Kevin didnāt speak for a while but Renee didnāt rush him. Letting the silence between them linger for as long as he needed it to. It had been a long day for him, for both of them. When Kevin did speak he kept his head down looking at the ground.
āDad said heād text when they got off the plane.ā
The new title sat awkwardly but it took so long for either of them to get there that no one commented on it. āThatās good to hearā said Renee lightly though she knew it wasnāt why he was here.
āYeahā¦ā Kevin said softly before sighing and turning to face her. āIām sorryā¦I know how you felt about himā he said quietly almost guilty. āLetting people go is never easyā the āI would knowā remained unsaid but they both heard it loud and clear.
Reneeās expression softened.
āIt never is. Do you think itās selfish that part of me wishes he could stay?ā Kevin shook his head with a small smile on his face āI think it makes you human. I just hope heās okay out thereā¦ā
Renee put a hand on his shoulder āheās not alone. Weāve given him everything to start a new path and the Trojans will be by his side too. It wonāt be easy by any means butā she smiles warm and bright āI know Jeanās gonna be alright.ā
Kevin smiles back, watery and fond. āYeah he always was stronger than he ever gave himself credit for.ā She nods having seen it for herself and adding āI think you both have that in common.ā
He snorts but doesnāt disagree with her.
A silence falls over them again but this one less heavier then the last. āDo you wanna grab a drink?ā Renee considers it before shaking her head āmaybe later I think Iām gonna go touch up my hairā she gestured to where the colours had started to fade.
āOh right yeah of courseā said Kevin mentally kicking himself for asking but Renee wasnāt done. āI was gonna ask the girls for help but Danās on a date with Matt and Allison is out shopping with Nicky, you helped me once before so I was wondering if you could again.ā
For company in the here and now and not to let him drink his sorrows away in the dark. And maybe just maybe Renee didnāt want to be left alone either.
Kevin looked at her in surprise before nodding āsure, Iād be honoured to give our rainbow back her colours.ā He didnāt have night practice for a while yet and maybe itād be a good distraction.
Renee chuckled feeling a sense of relief āI guess that would make you the star then, your majestyā she mimed bowing and the laughter that followed seemed to brighten the world just that a little more.