“Go to sleep, baby. I’ll be right here.”
She drifts back off to sleep a few seconds later, and only one thought sticks in my head.
I’ll be here until my last breath, Lelonie.
36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lee
I’m sitting in bed a couple of days after surgery watching my Papa and Mac bicker back and forth about who even knows what at this point. I think they just like to hear themselves talk. They’re both acting aggravated, but it’s clear they’re just trying to get a rise out of each other. It started with a dig about the car Mac’s fixing up and has quickly spiraled to their differing opinions on sports teams. Annie and I are lounging in my hospital bed just watching the show and providing commentary that irritates them both.
We’re laughing at them when a knock on my closed door stops everyone. Quickly both my Papa and Mac move towards the door as it slowly pushes open. Flynn stands in the doorway, which causes Annie to bristle. I’ll be finding out what he did to my sister as soon as possible, then I’ll beat him for it. Future brother-in-law or not.
“Hey, I brought someone who wants to see you.” He’s talking to me, but his eyes are all for my sister. What looks like sadness shines through them. That’s interesting.
He moves from the doorway, and Sully pushes a wheelchair into my room that’s holding none other than Declan in it. His radiant smile takes me by surprise. I’m still hurting, so I figured he would be too.
“I’ve missed you, my favorite sister-in-law.” We haven’t seen each other since before surgery, and though I’ve been told he’s doing great, it’s good to see it with my own eyes.
“Your favorite? Don’t tell the others.” I raise my eyebrows in a teasing way.
His laugh is loud and carefree, “I gave you a kidney, Lee. I think it’s well known who my favorite is.”
Everyone aside from Mac excuses themselves from the room, giving us time to visit. Annie makes sure to leave right on the heels of our Papa. Seeing this, Flynn sighs in defeat and lets his head hang while he and Sully walk out. The door has barely shut when I give both Byrne men an accusatory look and point to the door.
“What’s up with that?”
They look genuinely clueless.
“What’s up with what?” Mac asks.
They have to be messing with me, “Your brother, my sister. What was that awkward sad thing that just happened between them?”
Declan is looking at me like I have three heads. “Are the drugs still in your system? I don’t even know if I’ve ever seen them speak to each other before.”
“You guys cannot be that blind. There was something there. Quill, tell me you saw the thing between them.” I turn myattention to my very unaware boyfriend.
“Beautiful, I’m going to tell you the truth. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The groan of frustration is involuntary.
“You guys are clueless.”
It may not be anything romantic, but something happened in general that he’s sorry for, but she doesn’t want to hear. A big sister just knows. Declan changes the subject to the news that he gets to leave tomorrow. Just as we start talking about when I can leave Jake walks in, takes one look at Declan, scoffs, and turns his attention squarely on me.
“Let me know when the trash has taken itself out and I’ll be back.” My jaw is on the floor as he turns and leaves the room as quickly as he came.
“NowthatI saw. What the hell did you do, Dec?” Mac questions.
“I may or may not still be seeing Natasha occasionally, and he found out.” He grits his teeth and looks ashamed.
“Youwhat?” Mac roars. “Did she not cause enough fucking issues for you already?”
They start arguing, but all I can think of is ‘great, so half of the Fischer siblings are pissed at a third of the Byrnes.’Just perfect.
* * *
