Edges of Gone (The Gone Series Book 2)

by Jessica Gouin

  “I know. And I’m sorry. I’m here now, and Noah’s going to be okay. Can we just focus on that?”

  Owen’s eyes flicker past me, and I turn to see Lachlan with a woman. The sight throws me off completely because he looks so comfortable with her.

  “Sloane. You don’t even know how relieved I am to see you. I called you all morning.”

  I remove my bag from my shoulder and set it on the table over the end of Noah’s bed. “I know, I’m so sorry. You leave your phone at home for a few hours and all hell breaks loose.”

  The brunette next to Lachlan smiles politely. “Isn’t that always how it happens?”

  “Who’s this?” I didn’t mean for my tone to have an edge the way it did.

  Lachlan steps forward and passes a coffee cup to Owen then he nods to the woman. “Sloane, this is Megan Ashers, the principal of Noah’s school. Ms. Ashers, this is Sloane Matthews, Noah’s aunt.”

  She holds out her hand which I shake out of adult obligation. “Nice to meet you. I didn’t realize how involved the schools have become these days.”

  “Oh gosh, no. I’m sorry. I’m here visiting my father, and I noticed Mr. Williams with Noah. I just stopped in to make sure Noah was okay.”

  The room falls into an uncomfortable silence for a few beats.

  Lachlan clears his throat. “Well, thanks for the coffee break and for contacting the school for me. Hopefully, he’ll be back to himself soon.”

  “I should be thanking you. Tell Noah I said to get better. I need my helper back soon.”

  After she leaves, Lachlan motions to the other chair in the room. “Sloane, have a seat.”

  I glare at him, then to Owen, then back to him. “Are you guys that blind?”

  Owen’s head snaps up. “What are you talking about?”

  “Wow. I cannot believe how naive you two are. That woman is totally into Lachlan, and I cannot believe she had the dang nerve to act that way in front of Noah.”

  Owen scoffs. “Relax, Sloane. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. She’s Noah’s principal for Christ’s sake. She was being nice.”

  “Don’t tell me to relax.”

  Lachlan surprises me by stepping closer, anger dancing in his eyes. “Are you saying I would have some woman make a pass at me in front of my son? After his mother, the woman I’m still in love with, has passed away? Do you honestly think I could even think of another woman right now? Or ever?”

  “Lachlan, I didn’t mean to insinuate…”

  “Well, you did. I thought you knew me better than that.”

  “I do. I’m sorry.”

  Owen stands up, glancing toward a still sleeping Noah. “It’s been a long day for all of us, and I think being in this hospital again has us all on edge. So let’s just calm down, okay? Noah might be sleeping, but this isn’t good for him to listen to. He needs us all to be strong for him. I’m sure being here isn’t easy for him either.”

  “Owen’s right. Sorry I snapped at you, Sloane.”

  “I’m sorry, too.”

  Lachlan pulls me in for a hug, cradling the back of my head. A sob rips from my chest as the day’s events rush into me.

  I feel Lachlan gently nudge me out of his arms only to be replaced with Owen’s embrace.

  He tells me it’s going to be okay over and over as he rubs small circles on my back.

  I can’t help but compare his reassurances to others I had earlier today in another man’s arms.

  “Well, I’m just glad Noah got to go home after only a few hours. Lord knows that boy has seen enough hospital rooms in his time.” My mom sets a mug of steaming tea in front of me as we sit at her kitchen table.

  I miss being able to talk about all life’s troubles over a good cup of tea with my mom. Being an adult definitely has its disadvantages. “Yeah, we were all relieved when the doctor cleared him. He said it was just a virus and the worst seemed to be over. Lots of rest and fluids now.”

  “That must have been scary for Lachlan. The first time your child is sick, really sick, can be terrifying.”

  I blow steam off my mug then sip the honey flavor. “Owen told me Lachlan handled it pretty well. He was scared, sure. For the most part though, he kept his cool.”

