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“They’re great,” Beck replied.
“You only have a few weeks left of volunteering to satisfy your school requirement, right?” Seth asked.
“Three, but I’m going to continue putting in as many hours as I can so Bridget still wants to hire me once I graduate.”
“She will,” Beck assured without pause. “Believe me.”
“I’m proud of you.” Seth kissed her temple. “Even with all the adversity and upheaval, you’ve managed to keep going and make great grades. Your dad would be proud of you.”
His words melted Heavenly. When Daddy had been alive, he hadn’t agreed with her decision to have a relationship with two men. But even before Abel Young’s passing, Beck and Seth had cared for her in every way she’d needed. And, through Liam, she knew now that her father understood and approved of the path she had chosen with her men. “Thanks. I think you’re right.”
Seth smiled. “Just one more year of nursing school. You got this.”
“If all goes well.” She looked forward to finishing almost as much as she worried she’d never be ready.
“It will,” he assured, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. “You’re going to be an amazing, compassionate nurse.”
“I hope. I’ll do my best.”
“You always do.” He gave her a squeeze. “You were even brave this morning.”
“Hiding in the wine cellar?”
“Relying on those of us who have been in combat to keep you safe. I know from experience that waiting and wondering for an outcome isn’t any easier. But I’m also glad you and the other women didn’t have to witness what happened.”
She was, too. Her friends were so intrepid. During the battle, Gloria had been itching to leave the safety of the underground shelter and protect everyone alongside the men. Even Raine had seemed eager to lend her gun. Heavenly wished she had that sort of spirit. “We had no idea what was going on, and we were worried as heck about all of you. The sounds of the gunfire… It was terrifying. The not knowing if you two were okay nearly killed me.”
“We’re fine.” He soothed her with a tender caress. “Don’t think about it anymore.”
Easier said than done, especially since the aftermath of the incident had affected Seth so much. He was almost back to his usual self…but not quite. He seemed a little louder, a little more animated, a little more determined to fill the conversational lulls. And what if they couldn’t keep Beck’s name and his past with The Chosen out of the press? They might be besieged by violent sect members or their sympathizers, some of them threatening or vengeful. That worried her almost as much as the distance she’d felt Seth shoving between her and Beck earlier.
With nothing to say, quiet pervaded the car. Beck looked deep in thought, slanting the occasional considering glance at Seth in the mirror. Was he wondering, just as she was, whether Seth was truly okay and if the tragedy in his shocking past would continue driving a wedge between them?
“Hey, man,” Seth called to Beck. “Mind turning the radio up? I like that song.”
Heavenly hadn’t even been aware of the music playing.
Beck complied, and some suggestive, summer-themed pop song poured through the speakers. It didn’t seem like Seth’s sort of music, but she listened along as it filled the car and he tapped his toe. That song bled into another, a slower ballad about a couple reuniting after a long separation. He hummed along almost earnestly, as if he couldn’t stand even a moment’s silence.
She caught Beck’s worried gaze in the rearview mirror. Without a word, she knew they both agreed that Seth might be trying to act normally, like nothing had happened. But it was a lie.
After the third song, Seth fidgeted in his seat again and glanced at the clock. “Beck, mind turning down the radio?”
He lowered the volume. “Got something to say?”
“No, but that song sucks. It’s overplayed. And I need to call my mom and let her know I’m okay before the news about the raid goes public. I didn’t tell her where I was when I texted her, but I told her to watch the news. Once she hears there was a gun battle, she’ll freak.” He tugged his phone from his pocket and hit the button for his mom’s contact.
Heavenly watched, wondering how much Seth had told his family about her. About the three of them. She didn’t know much about the Cooper clan, just the basics. His mom had been widowed after his father, a police officer, had died in the line of duty when Seth was just sixteen, leaving him to be the father figure to four younger brothers—Matt, who had taken over his PI business back in New York, Danny, who was married and had made Seth an uncle last Christmas, and twins, Jack and Connor, who would graduate from college next year. His mother still lived in New York, in the house Seth had grown up in, and after all these years, she was finally engaged to a man named Carl, who made her happy. Oh, and she was very traditionally Catholic. Would Grace Cooper ever accept the three of them together?
Heavenly didn’t let her worry show as Seth waited for Grace to pick up.
“Hey, Mom!” A pause. “Yeah, I’m fine. I didn’t want you to worry, so when you hear the news tonight, yes, I was in Big Bear, but I don’t have a scratch on me. And no, I’m not in Messiah City, so don’t worry about that. I’m headed back to LA now.”
The woman had plenty to say, if the earful spilling from Seth’s phone was any indication, but he let her talk, answering with a single syllable or a grunt whenever necessary. Then he started asking the woman questions. Actual curiosity on his part…or intentional deflections to avoid real conversation? Heavenly hated to be suspicious, but it was as if their earlier argument had given her a new lens through which to view Seth.
Whatever his mother said made him grumble, then laugh. They exchanged what sounded like some inside jokes. Then suddenly, he turned serious. “Sure, I’m listening. And before you ask, yes, it’s way too early to be talking about Christmas.”
Vaguely, Heavenly heard his mother sass back, then her voice softened.
A few moments later, Seth’s face tightened. “You and Carl already picked a date?” He paused to listen. “October fifth? Of course I’ll be there. Absolutely. Keep me posted.” When Grace spoke Seth froze, looking floored. Then he smiled. “Oh, Mom… Are you sure?” Another pause. “Hell, yeah, I’ll walk you down the aisle. I’m honored you asked.”
His mother rattled on for a few minutes, and Heavenly heard emotions in the woman’s murmurings, even though she couldn’t hear the words. Then she suddenly said something that sounded like a question. Seth turned Heavenly’s way. “I’ll talk to her. You know she’s in nursing school…” Grace cut in briefly. “Yeah. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Congrats, Mom.” Another pause. “Of course. I love you, too. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Everything okay back home?” Heavenly asked as he ended the call.
Seth sat in silence before turning her way. “Yeah. How do you feel about coming to my mother’s wedding to meet my family? She’s dying for you to join us. She can’t wait to meet the girl who convinced me to move to Cali and start living again. What do you say?”
