Chapter Eleven
From: Luna Oliver [email protected]
To: Keegan Baldwin [email protected]
Date: February 11
Hey, Keegan. Just checking in. I haven’t heard from you in so long. Everything good?
From: Keegan Baldwin [email protected]
To: Luna Oliver [email protected]
Date: February 12
Hey, Luna. All is good here. But really busy.
My parents arrive in New York today, and after my long shift at the hospital, I don’t have time to go home and change, so instead, I throw on my workout clothes that I wore to the hospital and head to Forest’s apartment where we’re all having dinner.
The doorman buzzes up to Forest’s apartment, and then I wait in the narrow but bright entryway. A few minutes later, Keegan comes out of the elevator.
“Keegan.” I raise my eyebrow.
He scratches his face and then holds the elevator door open for me. “Forest wasn’t convinced your parents would be able to find their way to his place, so he went to the airport to meet them.”
I glance at my watch. “Why did he tell me to be here at seven then? I could have gone home and showered or changed into something presentable.”
Keegan looks at me and then shrugs. “Why did Forest tell me to be here at six, and then leave five minutes after I arrived to head to the airport?”
“Forest.” I shake my head. “How do we put up with him?”
We get into Forest’s apartment, and it’s spotless like always, thanks to his cleaners, and not because of anything he does. I understand why he wanted to move to Chelsea, even if it is farther from the hospital. The apartment is light and airy, and the neighborhood is cute with shops underneath his building.
“He invited us all here for dinner. Is he going to cook when he gets here?” I look through the fridge, and there isn’t much. The options seem to be yogurt, moldy cheese, or green olives.
Keegan drags the palm of his hand down his face. “I was thinking that. And knowing Forest, he’ll order takeout, after we spend thirty minutes agreeing on a place. And then it will take at least an hour for the food to get here, which means your poor parents aren’t going to eat until at least nine.”
“Can we admit that I’m the better Oliver?” I put my hands on my hips. “You’re too good to be his friend. Get out while you can. Save yourself. You’re better than this.”
“There was never any question that you’re the better Oliver,” Keegan says, no hint of sarcasm in his expression. “But who would keep Forest alive and well if I didn’t stick around?”
He then pulls his phone out of his back pocket and glances at it. “We could go to the store and get something to cook. We have time.”
Keegan and I end up at the corner market. He rolls the cart down the narrow aisles and stops and grabs steaks. When Keegan passes by people, I notice the way women check him out. He’s taller than almost everyone and his body is perfectly proportionate. His big, blue eyes are a contrast against his olive complexion.
“I make a pretty decent salad,” I say, tearing my eyes off of him, as I throw ingredients in the cart.
“We could do loaded baked potatoes.” Keegan tosses a bag into the cart. “And your mom will want a gin and tonic for sure.”
“And your dad will want Bud Light.” Keegan puts a six-pack into the cart, then puts it back and grabs a twelve-pack.
“Forest owes us,” I say.
We check out, and while Keegan bags the food, I slip my card into the reader before he has a chance to. Keegan puts his hand on mine and tries to force his card in, but I check him with my body. He lets out a sigh when he realizes there is nothing he can do, as I’ve already paid.
When we get back to Forest’s apartment, they still aren’t there. I clean the potatoes and put them in the oven, I crack open a beer, my first Bud Light since I was a senior in high school stealing my dad’s to drink at the quarry. I start making my salad. Keegan gets out a large platter and seasons the steaks. He must have known Forest wouldn’t have anything at his place, so he grabbed that too.
“Have you been to the rooftop?” Keegan turns to me as we work side by side in the small kitchen. “It’s where the shared grills are.”
“No.” I grab a beer for Keegan and follow him to the elevators where we go to the roof.
As I step out onto the rooftop, I am struck by the expansive surface that stretches out before me. It’s a wide-open space, with multiple eating areas and several grills scattered throughout. The silence is deafening, and we have the rooftop all to ourselves. The beauty of Central Park is spread out before us like a lush, green carpet, its towering trees starkly contrasting the surrounding concrete below.
Keegan heads over to one of the grills, and I make my way to the railing. Leaning against it, I gaze out at the stunning views of the city, and a sense of awe and gratitude wash over me. It’s hard to believe that I get to live in such an amazing city, with all of this beauty and excitement at my fingertips.
With a deep breath, I close my eyes, allowing the warmth of the sun to caress my face. The sounds of the city fade away, and I am lost in the moment, completely and utterly content. Breathing in through my nose, I take in the scent of the late summer flowers, savoring the purity of the moment. Then, with a long exhale, I let go of all my worries and doubts, feeling lighter and freer than I have in a long time.
The railing shifts under my arms, and when I look to my side, Keegan leans on it. He looks at me. “Breathtaking.”
“It is.” I hold his gaze, and he’s looking at me and not the scenery around us.
“Did you notice all the women checking you out at the grocery store?” I say as Keegan tilts his head, studying me. “It’s like they’d never seen a man pushing a shopping cart before.”
“I don’t notice things like that.” Keegan blinks and then grabs the railing.
