Because behind him, there are people.

  I step back, eyes wide as my hand covers my lips because it’s not just people. No, it’s so much more than that.

  It’s Kinsley.

  And I’m going to kill him.

  Not only did I not know that he was coming home—with her—but also I’m drunk in front of her father, who is battling addiction.

  I use every single ounce of self-control I have left to sober up enough that I’m not being a fall-down drunk. Tears fill my eyes, and Jack steps forward, steadying me.

  He whispers in my ear, “While this isn’t what I planned when I told Winnie to come here to check on you, I think you still comprehend why I needed to lie to you about my location.”

  “You didn’t go to the woods?” I ask.

  “No, baby, I didn’t.”

  When Kinsley steps forward, her smile is warm, and I have to remember that I can’t fall apart. I can’t pull her into my arms and never let her go.

  “Hey,” she says.

  “Hey.”

  “I know I said I’d call, but . . .”

  “This is better,” I say as Jack’s arm tightens. “This is so much better.”

  Chapter 46

  Stella

  I’m eating a bowl of soup, staring at Kinsley and Samuel as Jack shows them around. I’m still in shock. He wasn’t working, he was in Georgia picking them up. I don’t think there are enough words to describe how much I love this man.

  They come down from the loft area, and Jack’s eyes are warm. “You feeling okay?”

  “I’m not really sure I can explain how I’m feeling.”

  He walks over and presses his lips to my temple. “Good.”

  I dip my bread into the soup until the bread is gone. I regret that wine now, but I never would’ve guessed this would be how the night went.

  Kinsley sits beside me, and I nudge her. “How long are you here for?”

  “The weekend. Jack said Daddy and I can stay here for a few days.”

  “He did?” I ask, eyeing him.

  “I did. Samuel is going to go fishing with me tomorrow, so I thought maybe you and Kinsley could spend some time together.”

  I could cry. I could literally throw myself into his arms, sob for days, and still feel overwhelmed by him. Instead, I bite my lower lip and nod. “I’d like that.”

  Kinsley speaks up. “I need a dress.”

  “A dress? For what?”

  She looks to Jack, panic in her eyes. “Umm . . . for something.”

  And then, even in my wine-addled mind, I piece it all together. Jack is going to propose, and he went out of his way, driving hours to go get the one person I would want to be here.

  Jack is going to get one hell of a reward.

  I look at Kinsley. “It’s hard to get a dress for something. You need to be specific so I know where to take you.”

  “Right!” Kinsley laughs nervously. “It’s a bat mitzvah for my best friend.”

  Shit. Maybe I’m wrong then.

  “Oh! I went to a few of those when I was your age.”

  “My friend, Lana, is having hers next month. I was going to go shopping with my mom, but . . .”

  Misty died.

  “Of course I’ll take you,” I say quickly. “Tomorrow we’ll head a few towns over. There are a few stores I like, and if you don’t find anything, we could head to Charlotte.”

  Heck, I’d head to the moon if it would make her happy.

  “I’m going to turn the grill on,” Jack announces. “Would you help me, Samuel?”

  “Sure.”

  The boys head out, leaving me and Kinsley here. “Is this weird?” she asks as soon as they’re gone.

  “A little. What about for you?”

  She looks out the back door to where, essentially, both her fathers are. “Yes, but Dad seems to be really okay with it. I asked him a few times because I don’t want him to get upset and then want to drink again.”

  “None of us want that.”

  “I know, but I’m worried.”

  “Worried about what?” I ask.

  “That he’s not really okay, and . . . that I’ll have to choose.”

  “Kinsley, you don’t have to choose anything, sweetheart. Jack and I, well, we . . . we’re your biological parents, but Samuel is your dad. We aren’t trying to force anyone’s hand.”

  She worries her bottom lip. “But I want to talk to you. I wanted to call, and I was so scared.”

  “Oh, honey, you don’t have to be scared. Jack and I will talk with your dad, and we’ll figure it out. We all want what’s best for you. If Samuel didn’t want to be here, he wouldn’t have come. So, whatever you’re afraid of isn’t worth getting worked up over.”

  She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly while I hug her back. I fight the tears because my emotions are just a damn mess, but really, I’m so damn happy right now. I have everything, and I don’t know how it’s real.

  I keep waiting for the dream to stop and to wake up on that couch, hungover and hateful. If this is a dream, though, I’m going to stay here as long as I can.

  Kinsley pulls back, wiping at her eyes. “Thank you, Stella.”

  “There’s nothing we won’t do for you. All three of us, and your mom too. She would’ve loved this, you know?”

  “You think?”

  I nod. “Misty was always open with us. She could’ve stopped writing me, sending photos, but she didn’t.”

