Kellan
Chapter Twenty-Eight
There had never been a time in my life where I’d felt more lost than when Layla had broken up with me. Not when I’d caught my ex cheating, not when I’d lost my friendship with my cousin. Never. The thought of losing her had hurt like nothing else.
I knew I’d crossed a line by coming into her apartment uninvited yesterday evening, but after speaking with her brother, we’d both felt worried enough that I should take the chance.
But it had been a mistake to crowd her at a point she’d been feeling so vulnerable.
Yet I wasn’t certain if, given a chance, I’d be able to make a different choice.
Since I’d been sure something had gone wrong, I’d needed to confirm she was okay.
Now, after we’d eaten cake and her family had gone home, I lay next to her as she slept in bed and finally let myself breathe easy.
She loved me. I loved her. So fucking much and so fast it was scaring me.
But that fear was nothing compared to the fear of losing her.
As I watched her sleep, I realized she’d taught me not to take anything for granted.
To live in this moment. To be appreciative of time.
The next morning, she appeared unsure of herself when she came out into the kitchen where I was prepping breakfast. Although the sight of her without hair was somewhat startling—just as the sight of my own bald head in the mirror—she was still stunning.
I didn’t hesitate to tug her into my side and give her a big kiss. “Morning, beautiful.”
She smiled. “Morning. Do you have work today?”
“Since it’s Saturday, I only have some things to do around my own place.” I was drywalling the basement this weekend.
“You mind company over there today? Patty is coming by with a wig, but I could drop by this afternoon.”
I was relieved she’d suggested coming over as I didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone. She was emotionally fragile right now. “I’d love company. I could grill steaks tonight.”
“How about I cook? And don’t worry, I can manage steaks. Thanks for making breakfast.”
I dished her eggs up on one of the two plates I had out and slid the toasted English muffin next to it. “You’re welcome.”
After eating quickly, I did the dishes and gathered her plate. “Sorry to eat and run, but I’m meeting Jack at my place. He’s going to help me today.”
“Don’t apologize. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Although Russ and his parents had gone home last night, I wasn’t surprised to find a text from him asking me to call first thing this morning.
He answered on the first ring. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
“So, how is Layla?”
“Good. I think. She said Patty was dropping by this morning with a wig. Then she’ll be coming over to spend some time with me at my place. We’re supposed to go up to the San Juan Islands next Saturday.”
I felt guilty about having asked her to go away next weekend. The idea must have contributed to how hard she’d taken her hair loss. I should’ve played it by ear instead of making plans so far out.
“It’ll be good for her to get away. Take the focus off the cancer.”
“Hopefully. I told her I’m in love with her.”
“How’d it go?” Clearly, he wasn’t surprised by my admission.
“She didn’t run for the hills. Said it back.” It still gave me a rush to know she felt the same.
“There wasn’t any doubt she’d fall for you eventually. I mean, you know how to saw and hammer and shit. What could be manlier?”
It felt good to laugh.
“Thanks for participating in my crazy plan yesterday.” I’d told him I was going to shave my head, and he’d insisted on doing it, too.
His father had joined in on the idea and then, shocking us all, her mother had said she’d cut her hair off, too.
So, I’d driven up to Bellingham in order for us to do it all together.
After that, the four of us had come down to show Layla.
“Thank you for coming up with it. She’s lucky to have you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
Layla knocked on my door about noon. I was in work clothes and dusty from the drywall, but she didn’t seem to care or notice, giving me a kiss straightaway.
As I let her in, she fluffed up her new wig. “You like?”
It was a couple shades lighter than her own hair, and a few inches shorter. “No redhead wigs available? I’ve never been with a redhead,” I joked, earning me a side-eye followed by a grin.
“Funny. I’m hoping to get a darker one, more like my normal hair. I’m planning to look around some more on Monday. Sorry you’re still stuck with a bald head.”
I dropped a kiss to her lips, not worried about her lipstick in the slightest. “It was worth it. We can pretend I’m your military guy home from deployment with one last weekend for us to spend together.”
“Now you’re talking, sailor.”
We both turned to see Jack climbing the basement stairs. He looked red as a tomato. “Sorry to interrupt. I, um, I was getting more nails.”
We both grinned at the young man’s obvious embarrassment. Guess role play could be added to the list for our weekend away.