“You should,” I say. “You’ve apparently become quite the catch since the last time I saw you.”
Dark crimson spreads up Keegan’s neck until it reaches his face. “I don’t know about that.”
“You’re a cardiothoracic surgeon. You cook. You have muscles.” I grab his arm playfully, then pull away. “Sorry, I can’t help but sputter off embarrassing things at all times.”
“Don’t change,” Keegan says. “You saying embarrassing things is one of my favorite things about you.”
He flips the steaks and cuts into one of them, and it’s the perfect medium pink. Keegan takes a drink from the beer I brought for him.
When the steaks are finished, we go back down to Forest’s apartment, and I set the table. We’re only there for a few minutes, when the door swings open, and my mom, dad, and Forest walk in.
When my dad sees me, he hurries toward my direction and pulls me into a hug. “Luna. Look at you.”
Then my mom finds me, squeezes my shoulder, and cups my face. “My Luna. My moon child. My beautiful girl.” She pulls me into an embrace.
She then sees Keegan. My mom is not a tall woman, and she has to stand on her toes to put her hands on his face. She wipes away a tear, and they wrap each other in a hug. “My beautiful Keegan.”
Forest looks around, and his eyes register on the food. “You guys cooked?”
“I wasn’t in the mood for moldy cheese and green olives.” I swat his shoulder. “It was Keegan’s idea.”
Forest plops down on a chair. “I was planning on takeout.”
“Well, isn’t this a good option too?” My dad looks at the food, and I hand him a beer.
My mom starts looking in the drawers. “It is so wonderful to all be together.”
“We had a long drive to the Twin Cities,” my dad says, in his Minnesota accent thick, with every syllable emphasized. “And then the plane ride. A beer has never tasted so good.”
Keegan hands my mom her drink. “Oh, Keegan. Bless your heart. This drink has my name written all over it.”
“Are you three getting together regularly?” My mom asks. “And Keegan. Forest. Are you guys taking good care of Luna?”
“We get together for meals,” Forest says, and then puts me in a headlock, messing up my hair, until I swat him away. “And I’m making sure Luna stays out of trouble.”
“That’s so great.” My mom takes her palms and pats her eyes. “I can’t tell you how I feel seeing you three together. My three babies.”
We dish up and sit at the table. My dad grabs another beer and looks out the window. “I don’t know how you kids can live somewhere this noisy and with this many people. You couldn’t pay me enough money to call New York home.”
“I love it so far.” I cut into my steak. “I can disappear in the sea of people. The anonymity is freeing.”
All eyes are on me, and then my mom drops her fork. “Luna. You are too thin. You’re probably not eating enough. And you look so tired.”
“Luna scrubbed into one of my surgeries this week.” Keegan’s eyes meet mine, cutting in to save me.
Forest looks at him and then at me. “The VAD patient we saw? You guys didn’t tell me that.” He pats my back so hard that I almost spit out my drink.
“She did great, too.” Keegan’s lips turn up, and he looks at my parents. “I let her close the patient up. She’s a great surgeon.”
“I told you that being bad at math wouldn’t get in the way.” My dad shakes his head and puts his fork and knife down. “But don’t you all get too important to come visit your old parents back in Cherry.”
My mom takes one hand and puts it on Forest’s, and her other hand clamps down on Keegan’s. There seems to be no distinction between who is biologically theirs and who isn’t.
“Will we get to see the hospital while we’re here?” My mom sips her drink. “I’d love to say hi to your colleagues. Especially that nice nurse of yours.”
“For sure,” Forest says. “I was thinking tomorrow afternoon would be best.”
“And, Forest, thanks for finding us a hotel room so close,” my dad says, leaving the table, and turning on the TV. “It’s nice for us to have space, and for us not to take up too much of yours. It’s a win, win.”
After dinner, we all clear our plates, load the dishwasher, and then sit in Forest’s living room. I find the corner of the couch and pull my feet underneath me. Keegan pushes me to the side as he takes a seat next to me.
“What else is going on here?” My mom asks. “Are any of you dating? You have to be dating, right?”
“I have many contenders,” Forest says first. “But nothing too serious.”
“It wouldn’t kill you to settle down. You’re not getting any younger, and I wouldn’t mind a grandbaby.” My mom looks in Keegan’s direction, and then mine. “Are you two dating?”
“Mom. No. That’s gross. It’s Keegan.” Before I can think, the words come out of my mouth. Words I would do anything to put back.
All eyes are on me, and my mom’s mouth hangs open, and one of Keegan’s eyes looks in my direction. He looks partly amused.
“I just threw up in my mouth a little,” Forest says, feigning puking gestures.
My mom clears her throat. “I meant are you two dating anyone right now?”
My face flushes with volcanic-level heat, and Keegan saves me by answering. “I’m not at the moment.”
Now all eyes are back on me, and I put my face in my hands and shake my head. “No. Not dating anyone.”
You’re actually single?” Keegan turns his face to me. “Every time we emailed, you’d just broken one man’s heart or another.”
