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Back at his hotel, Leo laid in bed staring at the ceiling for hours. He understood what Delilah meant but wasn’t sure how to go about burning down the past.
He drifted to sleep and dreamed about Amelia.
The following day, his mother called. He answered with a smile. “Yes, Delilah still looks like…”
“Leo. Gil died last night.”
“What?” he whispered.
“The paramedics say heart attack but we won’t know for sure until they run some tests. They said it seemed te be painless. A miracle that.”
“Did you call Amelia?”
“Yeah. It’s...hittin’ her pretty hard.” She took a deep breath. “Ye need te be here for the funeral, Leo.”
“I-I don’t know. I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s going to be enough without…”
“Leo. Ye will attend the funeral of a man ye’ve known since ye were fourteen. I know the relationship ye shared with Gil the last years. Ye need te be here.”
Rubbing his hand over the back of his neck, he nodded. “Alright, Mom.”
“Happens in three days.”
“I’ll be there.” Anxious, distraught, and uncertain...but he’d be there.
They talked for a few minutes and Leo struggled to keep it together…again. When would his life feel normal? When would he be able to move on from the train wreck of emotion? Would there ever come a day when he could think about Amelia and not freak the fuck out?
At the wedding brunch an hour later, Leo spoke to Delilah and explained that he was going to drive back a day earlier than he originally intended.
He’d planned to walk around Indianapolis for a change of scenery before heading home.
She gave him a gentle smile. “I’m so happy you could be here and I’m sorry about Amelia’s father. Keep me posted.” Leaning up, she kissed his cheek. “Looks like the first match was just lit. Fan the flames with everything you’ve got.”
Dazed, Leo shook her new husband’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you Vaughn.”
“Same, Leo. You’re as cool as Delilah said. Aren’t you glad I didn’t end up lookin’ like you?” The blonde winked and Leo chuckled. “Go get the original. I’ll keep this fine ass copy safe and sound.”
Rolling her eyes, Delilah said, “How many times...I’m older so that makes Amelia the copy. Duh.”
“Right, darlin’.” Vaughn wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her hair. “Drive safe, man.”
An hour later, Leo was checked out and Baylor was driving to Chicago. He needed to stop at his apartment to get an appropriate suit for the funeral.
Out of nowhere, it hit him that Gil was dead. As if the news hadn’t really filtered in before.
He cried remembering every conversation he’d had with Amelia’s father. He thought about the years when Amelia was his - and their futures were braided together.
He couldn’t help but wonder how the years had treated the only woman he’d ever really wanted – who hadn’t wanted him nearly enough.
Attending Gil’s funeral might give Leo closure where Amelia was concerned. Maybe he could finally put her in his past and move on.
“Good luck with that,” he murmured sadly.
Would Amelia talk to him if they ended up in the same place?
Could he handle seeing her?
He was alternately nervous and angry, unsure what the next few days would bring. He reminisced about the years he’d called Amelia his.
Leo arrived at his childhood home but when Baylor would have gotten out to get the door, Leo murmured, “Wait.” He took a deep breath and fought the urge to return to Chicago.
“You’re not a coward so stop acting like one, Leo,” his driver said firmly.
“Fuck…” Sighing heavily, he nodded. “You’re right. I guess I’ll figure out how to face her when the time comes.”
Carrying his duffel and garment bags through the side kitchen door, Leo came to a dead stop.
Amelia stood in the middle of the room with his mother.
