Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
I can’t believe he’s here with me. I wanted to beg him this morning to come with me, but I didn’t allow myself to do it. I was afraid he’d say no. But he took the choice away from me, and he’s here.
He’s right where I need him.
And then... he was there for Elijah. I was frozen in fear—not only for my brother, though I was terrified for him—but for my son. It hits way too close to home, but I didn’t know what to say or do.
I think about Angelica, and how she didn’t know what to say, and I thought maybe I’d mess it up even more.
I knew if I’d asked Spencer to stay with Elijah, he would have, but I couldn’t shake the thought of him not being able to see for himself that Bowen was okay.
Will had assured me that the doctors were certain he would wake soon—even if Will was shaken up and clearly terrified.
I felt like Elijah needed to see it for himself, but I couldn’t help but worry that I was messing it all up.
I’ve failed that kid so many damn times already.
But Spencer—he knew exactly what to say.
He made us both feel a little better, and the ride wasn’t pure torture because of him.
“You got the kid?” I ask Will.
“Briggs did. I was busy grabbing your idiot brother.” He’s trying to make light of it, but I see how haunted he looks. “He wouldn’t open his eyes. He didn’t move. I...”
“He’s alive,” I say, putting my hand on Will’s shoulder. “That’s what matters. Bowen is stubborn.” I smile briefly, looking at Spencer, who nods his head in encouragement. “He’ll get through this.”
“He has to,” Will says, his fear right there on the surface. He’s downright terrified of losing my brother.
I drop my hand and look over at my mother, who’s sitting by the bed. She looks good—better than the last time I saw her, but she seems hesitant to say anything to me. The grief and worry she has for Bowen is apparent though. “Mom.”
“Hi, sweetie,” she says softly. “You look good.”
“You too,” I answer honestly. Admittedly, I’d thought the years of alcoholism would have taken their toll on my mom.
She was always a beautiful woman, but drinking like she did for years and years usually takes a toll.
Her skin is clear though, not a wrinkle in sight, and she has a healthy glow to her.
Her eyes roam to Elijah, but she doesn’t say anything, though I think she wants to. I place my hand on his small shoulder. “Elijah, you remember your grandmother?”
“No,” he says cautiously, and I notice he’s still clinging to Spencer.
I smile and kneel down to look into his eyes. “Do you want to meet her?”
He nods his head slowly, and I stand up, walking him over to my mom. “Mom, you remember Elijah?”
She smiles brightly, although cautiously, and remains seated so she’s eye level with my son. “I do. Hi, Elijah.”
“Hi,” my son says quietly.
“Elijah, this is your Grandma Pam.”
“Can I hug you?” she asks him, and he looks up at me. I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile, but ultimately, it’s up to him.
He nods his head, and I watch as my mother embraces him. He hugs her back, though he’s hesitant. She releases him, but I see the tears in her eyes. I look over at Bowen—briefly thinking he did this shit on purpose, just to get my mom and me in the same room.
Knowing of course he didn’t, it still makes me grin as we all settle into the room, just waiting for some good news. The doctors are confident he’ll wake up—all the scans are clear. It’s just taking a bit of time to recover, they say.
A couple of hours pass, then my Aunt Kiersten arrives and brings us food. And Spencer stays through it all. Tori arrives about an hour after Aunt Kiersten, and Elijah immediately runs to her, wrapping his little arms around her neck.
“God, I’ve missed you, kid,” she says, holding onto him.
She finally releases him but just long enough to hug me. “What am I going to do with you two? Will called me, so I assumed Bowen was hurt, but I also knew that it could be you or both of you. You trying to kill me?”
She’s pissed, but she’s also smiling. “Hey, it wasn’t me this time,” I say, holding up my hands in front of me. She swats them down and then picks up Elijah and takes a seat with him on her lap.
She looks over at our mother and aunt, nodding to them but not saying much. Tori was never really close to either of them, too busy taking care of us, but she’s polite. But then she notices Spencer, and her big sister senses must rise. “Who is this?”
“Um...” Spencer looks like he’s trying to make himself smaller, but there’s absolutely no point in that. Tori has zoned-in. “Spencer Bell. I think we went to school together.”
