Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Avery
“What are you doing up so early?” Brooke stood in the doorway of the kitchen as I sat at the kitchen table with my laptop.
My right leg was bobbing like a sewing machine needle as I scanned the listings on the screen. Probably because I’d downed three cups of coffee already and was working on my fourth.
“I’m looking for an apartment. I can’t take another night with the two of you going at each other like horny dogs in heat. I love you guys, but seriously, if I knew you and Kyle would become sex gluttons, I’d have never encouraged him to take you out in the first place.”
I’d also filled out the paperwork to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) to allow my information to be shared with Happy’s family should they ever request it. Happy didn’t need to know I hadn’t done it before she’d shown up.
The thought hadn’t occurred to me that her parents might need to know what happened to the various pieces of their daughter they’d selflessly donated to keep others alive.
Maybe I was a self-centered prick, or maybe I couldn’t conceive of the amount of grief the Rose family still felt because of her death.
Now that I understood it better, I knew I had to do something.
Of course, Brooke giggled. “Sorry. It was the second anniversary of our first time…”
I needed no more information, but I remembered one thing. “Wasn’t it around this time that you two went out on your first date?”
Brooke’s face turned pink, which made me laugh.
“You hooked up on your first date? Holy shit!”
She slapped my shoulder and went to the fridge, pulling out a carton of eggs and a package of bacon. I knew what that meant.
“You guys aren’t worn out yet?”
Again, she giggled. “I’m just making breakfast, but I’ll warn you. We’re watching movies in bed.”
I closed my laptop, grabbed my half-empty cup of coffee, and turned to her. “I’m going out. I’ll be back this afternoon. Fuck yourselves out because I don’t want to hear it.”
When I glanced around the kitchen, I saw Happy near the stove. “She’s likely going to burn down your apartment, but whatever. You need to go to the dog park. You’ve gotta talk to Holden again. I’m running out of time.”
“Please don’t burn down the apartment. I’ll be moving in a week or so. You two still need somewhere to live."
Brooke laughed. “I’m a better cook than you, Avery.”
“You wish. Two words—breakfast casserole. The three of us got food poisoning because you used raw sausage. I love you guys, but I need my own place to live. You and Kyle are loud and it reminds me that I’m not getting laid. We’ll see each other at the office, so don’t worry about me.”
“You can move in with Holden.” Happy had a great sense of humor, but I definitely wasn’t going to move in with her brother. Hell, he didn’t even want to talk to me.
I laughed. “I’m not moving in with your brother.”
After making my bed and pulling out clothes for the day, I checked my phone to see it was sunny but only in the mid-thirties. I tossed a thermal henley on the bed to wear under my sweater and headed to the bathroom.
“Why not move in with Holden? He keeps a clean and tidy home, and Ossie’s there. That sweet pooch has enough love for two. In fact, go to the dog park today, you can play with Ossie and get to know Holden better. When are you going to tell him that you got my heart?”
I turned on the shower to warm and quickly lathered my face to shave. “You’ll step out when I have to take off my pajamas, right?”
Happy giggled. “So modest. Yes, of course, I’ll step out if it bothers you. Anway, when?”
I decided to tell her anyway. “I filled out my request this morning to make my contact information available to your family. I have no idea if any of the other donors have asked, but I want to be sure I got my request logged before I begin to think about how to break the news to your brother that I have your heart. I don’t see how I’m going to get him to believe any of this. ”
That was no lie. He was adamant the last time I’d seen him that he wouldn’t open his mind even a hairline crack to consider the idea his sister was able to communicate with me. Even with my request to connect with the family, I had a feeling Holden’s thoughts on the matter wouldn’t change.
“Do you know if other donors have requested information from your family?” I finished shaving and quickly wiped away the remnants of shaving gel before I glanced at Happy’s reflection in the mirror. “Out, please.”
“Can’t I just turn my back? If you let me stay, I won’t watch you and Holden the first time you have sex, I swear.” Happy’s pout was cute.
“I’m not having sex with your brother, Holly, but if you don’t peek, I won’t make you leave.
Anyway, do you know about other donors? Why didn’t you reach out to any of them?
Why did you pick me?” I dropped my lounge pants into my hamper and stepped into the shower, pulling the curtain closed to get on with my morning.
“They were able to harvest five of my organs. You got my heart, and a woman in Atlanta got my liver. A man in Poughkeepsie got one of my lungs—the other was punctured—and a man and a woman in New York City each got a kidney. They let me pick who I wanted to reach out to, and I chose you because you were so sweet. It took a little time for my petition to make it to the powers that be, but it was approved once it hit Her desk.” Happy examined her nails before grinning at me.
“Her?” I seriously didn’t want to go into my thoughts on a Deity. I figured it was a personal thing and most folks had different ideas about it.
“Call Them what you want. I prefer Her.” She shrugged.
“Okay. Does every spirit get to pick someone?” I still wasn’t convinced I hadn’t had a nervous breakdown, but if I was having a mental health emergency, it was better to ride it out, or so I determined.
“To haunt? Nah. Just special circumstances. I checked the organ donor box on my license, so I got to have a special treat for not being selfish. I want you to be my brother’s special treat for pushing Mom and Dad to donate.
All the donors except you have requested more personal information.
I got to meet one of them when he passed away, ironically from a car accident.
His name was Nicolaus, and he was fifty-six when he died.
He thanked me—I guess for dying before him. Anyway, he was sweet.”
