13. Drew #2
Declan holds his hands out, palms up and with childlike innocence. “When is ice cream ever a bad idea? Besides, you clearly didn’t have any better ones.”
I nod. “Fair point.”
Declan steps up to the window to order, and I take in the sights of our little town. I’ve lived here all my life, but I never get tired of the people or the peace the quiet brings. When Declan hands me a cone of double fudge ice cream, I sigh.
“I’m sorry about earlier. You’re just trying to look out for me, and I’m grasping at straws with Leila. I know you think it’s stupid, but I still love her.”
He takes a bite of his strawberry cheesecake ice cream before pointing his spoon at me. “It’s not stupid, bro. I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
We start the trek back to my apartment in order to search for the elusive brace.
“I’m going to ask her to move in with me.”
Declan looks shocked, but to his credit, he doesn’t say anything.
“That little farm house on the backside of Mom and Dad’s yard? I bought it from Dad over a year ago. Picked out a ring and asked Gavin for his blessing.”
Drew sighs heavily, and I silently plead with whoever is listening that my brother is willing to help me make this happen. He continues eating his ice cream, a contemplative look on his face as if he’s trying to work out where this is going.
“So, Gavin knew you were together. You were ready to propose. And I pushed you away from her? What the hell, man?”
“I’d hit you if I had two usable arms and this ice cream wasn’t the best damn thing I’ve tasted all day.
” Of course, he’ll still try to blame himself for my decisions.
“Look, I already told you earlier, I made the choice to not go back. To not check my messages. I should’ve put Leila first back then.
I’m going to from now on, until the day I die. But I need your help.”
This time when he sighs, I know I’ve got him. “What do you need from me, kid?”
I fill him in on the plan I’ve been working on since last night as we make our way into my apartment above the gym. It’ll take all our friends to pull this off…and that’s if I can convince Leila to go for it.
Glancing at the clock above the stove, I groan. It’s already two. “All I want to do is sleep, but I promised Mom we’d be at family dinner tonight.”
Declan sets about filling a plastic bag with ice before handing it to me since my array of ice packs are all sitting on the counter instead of in the freezer. “Sit down and ice. Where should I look for the brace first?”
I sink into the cool leather of my recliner and settle the ice pack over the top of my shoulder. “Check the basket in the closet that has my belts in it.”
I hear the closet door open and close before he mutters, “Not there.”
“What about under the bathroom cabinet?”
He steps across the hall, and rummages through the small storage area. “Winner, winner.”
The ice isn’t cold enough to reach the inferno under my shirt, so I slip the bag through the collar of my shirt, wincing at the contact.
The lidocaine that had been mixed with the shot numbed some of the area for a bit, but it’s no match for the heat already seeping through.
It’d be pretty neat if the gigantic needle I just suffered through could result in even a few days of relief.
When Declan walks back in and hands me the brace, I slip it over my head before tucking my elbow into the sling portion and tightening the strap that sits across my chest. Declan resituates the ice pack once I’m settled back into my chair.
“If you need the rest, Mom would understand postponing for a day or two,” he says.
“You’re probably right, but you didn’t see her when she met Kaia.
It’s like it finally clicked that their favorite child is back in town.
” Leila has always held a special place in my parents’ hearts, and it devastated them when she left and never called.
Having her back—with their first grandchild in tow—is too important to them for me to try postponing.
“I’m sure meeting her first grandchild made her pretty ecstatic.” The flash of regret is there and gone, covered by Declan’s usual expression, and I fight the urge to apologize because he and Kristen have always wanted a little one of their own.
I do my best to change the subject. “I don’t want to be stuck in this apartment all by myself.
I’m not allowed downstairs, and with this amount of pent-up energy, it’s a recipe for disaster.
And if we skip dinner, it means telling Mom and Dad why I need to reschedule it.
” Dad has been hesitant enough with me riding again as it is.
Declan changes the subject by asking, “You ever reach back out to Gavin? He joining us tonight?”
“No, I didn’t. I guess I should before I head over there. But I think he’s going to Kelsey’s.”
Declan chuckles knowingly. “Alright. I need to get back to the barn to at least put those others on the hotwalker. You sure you’re good?”
I nod. “Promise.”
“You’re welcome to come hang out at the barn or head over to the house if you’d rather. Kristen and the pup are there.”
“I know, Dec.” But I won’t be taking him up on his offer. I’ve already missed so much time with Kaia, even if she won’t remember these days. If I have the opportunity to spend time with her, I’ll choose her. Always.
Declan lets himself out as I locate my phone to call Gavin. He picks up on the third ring.
When his grumbly voice comes on the line, I start talking. “Hey, sorry about not getting back to you sooner. It’s been a crazy day.”
“No worries. Just wanted to tell you that Leila probably won’t be up for much.”
My stomach churns as I immediately consider all the things that could’ve gone wrong today. “She okay? Is she hurt? Kaia?” I ramble on, but Gavin cuts me off before I can ask more.
“She had a small panic attack earlier, and it set her on edge. The adrenaline crash hit hard, so she’s napping.”
“Kaia?” I ask, already grabbing my keys and making my way out the door.
“Playing with her toes right now.”
“On my way.”