20. Veronica
Chapter twenty
Veronica
Mommy card and heartbreak.
~ Two Weeks Later ~
We’re finally on our way home from our amazing getaway. As much as I loved our vacation, I’m happy to be home. I’ve missed the city and all its noise. I’ve missed the people and having everything a step away. There’s always something new to try in New York City.
But most of all, I’ve missed coffee. There was some on the island, but it just didn’t taste the same. Okay, that’s a lie. The thing I’ve missed the most is Gabe’s cooking. And he promised me a five-star dinner when we get back. So… YAY!
Most of our days on the island were spent exploring, swimming, tanning, experiencing a new culture and their dishes. We also went to the mainland a few times to visit the city, then came back to the island and played games and danced the night away.
And then there were days when Gabe, Noah, and I stayed in and spent the day in bed, or returned to our little hideout and reenacted our first time out there.
Then we’d head out to the deck once the sun had set and spent hours watching the night sky with its millions of stars shining down on us.
It’s one thing I hate about living in the city; we never get those kinds of views.
The plane begins to descend as we approach landing at JFK airport.
I can see Emma a few rows up front, getting jittery the closer we get to disembarking.
We all are. Our overnight flight went smoothly, and we were all excited to get home.
Then we had a small layover of three hours at LAX, which is when things took a turn.
A few minutes before boarding, Emma received a call from Bryan, Maddison’s father. He was clearly having a meltdown. We could all hear him crying through the phone as he told her they didn’t think Maddison would make it through the night. That Maddie was crying and begging for Emma.
Emma promised they would be on their way to the hospital the minute the plane landed, then she broke down and collapsed in Greyson’s arms. I had never seen Em in such a devastating state. It was heartbreaking to watch.
We immediately made a plan of action for when we would arrive.
We switched up our seats so that Em and Grey would be seated closer to the front of the plane.
Then when they got off, they would head over to the hospital right away, while we’d collect their luggage and Gracie, who is currently seated on Sam.
Originally, the plan was for all of us to go home and rest since it’s nearly one in the morning. But now we’ll all be heading back to Greyson’s place and waiting around until they get back.
Sam had offered to watch Gracie for the night so that we could all go home. But we’re a family and all want to be there for Emma and Greyson in any way we can, even if it’s just as moral support or making sure they have food.
The instant the seatbelt signal turns off, Emma bolts out of her seat along with Greyson. He grabs their carry-ons and waits for the flight attendant to open the door. A minute later they’re walking out with Greyson mouthing a ‘thank you’ to us as they leave from view.
Once we’re all off the plane, having collected our luggage and made our way to the parking lot, we pile into our cars and head over to Greyson and Emma’s place. A little over thirty minutes later, we arrive at our destination and walk inside.
Sam and Cecilia go up to Gracie’s room to set down the kids for the night while we all stand around in the kitchen, unsure what to do next. There’s a somber mood settling in the room. We all know what’s about to happen next, and we all know the next few days won’t be easy for this household.
I look around at Morgan, who’s cuddled up against Clay; she looks exhausted. I walk over to them and place my hand on her shoulder. “Hey, why don’t you guys go take one of the spare rooms? Get a few hours of rest. We’ll wake you when they come home.”
“Are you sure?” She seems reluctant to sleep when something terrible is happening to our friends.
“Yes, Morg. There’s nothing we can do right now but wait. It’s the middle of the night. Go rest, you need it too. I want my future niece or nephew to be healthy.”
That puts a small smile on her face. “Okay. But wake us up the minute they arrive.”
“We will. Promise,” I reassure her as they head up the stairs.
“You and Cecilia can take my old room as well,” Aubrey offers Silas.
“You’re not going to sleep?” he asks.
“I’ll just crash on the couch. It’s a king-size bed. It would be stupid for me to take it alone and have you two on the couch instead.” She lifts a shoulder with a soft smile.
“Okay. Thanks, Aubrey. I appreciate it.” He hugs her, then turns to me. “Same rule goes for us. When they arrive, let us know.”
“Will do, Cap.” I smile.
