Chapter Seven

Mira

In the last twelve hours, I’ve managed to fuck my life up royally. I slept with my brother’s best friend, I told my best friend I couldn’t help her in a moment of dire need, and I’m about to wreck my brother’s life with a truth bomb he doesn’t see coming. Thinking we could ever keep this a secret was wishful to say the least.

“I don’t mind staying with Nick.” Emma barely opens her eyes as she talks. I can’t imagine how bad she feels. The doctor said she has a concussion that will cause nausea and headaches, with a side of the dizzies. She one hundred percent needs twenty-four seven care until her next doctor’s appointment two weeks from now. “Really, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. I want to take care of you. You’re my best friend. We should do things like this for each other. Besides, you’re going to miss out on your last semester. We can miss out together.”

“We will not miss out together.” Her eyes flash open wide. “You’re going to finish up and graduate on time. I’ll be there cheering you on. Besides, I might be able to graduate. I’m going to talk to the professor and see what he thinks. Maybe I can finish some of the in class stuff online.”

“Your head is concussed. The doctor said to take it easy.”

“He did, and I will at Nick’s house, while you finish school. Now quit stalling and call your brother.” Her tone is metered and strong despite the shape she’s in. I still don’t know what Gabe said to Nick to get him to invite Emma to stay with him.

“Won’t it be weird to stay with Nick? You guys don’t really know each other.”

“He’s down at the bank all the time. I know him. And… I’m sorry for this, but have you seen that boy? He’s got biceps for days. Big, strong shoulders and he’s nearly seven feet tall. He’s a god. I think I’ll be okay.” She grins and closes her eyes again, covering her head with the ice pack. “Call your brother!”

Gabe wanted to be here when I called Chevy, but I insisted on calling myself. I don’t want Chevy to feel ganged up on, though Gabe is coming over in a few to end the call with me. He didn’t like the idea of not being here at all. Truthfully, I don’t think there’s a good way to do this.

I dial my brother’s number and stare at the blue computer screen as three tiny dots spin in a circle. This is an awful idea. I should wait until he gets home. That’s only weeks away. Telling him now is selfish.

“Mira!” Chevy’s face tiles into view and my heart warms with a sense of comfort. He’s been gone for too damn long. So long I can’t even remember the last time we saw him in person. My sister and I are so much younger than him. He’s at the end of his military career, and we’re just starting out in life. Not to mention the part where Chevy helped raise us, though I’m not sure that would’ve been his first choice.

“Hey, big brother.” I grin and sip from my tea as my stomach twists in knots. He’s wearing Army greens and a wide smile. He clearly doesn’t know what’s coming. “We all miss you! Can’t wait to see you.”

“Yeah, same here. I’m looking forward to an old-fashioned Christmas with the whole thing. Sugar cookies, a big ole tree, bright colored lights, and too many gifts stuffed under the tree to count. But… you didn’t SOS me to talk about Christmas. What’s up? Is everyone okay?”

“Sort of.” My face heats as the reality of the situation settles in. This was not an emergency phone call. This is drama, and Chevy doesn’t need drama right now. “I figured it out, though, so… it’s nothing now. We can talk when you get home. Sorry I bother—”

“Is this about you and Gabe?” His tone is low, and though he’s just spoken, I have no idea if his tone is angry or not, mostly because I’m shocked he knows.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you and Gabe are dating, right?”

I pause as my heart thumps up into my throat, suffocating the air straight out of my lungs. “Yeah… but I was supposed to be telling you that right now. How do you know?”

“I called Gabe an hour ago to talk about renting a cabin on their property out by the river when I get back and he was acting funny. I wrung it out of him just before you called me.”

I stare down at the keys then up again, watching my brother’s eyes closely. He’s good at holding his emotions back and I have no idea what he’s thinking right now.

“So,” my lips purse as my heart pounds, “I’m so sorry, Chevy. We don’t want to hurt you. We love you and I… I’ve tried to hold back on—”

“Stop. Please.” His tone is flat and I’m sure now that he’s angry. “You’ve been chasing losers for years. I’m glad you two finally figured this shit out. I’d rather you be with a dude I know isn’t going to fuck you over instead of you running around with God knows who. It’s fine. Just promise me you’ll have banana bread for me when I get back… with chocolate chips. I’ve been dying for some fuckin’ banana bread. Anything real, actually. Maybe spaghetti and meatballs with warm garlic bread and a case of pop. Full sugar. None of that diet stuff.”

A wave of something indescribable rolls over me. It’s relief and confusion with a touch of anxiety all rolled into one.

“I didn’t expect you to be so cool. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? You’re both adults, and you’re happy. Honestly, I’m glad you’ll be off the internet for a while. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I told Gabe if he hurts you, I’ll kill him, but otherwise… just be happy.” An alarm goes off in the background and Chevy leans in. “I’ve got to run some drills. I’ll catch you in a week. Banana bread. Don’t forget.”

“Banana bread,” I repeat, smiling with relief. “You got it.”