“Wait, what was that look for?”
“What look?” Cael sat down at the dining table with his food and coffee.
Zach sat across from him. “Fuck, do I even want to know what happened last night?”
“Probably not.”
Zach dragged his palm over his face and groaned.
Chapter 8
Cael struggled to figure out what was going on with Zach. Last night had definitely tested his self-control. Zach had practically begged Cael to kiss him, but, as much as he wanted to, Cael had refused. Zach had been drunk and not thinking clearly. Cael chalked it up to stress and loneliness, and he was thankful Zach didn’t remember much of their evening together. Easier to sweep under the rug that way.
Cael spent nearly every afternoon and evening at Zach’s house. For the most part, things stayed normal between them, but the ache in Cael’s heart became ever more present than it had been before. In the wake of everything Zach was still dealing with, Cael did his best to bury it along with everything else he felt for Zach and focus on just being there for him and Taylor.
Of course, Zach hadn’t been entirely himself. Though he faked it well around Taylor, Cael knew better. Anytime she was occupied or sleeping, Zach would go into his own little world. Increasingly quiet and distant, Cael could barely coax a smile out of Zach some days, let alone a laugh. Every day was a little worse than the day before. Every day, Cael watched as a little bit more hope slipped away. Knowing any day could be his sister’s last was slowly killing Zach, and being unable to take away his pain was destroying Cael.
Today, Cael arrived home to Zach later than usual. One the other therapists had called out sick, so he’d covered her late afternoon and evening client appointments, and he’d been so busy, he hadn’t had a chance to talk with or text Zach at all throughout the day, other than a quick message to say he would be late. It was nearly eight when he pulled into Zach’s driveway.
Cael let himself in and wandered into the family room, dropping his wallet and keys on the end table as he passed through. The house was strangely quiet. Normally this time of evening, Zach would be planted in front of the TV, watching something or playing one of his many video games, but the TV sat dark, and Zach was nowhere to be seen.
“Zach?” Cael was careful not to speak too loudly, knowing Zach had likely put Taylor to bed already since her bedtime was around seven. Having not eaten since lunch, Cael grabbed a small can of V8 and leaned back against the kitchen counter, drinking it down a few sips at a time. After finishing the can, he rinsed it out and tossed it in the recycle bin beneath the sink then went in search of Zach when he still hadn’t come out.
After a quick sweep of the dining room and office, Cael headed down the hall. Taylor’s door was slightly ajar. He peeked in. Soft music played, and in the dim glow of the princess night light, he could see Taylor asleep in her crib, but no Zach.
The guest room was empty, so that left only his bedroom. The door was cracked open about a foot, so he knocked lightly. “Zach? You in here?”
No answer.
Cael checked his bedroom and adjoining bathroom. Even the closet. No sign of him.
He made his way back to the kitchen and opened the back door, stepping out onto the porch. He found Zach there, sitting in one of the cushioned patio chairs with his back to Cael, a small fire going in the pit in front of him.
“Hey, Pook,” Cael said, walking around and dropping into the chair kitty-corner to him.
Zach lifted his vacant gaze from the flames and looked at Cael, pressing his lips into a slight smile. “Hey.” He took a long pull from the beer Cael hadn’t seen until he’d come around to his side.
“You look like shit,” Cael smirked.
Zach took in a long, deep breath, then puffed his cheeks as he slowly let it out.
“I’m fucking exhausted, man. I had no fucking idea how hard it was being a single parent, if I can even call it that. Half the time, you’re here helping me. I don’t know how Abbey does it, but I have a shit-ton of new respect for her and every other single mom and dad out there.”
Zach’s words slurred a little, which made Cael wonder how much he’d had to drink already.
“Rough day?” Cael asked.
“You could say that.”
“Sorry I was late getting here.”
Zach stared at him for a few long seconds, the orange glow from the flames dancing in his dark eyes. He shrugged and settled his gaze on the fire.
“What?” Cael asked.
Zach hesitated. “You aren’t obligated to be here, you know.”
“Where else would I be?”
