7. Chapter 7

Chapter seven

Cormac

O llie had said it wasn’t serious.

That was the sole thing I clung to as we drove to Chester County Hospital, which was the closest to his job site. Of course our family text chain had already blown up. Rory wasn’t at work yet, so he would swing over, and Declan and Aislin would be coming a little later.

The car bubbled with tension, mostly from me. Felix had put on some pop punk, which oddly enough soothed me. Or maybe it was just him. The way he’d swept in and offered to join me meant more than he could know. I was already in too deep when it came to Felix, and ever since he’d brought up fake dating for the gala, that sickening hope had cranked up the volume. The touches, the looks that I could almost imagine were heated, and how he teased—all of those had my heart longing for something I had no shot in hell with.

The sign for Chester County Hospital came into view, and Felix turned into the guest parking. Ollie had texted me the room number. I ran my fingers through my hair. Maybe I shouldn’t have come with Felix. Everyone in the family would grill us, and the last thing Mom and Dad had heard was that we were dating.

“He’s going to be fine.” Felix turned off the ignition. “I’ve spent many a time at this hospital, and he’s in good hands.”

My brows drew together. “Super accident prone as a kid?”

He shook his head, softness in his eyes. My heart picked up speed. “Nah, issues with seizures. I can keep my situation mostly under control with my medication, but they still slip in once in a while.”

“That must’ve sucked.”

Felix shrugged, but he didn’t fool me. From the slight downturn of his lips, it was clear they’d affected him. “Honestly, the only thing that still bothers me is my family treating me like glass. Like I might fall over at the faintest whisper.”

“Well, you are pretty breakable,” I teased. “That why you’re making me take all the hits during sword fighting practice?”

“Stop stalling,” Felix said, but his eyes sparkled once more. I’d take the win. “Your dad’s on the third floor, right?”

“Yeah,” I said, cracking the door open. “We’d better get up there.”

The trek into Chester County was quick and quiet, the blaring fluorescents and sterile off-white halls not inspiring much chatter. Plus, the closer I got, the more potential issues brewed around in my mind. Dad wasn’t young, so even something simple might have significant consequences. I glanced at my phone again, but the family chat hadn’t been updated, apart from Rory sending a million messages about how annoying traffic was. Fucker would get into an accident himself.

We strode through the sliding glass doors and walked past the front desk.

“You didn’t have to come with me,” I said, even though I was grateful for the company. For some reason, this didn’t feel as heavy with Felix by my side, a fact that burrowed in my brain a little too deeply.

“Maybe I wanted to see my old friends at the hospital.” Felix sniffed. His light and easy tone settled something in me. “I was a celebrity here with the number of times I visited.”

My chest squeezed tight at the idea of him going through that many seizures as a kid, but I’d caught the drift that pity wouldn’t land well. “Ah, so you’re saying if you’re with me, we’ll get the star treatment for my dad.”

Felix shrugged, though his eyes still twinkled. “I haven’t been in a while. My star power’s probably faded by now.”

We headed up the steps, scaling them until we passed the first and second floors to reach the third. My nerves started crackling a bit, and as we walked down the corridor, my hand accidentally bumped against Felix’s.

He flashed me a smile, his teeth white against his sepia skin, and slipped his hand in mine. The pressure lifted off my shoulders, and electricity zapped through my veins. The casual way he held my hand without a second thought, fuck, it was so heady.

And it made me fall a little more for him.

The room numbers ticked down, each one bringing us closer to Dad’s, but I didn’t even wonder which was his. The second Ollie’s big, booming laugh echoed, I knew where they were. The sound undid the remainder of my nerves because if Dad was in serious condition, Ollie wouldn’t be laughing like that.

I stepped into the doorway, and all eyes landed on me.

Well, us. Because apparently Felix and I were still holding hands.

Dad lay in the hospital bed, but his eyes were soft, and a grin was on his face, so he wasn’t in too much pain. Mom sat beside him, and Ollie stood next to her. She glanced up, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

“Oh, so you brought your boyfriend?” She pushed up from her chair.

I expected Felix to yank his hand away, but he didn’t.

“I’m so happy to meet you.” Felix extended his free hand. “Though obviously, better circumstances would be great and all.”

“Come on.” Mom opened her arms. “We’re huggers in this family.”

Felix winked at me before letting go of my hand to accept a hug from my mom. My nerves jumped around, and I caught Ollie’s “what the fuck” look. I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

“I don’t know,” I mouthed back, and Ollie grinned, waggling his brows.

Pain in my goddamn ass.

Mom swept me into a hug, and I squeezed her tight. “So, what’s the damage?” I asked.

“Just had a small slip.” Dad ducked his head.

Mom pulled away and shot him a look. “Moderate sprain to his right arm, so you boys will be taking the reins for the next few weeks.”

“I should be back sooner—” Dad said.

“No.” Mom pointed at him. “You should be retired anyway. Take the time.”

