Chapter 15
Danny
“What do you mean, do you want to move in with us?” I stared at James and Colin.
Colin, who had some true color in his cheeks, sort of leaned against James as they sat on their couch. My brother just grinned.
“Uh…” I scratched my chin, regretting not having shaved. “You guys are pretty tight here. I mean, I get that it’s a three-bedroom house?—”
“In our new house.” James offered the words smoothly.
Absently, I stroked Widget who’d decided I would be the human at her beck and call today which meant she sat on my lap and preened. I’d driven down from LA that morning, at James’s request, and I wasn’t going to show how tired I was. This recovery thing wasn’t going as fast as I’d hoped. “What new house?” All of a sudden, I blinked. “Are those…wedding rings?”
James made a big show of getting out his wallet and handing Colin a twenty.
I cocked my head.
Colin tucked the cash into his jeans pocket. “I bet him you’d notice in under an hour. He figured you’d leave without piecing it together at all.”
I glared at my brother.
He grinned. Whether from the fact I’d damn nearly missed them—and cost him twenty bucks—or because he was…
“Married or engaged?”
“Engaged. February 14th.” Colin got a sappy look on his face.
My jaw went slack as I was absolutely gobsmacked. “It’s the eighteenth.”
James nodded slowly as if to say yes, dumbass, we know that…
“You’ve been engaged for four days and didn’t tell us?” My voice might’ve gone a little high on that. And I’d nearly said me, but realized Mama would’ve kicked my butt for not making it an entire Reynolds family thing.
“You knew I was going to.” Colin stroked James’s hand. “I asked their permission and Mama helped me arrange?—”
I waved him off. “And you told us you were planning to…but…”
“But what?” James cocked his head “You, Gracie, Mama, and Daddy knew.”
“That Colin was planning to propose…sure. But…” I pointed to the rings. “When were you going to share the news?”
“We wanted to tell everyone all at once. The next family gathering isn’t until next weekend.” James held my gaze.
When we were finally going to officially welcome Leticia and Bryan’s twin girls to the family. They’d been born Christmas Day, premature, and had been in the hospital for several weeks. Then Martin’s family had caught some virus, and then Whitney had taken ill, and…we just hadn’t had a full family event in more than seven weeks—practically a new record. Oh, and Colin couldn’t risk being exposed to some nasty virus or bacteria. He and James had visited us last weekend, but it’d just been them, Mama, Daddy, and me.
“And you’re telling me first because you want me to move in with you?”
“In the new house.” James snagged a piece of paper off the coffee table and handed it to me.
I whistled because the first thing I saw on the real estate spec sheet was the price. I eyed Colin. “This has to be you because, as successful as my cybersecurity business brother is, he hasn’t made this kind of money.”
Colin laughed. “I came into my inheritance in January. Plus, I made quite a lot of money in my old job as an investment banker. Most was tied up in long-term securities. I couldn’t access it when I first came out here.” He swung his hand around the house. “This is a great place—and we have plans for it—but we’re ready for something bigger.” He smiled at James. “We have plans.”
“Plans?” I might’ve squeaked that.
“Like…” James eyed Colin.
Who shrugged.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me.” I almost joked about them getting another dog, but I couldn’t help wondering if they meant kids. With Colin’s still-precarious health, that had to be a weight on their minds, and any kids would be a ways off. I wouldn’t add to the stress of revealing something they weren’t ready to share. “So…why me?”
“Well…” Colin met my gaze. “We figured you might want…a fresh start. You said you want to take the online psychology program.”
“Yeah. Which I really appreciate you being willing to pay for. I promise I’ll pay you back?—”
Colin cut off my verbal gush with a wave of his hand. “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m not short of money. And James contributes a bunch as well,” he was quick to add.
“We have a basement suite,” James added. “Which sounds less appetizing, but when you see it, you’ll realize it’s not like my old bedroom in Mama and Daddy’s house.” He yanked out his phone, swiped a few times, then handed it to me.
I slowly scrolled through the pictures of what appeared to be a spacious area. “This is a basement suite?”
“It’s a walk out. So you’ll have your own patio under our deck. There are plenty of windows as well. Lots of light.”
“You don’t have to sell me on it.” I handed James back his phone. “This is incredibly generous—especially since I won’t be able to pay much rent. I’m going to get a part-time?—”
“No you’re not.” Colin scowled. “You’re going to be a full-time student. Isn’t that what you said?”