“He isn’t wrong.” My dad mutes the TV and glances at me. “I couldn’t keep up with the names half the time.”
“Very funny,” I say. “I date a lot. I thought that’s what people are supposed to do at my age.”
“Well.” My mom throws a couch pillow at Forest and then pinches Keegan’s arm. “You two better be looking out for our Luna. Ever since that campus incident, I have worried so much. You better be protecting her.”
“Mom,” I say with embarrassment. “I’m fine.”
“We are.” Keegan’s low voice speaks over mine
My mom nods her head in approval. “Maybe you two could make sure she eats more.”
Forest rolls his eyes, but Keegan says, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Mom,” I say under my breath. “Please.”
“A colleague of mine did ask about you, Luna.” Forest smiles as he takes a sip of his drink. “Saw you around the hospital. He’s a nice guy. I’m still debating whether I introduce you to him though. You seem to break the hearts of everyone you date.”
“I thought you guys didn’t date each other’s friends?” Keegan says.
“Forest. Luna.” My mom gives me a look. “Are you both still mad at each other because of Kelsie and Joe?”
“Nope. I never think of it,” I say, my voice oozing with sarcasm.
“Yeah, me neither,” Forest says kicking his foot in my direction. “I’m over that stupid pact.”
“Yeah, okay,” I say, not fully believing him.
I look at my watch, and it’s almost ten, and I work early in the morning. I let out an exaggerated yawn. “I really need to go. I have a long shift tomorrow.”
“Saved by work, once again.” Forest laughs, and I punch his arm.
“Of course,” my dad says, looking away from the baseball game he found on TV. “How are you getting home?”
“I’ll hail a cab.” I stand up and start gathering my things.
“All by yourself? A female, alone in a taxi. Oh, honey, that can’t be safe.” My mom’s voice is overly concerned as if I don’t do this all the time.
“I’ll make sure she gets home safely.” Keegan stands and shakes my dad’s hand, but he pulls my mom into a hug. “I need to get going anyway. And we only live a few blocks from each other.”
“You are such a blessing, child.” My mom hugs him, and then me.
“I’d take Luna home too, but I’m already home,” Forest says, leaning against his kitchen island.
My mom laughs. “I’m lucky to have all three of you.”
We step out into the hallway of Forest’s building and reach the elevator. I glance at Keegan. “You don’t have to get me home. I will get picked up at this door and dropped off at my door.”
He raises an eyebrow. “And lie? To your mother’s face? Never.” Keegan pushes the button to get us to the main floor.
We stand on the sidewalk and wait for the car Keegan ordered. I shake my head. “My parents are so embarrassing.”
“Luna.” Keegan looks at me. “Your parents are the best people I’ve ever met.”
“They are great people. And embarrassing.” I say.
Keegan’s chest rises, and then he blows out a breath. He turns his body to face me. “I don’t know what I would have done without them after my dad died.”
I narrow my eyes and nod.
“My mom was such a mess.”
Keegan shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath of air through his nose. “After my dad died, it got worse. Only me, my mom, and your parents knew how bad it was. And then the substance abuse started, and then it became...”
His voice fades, and I take a step closer to him. I put my hand on his arm. It’s hard, and warm under my touch. “I didn’t realize how bad things were.”
“It’s fine,” he says. I continue to grip Keegan’s arms, and he looks at my hand, and he seems very aware of the touch. “And my mom was sick. And once in a while, she’d almost get better, and try to parent. But I always ended up with you guys. Your parents saved my life. I can say with certainty that I would not have become a doctor without their support.”
“Keegan,” I say his name, blowing out one long breath. “I know my parents are amazing. I didn’t mean to imply—”
“Oh, I know, I’m not saying that,” he says. “It’s just that seeing them makes me so fucking grateful.”
As I look back on my childhood, everything suddenly falls into place, and the truth comes to light. He stayed with us out of necessity.
Car lights approach us, and I’m brought back to the present and drop my hand from Keegan’s arms. We slide into the car and are quiet for several minutes, and then Keegan leans over and speaks into my ear.
“I have a serious question for you.” Keegan sits back and slings his arm on the back of my seat. “Not only do you think I’m boring, but you think I’m gross too?”
“Keegan.” I shift my body to face him and playfully hit him in the chest. “To be clear. I said dating you would be gross. Not that you were gross.”
“Fully noted.” His arm once again stretches behind my back. “If I ever start to get too full of myself, I’m going to come and find you. You’ll bring me down a notch or two.”
“I’ll never be able to unsee Forest’s face when I made that comment,” I say. “I’m not going to live that down, am I?”
“Probably not.” The cab comes to a stop.
“Thanks for getting me home.” I reach for the door handle.
Keegan nods as I get out. “Thanks for always providing levity to any situation.”
I’ve never subscribed to the ideology that boys and girls treat those they have a crush on badly. But everything that seems to come out of my mouth lately, is the opposite of how I am feeling toward Keegan.
“Feel free to ignore me for the rest of your life,” I say. “I’d understand.”
Keegan smiles at me as the cab drives off into the night.