“What she said.” Ollie crossed his arms, attempting to intimidate, but since my brother was a golden retriever, he failed. “However, what I would like to know is more about Cor’s budding new relationship.”

Everyone’s eyes returned to us, and Felix made it worse by sliding right next to me and wrapping an arm around my waist. I met his eyes, trying to communicate cozy things like murder, retribution, and “you’re an asshole.” He gave me a cheeky grin and mouthed, “practice.”

I opened my mouth and shut it again. Fuck if I knew what to say.

“Okay, all you fuckers are standing here, and none of you bothered to send an update?”

Rory to the rescue. He stood in the doorway, his shoulders heaving, probably from rushing up. His beanie covered his dark hair, and ink peeked past his rolled sleeves and up the side of his neck. His green eyes flashed, and he would guaranteed draw attention his way just from sheer loudness.

“We were too busy interrogating Cor about his new boyfriend.”

Fucking Ollie.

I shot my brother a look, and he gave me a shit-eating grin in return. Felix hadn’t budged from my side, and under different circumstances, I’d be floating to have his arm wrapped around me like this.

“Shit, really? Not Luke again, right?” Rory marched in and casting Felix a glance. “Good, no Luke.” He stomped past us to Dad’s bedside. “Okay, so clearly your right arm’s borky, which is why you didn’t message, but that doesn’t explain the rest of you fuckers being all elusive in the group chat. There’s a group chat for a reason.”

“Okay, Mr. I’m On My Way who arrives a half hour later.” I jumped in, eager to get the attention off me.

“Traffic, bitch,” Rory said. “Though Aislin and Declan are almost here. As you would know if you checked your phones.”

Mom ground her palms against her forehead. “Maybe I should’ve spelled everything out explicitly. We don’t need the entire Brannon clan here for a minor injury. Your father will be released soon enough.”

“Should we head to your house, then?” Rory asked.

Mom shot him an arch look. “Not if you’re expecting dinner. Don’t you have a life to get to?”

“Cold blooded.” Rory plunked on the edge of the hospital bed.

“And I thought my family was chaotic,” Felix whispered into my ear.

“You have no idea.”

His woodsy cologne sent my senses into overdrive, and the memory of him in the suit from earlier emblazoned in my brain. Same as the way he’d gotten up in my space to rescue me from the changing room stall.

“So right hand out of commish for the foreseeable future. Rough, eh?” Rory waggled his brows. I groaned, and that was before Mom cast him one of her infamous sharp looks. Rory garnered them every time he opened his mouth.

“Liam’s on his way,” Ollie said.

“Oh, so you’ll answer the phone for him,” Rory said.

“Well, yeah, I’m sticking my dick in him.”

“Where did we go wrong?” Mom asked Dad. “I’m pretty sure most families don’t overshare like this.”

“Depends,” Felix said. “My brother Marco’s on the oversharing train too.”

Ollie stared at him for a moment before his eyes widened. “So that ’s where I know you from. You’re Marco’s little brother! And if you’re dating my little brother—way to keep it in the family.”

My brows scrunched together. “Gross. Never phrase it that way again. Ever. Just because he’s in the same extended friend group does not make it incest.”

“Why am I walking in on incest again?” Declan said by the doorway. His breath came out a little heavy, like he’d run here, but that could’ve been any amount of exercise for Declan since he avoided athletics like the plague. His thick hair was windswept, and his glasses were askew.

“I’m terrified to know the ‘again’ portion of the statement,” Felix said. I slid my arm around his waist and maneuvered us against the wall in the hopes we could avoid more curiosity from the family. As much as I had felt skipped over for years, Rory and Ollie taking center stage, the shift of attention made my skin prickle with nerves. If this thing between Felix and me were real, maybe I’d feel differently. I’d be basking in carving something out that belonged to me. Not just following along with the business, living in everyone else’s shadows.

However, Felix was here as a friend, and he was only my fake boyfriend because I’d been too chickenshit to correct Dad the first time.

“There’s no incest,” Rory said. “Although I heard this story at the shop about this chick who hooked up with twin sisters, and it turned out she was their half sister too.”

“I feel ill,” Mom said. “Is there room for me in the hospital bed?”

“For you, always.” Dad patted the side of the bed with his undamaged arm.

“Keep it above the sheets, guys,” Ollie said.

“Who’s rolling around in the sheets?” Aislin burst through the doorway. “I thought Dad was hurt.”

“This is the worst game of telephone I’ve ever seen,” Felix said, his eyes light with amusement. “It’s like a train wreck. I can’t look away.”

“Welcome to my family.” I rested my back against the cool surface of the hospital wall, and all the anxiety over what had happened to Dad drained away. But Mom was right. He should be retired by now, so maybe this accident would be the kick to the ass he needed to make the moves. I’ve been wanting to say something for ages, but every time I was about to speak up, I’d lost the nerve.

“Dad, I saw in the group chat—your arm?” Aislin slipped past us to his side. She still wore her work attire—a pink blouse and black skirt along with pumps—and her brown hair threaded with purple strands was twisted into a low bun.

