Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lucas
Valerie was an angel for suggesting I use her computer. I didn’t want to leave, but Mindy needed help. Once in my bank account, I started the transfer to Mindy’s school. Since it was Sunday, the school wouldn’t see it until tomorrow.
When I’d listened to Mindy’s voice mail, my heart almost stopped.
She’d been a little frantic, and I didn’t blame her.
Our parents only had to pay one quarter a year for her schooling, I took care of the rest, but somehow, they still forgot.
The financial office had called her Friday to tell her.
Why she’d waited until Sunday to call me, I didn’t know.
I knew money and how to move it around. It could happen from anywhere.
Yet, as always, my gut instinct was to fly to Mindy’s side.
Valerie’s calm voice and logic settled me down, thank goodness.
Valerie was the most amazing woman. Calm in a crisis, a hellion in bed, and completely wrapped around my heart.
It didn’t help that the events of her family last night stirred up feelings I’d hidden away.
Feelings about how Valerie would react to being second in line to my sister.
It was time to have an honest talk with her about Mindy.
While Valerie was aware of my parents flaking out, I don’t think she realized how involved I was in Mindy’s life.
It was so much different when we were together, but there were now and would be times in the future when Mindy came first in my life
Would Valerie accept that? She’d always been relegated to last place with her family. I sighed. There was no easy way to do this. I logged out and shut down the computer.
The aroma of cinnamon filled the air as I walked into the kitchen holding the empty coffee mug. Valerie stood at the counter, spreading cream cheese frosting on the rolls.
“That smells delicious.”
“Go sit down.” She motioned to the table. “Do you want more coffee or something else?”
“More coffee would be great.” Valerie took my mug and pushed me toward the table she’d set. I paused. She hadn’t been upset that I needed to help Mindy. Maybe she did understand more than I gave her credit for.
Valerie returned with a platter of cinnamon rolls in one hand and carrying coffee mugs for both of us in the other hand. I stood and grabbed the mugs.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” I put the mugs down and waited until she sat before I took my seat.
“Dive in.” She gestured to the platter.
“Ladies first. After all, you cooked them.”
“The air fryer did all the work.” She picked up the tongs and placed a roll on her plate before holding the tongs out to me.
I took two rolls. The smell made my stomach growl. Picking one up, I took a big bite. The warm sweet bread melted on my tongue, and the gooey icing teased my taste buds.
“Delicious.” I took another bite and another until I’d polished off my rolls. My brain finally started to function like it should. Carbs and sugar would kickstart anyone. “Thank you for keeping me calm.”
Valerie’s presence and suggestion had calmed me almost instantly.
That was new for me. I hadn’t dated much since Valerie, but when I had, a call from Mindy generally meant the end of things.
Women didn’t seem to like sharing their man’s time with their siblings.
Not Valerie, though, as far as I could tell.
“When it comes to Mindy, I get easily bent out of shape.”
“She’s your sister.” That was all Valerie said.
“Here’s the thing. I feel responsible for Mindy. You know my parents pretty much checked out on her…on us, that is.”
“I get that, but she’s, what, twenty-five now?”
“Twenty-six,” I answered. “She’s in her last semester of medical school, and I want to make sure she graduates.
” Did Valerie understand? “There are only a few months left, and then she’s done.
” At that point, I’d loosen the reins a bit.
Mindy had a bit of our parents’ wanderlust in her, and I had to keep her on the straight and narrow.
“And then what?” Valerie spread her hands out. “She has to go through internship and then her residency. Lucas, I understand you want to support her, but there has to be a better way.”
“I only want Mindy to succeed.” Was Valerie picking up on something I was missing?
“Of course you do. And I love that you help her when she needs it.”
“I hear a but there.” Was Valerie going to be like other women I dated? Unable to accept my sister was in my life? That didn’t make sense; she was well aware of Mindy.
“But sometimes I think you go off half-cocked without thinking things through.”
“Mindy needs my help.”
She sighed. “I’m sure Mindy appreciates what you’re doing, but what would happen if you didn’t run to the rescue the very second she calls?”
I stared at Valerie. “Is that what you think I do?” Was Valerie right? Maybe. But… What? Valerie never had someone she could rely on like Mindy did. She didn’t understand how it felt.
“You’ve done it since the day I met you. Mindy calls, and you drop everything. I’m not saying it’s wrong, and I love the devotion you have to her, but when are you going to think about the possible impacts on your life?”
“Is that what you think? That I’m not living my life?” Anger hit me hard and fast. I didn’t understand why I was so mad.
“Lucas.” Valerie held her hands out in front of her.
I stood up. “I had no idea you felt that way about my sister.”
“I’ve never met her. I can see only your reactions and your compulsive need to run to the rescue. You did that this morning.”
I swept my hand over my face, fighting not to yell.
“You had parents growing up; we didn’t.” I held my hand up when Valerie started to respond.
“Yours may have favored your sister, but they took care of feeding you, clothing you, making sure you had a roof over your head. From the time Mindy was nine, our parents checked out. I raised her, made sure she got to school, had food, and a roof over her head.” It hadn’t been easy, but I’d done it. I sacrificed to keep us together.
“I understand that. She was a child and needed your help and guidance, but she’s older now. Maybe loosen the reins a bit.”
“You just don’t get it. I can’t ignore her when she needs me.” I wouldn’t do that. Ever. If Valerie couldn’t see that, then maybe this relationship wasn’t what I’d hoped it would be. This wasn’t what I wanted: caught between two women I loved.
“I’m not saying to ignore her, but maybe talk things out with her. Include her in the conversation.”
“You think I don’t do that? She called me for help.” What was Valerie trying to tell me without coming right out and saying it? I ground my teeth in frustration.
Valerie closed her eyes and took a breath. “Just think about it.”
My anger was cooling, but I needed to get outside. “I’m going for a walk.” I spun and walked into the bedroom. After grabbing a shirt and slipping on my shoes, I went back out into the kitchen. Valerie was standing by the window. She didn’t turn around when I opened the patio door.
“I’ll be back.” I closed the door behind me and made my way down to the beach. I turned left rather than right. If I went right, I’d be tempted to go to my house, and I didn’t want to do that just yet. I started walking, trying to work out everything that had been said.
How? Mindy was my sister, my flesh and blood. I loved Mindy as much as I loved Valerie. I needed both of them in my life, but how would that work? That’s what I needed to figure out.