  “He’s a good father. So, talk to me, how’s the shop?”

  I take another sip then set the mug down and grab my cell to show her some pictures of recent projects I’d been working on. “It’s doing very well. Immy has really stepped in when I need her. She’s such an asset, and, most days, I really don’t know what I would do without her. She’s running the front like no one’s business, so that frees up a lot of time to work in the back. She even set up the shop on social media which has boosted traffic. Check this piece out, I just finished it last week.” I hold my phone up so my mom can see the antique bird cage I restored for a customer.

  “Wow, Sloane. That’s beautiful! You should start thinking about raising your prices. I know you don’t want to scare your customers away, but sweetheart that’s a one of a kind, handcrafted piece.”

  I turn the phone around so I can see the picture again. The piece ended up being better than I’d planned, and I’m so excited to deliver it tomorrow. “I know, I know. I need to rethink my business plan a bit, especially with the increased traffic now. I still cannot believe people are willing to pay money, no matter how much or little, for something I did. It’s humbling.”

  My mom cradles her cup in her hands as if for warmth. “I still remember the day I couldn’t find my picture frame. The real big expensive artwork your father gave me one year for our anniversary. You recall that day?”

  I laugh, knowing exactly what she’s talking about. I was no older than twelve or thirteen, and I’d had my eye on that painting for the longest time. I knew I could make it better. So, one day, when my parents were distracted, I took the painting to the garage and began to work on it. I was right. I made that artwork really pop. “I recall. You were so mad at me.”

  “I was. But you know what your father said to me that night?”

  I shake my head because I don’t remember this part of the story.

  “He told me it’s better now because we have an original. A Sloane Original. He knew you’d do something great with your talents. We’re so proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  She smiles, and we spend the next hour chatting about nothing in particular and it’s amazingly freeing to have normal time.

  It was the perfect mindless way to calm myself down.

  The drive home slowly peels back layers of joy and replaces them with a sense of doom. I’m not sure which Owen I’ll be walking in the house to find. He was mad at the hospital, but he seemed forgiving in his embrace. Was it momentary, or has he actually forgiven me for not being there when they all needed me?

  Then there was Nash. Ever since he told me his story about not being able to save that little girl, I somewhat felt like that’s what he’s been with me. Trying to save me from something. Maybe from Owen. Maybe from myself.

  I don’t need saving. I thought perhaps at one time I did. Everything seemed to have such a negative outcome. I struggled for air.

  I’m breathing now, though. I need to stay afloat and keep breathing.

  If Nash continues to try and be my life preserver, I won’t be able to swim on my own.

  TWENTY

  Owen

  I’m glad Adam gave me the following day off from work. Noah’s home now, and safe in his bed. I spoke with Lachlan this morning and was relieved to hear Noah slept through the night. He’s almost back to his old self again. Watching The Lorax on repeat and eating popsicles, snuggled on the couch. I can’t even express how happy I am he’s going to be okay. The panic that coursed through me when I got the phone call from Lachlan yesterday nearly gave me a heart attack. If something ever happened to Noah… I can’t even think about it.

  But he’s okay.

  The thing is, I’m not sure if I can say the same thing about Sloane and me. Everyth
ing we’ve worked for this past month nearly was flushed away yesterday. My heart sank every time my call went straight to voice mail. I was terrified she’d been hurt, and I was also terrified she wasn’t. That she was safe in someone else’s arms, seeing my number across her phone screen and chose to ignore it.

  The day I saw her with someone else on the patio down the street from Revamped, sharing a meal, it hurt so bad I had a hard time catching my breath. Then I saw her in our own home being comforted by another man on the couch we bought together after spending hours in furniture stores. Hudson. I wanted to pummel that asshole until I saw blood.

  The thought of my wife, my Sloane, with another man causes bile to run up the back of my throat and the blood in my veins to boil with fury. But knowing, without any trace of uncertainty, she deserves better than me makes me dizzy.

