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Chapter 33
Gavin pulled to a stop in the scenic overlook, shrouded in trees, and turned off the car. It was a secluded place, far off the beaten path, and it had always been one of their special spots.
Neither one of them had said a word since they’d left the bar, but now Gen broke the silence. “Okay, Fly Boy. Spill.”
He took a deep breath. “It’s not serious, first of all.”
Gen dropped her head in her hands and exhaled. He realized that he hadn’t even noticed her holding her breath. She must’ve been really worried about him. He felt a sharp pang in his gut, but he didn’t know if it was regret because he’d put her through that kind of worry or excitement that she cared that deeply about the thought that he might be sick.
She smacked him hard on the shoulder. “Well, damn it, you could’ve led with that!”
“I did.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not here, in the car. I’m talking about before. In the bar. Or hell, at the hospital.”
“Oh.”
She growled, the sound of her exasperation filling the car and making him want to wrap her up in his arms; he was so enamored with how adorable she got when she was frustrated. He didn’t, though. He might’ve been acting like an idiot in a lot of ways, but he was definitely smart enough to know that doing that wouldn’t be a good idea. Not at all.
She slammed her curled fists down on her lap. “God, Gavin, having conversations with you is like pulling teeth sometimes!”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’ve heard that analogy. More than once.”
“So… Tell me everything.”
“I have a small growth in my brain. A tumor. But don’t freak out from hearing those words. It’s small and benign, and chances are, it always will be. But as of right now, it’s keeping me on the ground.”
“For how long?”
He spread his hands on the steering wheel. He started to speak but had to pause and collect himself. When he had, he said, “I won’t be getting in the air again.”
Fuck, he hadn’t realized how hard that still was to say out loud.
She sat silently, then put her hand over his. “Shit. I’m sorry.”
Three small words, but the depth of feeling behind them took his breath away. God, she knew exactly what to say. A long, drawn out speech– no matter how eloquent– would’ve been lost on him at the moment. It would’ve made him uncomfortable.
But to know that she was sorry? To hear in her voice how deeply she meant it and how much sorrow she felt in empathy for his loss? Yeah. That was exactly the balm he needed to start healing his broken heart.
After a few minutes, she said, “What do your brothers think?”
He shrugged. “Only Troy knows so far. And only for a couple of hours. He dropped his coffee on the ground.”
“Sounds about right. If I’d had coffee, I’m sure it would be all over me right now. So, am I the only other person you’ve told?”
He shook his head slightly. “No. Mila knows.”
She grinned, the first purely lighthearted moment they’d shared that day. “Excellent. You’ve told the two most kick-ass women you know. You may have piss poor judgment about a lot of things, but that was very smart.”
He laughed. God, how was he able to laugh about this? He should’ve been ready to drown his sorrows in a bottle of Jack, but instead, here he was, laughing with a beautiful woman.
Life was really fucking strange sometimes.
“So, yeah. I’m going to have to tell the rest of my family. Soon. And I’m not looking forward to it.”
She scooted closer and laid her head down on his shoulder. “God, Gavin. I really thought something was wrong with you. Something serious.”
He decided to take a chance. “You cared?”