“Well, yeah, but…” I thought of all the little things that still needed to be paid—car insurance, gas, health insurance, books…
Colin visibly bristled, shifting in his seat.
“You okay?” James glanced at his future husband.
Oh my God, my brother’s getting married.
“I’m fine. Just annoyed I didn’t make it clear to Danny that he’s getting a monthly stipend to pay all his expenses. Everything.” Colin glared. “Don’t argue. You want to study this program…that’s great. I did the research. It’s super intensive. A four-year undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree in just three years. You’ll be going to school year-round and doing practicums.”
James cocked his head. “That’s…”
“Nuts,” Colin supplied. “And I suspect you’re doing this because you don’t want to be dependent on me any longer than you have to.” He directed that comment at me.
“Well, yeah…” I didn’t want to take a penny from him. But I’d lost my scholarship to UCLA when I’d quit. I likely would’ve lost it at the end of the next semester because of my crappy grades, but this highly specialized program didn’t have scholarships. At least none that I qualified for.
Colin again waved his hand in the air.
James snagged it and tucked it against his heart. “I think he gets the point. He donated a liver. You feel you owe him. He doesn’t feel that way because he would’ve done it anyway. Okay, so you’re both noble people. Great.” He snuggled into Colin. “At least Colin’s taking money from me, so I’m sort of helping my brother.” He aimed a glance at me. “You’re going to do good in the world as a psychologist. If you want to pay Colin back so badly when you’ve got your own practice, you can take pro bono patients.”
For a moment, I was stunned. That had never occurred to me. I just hadn’t made it that far in my reasoning. I wanted to help people. That was a no-brainer. Being a medical doctor was beyond me, but I felt like being a therapist was something I could do. I’d done tons of reading and research about it over the last six weeks—including some quizzes to see if I had the right temperament. Everything I’d read said I did. I believed, in my heart, this was the right course for me. “I feel badly taking money from you two.”
“You’re not taking money.” Again, Colin bristled.
James pressed a hand to his chest. And glared at me.
“You’re letting me contribute to society in a new way.” Colin flashed those green eyes at me. “I used to make tons of charitable contributions. I intend to start doing that again now that I’ve got access to more money. In fact, Arthur—James’s friend—was at the city council meeting a couple of days ago. He’s fighting to get an animal shelter set up. I intend to be a benefactor for that project.” He smiled at James. “I’ll have him name a kennel after you.”
My brother swatted him playfully. “You will not. Oh, name the kennel after me, I mean,” he added quickly. “If you want to make a contribution to the shelter, I’m all for that.”
Seeing these two together—so happy and with Colin looking so healthy—made my heart soar. “Okay, I accept your offer. Although…” I scratched my chin again. “I’m not clear why you want me living in your basement.”
Yet again, they shared a look.
James nodded slightly.
Colin met my gaze. “You know…back-up. In case we go out of town. You can watch Widget.”
I called total bullshit. They could run her up to Huntington Beach and my parents would spoil her. Gracie, in LA, would treat their little pumpkin like a queen. Hell, I figured even Whitney would step up. Still glad she didn’t take care of me after the surgery after all. I really had needed Mama’s TLC. “Really?” I arched an eyebrow.
James cleared his throat. “Well…”
Colin laughed. “Danny, every email you send to me ends with have you heard from Rob?”
I blinked. I hadn’t realized that…but he was likely right. “Well, just neighborly concern.”
James nodded. “Of course. I happened to run into him the other day at the grocery store.”
“You did?” Whoa…I sounded way too eager. “Oh, like, cool. He didn’t mention it.”
“How often do you talk?” Colin cocked his head.
Shit. “Like, I dunno, a couple of times…”
“A month, week, or day?” James issued the challenge.
“Whatever.” I swatted away his question like I would a pesky mosquito. “How was he?”
“Honestly?” James held my gaze. “Looking tired. He works at the vet clinic six days a week and never takes time off.”
“I know.” And I’d pushed about that. He said they wouldn’t be able to replace him, but I didn’t buy that. More likely, he couldn’t afford it. “Having kids is expensive.”
“Yeah, it is.” Colin tapped his thigh. “I’ve arranged to get some money to him through Anthony, but he’s wary about it being too much for Rob to accept. I’m donating to a program Anthony runs that gives grants to all the single parents with a child under two in his caseload, and some of it goes to Rob, but it can’t be too much. Well, he doesn’t want to take money from the government anyway, but that feels a little less…”
“Desperate? Pathetic?” Feelings I experienced when I took scholarship money. That meant someone else, likely as deserving, wasn’t getting it. “You’re thinking I can help him out?”