  She deserves to be loved and cherished and cared for and protected.

  What if she realizes I can no longer give her those things? Maybe I’m just not capable of being a man or husband or someone people can count on.

  She’d stop belonging to me then. She wouldn’t be mine. Just like Hudson said, someone else could slip in and take her away.

  I can’t live in a world where she isn’t mine. My recent past may contradict that emotion, but since I’ve been awakened from the dark haze that nearly claimed my life, I’ve realized I can’t be without her.

  I can’t and I won’t.

  The flowers on Sawyer’s grave surprise me. As far as I knew, I’d been the only person to come here regularly. There weren’t any flowers the last time I visited my sister, and the petals are still alive so they’re fresh. I told Nathan Cain to never come back, so it better fucking not be him. The thing about this bouquet is that it’s from our grocery store. They’re the same type of flowers Sloane gets for the centerpiece when her parents come over for fancy dinners.

  She really came here yesterday? Wasn’t she lying? Her story sounded made up and she avoided eye contact with me, a classic Sloane giveaway when she lies. Not that she does often.

  What would make her come here to visit Sawyer? Because Drew was supposed to face the judge?

  “Hey, mate.”

  Startled, I blink a few times to clear my head then shift my gaze from Sawyer’s name etched in granite to Lachlan approaching me from the pathway. “What’re you doing here?”

  He grips my extended hand and claps me once on the back, then squats to brush his fingers over the same spot at which I’d just been staring.

  “I wanted to come visit her, and I knew you’d be here so…two birds, one stone as the saying goes, I guess.”

  I let him have a silent moment with Sawyer before I ask why he’s looking for me. “Is Noah sick again or something?”

  “No, nothing like that at all. He’s doing great. Chloe’s with him at home. She came by with some comfort food now that he’s gotten his appetite back, and I’ll tell ya, it came back with a vengeance. I asked her to stay with him so I could come talk to you and Sloane. When your truck wasn’t in the driveway, I kinda figured this was where you’d be.”

  “I needed some air I guess.”

  “What’s going on with you and her? I thought everything was getting better. When I walked in Noah’s hospital room, I could feel the tension. Then she snapped on me, which isn’t like her at all.”

  I take a deep breath, then sigh, shoulders sagging. “No, it’s not her. I don’t know, man. When we couldn’t reach her yesterday on her phone, I kinda freaked. I didn’t know where she was or who she was with.”

  “Who she was with?”

  “Yeah, I saw her having lunch with someone, then that asshole cop, Hudson, was at our house. He rubs me the wrong way, and I don’t know, I’m a little…territorial when it comes to her.”

  “You know that’s insane, right? There’s nothing to be jealous about. Sloane loves you, trust me, mate. She’s the one that’s been here fighting for your marriage since the beginning. She would never step out on you. That’s not even an option in her mind.”

  I run my hands over my head, gripping the nape of my neck. Squeezing until the ache burns. “Ah, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. She deserves so much better than me, and, one day, she’s going to wake up and realize the man she thought she married is nothing more than a scared little bitch, and she’s gonna run.”

  “What the hell are you so afraid of that’s worth pushing away the woman who loves you?”

  “I’m scared of losing her!”

  “The way I lost Sawyer?”

  The pain in his eyes is too much for me to bear. With one more silent moment for my baby sister, I turn my back on her and Lachlan and stroll toward a bench near the pathway and take a seat.

  Lachlan follows and lowers next to me. Both of us remain silent, staring into the nothingness of this early morning. The sun has only been out for a few hours, and the dew on the grass has just begun to vaporize.

  I’m not sure how much time passes, a few seconds or a handful or minutes. My thoughts skip everywhere, leaping from one problem to the next with such hustle it makes me nauseous.

  “They called with an update of how yesterday’s Fitness Hearing went.”

  The air becomes thick and warm as I turn to face Lachlan. “Do I even want to know?”