“Because someone updates the group chat.” Rory took on a lofty tone.

“Get over it, Rory,” Ollie said. “Some of us have lives.”

“Way to piggyback off Mom,” Rory shot back.

“Who’s with Cor?” Declan adjusted his glasses as he stared in our direction. The hospital room, which had already felt cram packed with five of us, was now jammed with eight people. Too fucking many. Sweat prickled on my skin, partially due to the amount of bodies wedged in here but also because of the returned scrutiny.

“Felix.” He introduced himself before I could answer.

“Cor’s new boyfriend.” Ollie dove in, eager to be a thorn in my side. Considering the flack we’d given him when he and Liam first got together for missing the signs all these years, he deserved to pay me back. That still didn’t mean I had to like it.

“Oh!” Aislin turned to us, her blue eyes sparking with mischief. If I hadn’t been leaning against the wall, I would’ve backed away. “Great to meet you, Felix.”

Any second now, the interrogation would begin. And I wasn’t sure I could handle the pressure of lying to my family through that. We needed to get out of here.

“You’re jailbreaking this joint soon, right?” I asked Dad.

“Yeah, just waiting for the nurse to come back. Not much I can do but take it easy on my arm until it heals.”

“Right.” I dropped my arm from around Felix’s waist, which had felt so comfortable there I’d forgotten I was holding him. Instead, I threaded my fingers through his and gave him a slight tug toward the door. Adrenaline shot through me at the easy touch between us, and as long as we were maintaining this facade, I would enjoy every second. “Let’s all get out of here and head to Red Square Diner. The nurse isn’t going to have room for shit if we’re crowding the place.”

“I am starving.” Rory jumped up.

“When are you not?” Aislin shot back. “But it’s not a bad idea. Want us to order you some food for when you guys get out?” she asked Mom and Dad.

“That’d be perfect.” Mom offered us both grateful glances, and my chest warmed.

“See you all,” I said. “Glad you’re okay, Dad.” I yanked Felix out into the hall before we got dragged into any more of my family’s nonsense. Their continued bickering echoed even here.

“You sure you don’t want to spend more time with your family?” Felix teased. “Your siblings seemed to have questions.”

“You’ll get to deal with them plenty at the diner,” I muttered, wishing I’d gone home instead. “We don’t have to keep pretending with my siblings though.”

Felix’s dark eyes flashed. “Oh no, this is way too much fun.”

I was so fucked.

I was pretty sure hell looked like Red Square Diner with all my siblings crammed into it.

And Felix, but he was the only thing keeping me from bolting out the door.

We’d gotten there first, but we’d barely been able to exchange a few words before Ollie and Liam showed up, and Ollie was in full eyebrow waggle mode over just about everything. Then Declan arrived, and even though we’d been here an hour, he’d just finished rearranging the ketchup bottle and sugar packet display to the way he liked it. Rory and Aislin sat next to each other, which was the goddamn worst plan because they hadn’t stopped shoving each other like they were five, not in their twenties.

“I don’t see how asking who’s topping and bottoming is an issue.” Rory threw his unwanted attention my way again. “I have no problem telling you about my slutty bottom life.”

“Even though we wish you wouldn’t,” Declan said.

“You just wish you got laid as much as me,” Rory bragged, and Felix snorted.

“I really don’t.” Declan crossed his arms. “I hook up as often as I need to, and dating has been insufferable.”

“If your ass is anything like your mouth, you’re probably insatiable.” Aislin rolled her eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ollie tossed a fry at Rory. “You don’t shut up. Speaking of insatiable—”

Liam clapped a hand over Ollie’s mouth. “Nuh-uh. You’re not going to share with the class.”

“See.” I jabbed Felix in the side. “This is what you’re stuck dealing with.”

He passed me an amused glance, his eyes glittering. “If you think that scares me, you’re wrong, mi corazon .”

My heart thudded hard. At the hospital and here, he took my family in stride in a way no one else I’d dated had managed. And we weren’t even dating. If anything solidified how perfect he was for me, that did.

“How about sharing with the family?” Rory kicked me under the table. “I notice you never answered my question.”

“Mmm, my answer is ‘fuck off.’” I lifted my middle finger. “Eat your damn cheesesteak.”

“I’d say we’re not normally this extra, but that’d be a bold-faced lie,” Aislin said to Felix.

“Or bald-faced lie,” Declan said. “Although, barefaced, if you want to take it to the early nineteenth century.”

“No one wants to take it to the early nineteenth century,” Liam said.

“Historical reenactors do,” Felix said. “Don’t ask me how I know.”

Because a lot of the SCA folks were heavily involved in the HEMA sword fighting classes. But I didn’t march that information up and down the street with my family.

Except Felix? He seemed to see every part of me and accepted all of them. The ease with which we coexisted together was rare, and the more time we spent faking this boyfriend thing, the more I didn’t want it to end.

However, in a few short days, we’d have the gala, and it’d all be over.