Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
G raham
I entered my apartment and stared at the packed boxes scattered all over the floor. Stepping into the shower, I thought about the artist, Ella, as the hot water streamed down my body. She was beautiful, and it was for the best that she turned down my breakfast and dinner invitation.
Tonight was my last shift at the hospital before I left for Los Angeles in a couple of days. Even though I would have loved to have gotten to know her better, it would have been a mistake since I would never see her again. She was younger than me and still in college, even though I sensed she wasn’t your typical college girl. She seemed more mature than most college girls.
“Get her out of your head, Graham.”
A few hours into my shift, my friend, Brenden, grabbed me and dragged me into one of the conference rooms.
“Surprise!” my coworkers shouted when I stepped inside.
The room was decorated with balloons and a banner that said: Good Luck. We’ll Miss You.
“What’s all this?” I grinned.
“You didn’t think we’d let you leave without a proper goodbye, did you?” Dr. Bramley smiled, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Let’s cut the cake.”
I stood in the room with my coworkers and friends, eating cake and sharing the last of our time together.
“Thanks, everyone. I’m going to miss you guys.”
“We’ll miss you too, Graham. Good luck in California. You’re going to rock as a pediatric surgeon.” Brenden smiled.
Dr. Bramley walked over. “Dr. Christian Kind made the right decision hiring you. Dr. Ashley is one of the best pediatric surgeons in the country. You’re going to learn from the best.”
“Thanks, Dr. Bramley. I’m excited to learn all I can.”
When my shift ended, I walked out of the hospital and stared at it one last time. I spent years here between my internship and residency. Returning to California was a difficult decision, but I had no choice if I wanted to be the best pediatric surgeon.
E lla
When Shaun’s plane landed, Grandma Barb and I stepped off, and I saw Simon leaning against his car with his arms folded.
“There you are.” He smiled.
“Hello, darling.” Grandma Barb said. “Take my bag and put it in the trunk.”
“Hello, mother. Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi, Simon. You didn’t have to pick us up.”
“Today’s my day off, so I told your dad I would.”
“Let’s go, Simon. I need to get home to my husband.”
Simon rolled his eyes. “Okay, Mom.”
After we dropped Grandma Barb off, Simon pulled into my driveway, climbed out, and grabbed my bag while I grabbed all the shopping bags. Unlocking the front door, we stepped inside.
“So, how was your trip? Did you have fun with my mother?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“It was nice.” I smiled, setting the bags down.
“Looks like you and Mom did a lot of shopping.”
“She wouldn’t take no for an answer.” I sighed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” he said.
“Have you noticed your mom saying weird things lately?”
“She always says weird things.”
“I mean, like, forgetting things.”
“Who doesn’t? She’s older. It goes with the territory. I have to run.” He kissed my cheek. “I’m happy you’re back.”
“Thanks, Simon. It’s good to be home.”
He was right. Memory issues did come with age, but something was off with my Grandma Barb.
After unpacking my bags and putting everything away, I heard a knock from downstairs. Running down the stairs, I saw Willow standing at the sliding door.
“Hey, you.” I hugged her.
“Why was the door locked?” she asked.
“I didn’t have a chance to unlock it. I just got home.”
“I know. I saw you pull up.” She walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of sparkling water.
“What are you doing home? Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
“No school today, and I told Mom I needed a day off from training. How was your trip to New York?”
“It was good.” I smiled. “I met a handsome man.”
“Do tell, sister.” She grinned.
“His name is Dr. Graham Malone. He’s a pediatrician. I ran into him at the hospital and then again in Central Park when I went for a run.”
“And?” Her brow arched.
“That’s it.”
“What do you mean that’s it? You didn’t go out with him?”
“No. And I may have lied to him about what I do.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him I was an NYU student studying art.”
“Why would you do that?” Her brows furrowed.
“Because.” I sat on the couch, slumping my shoulders. “I didn’t want to have to explain who I was and what I did. You know how guys get around me.”
“Genius problems.” She rolled her eyes. “The guys you’ve dated were all assholes. They’re little boys threatened by a highly intelligent woman. You’ll meet someone who will love you for you and not your brain.”
“Thanks, I think.” I furrowed my brows.
“You know what I mean.” She laughed. “Go upstairs, change into your bathing suit, and let’s go catch some waves.”
“Where’s Nicholas?” I asked.
“He’s still sleeping. I have an idea. Let’s go get his ass up and make him go with us.”
“Good idea.” I grinned. “I’ll be right back.”
After changing into my bathing suit, we walked over to the house, went to his room, and jumped on his bed.
“Wake up, sleepy head. It’s time to catch some waves,” Willow shouted.
“Wake up, loser!” I shouted. “It’s the afternoon!”
He grabbed the pillow and placed it over his face. “Get out of here.”
“No can do, little brother,” I said. “It’s family time.”
“How are the waves looking?” He removed the pillow and stared at us.
Willow went over to the window and looked out.
“They’re looking good, and we’re wasting wave time waiting on your dumbass. Meet us down there.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll meet you down there,” he said.
Willow and I grabbed our boards and put them in the water. Ten minutes later, our brother joined us.
“How’s Gretchen?” I asked him.
“How would I know?”
My brows furrowed. “You’re dating her, little brother.”
“Not anymore.”
“Why?” Willow reached over and slapped his arm. “We liked her.”
“She demanded more of me, and I didn’t like it. She wanted me all to herself and got mad when I went out with my friends. I don’t need that drama in my life, so I dumped her.”
“You’re a jerk,” Willow said.
“How am I a jerk? I’m too young to commit all my time to one girl.” He splashed her.
