Page 171 of Wait for Him

I pull her into a side hug as we reach my car. "It's a gruesome job, but somebody's gotta do it."

Then I immediately head around to the driver's side before she can swing at me.

Her tiny fists are like stones.

Rose

My phone ringing wakes me. More accurately, it scares the shit out of me, and I jolt upright out of a dead sleep with my heart slamming before my eyes are even open.

I fell asleep scrolling James's social media again. He's sprouted up even taller this past year, all elbows and knees now, that gray-eyed grin taking over his whole face in every picture. He even has scruff.

Scruff on his little face.

God.

A year.

I haven't seen or spoken to anyone in over a year. A handful of text messages, brief and few and far between, and otherwise radio silence in both directions. They've respected my space with a discipline I didn't expect and probably didn't deserve.

Which is why a ringing phone is alarming.

The phone calls go one way. Always one way.

I grab it off the nightstand, and the name on the screen sends ice straight through me.

Blaire.

"Blaire. Oh God, what's wrong? Is it Michael?" I answer already halfway into panic mode.

"Rose, no. No, he's fine. I'm so sorry, I should have had Jade text you first, but I needed to reach you quickly."

I press my palm flat against my chest and try to take a few calming breaths. It doesn't work.

What the fuck am I even doing yoga for?

"What's happened?"

Her voice shakes when she answers. "I have to give your brother some pretty big news today. And I've asked everyone to be here for him tonight. He's going to want his family around him. Please, I don't know how close you are, or if you can even make it at all. But he'll need to see you, Rose. Even if it's just for one evening. Please."

News.

My brain immediately starts doing what it does best and provides a complete catalog of catastrophes.

She's sick. Michael's in trouble. The company. Something with the trial. Something with...

"Blaire. Is anyone dying or sick?"

"No, it's not bad news. I swear it. But I wouldn't have called if it wasn't important for you to be here." She pauses, and I hear her take a breath. "Please come for a visit, Rose. Tonight. Please. Dinner is at seven. Or sooner if you don't want him to hog all the tacos."

She laughs, and I finally manage to pull a full breath into my lungs.

"Of course."

"I won't tell anyone you're coming. If you change your mind, I understand. But I hope you can make it."

She hangs up before I can respond, and I'm left sitting there with the phone pressed to my ear.

Well.