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“It did.” I chuckle, remembering the night. “I’ll never forget it.”
I turn my gaze on my brother, but he’s not looking at me. I catch his nod, as if to sayNo worries, don’t sweat it, it was the least I could do.
I don’t look at Lance.
“I thought about moving the ball this year,” I say. “I have the next few weeks off, so it seems silly to plan it once I’m back at work when I have the time now.”
“How much sooner, Scar?” Nina asks from the other side of the table.
“Maybe next month. With the weather we’re due to have, it’s perfect.”
“I thought we were going on holiday while you’re off from work,” Ave says from behind me.
I didn’t know she was paying attention to the conversation.
“We can still go,” I reassure her. “I haven’t made any definite plans yet.”
“I want us all to go. Can we?” She steps closer to the table, Ellis now listening, too. “Uncle Mase?”
Mason looks at me. “On your week off?”
I nod, and he focuses back on Ave.
“Please,” she begs her uncle.
He chuckles, cocking his head for her to go to him. “We’ll be there.”
“Yes!” She wraps her arms around his neck, climbing onto his lap. “Uncle Charlie. Auntie Lissie?”
“I’d have to ask the boss,” Lissie says, looking up at Charlie. “What do you say, Charlie boy?”
“He won’t say no to me.” Ave grins. “Uncle Elliot—”
“You’ve got a full house, Ave,” he tells her before she can even finish.
“My dad, too?” She looks toward the two of us hopefully. “Will you come, Dad?”
I feel Lance’s eyes on me and turn to meet his gaze.
“Would you like to come?” I ask quietly, knowing everyone is listening.
His brows lift in surprise, quickly focusing back on Ave.
Did he expect me to say no?
“I’d love to come.”
Waverley grins wide.
Lance twists his head back to look at me again. “Thank you.”
I search his face, feeling like he’s not just thanking me for the invitation.
I stayed all night in his room. It was stupid. I should stay a million miles away from him and protect my heart. But he slept.He slept. I watched him for over an hour before he woke up and caught me. And the lack of darkness surrounding his eyes this morning told me he was asleep for longer than I watched.
I keep telling myself the more rest he gets, the quicker his body will heal, and the quicker he can go home.
Because that’s what has to happen.