After we finished surfing, I went home. I grabbed my phone and saw I had missed Lily's Facetime call five minutes ago. Dialing her number, her smiling face answered.
“Why didn’t you answer?” she asked.
“I was surfing with Nicholas and Willow. How’s Paris?”
“It’s amazing as always.” She grinned. “I’m coming home in a couple of days and bringing someone with me.”
“Who?”
“His name is Adrien. Ella, it was love at first sight. Oh my God. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“You’re bringing home a French man? Like, he’s moving in with you?”
“Yes, and yes. We met at an art gallery and have been glued to each other ever since. He’s an artist. You should see his paintings. He wants to open an art gallery, and I convinced him that Los Angeles was the best place to do it. When I get back, we’ll talk to Shaun and see what buildings he has.”
“How long have you known this guy, Lily? You never mentioned him.”
“I know. I didn’t want to say anything in case it was nothing. It's been a couple of months, but we’re so in love, Ella. I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
“I need you to tell my parents.”
“What?” My eyes widened. “Lily, I don’t think?—”
“Please, Ella. You know how my dad gets.”
“You’re a grown woman.”
“All I need is for you to soften the blow for me. That way, it won’t be such a shock when we return to Los Angeles.”
“Why can’t you soften the blow over Facetime?”
“You know the family. Please, help a cousin out.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to your parents tonight.”
“Thanks, cousin. I love you and miss you. I’ll see you when I get back.”
“I love you too.”
I set my phone down and placed my hands on the granite countertop. Lily worked as an architect for Kind Design & Architecture alongside her dad, Uncle Sam, and brother Henry. Henry was more like Stefan and ran the construction division.
Later that evening, I stepped through the sliding door of my parent’s house.
“There she is.” My dad held out his arms.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Are you still mad at me?” he asked, hugging me and pressing his lips against the top of my head.
“No. Grandma and I had a nice time. Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, sweetheart.” She hugged me.
My dad reached into the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of beers.
“Come join us at the bonfire,” he handed me a beer.
I followed him down to the beach and sat beside him. Simon, Stefan, Sam, Shaun, and my Uncle Conner also joined us.
“Welcome home, sweet girl.” My Uncle Conner smiled, sitting next to me.
“Thanks, Uncle Conner.”
“How was New York?” Shaun asked.
“It was good. The lectures went great. Standing up there in front of all those aspiring surgeons was an honor. Hey, Stefan, I spoke to Lily earlier.”
“So did I. I can’t wait until she comes home. I’ve missed her so much. I wasn’t happy when she extended her stay in Paris.”
“Well, there was a reason for that,” I said.
“What do you mean?”
“She met someone there.” I bit down on my bottom lip. “And he’s coming back and moving in with her,” I spoke fast.
“Excuse me?” His head cocked. “What did you just say?”
Simon started laughing. “I think you heard her, bro. Better get my gun ready.”
“His name is Adrien, and they’re in love. He’s an artist and wants to open an art gallery in Los Angeles.”
“Oh, boy.” Sam placed his hand on Stefan’s shoulder.
“Let me get this straight. My daughter goes off to Paris to study the architecture of the buildings there, meets a guy, and now he’s coming back with her and moving in?” he shouted.
“Calm down, bro,” Shaun said.
“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down. Who is this guy, how old is he, and what the fuck!”
“She knew you’d react this way and wanted me to soften the blow,” I said.
“I’m going to kill her!” He picked up his phone.
A few moments later, Alex walked over. “What is going on, Stefan?”
“Tell her, Ella. Tell her what you told me.”
“Lily met a French man who’s an artist. They’re in love, and he’s moving in with her.”
“Did you say he’s moving in with her?”
“Yes. She was too scared to tell you and Stefan.”
“I see. Well, when you know, you know. Right? A French man. I bet his accent is sexy.” She grinned.
“Alex!” Stefan shouted. “Really?”
“Oh, relax, Stefan. She’s a grown woman who has always made good decisions. She wouldn’t be bringing him home if this guy wasn’t right and the one. I’m sure you’ll love him as much as she does.” She cupped his chin and kissed his lips. “I have to finish cleaning up. We’ll talk about this later.”
“No. We’re talking about this now.” He stood up from his seat. “Simon, get that gun ready.”
“I got you, bro.” Simon grinned.
“Ha! I love it.” My Uncle Conner laughed. “Did you see the vein in his neck pulsating? He’s so pissed.”
“He’ll get over it,” Sam sighed.
“I just hope this guy isn’t using her,” my dad said. “Those French men can be brutally charming if they want something.”
“And how many French men do you know?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“I’m just saying.”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet him.” My Uncle Conner grinned.
“You all better be nice.” I pointed to each of them.
“We’re always nice, Ella.” Shaun grinned.
“No, you’re not. You’re all intimidating when one of us brings a guy to meet the family. But it's a whole different story when the boys bring a girl home.”
“If you’re referring to Landon, sweetheart. We knew right off the bat he wasn’t any good,” my dad said.
“Yeah. That guy had shifty eyes,” my Uncle Conner said.
“I’m referring to all the guys.”
“That is not true. We all like Riley’s fiancé, Colby,” Sam said.
“Now there’s a great guy,” Shaun said. “I knew hiring him was the right decision. Claire loves him too.”
“I like Nicholas’s girlfriend, Gretchen,” my dad said. “She’s a sweet girl.”
“Sorry, Dad.” I patted his shoulder. “Your son broke it off with her.”
“What? When?”
“I don’t know. He told me today. He said she demanded more of him, and he didn’t like it.”
“Chip off the old block.” My Uncle Conner chuckled.
“Shut up, bro.”