Tori’s face lights up, and then she looks at me. “The teacher?”
I sigh heavily and fight rolling my eyes. No doubt she’ll pick up on anything if I give even a hint about how I feel about Spencer. But calling him a friend when I’m talking to Tori just feels icky. It’s somehow different from when I’m talking to Elijah.
“They’re friends now,” Elijah pipes up.
Tori looks at him, delight in her eyes. “Is that so?”
“Yup,” my son says. “They even have sleepovers.”
My eyes go wide, and I’m pretty sure Spencer is looking for a hole in the floor to disappear into, but I don’t know.
I’m kind of relieved when I see the happy grin on my sister’s face as she eyes both of us.
She knows. For sure. She knows, but she just snuggles Elijah tighter to herself. “Well, that sounds nice.”
If my mom and aunt are surprised, they don’t show it at all. Will, however, does look a little perplexed—not freaked-out—but curious. It doesn’t matter though, I realize. I don’t really care what anyone else thinks, other than Elijah and Spencer.
Elijah has already moved on to tell Tori about school, but I force myself to look at Spencer, who gives me a quick smile. Not too obvious, but I’m pretty sure he’s just fine with what everyone is rightfully assuming right now.
It’s another hour before Bowen finally wakes up. The doctors check on him and of course will need to run more tests but seem fairly satisfied with his progress. It’s almost humorous when Bowen’s eyes go around the room, and he takes in everyone just waiting around for him.
“What’s the teacher doing here?” His voice is brittle and rough, but of fucking course that’s his first question.
I laugh. “We’re friends.”
He gives me a knowing look—likely having put it all together. But thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else about it. Not yet. I’ll definitely get an earful soon, I’m sure. His eyes go to Tori next though, and he huffs. “Ah fuck. I’m in trouble, huh?”
“Yes, you idiot,” Tori says, making her way to the bed and taking his hand gently. “And don’t curse. Little ears,” she scolds, looking over at Elijah, who’s studying Bowen from afar.
Bowen looks over at him and gives him the softest smile I’ve ever seen on my brother. “Come here, kid.”
Elijah looks over at me first but then slowly makes his way to the bed. I stand right next to Spencer, wanting to take his hand, but settle for feeling his body heat next to mine.
“I’m okay,” Bowen says carefully to Elijah, shifting slightly to sit up on the bed. Instinct is telling me to tell him to take it easy, but I bite my tongue. And Tori must too because I can sense her wanting to say something. “I’m okay,” he says it again.
Elijah just stands there frozen for a moment, his bottom lip trembling, and I know he’s fighting tears.
My heart aches for him, but I feel so relieved when he finally wraps his arms around Bowen’s neck.
It’s then that I know I made the right decision bringing him here—I can see the relief in his eyes.
I know that being here with family surrounding Bowen—that made a difference for my kid.
I know my brother is in pain, but he barely makes a sound and wraps his arm around Elijah’s neck too. “You didn’t die.”
Tears swell in my eyes, thinking about the day it was me in the hospital bed, and I see Tori wiping at her own eyes too. Spencer looks at Bowen and Elijah too, full of emotion. “No one is dying,” Bowen tells Elijah with certainty.
“Because you and dad are too stubborn?” Elijah asks, and it makes us all chuckle a little.
“The most stubborn men ever,” Tori says, and it makes Elijah snicker.
Elijah releases Bowen and walks over to me.
I lift him up in my arms and let him wrap around me.
I hate that he had to go through this again, though I know it’s part of the life—he’s the kid and the nephew of firefighters.
It still doesn’t make it any easier, and it doesn’t seem fair, but my son is strong.
“Dad?” he says into my ear, whispering loudly.
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you guys are stubborn.”
I laugh at that, hugging him tight and kissing his temple. “Me too, buddy.”
I look over at Spencer, who’s watching us with admiration, and I want nothing more than to sweep him into my arms too—nothing would make me feel more complete, but I can wait.
Just a little bit longer.
