All the Way (Romancing Manhattan 1)

“It would help so much if you could come down here and be with me when I check in.”

I frown and pull the phone away to look at it and then press it back to my ear. “You want me to come there?”

“Yeah, I really do,” he says.

“I don’t think that’s possible, Kyle. I’m gearing up for a new job, and I don’t think I can get away to come down there.”

“Hey, it’s okay,” he says. “I know that I’m not your favorite person. But will you please just think about it? It would make it a lot easier for me, not that you owe me anything.”

I want to say, I’m sorry, is this my brother?

But I know that’ll just start a fight, so I keep my mouth shut.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he continues. “With Mom and Dad gone, you’re all I have, and you’re my baby sister. I should have done a better job of taking care of you. I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, and I’m especially sorry for the way I acted after they died. You didn’t deserve that.

“I love you a lot, and I want us to have a relationship.”

“Well, maybe once you’re out of rehab, we can work on that.”

“Yeah, that’s what I want.” His voice is full of excitement now, rather than the resentment I’m expecting. “That’s all I want, London. It would mean a lot to me if we could have a relationship, and if I have to get through rehab to make that happen, I’m all for it.”

“I hope this works for you, Kyle. I mean that.”

“Thanks, sis. I’ll keep you posted.”

He hangs up, and I just sit and stare at my phone in complete shock. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that was someone else’s brother.

Because it sure as fuck didn’t sound like mine.

And suddenly the tears begin, and I can’t stop them. How many years have I lived my life wishing that my brother were different? Praying for him to see that the drugs were killing him, and that he would want to get help?

I never dared wish for an apology.

Not to mention, until today, I don’t remember Kyle ever telling me that he loved me.

I’m a sobbing mess, letting all of the hurt that I’ve kept inside for so long come out of me. I wish my parents were still here to see this. They’d be ecstatic.

Maybe I should take some time to go down there with him. I’m sure I could move some things around and make it work.

Finn walks through my door, sees me crying, and immediately runs over, cupping my face in his hands.

“What is it? Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, unable to answer him, and he pulls me against him, rocking me back and forth for a long few minutes, letting me get it all out.

When I’ve calmed down, he hands me a tissue.

“What’s going on, baby?”

“Kyle called.”

“He decided against rehab?”

“No.” I shake my head and wipe the tears from my cheeks. “He asked if I could come down with him when he checks in. I told him no, and rather than blow up at me, he said he understands.”

“Okay.”

“And then he apologized.” I begin to cry again. “He said he was sorry for everything, and that he hasn’t been a better brother to me. He told me he loves me, and, Finn, he’s never said that to me.”

“Wow,” he says with a sigh, and pulls me back against him for a hug. “What did you say?”

“I said that if he completes rehab and gets it together, we might be able to start some kind of relationship.”

“Did that make him mad?”

“I thought it would, but no. He said if that’s what it takes, he’d make it happen. I’m so afraid to believe him, but I think he really means it this time.”

“It sounds like it.”

“And just before you arrived, I was thinking that maybe I should shift things around a bit and make the time to go down there. Maybe it would make a difference.”

“London,” he says, and shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Let him earn it. Let him complete the program, and then you can pursue it.”

“It just sounds so harsh.”

“I know. If you really want to go, I’ll go with you. But I don’t think it’s a bad idea to wait it out and see what happens.”

“You’re right.” I sigh and set my soaking tissues aside. “Thanks.”

“You scared me,” he says. “I walked in and you were a mess, and the first thing that came to mind was that someone was hurt.”

“I think I was purging some pent-up emotions.”

He smiles and drags his fingers down my cheek, then leans in to kiss me. “You’re a beautiful person, London Watson.”

“Thanks for meeting with me,” Quinn says the next day. We’re in Central Park, which is an easy walk from my place.