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“I also want to thank Dr. Newcastle for flying in and performing this surgery with me.” He pauses, scanning the waiting room. “The first night one of you said Joe was your brother, and I knew then I needed to get a second set of eyes and hands on the patient. The man smiled but it hit me that asking for help to save a young man is worth it. Thanks to the Chatham’s for contacting the best neurosurgeon in the country and bringing Dr. Newcastle here. It was a pleasure assisting you, Doc.”
I lean my head backward and look up at my life—Hagan. I see a tiny dip in his cheeks.
“You’re the best.”
“It wasn’t me.” His voice waivers like he’s questioning it too.
Joe and Ginger’s parents receive instructions from the doctors, and everyone hugs each other, including Hagan and Chaz. Chaz whispers something his ear and Hagan smiles.
Hagan hugs his family and my dad. But it’s Harper he takes into his arms and holds in an embrace for five minutes or more. They’re talking into each other’s ear, but I can’t make it out.
Logan says, “Alright, there’s food at the house, and everyone’s invited.”
Hagan breaks the embrace, and Harper snaps, “I’ll quit hugging him when I’m done.” Hagan grabs her one more time and sways her from side to side as he tells his twin, “I love you, Hap.”
Minutes later, we walk into Hagan’s house and Logan reveals a smorgasbord. I’ve never seen so much food, not even at the Chatham’s Thanksgiving dinner. Hagan hugs his mom. “Thanks for getting this delivered. I’m sorry I caused so much trouble.”
“Oh honey, this what families are for. You always take care of the rest of us. Making sure we know we’re loved. What college guy talks to his mom two or three times a week?”
Logan almost chokes on a chicken finger. “Umm. Yeah roomie, that’s not normal.” But Hagan doesn’t care, he hugs him mom again.
He clears his throat, garnering the room’s attention. “These have been the worst four days of my life. Logan was my lifeline and I’ll never forget it. I was so ashamed of causing this accident that I didn’t want to see the disappointment in your eyes.”
His siblings chime in at the same time, “But it wasn’t your fault.”
He nods. “I know and it wasn’t Mr. Summers fault either. He was just trying to reach the restaurant and damn Siri kept telling him to turn left but the street’s one way on campus. It was an accident. One of my best friends could have died, and I felt responsible. I’m sorry that I pulled you away from your kids.” He looks at his family. “Now, which one of you called Dr. Newcastle?”
Reggie, the quietest of the Chatham’s, raises his hand. “He has a vacation home in Charleston. We’re friends. When Archer filled me in, I called Doc right away and set up the consultation with the hospital and Dr. Wilcox.”
Hagan rushes him so hard that the sound of their chests smashing together sounds like an MMA fight. “Thank you.” Emotions are raw and we’re all somewhere on the spectrum of tears. Some bawling and some with a film blurring their eyes.
We’re sitting on the couch eating when Hagan springs to his feet. “I have to go.” We look at him like he’s crazy. “I haven’t called a single professor. I had a paper due, and Adalee, we haven’t finished our project.”
I reach for his hand as he walks away. “Hagan, I did it all.” He turns with his brows pointed down. Again, I whisper, “I turned in your paper. I spoke to all your professors. Logan gave me your laptop, so I had the all the work we did while in Chicago.”
“All of it?” He caresses my face with his large hands, and I’ve never felt more cherished.
“Yeah. I know this guy. He transferred here and told me once that he plans to graduate summa cum laude. I couldn’t let him shatter his dreams.” He looks at me like he’s staring at a sunrise. “This is when you kiss me.”
The laughter rumbles and Hagan blinds me with his panty-dropping smile. Yes, I did succumb to the dimples.
“Are you sure because we haven’t kissed in days? You may not be able to handle me.” He twitches his eyebrows and yep, the panties would be on the floor if there wasn’t a room full of people.
His mouth takes mine. Long and slow. “Love you long time.” Another kiss.
Logan says, “Okay. That’s enough. Take it to your room.”
Harper says, “Are you a neanderthal? Can’t you see they’re having a moment?”
Logan smiles, walking back into the kitchen and Harper follows him. I can hear them bickering from here.
Sarah Jane says, “Go on. You’re an adult. Plus, I have a surprise for both of you in Hagan’s room.” Hagan looks at me, and I don’t know if we ever want to try and surprise each other again.
“Thanks everyone. We’ll meet tomorrow after class and go check on Joe.” He looks at my dad. “Mr. Summers, thank you for staying with Adalee. I can’t wait to be part of your family one day. And I can’t wait to meet the twins.”
The entire room chatters, and I hear someone say, “Twins. Aww.”
“Goodnight. Hagan and I need to talk through what happened alone. But all of you are amazing, and I couldn’t have made it through the past four days without you. I’m honored that you came and helped me through this time.” I hug them all making sure they know how I feel.