  “The judge found him mentally able to stand trial. No bail set. He’ll be in prison until his trial date. Could be a few months, could be a year. It’s a start, and, for now, he’s where he should be.”

  The weight I didn’t even realize I’ve been carrying lifts from my chest and shoulders. It wouldn’t have made anything better if Hudson hadn’t stopped me yesterday. Watching the life drain from Drew’s face wouldn’t have given me back my baby sister. Or my life that has been continuously unraveling. This was supposed to happen this way. I pray I never have to see his fucking ugly mug again. “Shit. We’ll have to testify against him during the trial, don’t we?”

  When I look at him, he’s still staring off. “Yeah.” His word releases in a muffled whisper.

  I rest my hand on his shoulder to get his attention. “You know what? We’ll do it together. As a family.”

  He reaches over and places his arm on mine, his eyes glossy and red. “As a family.”

  We both let out our sighs of relief, of promise, of hope, and stand to tell Sloane the news.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Sloane

  “Look what’s back on the menu at Chloe’s!” Immy chimes as she strolls into Revamped, carrying a drink tray and a small bag.

  “Don’t toy with my emotions.”

  She sets the items on the counter then takes off her sweater, tossing it into the drawer with her bag. “I would never joke about something as serious as pumpkin flavored everything.”

  I let a squeal and nearly dive for the tray. “She’s early!” Every year I count down the months until October rolls around. Besides Halloween being my absolute favorite holiday, I am obsessed with Chloe’s Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. I’m surprised it’s out already because it’s only the middle of September.

  “I think she made an exception this year for us. Or maybe because she was sick of us asking. Either way, we win!”

  “I owe her my life.”

  “Tell me about it. I think pumpkin should be its own food group.”

  “Agreed.”

  We chat on a particularly slow day for a few minutes while enjoying our pumpkin overload.

  “So, Noah’s good today?”

  I crumple the empty bag and pitch it into the small trash pail behind the counter. “Yeah, I saw him this morning before I came in. He’s definitely back to his old self. I’m going to close up early tonight so I can go home and make chicken noodle soup with no chicken for dinner for him.”

  “Chicken noodle soup with no chicken?”

  “Noah doesn’t like chicken in it.”

  “Then wouldn’t it just be a noodle soup.”

  “Hey, when you’re as cute as that bo
y, you get to call things however you want.”

  She laughs, tossing her long brown hair back. “Fair enough. So, I know yesterday was a busy day, but did you end up hearing anything about you know who?”

  I start to respond, but the door chimes and a woman walks in. She immediately walks to the counter instead of looking around, and when I recognize her face, I know why she’s here.

  “Sloane Matthews?”

  “Claire Williams.”

  “You know who I am?” She’s shocked but not taken aback. I’m sure it would take an awful lot to ruffle this lady’s feathers. Must run in the family.

  “Yes, ma’am, I know who you are.”

  “Great, then we can skip the introductions. I’m here to talk about my nephew.”

  “Why don’t you follow me to my office? We can talk in private.”

  I tell Immy to watch the front of the store, and her disappointment flashes across her face over missing what this lady wants. Now I owe her two stories. We might have to have a wine night soon.

  I close the door behind her and offer the only chair, flipping over a wooden crate for myself.

  She looks around the room with mild curiosity then dusts off the chair with her hand before sitting down and smoothing out her skirt. Sawyer wasn’t exaggerating about this one.

  “So, what can I do for you, Mrs. Williams?”

  “Claire, please. I understand you are the one who convinced Lachlan to contact his uncle and me.”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “It’s because of you we got to meet that little boy, Noah. It’s because of you we now have our nephew back in our lives after we thought we’d lost him forever over foolish mistakes that were made on our part.”

  If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the emotions playing across her face were genuine.

  “I didn’t do much, really. Just made him see that family is the most important thing to have. Especially when you have such little of it.”