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It was perfect.
Fawn and I were on the couch now, and I really couldn’t believe how far we’d come. I couldn’t believe she was here, and this all was starting to feel like a dream.
“You didn’t tell them the best part,” she said, rubbing my leg. She faced the room. “Dr. Sturm says he can go back to school in the spring.”
The room exploded then, the guys and Sloane up on their feet. The guys basically dog-piled my ass. Well, everyone but Thatcher, and I was surprised when he barked for us all to settle down.
“Don’t want to break the dude. Jesus,” he said, but he was grinning too. His spiked earring danced when he lifted out of the chair and reached for my hand. He released it with a snap. “So you’re really cleared for everything?”
“Yeah, dude,” I stated, grinning myself. I faced Red. “It seems everything’s getting back to normal.”
“So that means you can go on the trip?” Wells popped up. He flashed me teeth. “Our ski trip. You can go?”
The topic of a short trip to the slopes upstate came up over Christmas. I wanted to go, but I wouldn’t without clearance from my doctor as well as my parents. I didn’t want to do anything that would worry my folks.
“Now, I don’t know about all that,” Thatcher said, again surprising me. He faced the room with a shrug. “Bro could hurt himself.”
“Actually, I’ve been cleared for that too,” I stated, knowing I’d gotten that before the end of my appointment. I’d specifically asked Dr. Sturm about the trip and did so in front of my parents too toward the end of the appointment. I nodded. “Dr. Sturm says it’s cool. Though, he advised I stay on some of the lighter slopes. My parents are good with it too. They just asked I don’t overdo anything.”
I probably wasn’t going to ski at all and really planned to use the trip to explore the ins and outs of Fawn Greenfield. She was going to go too if I did, and I had zero plans of leaving our room. It was a girls-and-guys trip, and my sister was going too. Bow, Thatch’s sis, would be as well but couldn’t since she had those winter classes.
I really was looking forward to just doing something fun with my family and one hundred percent with my girlfriend. From what I heard, the guys rented a pretty kick-ass cabin, and I wouldn’t mind wrapping myself up with Red in front of a fireplace.
Thinking about that now, it took me a moment to realize Thatch had raised his voice. Actually, he was barking at Dorian who had his hands lifted.
“Thatch, his doctor cleared him,” Dorian explained, but Thatcher was all red. He was also shaking his head adamantly, and I frowned.
“Doesn’t make it smart,” Thatcher said, getting up. “Anyway, whatever. I’m going to go pack for the trip.”
Before I knew it, he was out of the room, and Wells was going after him. Wells stopped just before, though, facing the room.
“I’ll go talk to him,” he said, then came over and tapped my fist. “Congrats, my dude. Wolfy’s back, baby, and hell-fucking-yeah to that.”
I laughed but could only do so a little. I stared in the direction of Thatcher and Wells’s exit, but my attention redirected to Dorian and Sloane when they stood.
“You should talk to him too,” D said before slapping my hand and giving me the same congratulations. After he did, Sloane hugged me. It was hard and just as strong as she was. She told me congrats too, and the kid did as well before leaving. They all went to pack for the trip, stating so before they left, and even though I should now too, I stayed on the couch with Red for a beat.
She rubbed my leg. “You okay?”
She could obviously see I was bothered about what had just happened, but because she was wonderful, she didn’t directly ask me about it. She should, though. I’d tell her everything.
Which was crazy. Not so long ago I’d shut down multiple times in front of this girl. Now, I found myself doing anything I could to keep her in my life. There was a time I’d been willing to punish myself so she could live one free of me. I hadn’t deserved her and still didn’t think I did.
But I needed her. Fuck did I need her, and I was willing to be selfish to have her. I touched my forehead to hers. “Yeah, I’m good. Thatcher’s not, though. He doesn’t do good with people suffering around him, and he’s channeling some stuff on me.”
That was the reason for his outburst, and I knew because I did know his life.
Red’s eyebrows were narrowed when I lifted my head, and of course, she didn’t know. Us guys were so tightly wound, and Thatcher was no exception when it came to his business. I drew a thumb down Red’s cheek. “It’s his grandma. She’s been sick off and on for years, but lately it’s some new stuff.” It was bad, real bad, and I felt for the guy. I sighed. “It’s not looking good for her, and it’s been rough on him.”
Though, he definitely tried to hide it, my friend. Again, he kept that shit locked down, but his boys knew. We all knew each other so much.
Fawn’s face fell upon hearing what I said. She hugged her arms. “Damn.”
“Yeah.” I released another breath, rubbing my hand down Red’s back. “It’s been tough. He’s had to deal with her being sick before that, and then everything going on with me and the cancer?” I shook my head. “My buddy’s strong, but he’s going through it.”
Again, I felt for him. I couldn’t imagine.
“So he doesn’t want you to go on this trip and risk hurting yourself,” Fawn concluded, and I nodded. She took off her camera, then pushed her arms around me, and it was like heaven opened up its gates. It felt that way every time I was with her, and once more, I didn’t care if I deserved it. I didn’t deserve it, but I wasn’t willing to entertain a life without her.
