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“When are you flying home?”
“In a few days. I’ll probably fly back with Sirena and family as Garrett has his plane here. Easier that way.” I yawn.
“Something keeping you awake?” he asks, distracted.
“Someone.” I smile to myself.
I hear mumbling at the other end of the phone and ask, “What’s going on with you?”
“Someone that you want to bring home, or a passing fancy?” He ignores my question and really goes to where I knew he would. He knows me well.
“She’s special, Alex. I’m struggling with when to tell her that I’m leaving for the States.”
“In case she doesn’t want to leave with you?” he guesses correctly.
Sighing, I stare at the ceiling. “What should I do?”
He laughs. “You’re asking me? I don’t have a girlfriend, remember.” He goes quiet and when he next speaks, I hear a tiredness he can’t hide. “But if I did, and she was as important as your girl is to you, then I’d tell her before someone else does.”
“I’ll tell her tonight after dinner.” I pause. “Everything okay with you?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You don’t sound too sure.”
He laughs without mirth. “I’m fine Michael. Just tired.” He coughs. “I was wondering if you’d mind if I took a few days off when you first got back? We can go over the plans when I’m back in. I just need two days.”
Dropping my legs to the floor, I rub my hand over my face and rest my elbows on my thighs. “We are going to talk when I get back. We’re family and I know there is something going on, so we’re having that chat. I’m on your side.”
Alex sighs down the cell and it just confirms all my thoughts...he’s definitely tired. “We’ll talk. Email me your flight plan once it’s known.”
“I will.”
After a few minutes just discussing the business, I say goodbye and the cell goes silent. I palm the phone and think about him and the call. My cousin and best friend had sounded despondent on the phone, which has me worried—more worried than I was anyway.
Instead of getting some sleep, I need to go for a run and that will either wake me up or send me to sleep.
The run helped in clearing my head, and it even woke me up. I’d forgotten how much I liked running. It’s been a few weeks. At least I have the energy for whatever happens over dinner tonight.
It should be fun with Carrie and Sinclair being present, and I know Brooke has something to say to the pair of them.
“Surprise!” Brooke suddenly jumps from between two bushes scaring the hell out of me.
I play it cool though, although from the mirth in her eyes, I don’t think I fooled her. “I knew you were there.”
She giggles. “No you didn’t. Your head wasn’t on the island.”
I smile and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “It was back home and then it switched to you. You’re always in there.”
Caressing my face, she breathes a whisper of a kiss against my lips. “That’s good to know.”
“Let’s go eat and then we can be alone,” she suggests, urging me toward the house.
“Is your sister there?”
“Yes. She’s with Sinclair and they’ve both been shooting daggers at me.” She shrugs. “I can handle them, but as long as I have you with me then it will be easier. The two of them together take me back to high school and I hate them for that.”
I sling my arm around her shoulders and lead her to where her family awaits. Ignoring those two, and only greeting Mitchell and Adelaide, we take our seats.