  “My mom was the best person I knew.”

  “She was one of the best people I knew too.”

  “If she was here, it would be easier for my dad,” Kinsley says, looking back toward the porch. Jack is standing at the grill, a wide smile on his beautiful face as he and Samuel talk.

  If only this could be our lives.

  The three of us being able to help Kinsley through the rough road she’s on.

  I hope we can find a middle ground because the dead end is not an option.

  “Time sometimes is what we all need. I loved Jack for a long time before we got our chance. I used to wish that things could be different. That he’d just love me because I was here and was so desperate for h
im. In my heart, I couldn’t understand why we couldn’t be together, but it wasn’t our time. We needed to wait, grow up, be ready to love each other the way we do now. Your dad needs time. He has to figure out what life is like without your mom, and that’s something that’s incredibly hard. As for all of us, we have to allow for things to settle down.”

  She looks up at me. “If I never met you, it wouldn’t be a thing.”

  I laugh once. “I get that. Before I knew how amazing you were, it was easier to watch you grow up in pictures. Now, I don’t know how to go back to it, but if it’s what’s best for you, Kinsley, it’s what I’ll do.”

  “It’s hard because I loved my mom, but now you’re also my mother.”

  My chest aches with wishing and wanting to be that for her. I love her. It doesn’t matter that I missed her first words or steps. All those things that I wasn’t there for are Misty’s, but I want to be there going forward. I want to hold her when a boy crushes her heart, help her find her prom dress, and be the mother she’ll need in the next phase of her life.

  I don’t say it, though. I don’t know what role I’ll get to play because it’s not my choice, it’s Samuel’s.

  We don’t have visitation or contact unless it’s in the best interests of the child. One thing I do know is not in her best interests is a lawsuit to try to prove otherwise.

  “I don’t want it to be hard for you,” I tell her. “Just . . . let’s give this time and let everyone talk, maybe we’ll find a way.”

  “Maybe.”

  I pull her to me. “We’ll work it out, Kinsley. I swear.”

  “Surprised?” Jack asks as we’re driving back to my place.

  “That you kicked my brother out again or that you lied that you were going to be in the woods?”

  He laughs. “Either one?”

  “Yes, and I’m glad about both.”

  Jack gives me a side glance. “I figured you’d forgive me.”

  “I guess I will.” I lean back, feeling like I can breathe again.

  “Well, don’t expect me to forgive you for reorganizing my entire house.”

  I laugh. “You’ll love it later.”

  He takes my hand. “What if . . .”

  “If?”

  “What if we make your place . . . ours? We can make it more official since we both know you’re going to marry me.”

  I smile at him, loving him more each day. “I’d like that. Maybe we can let Oliver stay at your place until he finds his own?”

  Jack nods. “Yeah, we can talk about it, figure out the best plan.”

  “I’m sure he was none too happy about moving out again.”

  “No,” Jack agrees. “I think he was ready to kill us, but he understood in the end.”

  I sigh. “Where did he go?”

  “I think Grayson’s.”

  I burst out laughing. “Oh, I’m sure Jessica wants to kill us now too.”

  Jack’s slow smile is filled with mischief. “As long as he’s driving Grayson crazy, I’m happy.”

  We pull into my place, and the anxiety about walking through that door again is gone. I’m not scared. I’m not worried. Kinsley is okay, and for now, she’s here.

  Jack and I get inside, toss our bags into the hallway, and collapse onto the couch. His arms are tight around me, and while it’s only been over a week since we’ve been here, it feels like a lifetime.

  So much has changed.

  “Just so you know,” Jack says quietly as my eyes were closing, “I’m going to ask you to marry me this weekend.”

  I tilt my head back to get a better look at him. “I figured.”

  “You did?”

  “You went and got our daughter.”

  “How do you know I didn’t do that just because I missed her?”

  I shrug, tucking my head back against his chest. “I didn’t, but I think you knew I needed her, and you always give me what I need.”

  Jack’s lips press against the top of my head. “I always will, Stella. Always.”

  Chapter 47

  Jack

  “You nervous?” Josh asks from beside me.

  “Not really. She’ll say yes.”

  “Stella is a mystery,” Oliver chimes in. “That girl never does what we expect.”

  She’ll say yes. I know she will. I mean, she better.

  I turn and glare at him. “You’re not helping.”

  “What makes you think I was trying to? You booted me out of a perfectly nice living situation—three fucking times—and stuck me with the worst person. Amelia climbs on my bed every morning before the damn sun is up, and apparently, if I’m still there when the baby comes, I’m the nanny.”

  Alex laughs. “You’re looking for a place then?”

