Chapter Fifty-six Daniel
Chapter Fifty-six
Daniel
Getting out of bed was the easiest thing today. Mind you, it was warm, cozy, and I had my soon-to-be-wife next to me. The most perfect woman on earth, sleeping peacefully and breathing next to me.
If that was easy, you can imagine the things I have to do today.
Just one task. Talk to my brother. Sounds easy? Fuck, yeah. But it’s not. I’m fucking terrified. Not just about his reaction, but also about the way we will progress.
I knew finding out about Julian’s death wouldn’t be easy for him. But he hasn’t been in contact since he found out. He left the mansion and when I tried to call him this morning, he didn’t pick up. I know I have to drive there, to his home.
Because we all know that the bakery is closed. I’m not surprised. Really, I’m not.
As I put my clothes on, I can feel how tense my body is. How conflicted my mind is. I’m scared. Worried.
I don’t want to hurt my brother even more. We’re only a few years apart and yet, he’s still my baby brother. I want to protect him. Not add even more hurt.
But I know that although we’re brothers, we’re completely opposites. While I barely take any words hard and know how to get rid of pain quickly, he takes every single word seriously.
One single wrong sentence, no… One single wrong word, and I’m gonna break his heart even further. Fuck that.
I close my leather jacket and put my hair up in a bun before grabbing my helmet from the dresser when I realize I’m being watched.
Watched by my beautiful, pretty woman. In an instant, a smile appears on my lips.
Fuck, her pure existence makes me melt.
“Where are you going, darling?” She asks, her voice quiet and gentle. She still sounds sleepy.
“When did you wake up?” I ask her. “Just a minute ago. Don’t avoid my question. Where are you going?”
I grin. Fuck, that’s my girl. “Visiting my brother.”
“Oh.” She nods, gulping. “Good luck?”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” My words are filled with sarcasm, but she just smiles apologizingly.
“I’m sorry. I’m still half asleep and I wasn’t sure what to say, to be honest…”
“Don’t worry about it, pretty. I’ll be back as soon as possible, okay?”
She nods once more. “Just don’t forget we’ve got plans later, okay? Mary’s probably already bouncing off the walls.”
“Pretty. Come on. You know I could never forget about you or our daughter.”
My words earn me a soft smile from my girl. “You’re the best.”
“No. You’re the best, pretty.”
She walks up to me lazily, sighing softly as she hugs me, her warm body pressed against mine.
It makes all this so much harder for me. I’d love to stay here. To get undressed, carry my girl back to our bed and stay there all day. But I can’t.
I know I need to do this.
His car is there. Which means that he’s most likely home, if he’s not on a walk or something.
Which is good. Or bad. Honestly, I’m not so sure. I’m anxious.
Though it could just be the helmet, it’s getting harder to breathe. My chest feels… Tight, somehow.
I turn off my Harley and get off, finally being able to breathe some fresh air after I take my helmet off as well.
I stare at the door for a moment. Just stand there like a fucking idiot, debating if I should knock or just walk away. But I can’t just leave. I have already come here. Maybe he even heard me or saw me. How awkward would it be if I’d just leave again?
So, I walk up. Raise my fist. Knock. Once. Twice.
No answer.
I press my lips together, glancing at the window. There’s a shadow moving behind the curtain. I can tell he’s there.
Maybe he’s just hesitating. Maybe he’s as worried as I am. Then finally—
The door creaks open.
And there he is.
Andrew. My little brother. And fuck, he looks like shit.
His eyes are red. He’s wearing a baggy hoodie which definitely needs to be thrown in a washing machine soon. And his hair? It’s a fucking mess.
Like he’s been running his hands through it all night. He always does that when he’s stressed. It’s a little thing I’ve noticed over the years of being his big brother.
He doesn’t say anything. He just… stares at me. His lips don’t move, but the pain in his eyes tell me everything he’s too scared to say.
“Hey,” I manage to get out. My voice sounds terrible. Awkward. Too soft. Too careful.
But somehow, it still fits.
My brother narrows his eyes. “What do you want here? Don’t you have work to do?”
I swallow. “We should talk.”
“About what?”
“You know about what. Please don’t act like everything is okay. I mean…” I look at him, staring at his eyes, his hair, his clothes. “You look terrible.”
Fuck. Was that wrong to say?
What if he—
He smiles. Oh fuck, thank God.
“Thanks. That’s such a nice compliment,” he laughs.
I grin back. “I know. It’s nice, isn’t it?”
Andrew sighs before he steps aside. “Come in, let’s talk inside.”
I nod before I walk inside. I haven’t been here in months. Jesus. It still looks the same. Everything does.
With the difference that now, the happy family pictures hanging on the entrance wall break my fucking heart.
Every single picture holds memories. But there’s one picture gone. What makes it even worse is that the wall has a subtle deeper shade of white, making it obvious that something is missing.
“Don’t say it,” Andrew sighs. “I had to get rid of it. You know it.”
“I understand. You did a great job. I know it’s not easy for you.”
The missing picture is one of his favorites. A picture of Julian and him.
And as hard as it may have been, I’m glad he got rid of it.