“We don’t know.” James gripped Colin’s hand, which he still held against his chest. “We don’t know how close you and Rob are, but I’d bet he needs a friend even more than he needs money. We try, but he’s still wary of us, if we push too hard. You’re both around the same age, but from very different backgrounds. And I don’t just mean the racial thing,” he added quickly. “Rob’s been through hell?—”
“And I come from a loving family who’d do anything for me.” I didn’t need to say the words, but I did anyway because I needed both men to see how much I appreciated my family. How much they meant to me. How I’d never take any one of my relatives for granted.
“Well, yeah.” Colin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I came from a family of bigots who only showed their true homophobia when I got sick. They were happy to throw me out, along with their imperfect dog.”
I gripped Widget tighter. Colin had shared this story with me. How his parents had rejected both him and the dog. How he’d come west looking for something better. How he’d found love and acceptance with my brother and, by extension, our family. He’d wanted me to understand the depth of his gratitude. Sure, he appreciated the liver. The chance to grow old and all that. But he also appreciated being surrounded by people who loved him. Who accepted him for who he was and not who they thought he should be.
“Rob’s family, from what little he’s shared, was even worse.” Colin frowned.
“He told me.”
Colin’s furrowed brow lessened a little. “I didn’t want to speak out of turn.”
“He’s…” I considered. “He can talk about what happened before LA. But his two years on the streets and then his six years with his dipshit scumbag ex-husband are…off the table. And I respect that.”
“Have you heard how the criminal part is going?”
“The guy got bail. Rob’s terrified he’s going to show up in Gaynor Beach. He’s talked to the prosecution about testifying. He’s concerned they might make Hallie say what she saw, even if she’s not ready yet. What that asshole did to Rob that night.” I indicated my nose. “But she’s really too young. She’s seeing a counsellor, though. And she’s an incredibly smart child. Poor Rob feels badly that he didn’t notice. Which I think shows how bad things were for him. Anyway, Hallie’s taking reading lessons.”
“She’s four?” James snickered. “You were barely reading at ten.”
If Widget hadn’t been on my lap, I would’ve gone over to smack his arm. “Ha ha.”
“That’s…amazing.”
“Yeah, but Rob’s worried. That she might get singled out in a negative way. That she might turn out to be smarter than him?—”
“He’s working on his GED though, right?” Colin tapped his thigh. “And I won’t tell him, with how touchy the money thing is, but you should know there’s money for college if he wants to go.”
“That’s…” I considered. “Really generous. His GED studies are going slowly. Between work and the kids, he’s got his hands full.”
“Understandable.” James scratched his beard. “I can’t even imagine being a single parent.”
“And you’ll never have to,” Colin said, gripping his hand. “Well, unless something happens to?—”
James pressed a finger to his fiancé’s lips. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. And don’t start with the transplant recipients live shorter lives… You’re going to live forever.”
A shadow passed in Colin’s eyes.
I’d known this, of course. Only half of all transplant recipients made it to twenty years out. Colin was only in his early thirties. I couldn’t imagine him dying when he was barely into his fifties. Of course, he could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Which always felt incredibly morbid except my friend’s mother did get hit by a bus when she was just forty-one.
Life could be super shitty like that.
My life might also wind up being shorter. Shit happened. Didn’t mean I had a single regret about donating half my liver to save Colin’s life. I rarely thought about the man who’d received it. I was grateful to him because if he hadn’t needed one, I might not have had someone to donate to and there wouldn’t have been the other guy to donate to Colin. Really, though, I looked at Colin and saw my donation. I’d done it for him. And for James. And for me. If Colin had died and I could’ve prevented it, that would’ve dogged me. “Rob worries about something happening to him and leaving the kids with no one.”
He’d never said those words, but they’d been the subtext several times when we’d spoken. He’d talked about how Colin was lucky that he had James to care for Widget, in case something happened to him. Implicit in that was his worry that he didn’t have anyone.
“Speaking of Rob…” James offered up a smile, obviously trying to push away the solemnity of the past few minutes. “We’re asking him to move in here when we move out.”
“Uh…what?” I frowned. “He’s already got a house.”