  Oliver nods. “Damn right. I might just move in with Delia.”

  Josh tenses. “Delia?”

  “She said she has room at her place.”

  Oh, this is going to be excellent. I step back, letting the Parkerson brothers face off. Josh doesn’t disappoint. “I’m sorry, but why would you move in with her?”

  “Because she . . . has . . . room.”

  “Find somewhere else,” he warns.

  Oliver, being the asshole he is, grins. “Why would I do that? She’s single. I’m single. It’s not like we have to worry about that.” He turns to me. “Is she still single?”

  I put my hands up. “I have no idea.”

  “Well,” Oliver continues, “I don’t give a shit either way. She has that house she just bought, and I need a place.”

  Josh’s eyes flare with anger. Oliver is such a shit stirrer, but it’s fun to watch. “You can afford your own place.”

  Oliver shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. I also want to save what little I’ll have left after we break ground. Plus, why the hell do you care?”

  We all know why he cares. He just won’t admit it. “I don’t.”

  “Then what the hell is this conversation about, Josh? Hmm? Is it because you’re dumb and refuse to accept the fact that you’ve been in love with Delia for years and pretend you have no idea what we’re talking about when we call you out?”

  Alex sniggers. “You’re asking for trouble, Ollie.”

  “What else is new?” I tack on.

  Josh lets out an almost silent laugh. “You all have no idea what you’re talking about, and whatever is or isn’t between Delia and me is none of your concern.”

  This is going to turn ugly if I don’t stop it. “All right, guys, let’s leave this be. Today is a happy day, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

  We are deep in the woods at the same spot I took Stella camping when we first started dating. There’s a huge tent with lights strung up, her brothers and friends are already here, eating and hanging out. Everything is arranged, and we are just waiting for Stella, Kinsley, and Samuel to get back from town so I can go meet them at the main house.

  It’s a party. Our celebration of being engaged even though I haven’t gotten a yes from her.

  And hopefully, tonight, I’ll be able to give her even more good news about Samuel and Kinsley.

  Yesterday, while the girls went shopping, Samuel asked to meet Odette. We spent hours with her, meeting the other foreman and discussing the plans as well as his work experience.

  Samuel got a text from Odette an hour after we left that said she’d be more than happy to have him on board.

  He thanked me again, not saying whether he was going to take it, and I dropped him back off at my cabin. I haven’t seen him since, and I’m fucking down on my knees that he accepts it. It would give us Kinsley and allow us to help Samuel.

  Alex and Oliver walk away, leaving Josh with me. “You know that they’re right.”

  “They don’t get it.”

  “Neither do I,” I tell him. When he was living in New Orleans, it made sense. They were living in different states and she wasn’t going to leave, not with her mother sick at the time and then it just became too late. Now, he’s here, and there�
�s no reason why they can’t try. “Delia is a great girl. She’s had feelings for you since . . . forever. It’s not like the age gap is a thing.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then what’s the issue?”

  He sighs. “I can’t do it, Jack. I can’t get involved with a girl who wants a life I will never be able to give her.”

  “Why can’t you?”

  He looks over at Delia, who’s laughing at something Winnie and Jessica are talking about. When I turn back to him, I shake my head. He’s so fucked. I’ve seen that look. He’s broken up, trying to pretend otherwise, and doing a really piss poor job at it.

  “I just can’t.”

  My phone pings with a text, and as much as I’d like to keep this conversation up, I have something I need to do first.

  Kinsley: We’re almost there.

  Me: Thanks, kid. I’m on my way. Is she suspicious?

  Kinsley: Of course she is. She keeps checking her hair and saying that she needs to practice her surprise face.

  She wouldn’t be Stella otherwise.

  I look back at the crowd and yell, “I’m going to get her!”

  They raise glasses, and I earn a few hoots from people. I grab the four-wheeler and head out. God only knows what shoes she has on this time.

  When I get to the entrance, she’s just pulling in. She exits the car, a smile on her lips, and she’s wearing a white dress, heels, and her hair is in waves down her back. She is breathtaking, and she’s going to kill me when she realizes she’s about to walk in the woods.

  I didn’t think this through completely.

  Still, too late to back out now.

  “Hey. How was your day?” I ask as she looks around.

  “Good . . . why are we out here?”

  “We’re camping.”

  “Jack.” Stella’s voice is low and full of frustration.

  “Yes, my love?”

  “I am not camping.”

  Samuel laughs and grabs a bag from the back. “Jack said he wanted to take us out. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

  She turns to him. “You knew?”

  “I’m sorry, Stella,” Kinsley says. “I asked Jack if we could see Melia Lake again because I wanted to check out more of the woods.”