It’s a subtle, yet a huge sign that although he’s hurt, he realized that Julian was a piece of shit.
“Are you doing okay? I mean, I know it’s hard and all but… You’ll get over it one day, right?” I try my best to sound gentle, but my voice usually never is.
Andrew nods. “It’s not even that I miss him. I just… I hate that I’ve trusted him so much. I told him like, almost everything about my life, you know? And I trusted him. I really thought he was good.”
“We all thought he was.”
“You hated him.”
I shrug. “Hate is a huge word. I hate him now. But then? I just disliked his behavior sometimes. He was rude. But I didn’t think he’d… Do all of this. You know.”
Andrew sighs. “Do you want a coffee?”
“I can’t stay for too long. I got a date with my girlfriend and our daughter.”
The subtle twitch of his lips is a good sign, right?
“That’s fair. How is she holding up? I mean, she did… It. God, you know what.”
“We didn’t talk much about it. Seems like she’s okay, but you never know. She’s happy that it’s all over, that’s all I’ve noticed.”
He shrugs. “Maybe you’re right. Perhaps she’s pushing it away. Make sure to keep an eye on her in case all of it… Creeps up on her.”
“Trust me, I’m taking good care of her.”
Both of us stay quiet for a few seconds.
…I should tell him, right?
“Is there anything else?”
I gulp. “Well… Yes. There is.”
“So? Tell me.”
“I honestly don’t know if it’s ideal to bring it up now. It feels out of place.”
But his body language switches up immediately. “What are you talking about? Is it good news?”
“Well, yes, it definitely is.”
“Tell me, then!” He sighs frustratedly. “I need to hear good news, or I might lose my mind.”
I grin. “Fine. Remember when you told me to ask Jennifer to be my girlfriend?”
He rolls his eyes. “Obviously, I do. What about it?”
“I asked her to be my wife.”
A few seconds pass. But fuck, they feel like minutes. Maybe even hours.
He looks at me with a shocked expression before it slowly turns into a smile, fucking finally showing me that he is happy for us—and doesn’t think that I’m fucking insane.
Maybe I am. But that doesn’t matter to me. It hasn’t mattered to me ever since I met that woman.
“Finally! I knew you’d do it one day.”
“You really did?” I ask, suspicious.
He grins. “I thought you’d ask me for help beforehand, but honestly, I’m glad I didn’t have to help you this time. Shows that you’re finally growing up,” he raises his hand to swipe away an imaginary tear, “Ah, they grow up so fast.”
I scoff. “I’m older than you, Andrew.”
He scoffs back. “Then why did you need support asking a grown woman to be your girlfriend?”
A laugh escapes me. “I’m never asking you for help ever again.”
He shakes his head while laughing. “You’re such an idiot.”
I grin at him. “Do you think it was a good choice to ask her? I mean, do you think it’s too soon, or—”
“Stop overthinking this. It’s perfect. You know she loves you.”
“I know, I know. She’s perfect, you know?”
“Perfect for you, definitely.”
Both of us grin at each other before I look at the clock. I still have enough time left, but…
“Do you have some space for some pastries?”
“What?”
He gives me a sheepish grin. “I had way too much time staying up all night, so I tried out a few new recipes, and… Wait.”
I stay in the hallway as he walks to his kitchen, coming back out with a box filled with several pastries.
“Holy fuck, did you even sleep tonight?”
“Not a lot. Did you expect me to?”
“Um…” I take the box filled with delicious desserts into my hand. “Not really, no?”
“Good. Take them with you. I’m sure Jennifer wants some. Oh, and her little girl as well!”
“Mary.”
He nods. “Exactly! Her.”
“You better remember her name from now on.” I give him a dangerous glance.
He raises his eyebrows. “Protective much?”
“She’s my daughter now. Obviously.”
My brother chuckles before we both walk toward the entrance door again. “Make sure to eat everything up with your girls, then. And please let me know if they tasted good. I may put them on my menu.”
“But the bakery is closed—”
“So, what? Life goes on. I’ll open back up soon.”
I turn around before he opens the door. “How are you so happy now?”
His smile grows wider. “Come on. My brother is getting married. How could I not be happy?”
“But Ju—”
“Don’t say his name.” Andrew sighs, his smile falling rapidly. “I’ll get over it, I swear. I promise I’m just happy for you guys.”
I nod. “You’ll be okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”
“You’re my little brother, An. I’m always fucking worried.”
“You’ve mentioned that before, Dan.”
“And I’ll always mention it again.”
A subtle smile is on his face. I hope he’s truly okay. I really hope he means it.
“Let me know if the pastries tasted good. I might make some more. Oh, and the wedding cake—”
“Yes, An. You’ll be the one baking the wedding cake.”
He nods. “I better be.”
Both of us say our goodbyes before I leave, my soul feeling lighter than before.
It’s only been, what? Ten minutes? And yet, so much has changed.
The roar of my Harley doesn’t sound so loud today.
For once, my thoughts aren’t racing. I’m heading home. To them. To peace I didn’t know I could have.
And yet, I know that later today, we’re gonna have the best day we’ve had in a long time.