“I don’t always do the right thing.” Sherolled her eyes and snorted indelicately.
“Sure about that? You went to college,graduated on time, took a break to get some experience in thefield, to ensure you knew for sure you wanted to be a teacher, thenarranged your life to attend grad school near each your high schoolsweetheart. Right on schedule you’re getting married, probablystarting a family soon. You have a job lined up already, doing whatyou always wanted.”
All their lives, she’d seen what she wantedand meticulously planned so things panned out exactly as sheenvisioned. Dove in with everything she had. Didn’t dick aroundwith indecision and discontent like he did, acting on impulse andrelying too heavily on luck.
She nodded with a watery smile. “I do like toplan.” Raising her glass, she saluted him mockingly.
Biting his lip, he hid his agreement. “Andyou like things to go your way. Hence, wedding crazies. That’s alot of variables to ensure go your way.”
“I’m sorry I try to control your actions andbehaviors.” That was out of nowhere.
Had she always realized she did it to him?Bossy and overbearing sister from day one? Hell, she’d hardly beenable to talk, and she’d grab his hand and drag him to the kitchenso he could climb up and steal a cookie from the jar for her.
Nudging her shoulder with his companionably,he didn’t ask when or how she’d realized it. “You and Dad have alot in common. You know what’s best for others and strive to makethem realize it too.” He paused, but knew it was time, so he added,“Even when you’re wrong.”
She smiled at that. “Sadly, that is true.”Downing the last of her whiskey, she reached for his untouchedglass to steal the rest.
Pulling his glass away, he took a long pulland then set it out of reach of them both. “Sometimes I know what’sbest for you, too.”
Finally realizing it was the middle of thenight and her brother had come seeking a rare hit of liquor, shepuzzled at him, “Why are you up at this hour?”
Now would have been a perfect time to bringup Sophie, but he couldn’t handle the possibility of an argument.Not when he had other priorities tonight. “I’m sorry, Pip, but Ihave to fly to San Diego in the morning.”
Sitting bolt upright, she stared at him as ifhe’d just told her he was wanted for stealing a herd of cows.“Why?” she managed to ask as calmly as possible, her breathsquickly becoming shallow and rapid. Well, maybe it wasn’t the besttime to bring up Sophie after all. Good thing he hadn’t.
“Did I ever mention how I got out shortlyafter a fucking awful mission? You know Jack, my buddy that washurt just before I got out?” His chest clenched as he realized hemay not have even mentioned his friend.
No wonder Pippa didn’t trust him, he nevershowed her who he was. Never opened up to her. Let her think he wasan uncaring asshole, living for his own hedonism.
She stared at him, knowing his news wasn’tgoing to help her out at all. Still, he could see the empathystarting to seep through.
He continued, “He’s in the ICU. Sepsis. Ijust hope he makes it until I get there.”
At last, here was his sweet sister.Thankfully. Her face went long with grief on his behalf. “Oh, Ash,I’m so sorry. What time does your flight leave?”
“0400. I already booked a return flight so Ican be back before the wedding. I’m sorry I won’t be there to helpwith setup. Going to be a bit of a photo finish as it is.” Heflashed her a regretful smile.
Committed now, she searched around the roomas if looking for supplies for his journey. She shook her head,“Don’t worry about it. We’ll make it work, whatever you need. Whydon’t you borrow my car?”
He didn’t want to think about why he couldn’ttake his truck right now. “Thanks. I really appreciate it. Now,Lincoln is probably upstairs wondering if you’re ever coming tobed. You go to sleep. I’m going to catch a few hours rack timebefore heading to the airport.”
***
The drive was miserable. Dark, sleepy,painfully long. Fortunately, not many folks on the road at thishour. He drove Pippa’s Corolla a smidge over the speed limit,wanting to grab another cup of coffee at the airport before hisflight left. If anything was even open yet.
Sophie woke when his alarm had gone off at0130 in the damn morning. She’d slept through the call from Zane,but somehow, she knew something was wrong. She didn’t question thealarm or try to drag him back to bed like she usually did. Hefilled her in as he rubbed the fog of fitful, inadequate sleep fromhis eyes.
She’d been amazing. While he took a quickshower, she’d taken care of him. Made him a massive cup of coffee.Packed him a backpack with a change of clothes, phone charger,basic toiletries, and some protein bars, knowing he wouldn’t stopto eat on his own.
Looking adorably rumpled in his t-shirt thatended just above her mid-thigh, she finished packaging a breakfastsandwich she’d thrown together for him. “Don’t worry about atthing. I’ll bring your tux along to The Barn so you can comestraight there. I-5 traffic should be okay since it will be aweekend, but who knows.”
Pulling her in for a long, sleepy kiss in thedim light of the kitchen, he almost asked her to come. Wanted hersupport, her nearness.
Didn’t want to watch another buddy die.
Cradling his face in her hands, she softlypressed her lips to his one last time before releasing him. “Do youwant me to come with you? Things will be just fine here. I’ll dowhatever you need, sit in the waiting room or come in with you. Idon’t want you going through this alone.”
He knew she was needed here, knew he couldhandle this, even if he didn’t want to. Knowing she wouldn’thesitate to come along was enough.
