Chapter 11
ELIJAH
I crack my knuckles nervously but know what needs to be done.
I’m waiting for Kane to take a break. I’m at the job site, waiting. I’ve prepared what I’m going to say, played it over and over in my head, and I’m ready.
I have to be because I can’t keep putting this off.
Finally, after what feels like eternity, Kane walks over to me. “What’s up? Did something happen at the office? Why are we meeting here?”
I gesture to the work trailer, and as we walk in, a few people are in the offices, working, looking at blueprints. I motion to the guys, and after shaking their hands, I ask them if they can give Kane and me a few minutes.
They both nod and walk out, giving Kane curious glances.
As soon as they close the door behind them, Kane asks, “What’s going on, Eli, because you’re flipping me the fuck out.”
I sigh. “Sit down.”
He sits on a stool at the table, and I sit across from him. “We need to talk.”
I can see his leg bouncing, and he nods. “Talk, just spit it out.” He snarls his nose. “Is Sam okay? I upset her last night, and she said she was fine, but—”
I tense, fisting my hands. “What do you mean you upset her?”
He sighs, and I see the regret on his face. “She came home all excited about the flowers, and I said something stupid.”
I grit my teeth. “What did you say?”
He shakes his head. “Well, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but when I think about it, it sounded bad.”
“What. Did. You. Say?” I demand.
He holds his hands up. “Geez, chill out. I was just surprised, I guess. She came home with the flowers, and she didn’t know who they were from, and I said something like I’m surprised because she’s pregnant and everything.”
I shake my head. No, he didn’t. “Are you kidding me? That’s pretty shitty, Kane, even for you.”
He doesn’t take offense. It’s obvious he regrets it. “I know. We hugged after I apologized, and I don’t know, it’s just all weird, I guess.” He scoots his chair in. “So do you know who the flowers are from?”
I jut my chin. “They’re from me. I sent them to her.”
His forehead creases, and he looks confused. “You sent her flowers? Why? And why does she think they’re from a secret admirer?”
I clench my hands together on the table in front of me. “I bought the flowers, and the card was in it. I didn’t know, and the florist must have forgotten about it.”
Slowly, he nods his head. “Okay, so you were just sending her flowers to… what?”
I pull my shoulders back. I’ve thought about how to say this, and I know I just need to do it. “I want to date your sister. I want to date Sam.”
He pushes back from the table. “What did you just say?”
I try to remain calm. I don’t want this to come between us, but I do know that no matter what he says, I’m going to pursue Sassy. I have to.
Calmly, I tell him, “I want to date your sister.”
He grimaces, and his gaze burns into me. “She’s pregnant. I thought you said you weren’t the father.”
“I’m not.”
He slaps his hand down on the table. “What the hell, Elijah? She’s my sister. I’m not going to let you hurt her, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen when you come to your senses.”
My whole body is pulled tight. The tension tugs in my shoulders, but I remain sitting, keeping my voice calm. “I kissed your sister five years ago, and I told her it was a mistake, but I haven’t been able to forget her.”
Kane slams his hand on the table. “One kiss five years ago and you think you want to date her now?”
I ignore his outburst. “It’s more than that. I have pined for her this whole time—”
“Pined for her! You pined for her? Are you for real right now? This is my little sister. She’s ten years younger than you, and she’s pregnant.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Exactly what’s your problem with me? It’s not like I’m hooking up with different women all the time. Hell, I haven’t dated anyone since I kissed Sam. I’m serious about this.”
He rolls his eyes. “She’s having a baby. Someone else’s baby, I might add. You can’t decide today that you’re going to date her and then what, push her and the baby to the side when you’re done with her.”
I have to remind myself that even though Kane is my best friend in the world, he is still Sam’s brother.
He’s looking out for her, and that’s the only reason I’m not punching him in the face right now.
I stand up to my full height. “Okay, fine, you want to hear it all, I’ll tell you.
I was trying to soften the blow, so to speak, and try to give you time to adjust to this, but I guess I need to just be upfront and tell you everything. I love your sister.”
Kane’s mouth drops open, but I don’t give him time to answer.
“I was hoping that she would be the first person I said it to, but maybe it’s good I tell you this.
You know me, Kane.” I pound my fist into my chest. “You fuckin’ know me.
And if I say I love your sister, then there’s not going to be an end to this.
She is going to be mine for as long as she’ll have me. ”
He puts his hands on his hips. “And the baby. What about it?”
“Him? You mean him? I’m going to love him as if he’s my own.”
“Sam’s having a girl,” he deadpans.
I realize I’ve said too much. Maybe Sam wants to be the one to tell her brother, but I’ve already let the cat out of the bag. “We found out at the doctor’s appointment last week that she’s having a boy.”
He puts his hands on the table in front of him and lowers his head. “Oh, thank God. Because I don’t have a clue what to do with a girl, and I already figured that the first boy that made her cry, I would end up in jail. A boy!” He lifts his head to look at me. “She’s having a boy.”
I nod once. “She’s having a boy.”
He smiles for the first time since we started this conversation. “Fuck, that’s a relief.”
I come toward him. “But that’s not to say that one day we won’t have a girl.”
He frowns and shoves his hand through his hair. “What does Sam have to say about this? Does she want to date you?”
I shrug. “I dunno.”
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“I was coming to you to get your blessing.” I hold my hands up. “I mean, either way, I’m going to pursue her, but I know she wouldn’t want you upset.”
His face goes red, and he points a thumb to his chest. “You want my blessing to fuck—”
I cut him off. “Don’t even finish that sentence, Kane.
I promise you that my intentions are real.
I don’t just want to sleep with her. I love her.
Hell, I think I’ve loved her since I kissed her five years ago and blamed it on the alcohol.
I knew you wouldn’t let us be together, but now I’m not asking.
If she’ll have me, I’m going to be with her. ”
He grimaces. “If you hurt her—”
“I won’t.”
He points a finger at me. “If she doesn’t want to be with you—”
I hold my hands up. “I’ll respect her wishes.”
He shrugs. “It’s her decision. Whatever she decides, I’ll stand behind her.”
I expected more. I’d hoped for it. I know that this is probably tough considering I’m his best friend and she’s his little sister, but I had hoped that he could see that I’m going to be good for her and the baby.
I sigh but nod. I guess it could have gone worse.
“Okay, well, I need to get back to the office. Everything good here?”
He nods. “Yep, everything’s on schedule.”
I point between the two of us. “Are we okay?”
He hesitates and then nods, holding his hand out to me. I shake it, and he mutters, “Don’t fuck this up, Wolfe. You’re already my brother, but if we can make this for real, then all the better.”
I pull him in for a manly hug and pat him hard on the back. “Same, brother. Same.”