“Thank God for that. I sure as hell don’t want to be awake all night listening to you two,” I grumble and then become serious. “I love her.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” He sits facing me. “You’ve been tired of being alone for a while, which you’ll never admit to, so the fact that you’ve fallen hard and fast is no surprise to me. Hell, I knew that Rae was going to be mine the minute I laid eyes on her.” He grins, obviously happy.

“I want everything with her. I’m just worried that she isn’t ready for everything that I want.” I grip the steering wheel. “She’s nineteen, Bro. Young. She’s happy that we’re living together, but I’m worried that she’ll end up doing whatever her brother wants her to do in the end. He raised her from the age of twelve, so they obviously have a close bond.”

“Andie said this woman seemed just as happy to find you again as you were to find her. Don’t dwell on trouble that might not even arise.”

“Since when did you get so good with advice?” I start the engine and feel relief as the warm air blows through the cab.

“Having to listen to my twin for years helped, and then Andie is forever giving her friends advice over the phone, and then of course there’s my sexy wife who loves to talk. I’m forever having a female voice yapping inside of my head.”

Bursting out laughing, I smirk. “Wonder if Rae will find that as funny as I do.” Shaking my head, I pull out of the lot.

“You’ll keep your mouth shut,” Diego grumbles, but with a sappy smile on his face.

“I’m going to drop you at the hotel and I’ll meet you later for an early dinner.” Quickly meeting his gaze before I concentrate on traffic, I add, “That okay with you guys?”

“Yeah, that’s what we’d planned to ask you, so we’re good.” He clears his throat. “Make sure you bring Felicity.”

“Ah, so that’s why you want to do dinner instead of keeping your wife to yourself, huh? You want to meet my woman.”

“Damn straight.”

I shake my head. “I’m heading over to the hospital after I drop you off, so message me the details later and I’ll see what she’s doing. She may want to stay with her brother.”

“I get that,” Diego agrees.

12

Felicity

“Are you in pain?” I ask Blake who hasn’t acknowledged me since I came into his room. All he’s doing is staring out of the window while his fists clench the covers every now and again.

I’m so used to my brother being the strong one. The one who always has an answer. The one who is larger than life in a room full of people, and seeing him like this hurts. He’s shut me out and I hate that. I’m trying my best to understand him, but it isn’t easy. Blake always has something to say about everything, and I’m not only upset because he’s shut me out, I’m worried sick. He needs to fight, not give up, and I sure don’t know how to get him to do that.

The doctor has been in a few times since I arrived first thing this morning, and there’s one nurse who keeps popping in and out to check his vitals. Apart from turning his head and watching them with his eyes, he hasn’t spoken or really acknowledged anyone. Mainly me.

Letting the tears silently fall down my cheeks, I move so that I’m in his line of sight and lean against the windowsill. He closes his eyes but I’m not fooled. I’m starting to feel angry at his rejection, hurt that he could do this to me, and maybe a bit selfish that I’m thinking about myself right now, and what he’s making me feel.

Moving closer to the bed, I see his eyelids twitch and when I lean over and kiss his cheek, I feel him tense. “I know you’re awake,” I whisper. “I know you’re ignoring me, which is breaking my heart. I’m your sister and I love you. I’m not going to stop being here for you.”

A choked groan leaves his mouth and then his arms crush me to him. He doesn’t say anything and I keep quiet, not wanting to ruin whatever is going on with him right now. But he holds me tightly and eventually I feel wetness through my shirt and realize that he’s crying. My tears roll down my face and into his hair.

Very carefully, I cradle his head in my hands and hold him against me. The silence stretches and I have no idea how long we stay like this, but eventually he starts to pull himself together and I help him get comfortable again on the pillows. Grabbing a handful of tissues, I pass some to him and use some myself. We’re both a bit of a mess, but I’ll keep that quiet for now. I don’t think he’d appreciate the observation.

I move the chair so that I’m sitting against the bed and take his hand in mine. “Don’t shut me out again, okay? That’s something I can’t handle.” He winces but I have his attention. “You can’t push me away as easily as you could someone else. We’re family, so I’m afraid you’re gonna be stuck with me until we’re both old and sitting on rocking chairs on the front porch somewhere.”

His eyes finally show some mirth. “I didn’t want you to see me break,” he admits. “But you saw me anyway.”

I kiss his hand. “I’m glad you got it out. Perhaps now we can move forward and get you walking again.”

He tips his head to the ceiling. “What’s the team saying? Roger was being evasive when he was in before you got here.” His eyes swing to mine and I feel put on the spot, which I am anyway.

“Coach Reid will be here later this afternoon, and he’s going to check on what they’re doing for you. He can only stay the day though.” I offer him a wry smile. “You know he treats you like a son. He was pretty cut up when Roger called and told him.”

Blake closes his eyes. “It will be good to see him.”

I squeeze Blake’s hand and rest my head on the bed. “You need your family and friends around you to keep reminding you that you’re not alone.”

Tags: Lexi Buchanan De La Fuente Family Romance
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