I finished my shower and grabbed a towel. “Okay, can you at least turn around and face the wall so I can get out? I’m going to get dressed. Which dog park are Holden and Oscar going to? How suspicious will it look if I show up there?”
When I opened the door, I was shocked to see Kyle resting against the wall opposite the bathroom. “Good morning.” I smiled, though he was looking at me as if I’d lost my mind.
“You, uh, you okay, buddy?” Kyle’s gaze didn’t leave mine.
I chuckled. “Yeah. I’m just getting out of here for the day so the two of you can have your sex-a-thon.
I told Brooke I’d be back this afternoon, and I want all naughty bits covered, please.
I’ve started looking for an apartment and I’m hoping to be out by the end of January.
If you know anyone who’s looking for a roommate, send them my way, please. ”
As I walked by, Kyle grabbed my bicep to stop me. “You don’t have to move yet, Avery. We haven’t even set a date for the wedding.”
“Yeah, but if I’ve gotta suffer through anymore of your sexual gymnastics, I’ll gouge out my eardrums. There is absolutely nothing about the two of you that have any compassion for those of us who aren’t having sex.”
Kyle laughed as he let go of my arm. “Aves, you need to fix that shit. There’s no reason you’re not getting all the action you want.”
It was nice to hear he thought I had it that way. I wished to fuck it was so. “That’s not happening. Anyway, I’ll be out of here in a few minutes.”
Kyle nodded and walked toward the kitchen as the smoke alarm went off. I laughed because Brooke was living up to her reputation as a terrible cook. I hoped Kyle lived through her cooking exploits in the years to come.
I hurried into my room to change, not at all surprised to see Happy resting against the headboard of my bed. “Ignore the smoke alarm. Brooke isn’t a cook and refuses to admit it.”
Happy laughed. “At least she tries. Anyway, go to Cedars Dog Park. You’ll need to take a ride share and take some treats. It’s not that far. Say you were going to the gourmet market on Springs Avenue. It’s one of Holden’s favorites.”
I quickly dressed, my back to Happy. She’d already seen my asshole. What the hell did I have to hide anymore?
Springs Avenue was a bustling neighborhood at nine on a Sunday morning. When the driver let me out in front of Pup and Perk, a canine-welcoming coffee shop, I stepped out, tipped the man, and went inside.
I remembered Holden liked black coffee, so I ordered one for him and a cup of whipped cream for Ossie. I got myself a mocha latte and headed down the street to the dog park.
I saw a lot of friendly people with adorable dogs, but when I set eyes on Holden Rose, my breath hitched.
He was wearing baggy jeans, boots, and a tan Carhart coat as he squatted to pet Ossie and release the leash.
I was surprised to see the pooch in tan snow boots and a puffy jacket as he trotted around Holden, so happy to be with his dad.
I approached the two of them and grinned. “Hello, guys. How about a little treat?”
Holding out the tray to Holden, I saw the surprise on his face. “How’d you know I’d be here? Is there something I can do for you?”
God, he was too sweet to be real. “I saw the two of you here when I walked by a few minutes ago, and I went to get us some treats. May I sit?”
“Please.”
The grin on Holden’s face erased any other words I wanted to say.
I wanted to kiss him, but that would have been inappropriate and might have gotten me a punch in the jaw.
Instead, I sat next to him on a cold wooden bench.
I held out the whipped cream paper cup to Oscar, who lapped at it like it was the best thing he’d ever tasted.
“What brings you here? You don’t live nearby.” Holden sipped his coffee and stared at me, obviously waiting for an answer.
I inhaled a big breath and slowly released it. “Happy told me to come to this neighborhood. I’ve been to the Springs Avenue market before and since my roommate is likely going to poison us again, I thought I’d pick up something safe to eat.”
Ossie finished his pup latte, so I shoved the empty cup into the carrier and picked up my own latte, the warmth easing the chill inside me.
“Are you following me? You have my number, so just call me and ask me to meet. You know I don’t believe that bullshit about Happy sending you here.” He paused, his voice softening. “But honestly, I don’t care why you decided to come, I’m just glad you’re here.”
That was a surprise. “Why?”
Holden took a big breath. “Because I can’t keep my mind off you, and I have no idea why. You’ve become the number one thing filling my head, and I’m not sure how to stop thinking about you.”
I glanced at him. “You don’t need to do anything. Happy wants you to talk your parents into letting the recipients have access to her information. Trust me, Holden. I wish to hell I was lying or bullshitting you, but I’m not. And I’m not stalking you, I swear.”
His gaze focused on the dogs playing with Oscar in the dog park for a moment before returning to me as he took a sip of coffee.
“Look, I think you believe that, and if you do, then so be it. I’m not willing to let your belief in the supernatural stop me from getting to know you better.
” Holden reached for my hand, and I gave it to him.
The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine. I wasn’t sure what to do but having his hand on mine nearly shorted out my brain.
“Yay! Talk to him! Tell him about yourself. He loves shit like that.” Holly was standing near the fence in black leggings, a teal puffy coat, and a matching beret.
I was sure the weather didn’t exactly affect her in her current state of being.
Maybe she wasn’t ready to accept she wasn’t alive any longer, or maybe it was just her sense of style that followed her into the next stage of whatever came after.
Whatever it was, I damn well didn’t need her spouting orders at that moment.
I turned to grin at Holden. “What do you want to know?”