CHAPTER 56
Evander
“Mind telling your old dad what the hell I just witnessed back there?”
My father takes a seat in my room’s recliner and smacks his palms on the armrests.He waits for me to say something.
Cal shuts the door.
“Oooh.I may have some insight.”Finn reaches down to the hospital bed and snags the condom, then holds it up between his index and middle finger.“Gentlemen of the jury, please bring your attention to Exhibit A.”
“You all right, bro?”Cal’s leaning against the door, frowning at me.
“I’m fine.”
“All that shit Phoebe said, that’s what happened out there?”
“Pretty much,” I answer Cal.
My dad sighs, leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees, then laces his fingers together.“I have a feeling she skipped a few details.”
“She did, and I’ll be skipping them too.”
“As you should.”My dad brings his gaze to mine.I notice an intense exhaustion I’ve never before seen in his expression.I hate to think he’s spent the last few days worrying about my welfare, but it looks like that’s exactly what he’s done.
“Dad, I’m good.No worse for the wear.Truly.”
He gives me a quick nod.“Do you know what’s going on with Gil Travis’s health?I haven’t heard a thing.”
“It’s cancer, and he doesn’t have much time left.The family has kept it to themselves, but that’s why Phoebe moved back last year—to support her mom.”
Dad drops his head and stares at the floor.Those familiar broad shoulders appear worn and weary.
I glance at my brothers.We’re all thinking of Mom, of course.We know Dad is too, because whenever he hears of someone else’s battle, it takes him right back to the worst time of his life.
“This is his last Christmas,” I continue.“And I promised Phoebe that we MacLaines would help make it the best one possible for the Travises.”
Dad’s head snaps up.“You promised her that?”
“I did.”
“What else have you promised her?Are you serious about Phoebe Travis?”
“Serious as it gets.”
“Look at this shit,” Cal mumbles.
“Iknewit,” Finn whispers.
“All right,” Dad says.“Then you boys need to tell me what the underlying problem is, because Jake Travis’s response wasn’t friendly, and had nothing to do with Evander saving Phoebe’s life.”
Cal shrugs.“You know how it was back in high school—always fighting over the same scraps.”
“And the same cheerleaders,” Finn adds.
“That’s it?”My dad looks skeptical.
“Well, the Travises pounded the snot out of Declan on the regular,” I offer.
