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“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I retort. “We’re not fucking, okay? We kissed. That’s it.” There’s no point telling him the rest because it doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in fucking Max over any more than I already have.
“A kiss can lead to a lot of things,” Sam muses, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.
“Yeah, that’s how you end up shacking up with a chick you’re not really into?”
“I haven’t given Laura an answer yet, and who says I’m not really into her?” Sam protests. “We’ve been together for over two years. I wouldn’t still be with her if I wasn’t.”
“Dude,” I laugh, “you’re with her because she’s never pushed for more out of the relationship. Regular sex, the occasional date night and you get to keep your man pad. But now she wants more, and you think maybe she’s not what you want.”
Sam opens his mouth to protest but then closes it. “When did you get so smart?”
I shrug. “It’s just easier to analyze other people’s relationships than your own sometimes.”
“Your own?” Sam laughs. “You’ve never had a relationship, dude. You go from chick to chick without a care in the world. You’re the last person in the world I could ever imagine settling down with anyone.” He smirks. “And the first person who comes to mind when it comes to your friends’ sisters.”
“Geez, cut me some slack,” I mutter.
“I will when you admit you have a thing for Aubrey,” Sam retorts.
“It doesn’t matter if I do, does it?” I say with a humorless laugh. “I promised Max I wouldn’t go there. The guy is dying. He doesn’t need me making things more complicated.”
“Do you like her? Like, really like her? Or is she just a new and shiny distraction for you?” Sam asks.
“I like her, okay?” I growl, whipping my neck around to glare at him. Fuck, admitting I really like this chick is hard. I don’t do relationships for a reason. They always fuck up. I’ve been hurt before, and it’s not something I want to feel again if I can help it.
“Then what’s the problem? For fuck’s sake, man up and do something about it. Max doesn’t want his sister getting hurt—and I don’t blame him—but if you really like her, then do something.”
But what if I do end up hurting her? As much as I like her, I’m terrified I’ll do something stupid to fuck everything up. I
t’s not worth the risk. Not if it means hurting her. Sam sighs and tries again.
“Max is dying, and Aubrey is going to need all the support she can get.” Sam shifts in his seat and turns to stare at me. “If this doesn’t work, she’s going to need us. She’s going to need you.”
“Just leave it, man,” I mutter. “We’re friends and that’s it. Nothing more.”
At least I can’t fuck that up.
Another hour later, Aubrey comes back to the waiting room with a dejected look on her face and mascara stains on her cheeks. It doesn’t take me more than a second to rush to her and sweep her into my arms. Sam’s quick on my heels and is the first to speak.
“What is it, Aubs? Is he okay? You can’t just be all quiet.”
“The chest x-rays just came back. Pneumonia. They’re admitting him,” she says, her words muffled by my arm partially covering her mouth.
“Okay. They can treat it, though, right?” Sam asks, and I can’t bring myself to question anything. My world is falling away from underneath me and the only thing keeping me grounded is Aubrey.
“They’ve got him hooked up to a bunch of stuff. Some medicine, something to help him rest without hurting himself with the coughing, and oxygen. He just looks so … sick. I know he’s really, really sick, and he’s been looking worse for the last few weeks, but right now, he’s just not my Max.” She looks up at me, her eyes puffy from crying. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You stick with us. We’ve got you,” I finally get out, squeezing her one last time before letting her go.
“He’s right, Aubs. We’re family. You’re never alone,” Sam reiterates, making sure Aubrey knows she has people here, even though for the last decade she’s been in America. She’s still ours, and we’re still hers.
“Alone sounds pretty good right about now,” she mumbles. “I need a bath and bed. Can you drive me back to Max’s place?”
“You sure you don’t want some company? It’s been a while since you’ve been back. What if you need something? How about you come to my place. Laura isn’t coming over tonight.” I side-eye Sam, angry that he knows how I’m feeling about Aubrey, but also happy he’s taking the option for me to be alone with her right now. Double-edged sword and all that.
“No, but thanks, Sammy. I just want to go home.”
“All right, home it is,” I say, interjecting and starting to walk to the exit. “We’ll be back in the morning after you rest,” I tell Aubrey when she doesn’t move with me, glancing back to the doors leading into the hospital.