“With one bedroom and a den,” Colin pointed out. “This is a three bedroom with two bathrooms. And a large closet that could easily be converted to a den or computer room. Hallie and Thomas could each have their own rooms. They won’t all have to share a bathroom?—”
“I’m certain Rob doesn’t mind sharing a bathroom with his kids.” Why am I arguing this? Perhaps because I could see Rob objecting as well. “He can’t afford this place. He has to know that.”
“It’s not just about Rob. Yeah, it started out with a queer young man in a bad spot, and wanting to help. Then meeting Rob and he’s such a sweetheart, and the kids are adorable, so we wanted to do what we could. But I had an idea for the small house that’s a win-win.” Colin shrugged. “I coordinated with Anthony. There’s a young woman…she’s been homeless for about six months, but she’s ready for help. With proper support, she’s got a good chance. She just needs a roof over her head. I want to help her too, and if Rob moves in here, then the small place is perfect for her.”
My mind whirled.
“So if Rob gives up my old place and moves in here, then she’s got the perfect-sized home to move into.” James grinned. “See, it all works out. We told Rob the rent would be the same here.”
“Uh…” I considered. “He might not be highly educated, but he seems like a pretty swift guy. What did he say? He really doesn’t like handouts and this feels like a big one.”
“He’s doing us a favor,” Colin quickly added. “I don’t want to sell this place, but I also don’t want to have just anyone in here and be a landlord.”
“If Rob’s renting from you, I think that makes you a landlord.” I didn’t try to keep the sarcasm from my words.
“Rob…” Colin hesitated. “He doesn’t feel so much like a tenant. I mean, we haven’t interacted with him much, but I’d go so far as to call him an acquaintance. Someone I feel like I know.”
“A friend.” James gazed at me. “Through his friendship with you.”
I couldn’t argue that. Rob and I had met precisely three times in person—but we’d kept in touch, talking regularly. I considered him a friend. Hell, he’d been the first person, aside from Whitney, who I’d confided in about the transplant. And he’d been right in his advice to me that I should’ve told my parents ahead of time. Mama said she forgave me. But, for her, that kind of hurt ran deep. I’d been wrong. She wouldn’t have tried to talk me out of it—she would’ve been there holding my hand and respecting the fact I was an adult who could make his own decisions, and I could have dealt with any smothering like an adult, too. “Okay…so, friend. Yeah, that fits.”
“And we think being in closer proximity might be good for both of you.” Colin offered a sheepish smile.
Suddenly, everything came into sharp focus. I wagged my finger. “You’re matchmaking.”
“We are not.” James stuck his nose in the air. “I would never?—”
“Oh, you so would.” I pointed. “You’re as bad as Mama.”
He frowned. “I’m quite certain you’re mistaking me for our sisters. I lived in the basement and kept my nose out of everyone’s?—”
“Yeah, but now you’re hooked up, and you think everyone should be.”
His jaw dropped. Then he snapped it shut.
Colin stroked his beard. “I think he’s got your number.”
James scrunched his nose. “I’m mostly worried about Rob, and you’re always asking about him. Seemed to me…” He waved me off. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“That you might be right…” I tapped my thighs. “Okay, I guess I need to get going.”
“You’re not staying for dinner?” Colin’s brow furrowed, and he looked genuinely hurt.
“When am I moving into your basement?”
“Two weeks?”
“Then I’m thinking I need to get home and get packing.” Plus, honestly, my emotions were all over the place. I was in Gaynor Beach. Rob’s house was just a short drive from here. “Hey, how far between here and the animal clinic?”
“Not far.” James nodded. “Yeah, we had the same thought. Him moving here’s going to mess with his babysitter, though. She’ll have to take a cab home every night.”
“Another expense.” I winced. Rob didn’t like to talk money, but I could read between the lines. “Still, they’ll be closer to the ocean.” The Pacific was just a short stroll away. Either Colin or James—or both—took Widget to the boardwalk and the beach every day. “I’ll, uh…think if there’s something I can do to help. Oh…” I picked up the discarded spec sheet. “Where’s Marina Park?”
“Other side of town.” James grinned. “So it’s a good thing you’ve got a car.”
“And also near the animal shelter,” Colin added.
James snapped his fingers. “Right. Arthur’s new baby. Assume you’re going to be helping out with all the furry friends.”
“I can’t wait.” Truthfully, I adored James’s friend, Arthur.
Although not as much as I was coming to care for Rob.