He chuckles with a head shake, then heads up as well, just as Cecilia stands at the landing. She smiles sadly and waves goodnight. A second later, Sam strolls down the steps, his hair ruffled and clothes crinkled. He stretches his arms above his head as he yawns.
“Sam, why don’t you head home? You’re probably excited to have a day off and away from us,” I tell him, feeling bad for the poor guy.
“Nah, it’s okay. Surprisingly, I actually like you guys. And I love the kids, so it’s a win-win.” He winks at me.
I laugh quietly. “We like you too, Sam. But you deserve a day off. We aren’t going anywhere for the next twenty-four hours.
So, you might as well take advantage of it.
Go sleep, then see your family or friends.
Go on a date, or even just spend the day lounging around at home. You can come back after tomorrow.”
“Are you sure? I feel guilty leaving.” He scratches the back of his head.
“We’re sure,” Aubrey steps in. “Emma doesn’t like getting emotional in front of people, even us. She definitely won’t want you to see her crying. We’ll be here to take care of Gracie. But you might be needed for the whole week once you come back. So, take the day off we’re giving you.”
“Okay, yeah. I’ll head out. But tell them I’ll be back Wednesday morning.” He hugs us both, then waves to the two dead men on the couch as he walks to the door.
I turn to face Aubrey as she’s checking her phone. “Anything?” I know it hasn’t been long, but we never know.
She shakes her head. “Nothing yet.”
“You should take the couch in Em’s office. It’ll be much comfier than the armchair. I’ll take the baby monitor. I slept the whole flight over, so I don’t plan on sleeping.”
“Okay, I’ll keep my sound on just in case Grey texts.” She hugs me and wanders off down the hall.
I pick up the monitor from the kitchen counter and go over to the living room, where Noah is already asleep on a recliner and Gabe is lying down on the couch. I thought he was asleep, but now I see the blue-tinted light reflecting on his face as he scrolls through his phone.
I place the baby monitor on the coffee table and crawl over Gabe, lying over his body as he closes his phone and places his arm around me. I look up at him and kiss his jaw, watching the smile spread on his lips before he gazes down at me and caresses my lips with his.
We’ve all gotten really close over the last two weeks. Spending every moment of the day with them has been wonderful, and I’m realizing more and more how wrong I was about them. They’re so caring and attentive to me. They dote on me around the clock, and I’m gobbling it all up.
And to think a little over a month ago I was dead set on not getting in a relationship or getting near these two. Now I can’t seem to walk away from them. Who was I kidding?
We haven’t established where our relationship stands yet, but the boys have made it pretty clear with their subtle comments that we’re a thing. I know we’ll have to discuss soon how all of this is going to work, because I’ve never been in a relationship with two men before.
I don’t know what they expect of me and what I should expect from them. Are we exclusive? Do I call them my boyfriends? Whose bed do I sleep in? The more I think about everything, the more I understand where Clay’s curiosity came from. This is confusing.
But right now, I’m worried about Gabe. Something isn’t right, but he won’t talk to me about it.
For the past three days, he’s been checking his phone as if he’s waiting for something.
I caught him a few times going through gossip magazines and the news.
I just can’t figure out what he’s looking for.
And when I ask, he puts his phone away and tells me it’s nothing, but I don’t miss the worried look in his eyes. He’s also very antsy, with his knee constantly bouncing when he sits down or his foot twitching back and forth like right now.
I glide my hand up his chest as we break apart. “Is everything okay?”
He brings his own up and passes his fingers through my locks. “Yeah, baby. Everything’s fine.” He kisses my forehead.
“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” I try again.
He sighs and wraps his other hand around me. Now one along my back and the other in my hair, holding me close. “I know, Vixen. But it’s nothing you need to worry about,” he whispers into my hair.
So, he is admitting there’s something. He just won’t tell me what. I’ll give him today, but when we get home, I’ll push some more. Home… is it bad that I already love how that sounds?
We’re quiet for a moment until he speaks up again in a low voice. “Is he the reason why you don’t let your hair grow out? Or do you just prefer having it short like this?”
I shrug. “I cut it when I got to New York since I needed to look different, and I’ve just gotten used to having it like this. But sometimes I miss my long hair.”