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“I’ll help him and get him to do that for you. When are they leaving?”
I sigh. “I’m not sure. I thought the whole point of them being here was to tell Aiden and then bolt. But I think they want to make some good memories before they go. So maybe another day or two. Unless my dad has an appointment.”
“He seems to be doing okay,” Derek remarks.
“He does. But when I saw him that day—the day I found out—it was brutal. He was vomiting blood. His treatments are rough on him, and he was so sick.” Tears fill my eyes as I think about it.
Derek instantly moves off the stool and gathers me into his arms. “Shh, shh,” he repeats as he rocks me. “I’m so sorry, Aud. I’m not going to tell you it’s going to be okay, because I can’t say that it will be. But I’m here for you. For anything you need.”
A sob breaks through and I cry harder. He keeps rocking me and attempting to soothe me. It’s nice just having him near. It’s all the comfort I need. But I also need this cry.
“I’ll stay as long as I can,” he tells me.
A familiar voice joins our little party in the kitchen, and I immediately freeze.
“What’s going on, guys? Everything okay?”
It’s Aiden. I pull away from Derek and start wiping my eyes. Derek goes over to the counter and grabs me a paper towel, then hands it to me. I smile in way of thanks and blot at my eyes.
“I couldn’t sleep and came out here to find that she couldn’t sleep either. Got to talking about your dad and…”
Aiden nods in understanding.
“Did we wake you?” Derek asks.
“Nah, I woke up and you were gone. Thought I’d come see what you were up to. You alright, Aud?” He pulls me into a hug, and I lean into him and accept his comfort.
I’m on high alert. I’m not sure why he came looking for Derek, or if he suspects anything. Technically, what Derek said wasn’t a lie; it’s just not the entirety of his and my conversation.
“I’m good. I was just talking to Derek. You know… a lot going on.”
“I’m going to help you get this place cleaned out. Had I known what was going on, I would have come out here with Derek. I thought Mom and Dad were just saying they were gonna sell. I didn’t think they actually would. But with Dad being sick, well, I guess they will.”
“Looks like it. I should try to lie down a bit. Lots to do here in a few hours.”
“Or we could make everyone a big breakfast,” he says, waggling his eyebrows at me.
I remember doing that when we were teenagers, using every dish in the kitchen that we had. We would make Mom and Dad eggs, waffles, hash browns, and bacon. It was so much fun cooking with Aiden.
“That would be fun.”
“Awesome. Wanna help, man?” he asks, turning to Derek. “I think we need to run to the store first, though. Then we can cook.”
“Let’s do it,” Derek replies.
“Awesome.” My brother turns to me. “Audrey, we’ll see you in a bit, okay?”
I clean up our teacups. Maybe he doesn’t know anything. Sometimes I think that would make two of us, because just when I think I’ve figured things out with Derek or have made a decision to stop, he reminds me of why we started. And, why I love him.
CHAPTER TWENTY
It’s time for the band to leave.
All but Derek. It’s weird and I don’t get it, but somehow Brent and Aiden have agreed to go back to LA without him.
My parents have to head back to Cary too. Dad has some appointments coming up, and I think it’s harder for them to be here than they thought it might be. But we’ve spent some quality time together as a family. There have been bonfires, big family dinners, beach days, and reminiscing as we pack up—a nice final goodbye to the house.
The morning everyone is leaving, Brent comes out onto the deck, where Derek and I are finishing our coffees. Emma is on the phone with work, letting them know she, too, is on her way back.
