"It all sounds really incestuous, doesn't it?" Fiona giggled. "My parents met when they were five. They've never dated anyone else. So they say, at least."
"That must have been nice though," I said. "Always knowing who you're going to end up with."
Fiona finished her cupcake and washed her hands. "I suppose so, but I've always been a big fan of ‘try before you buy’. I don't want to get stuck with someone who can't…" She glanced at Gavin and her cheeks turned pink.
"Get you off, " he finished for her. "I'm not all there sometimes, but I wasn't born yesterday. I know what orgasms are."
"Of course you do," she said with an awkward laugh.
He hummed his agreement. "Don't marry anyone who can't give you lots of them." He tossed the rest of the cupcake into his mouth and chewed slowly.
"That sounds like good advice," I said.
He looked confused. "What does?" In a matter of moments, he disappeared back into himself.
Fiona sighed softly. "Us going and letting you get some rest. I'll make sure someone comes by in the morning to be sure you have breakfast."
"Suit yourself." His shoulders dropped and he curled in on himself, his eyes back on the TV screen.
I watched him for a moment, my heart hurting for him. What would his life have been like if his daughter hadn't died? He could be laughing with her, maybe a couple of grandchildren. Not here by himself, trapped in his own brain. I wished I could help more, but all I could do was feel incredibly sad. And remind myself to live my best life as much and as often as I could. I had no choice but to slow down on flare-up days, but the rest of the time? I should be out there living better.
Although, I was living better here than I was back in the city, so that was a start.
Fiona watched him for a minute or two before grabbing up the bags and starting towards the door.
"Good night, Gavin."
He didn't answer. The only sign he heard was a twitch in his cheek. Otherwise, he didn't move.
"Should we…?" I whispered.
"There's nothing we can do," she whispered back. "Trust me, we've tried. Once he's had enough, he's had enough."
I hated to leave him there like that, but I stepped towards the door.
"Good night, Gavin," I said softly.
I didn't know why I expected a different response to the one he gave Fiona, but it seemed rude to walk away without saying anything.
"Good night" he said without glancing at me.
Fiona looked surprised as she gestured out of the door in front of her. "I think he likes you."
"I'm probably a novelty," I said. "New face in town and all." Like I was with Connor and Riley.
"I guess so," she agreed. "I never expected him to say the word orgasms." She smiled before pulling the door closed behind her.
"It really was good advice." I walked beside her as we headed back to our cottages.
"Is that why you went up to the lookout with Connor and Riley?" she teased.
"You really want the answer to that?" I turned to raise my eyebrows at her.
"Now you mention it, not really," she said with a laugh. "That would be like listening to you talk about fucking my brother."
"I won't answer the question then," I said. I wouldn't want to hear if she got involved with my stepbrother. Although, I suspected they'd loathe each other. She was a small town sweetheart and he was a city asshole, through and through. She deserved a lot better than Brooks Kent.
"Thanks for coming with me tonight," she said. "It was nice to see Gavin a bit more lively than usual. Sometimes he just watches the TV and doesn't seem to notice I'm there. I could do a dance routine in front of him and he wouldn't blink."
