34. Sean
CHAPTER 34
SEAN
C hristmas Eve dinner with the family went better than I expected. We went to my grandparents’ house, and I got to see all my uncles, aunts, and cousins. The best part is that I behaved—not once did I steal Ashley away to make out in a dark room.
Dad and Marnie got drunk, so I drove us home. It worked out perfectly, because it meant they slept like the dead. Naturally, I snuck into Ashley’s room, but this time, I didn’t linger until morning like a dumbass.
I told Marnie that Ashley and I would take care of preparing breakfast, and she could sleep in. In theory, I volunteered Kenzie for the task as well, but I didn’t bother waking her up. I’d rather spend time alone with Ashley.
When I get down to the kitchen, she’s in her Christmas PJs, dancing to some music on her headphones as she whisks eggs in a bowl. She’s distracted, and I can’t resist sneaking up on her. I approach her on soft feet and wrap my arms around her from behind.
She jumps on the spot and turns around. “Sean, you jerk. You scared me.”
“Merry Christmas, babe.”
I lean down and kiss her deeply. She clutches my arms and lets me. We aren’t supposed to be doing this in a common area where Marnie or Dad can walk in on us, but it’s early and everyone is asleep. I pull back after a moment but don’t step away. Ashley looks so beautiful with her hooded eyes and rosy lips.
“I love you, Ash.”
She lets out a gasp. I wasn’t planning on saying those words—they just tumbled out of my mouth unbidden. I don’t regret saying them out loud though. I’ve known the depth of my feelings for her for a while.
Ashley stares at me with her lips parted for a couple beats, but her eyes are loud and clear. They shine with joy. Finally, she says, “I love you too, Sean.”
Pure happiness spreads through me. Instead of moving away from her, I do the opposite. I pick her up in my arms and kiss her again, and again. She’s now sitting on the edge of the counter with her legs parted, and I’m between them. Wildfire is coursing through my body, consuming any sane thoughts from my mind. The alarm bells sounding off in my brain are low, almost muted.
“What in the world!” My father’s voice drops over my head like a bucket of ice water.
I jump back, and pivot around. “Dad, I didn’t know you were up.”
“I... I was in my office.” He’s staring at us like he can’t believe his eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Dad, I can explain.” I take a step forward.
He shakes his head. “No…” His face contorts as if he’s pain, then he clutches his left arm and hunches forward.
“Dad!” I run to him, but I don’t reach him before he collapses on the floor. “Ash, call nine-one-one.”
“Sean...” he murmurs, reaching for my face.
“Don’t speak, Dad. We’ll get help.”
Kenzie comes running into the kitchen and skids to a halt when she sees me with Dad on the floor. “What happened?”
“I think he’s having a heart attack.”
“Marnie....” Dad pleads.
“I’ll get her.” Kenzie sprints out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
In the background I hear Ashley speaking with the emergency dispatcher. I grab Dad’s hand and hold it tight. I should say comforting words to him, but I can’t get past the lump in my throat. My vision is blurry already from unshed tears. This is my fault. I gave Dad a heart attack. I’ll never forgive myself if he dies.
ASHLEY
We’ve been waiting in the hospital for hours. Chris is in surgery, and we don’t know how long it will be until we know more. No one has come to give us an update yet. I’m sitting next to Mom, holding her hand. She’s stopped crying, but she’s a mess. I don’t want to think what will happen to her if Chris doesn’t make it. If she becomes a widow again, I’m afraid she’ll never recover.
Sean is sitting as far away from me as possible. He hasn’t said a word to me or met my eyes since we got here. I wish I could comfort him the same way I am Mom, but I know he wouldn’t welcome anything from me right now. I don’t need to read minds to guess what he’s thinking. He thinks we did this to Chris, and I can’t convince him it’s not true because... hell, I think we’re responsible too.
Chris was fine until he caught us making out in the kitchen. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together. I’ve always known he’d have a hard time accepting our relationship, but I couldn’t have foreseen that it could literally kill him.
No, Ash. Don’t think about death. Chris will be okay.
Mom sits up straighter, pulling my attention from Sean. I follow her line of vision and see Chris’s doctor approach.
We all get to our feet, but it’s Mom who asks, “How is he?”
“We expect him make a full recovery.”
Mom covers her mouth with her hands and lets out a sob. Sean and Kenzie hug each other. Then my gaze locks with Sean’s. The relief on his face is obvious, but so is the guilt. He looks away first and turns to the doctor. “When can we see him?”
“He’s in the ICU now, but you’ll be able to visit him in a couple of hours.”
“Thank God,” Mom whispers.
“I think some of us should go home and grab a few things,” I say, hoping Sean will volunteer to come, but he doesn’t.
“You and Kenzie go. I’ll keep Marnie company,” he replies.
Disappointment floods me, but I try not to show it. It’s selfish of me to feel sad that Sean is giving me the cold shoulder when his father almost died. I know that, once the shock wears off and Chris is fully recovered, he’ll come around. He loves me. A near tragedy wouldn’t change that, right?