Before I can reply, soft footsteps approach, and then Vivian returns with a tray filled with cups and a pot of coffee. “Oh, good, you didn’t kill each other. Well, at least that’s something.” She walks over to the coffee table, Sal’s question hanging between us, while she puts the tray down. She looks between her husband and me, then lifts the pot and starts pouring coffee into a cup.
“I asked you a question,” Sal says, his gaze not leaving mine, not even when Vivian hands him a cup of steaming coffee.
“Yes,” I rasp. “Because I love him.”
“Why him?” My best friend asks me again as Vivian hands me a cup, then pours one for herself.
“He’s special.” It’s the best I can do, because I could list a million fucking reasons why Kayden is my person, but they still wouldn’t come close to summing it up.
“You’re damn straight he is. And he’s too good for you.” Sal takes a sip of his coffee, then hisses when he burns his tongue.
I chuckle, because isn’t that the truth? “I know he is.” Of course, Kayden is too good for me, but that’s beside the point. If Kayden still wants me, then I have no issue with going through the rest of my life with a better man than me by my side. It would be a fucking honor and a privilege.
Vivian blows at her coffee, then reaches for her phone on the table and checks it, a frown building between her eyebrows.
Sal clears his throat. “You know there was a time when he didn’t wanna live.” My heart nearly stops at his words. I was not expecting that. “My fucking kid. He’d rather not be here than live in a world where he couldn’t be himself.” Sal’s bottom lip trembles, tears gathering in his eyes again. “How fucked up is that, Caleb?”
“I… I didn’t know that. I’m sorry, Sal.” I turn to Vivian. “I’m sorry, Viv.” She gives me a curt nod, her eyes growing moist.
“I would’ve done anything to carry that pain for him.Anything.”
“I know you would.”
Sal exhales, then places his cup down on the table and rubs at his forehead. Vivian reaches for him and squeezes his shoulder.
“So that’s why I’m telling you, Caleb, that if you aren’t 1000% sure about this, about him, then walk away.”
The answer is easy. There can only ever be one answer to that. I’ve never been more sure about anything. “I’m sure. I love him, and that won’t ever change.” It’s strange sitting here in front of my best friend and his wife, swearing to them that I’ll always love their only child, but it can’t be any other way. I’ll never love anyone else but Kayden.
Eventually, Sal nods. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah. But Iwillhurt you, Caleb.”
Vivian groans next to Sal, rolling her eyes, but Sal either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care.
“I swear to God you’ll know pain like never before.”
“Alright, alright,Don Corleone,” Vivian chuckles. “Settle down. I think you got your message across, honey.” She looks at me pointedly. “Didn’t he, Caleb?”
“Absolutely. No need to put a horse’s head at the foot of my bed.”
Sal grunts something unintelligible, then exchanges a look with Vivian. She smiles softly, then presses a kiss against his chin.
“Kayden’s in Boston,” she says, without turning away from Sal. “With Emily.”
And just like that, it feels like I can breathe again. “Boston?”
Vivian nods. “Their old apartment. He’s, uhm… he’s okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I’m sure he will be.” She smiles at me softly. “Once you’re there.”
I nod, then get up, placing my cup back on the tray. “Thank you,” I rasp, looking at first Vivian, then Sal. “Thank you both.”
Chapter Twenty-Three