Chapter 29
DRAKE
I knocked at the door of the nursery. Suze’s friend assured us Michael seemed perfectly fine. After she left, Suze said she wanted a few minutes alone with Michael, and I'd let her be.
There was no answer, so I didn't knock again. To my surprise, she came out a few moments later, motioning with her head to go to the living room. She’d strapped Michael to herself. He was alert, blinking rapidly.
“Where are Kimberly and Declan?” she asked.
“They left right before the doctor came in.”
“Did I scare them away? God, I was such a mess. I still am, to be honest.”
“Come on. I'll make you tea or something.”
She smiled sheepishly. “I've actually progressed to wine. Breastfeeding didn't work at all, so I threw in the towel.”
“Where do you keep it?”
“Above the fridge.”
I took out a bottle, uncorked it, then poured two glasses. Suze immediately took a sip.
“Damn, this is good to calm the nerves. Did Declan say anything?”
“He says he'll be in touch. He's prepping for every scenario.”
“I like him. He was very sure of himself and very calm, and we needed that. I can't lose my son, Drake.”
“You won't.” I grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. “Don't even think about it.”
“But I can't stop myself.” She shook her head. “Enough of that. I just can't believe I was so naive. I truly thought something magical would happen if Lawrence saw his son. That he’d realize he belongs here with us.”
“You still care about him?” The thought made me sick.
“We were married for ten years, Drake. I can't just turn my feelings off, no matter how much he hurt me. I know it's silly.”
“It's not. I think it's human.” I just hated it. My sister deserved someone so much better.
“I hope Kimberly isn't blaming herself. These things can happen to anyone.”
“Let's focus on you right now.”
She straightened up. “What do you mean, focus on me? She is blaming herself, isn't she? I’ve got to call her.”
I cleared my throat. “No, wait. She… well, we got into a bit of a fight.”
Suze bit the inside of her cheek. I could see the hollow on the right side of her face. “Why?”
“I’m not even sure. She got upset, then said that if there was an issue with custody because she was around, and it might affect the outcome… well, she could just stop being around.”
My sister stilled, then grabbed her glass tightly. “I don't understand why she’d say that. Oh God, I really have to talk to her, and so do you.”
“I know. And I don't say this often, but I'm not sure what to say. I can't believe that her first reaction when things got tough was to run away.”
“Drake.” She leaned forward. “I don't think that's what she's doing.”
“Then what the hell is she doing?”
“I don't know. Talk to her. When we went to Reese’s that day, she mentioned that her mom passed away when she was young. I don't know the entire backstory, but maybe that's got something to do with the way she reacted.”
I swallowed hard. “She did mention that growing up without a mom was hard.” Now it was starting to make sense. I pushed my glass of wine away, needing my mind clear to understand where Kimberly was coming from. “Fuck me. I think you’re right, Suze.”
“Look, I know Lulu did a number on you.”
“That isn’t what this is about. She and I weren't together for long.”
“Doesn't matter. I think maybe in your subconscious, you think people kind of hightail it when the situation gets bad.”
“I never thought about it.” Did I think that? I wasn’t consciously aware if my brain was taking that direction.
“Well, I know you don't, but I've been all about introspection for these past months since my terrible ex—which is how he shall be known from now on—walked out. And sometimes when I'm tired of psychoanalyzing myself or him, I turn to you.”
“Good to know.” I swallowed hard. “I didn't even know I needed psychoanalysis.”
“What are big sisters for? Now, go talk to your girl. I'm going to be fine.” She glanced around. “Did you see my phone anywhere? I want to see if Declan called.”
“No, I didn't.”
“I think I left it in my purse.” She went into the foyer, and when she came back, she was holding her phone. “Nothing from Declan, but Lawrence texted.” She stared at the screen, tearing up.
“What happened?” I asked.
She sobbed before showing me the message.
Lawrence: If you stop this nonsense with alimony, I won't pursue the custody battle.
“I can't believe he'd put me through this just so I don't ask him for any money.” Suze swallowed on another sob, then said, “He set this up. I’m sure of it. He was going to play the custody card regardless of Michael choking or not. Who does that?”
I got up and embraced Suze and Michael. Lawrence was always a fucker, in my opinion. I'd put up with him because he treated Suze decently when they were first married, but I'd noticed him changing before she did.
I took a page out of Declan’s book and tried to be the calming force. “I can’t believe him. Listen to me, Suze. You don't need him.”
She swallowed hard, wiping at her eyes. “I'm not letting him off the hook.”
“Actually, I don't even think you need to. This is gold. Send it to Declan. He's basically blackmailing you, and—” I wanted to verbally abuse him some more but reined myself in. That wasn't what my sister needed.
“I'm sending him a screenshot,” Suze said.
Good, she was getting some of her gumption back.
She typed out her message to Declan, then put the phone on the counter, staring at it.
“Come on, I'll cook you something," I said. "That way you won't stare at it the whole time.”
“No, I’m fine, really. Go get your girl.”
“I'm making you something to eat first,” I insisted. “Besides, I need to think about my next steps.”
Suze smiled. “I love that about you.”
“What?”
“That you don't do things in a rash manner. I used to think that you were too careful, but now, after a few years, I realize that's the way to be.”
“I like to be in control in any situation.”
“Drake, that's not always possible. Haven't you learned that by now?”
Apparently not.
It was disconcerting.
I made pan-seared chicken and veggies for Suze, but my mind was on Kimberly the whole time. Our conversation from Aspen about her family came back to me, and I realized my sister was probably right. And yet I still didn't have a clear image of what to do next.
“Declan replied,” Suze exclaimed. Her voice was uneven. She turned the phone to me.
Declan: We've got him. I'm on top of this. You have nothing to worry about.
She lowered the phone, tears filling her eyes.
“Why are you crying?” I asked, finally removing the pan from the heat. I'd stared at the phone far too long, and now we were going to eat dry chicken.
“Because I'm relieved and happy.”
Women's minds were always going to confound me. I would have thought she’d start to dance around, something Suze did when she was happy. But I was starting to accept that some things would never cease to surprise me.
“I’d drink this whole glass, but I want to check on Michael periodically in the night.” She took a sip, then poured the rest down the sink.
“I’ll stay here and help you keep an eye on him too.”
She pouted. “No.”
“Don't argue with me.”
She pressed her lips together, taking the plate I'd prepared for her. “You're offering because you still don't have a plan for Kimberly, aren't you?”
“It's true that I don't have a plan, but that's not why I'm offering.”
She laughed. “Oh, brother, you're one of a kind. But you’re not babysitting me tonight. You need to get your woman back.”