We decide to let Bowen rest—well, all of us except Will, who refuses to leave his side. I say goodbye to my mother and aunt, but Tori rides back with us. She’s not going back to Oregon for a couple of days, and honestly, I’m happy as hell to have her here.
When we get back to my place, Elijah runs into the house immediately, and Spencer hangs by the driver’s door, so I’m assuming he’s not coming in. “I should get home.”
He says this quietly because my sister is lurking in the background—slowly making her way toward the door.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know,” he says like he means it. “But it’s been a long day. You should get some rest.” He brushes his hand over my cheek, and I hold it there for a moment, wanting to kiss him.
“Call you later?”
He nods. “You better.”
Ah, fuck it. I pull him to me for a quick kiss, barely ghosting over his mouth. It’s dark outside, but you never really know who’s watching around here. He smiles and pats my chest. “Later.”
I nod my head and watch him climb back into his car and wave at him as he leaves. I turn around and face my sister, who looks way too damn happy. I brush past her, going inside.
Elijah promptly tells me he’s going to his room for a bit, and I let him know I’ll be in to tuck him in soon before making myself at home on the couch. My body is exhausted from the day, and now that the adrenaline and shock have worn off, I’m really feeling it.
Tori, however, isn’t human. She plops down next to me, her elbow propped on the back of the couch as she faces me. “So you and the teacher, huh?”
“Tori . . .” I shake my head.
She shoves my shoulder. “You and the teacher.” She’s excited, and I laugh, shaking my head again.
“Yes. That a problem?” I know it’s not especially, looking at the grin on her face right now.
“Hell no. I think it’s great. My brother is finally dating someone who makes him happy. What else could I ask for?”
“You just met him. How do you know he makes me happy?”
Her finger pokes into my cheek, and I swat her away. “Our brother is currently in the hospital right now, and this smile has been glued to your face all day. Your normally very grumpy face.”
“I don’t have a grumpy face,” I complain, and she just cackles, sitting back against the couch now. Looking very pleased with herself. “It doesn’t bother you that he’s a guy?” I ask carefully, and she turns her head to look at me, annoyance written all over her features.
“Are you insane? I couldn’t give a shit about what gender you’re dating. As long as you’re happy. And you’re so happy, it’s gross.”
I smile at that, unable to deny it. “I am. But we aren’t dating.”
She snorts at that. “Yeah, he was with you for the first emergency today. You two are a couple. Congratulations.”
I laugh, but it does make something settle deep inside me to think of us that way. “The town...”
“The town can suck a dick if they can’t support you.” She wags her eyebrows at me. “They might even like it.”
I snort, the laugh so deep, it makes my stomach hurt. “Jesus, Tori.”
She places a hand on my shoulder. “You deserve to be happy, and so does your hot as hell teacher.” She fans her face. “I thought about leaving my husband when I saw him. Phew.”
If she were Bowen, I’d punch her—but I can’t bring myself to hit a girl—no matter how sexist that may be. “Fuck off.”
She just tosses her head back and cackles. “Are you really worried about the town? Because I can find a teacher and firefighter job for you both in Oregon. Hell, I’ll even let you bring Bowen.”
“Ha,” I say, laughing a little. “It’s different here, but I know he’s supposed to be here. And so am I.”
She nods her head absently. “Be the example then. Show them what they’re missing with their bigotry. Love hard, Kade, and don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed for it.”
I hug her to my side. “Missed you.”
“I’m only a plane ride away.”
“I’m glad.”
She snuggles into me. “Mom looked good.”
I sigh at that, not really sure how I feel about my mother after today. There was no sign at all that she was sneaking away to drink or had had any alcohol for a while. “You think you’ll ever be able to forgive her?” I ask.
Her shoulder lifts slightly. “I don’t hate her. Forgiving her though?” She looks up at me. “I’m not sure.”
“Same.”
“It did seem like she’s trying though.”
“Yeah. It did.”
Maybe I can give her another chance.
I mean, I know I’ve messed up a lot in my life. Let Elijah down. But I also know I’ll never stop trying to make sure I’m the best parent he can have.
Maybe my mom deserves that chance too.