Deegan gave me a much more manly bro hug and a thump on the back. “He’s holding up better than I expected. I still don’t get what you see in my annoying as fuck little brother, but there’s no denying the two of you are happy together.”
Even a week ago, that comment would have pissed me off, but now I knew he was playing around. We’d spent a lot of time trying to reconcile after everything I’d kept from him until the wedding. He wasn’t pissed that I was gay, only that I hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him sooner. He wasn’thappyabout me being with Tanner, but that had nothing to do with thinking his brother wasn’t good enough for me. Deegan worried that I’d hurt Tanner somehow, and he’d be forced to choose between his brother and his best friend.
That wasn’t going to happen. I’d seen Tanner as his bratty, immature worst, and now I was looking forward to seeing him flourish once we got back to Annandale. I’d been serious when I told him being so close to his family, constantly worrying about what they thought of him even if he wouldn’t admit it, was suffocating him.
“Who all’s here?” I asked as we entered the hospital. Deegan had gotten Nana’s room number from their mother earlier. It pissed me off that she hadn’t bothered to call Tanner, but it was par for the course. Lillian wasn’t a bad mother most of the time, but I’d never forgive her for acting like Tanner was an afterthought.
“Mom and Dad, obviously, and I our uncle should be here by now, too.” Deegan kept glancing over his shoulder to where Haley and Tanner were following us. “Have you convinced him to go back with you when you have to leave?”
I let out a sardonic huff of laughter. “Yeah. And it’s the damndest thing…right before we were going to sit down and figure out what needs to be done so he can leave, some asshole called and detonated our plans for the day.”
“Shit, man. I’m sorry.” The elevator doors opened, and we all filed in. Deegan lowered his voice. “Don’t let him use this as an excuse to stay. I know him, and this is going to fuck with his head, even if he won’t admit it.”
“Yeah, I’m already trying to anticipate his arguments. He acted like he’s still excited, but you forget, I’ve known him most of his life, too.”
Deegan shook his head. “I still think you’re crazy. But I’ve never seen him so happy. Take care of him and we’re going to be just fine.”
“You have my word.”
I took Tanner’s hand when we stepped off the elevator. He held on tight enough my fingers throbbed, but I didn’t mention my discomfort. If this was what he needed to make sure I wasn’t going to turn and run, he could cut off the blood supply. Our shoes squeaked on the linoleum floors, catching the attention of a nurse at the station. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, we’re here to see Estelle Fincham,” Deegan announced. “We’re her grandsons.”
“Mrs. Fincham already has three visitors,” she informed us. “You’re going to have to wait out here until they leave. And it’s supposed to be two visitors at a time.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” I responded as Deegan pulled out his phone. Tanner grunted, obviously unhappy about having to wait longer. I turned my attention to him. He leaned into my touch when I pressed my hand to the side of his face. “It’s okay, baby. We’re going to hang out with Deegan and Haley and wait our turn.”
“You two should go in first,” Deegan said, his nose still buried in his phone.
“We go in together,” Tanner insisted as he flopped onto one of the couches, pulling me down next to him. “If they can make an exception so Mom could be there with Dad and Jerry, they can make one for us.”
“Tanner.” He quieted at the single word warning. I kissed his hair when he rested his head on my shoulder. “I know you’re upset right now, but we have to follow the rules. Would you rather go in with Deegan while Haley and I wait out here? That way you don’t have to worry about anyone being upset if you see her before your brother does?”
“No, I want both of you there with me.” He glanced up at Deegan and smiled. “He’s a jerk, but he’s still my big brother. I’m going to need both of you. And Haley. She’s my person, so she should be there, too.”
“We’ll see,” I told him, not wanting to keep the argument going when we were never going to reach a compromise. Maybe he was right, and they’d make an exception for us.
Tanner dozed off again. I wasn’t sure if it was the stress of the morning or the late night we’d had with me worshiping every inch of his body, but I was glad he felt comfortable enough in my arms to rest. Deegan and Haley talked amongst themselves, but every once in a while, I noticed Deegan glancing over at us, offering me a smile and a nod of approval when our gazes met.
Despite the circumstances, it was almost peaceful. This was the life I wanted, my best friend and the love of my life together in the same room without the sniping and bickering.
And then, Lillian appeared. She did a double take when she noticed me in the waiting room, then scrunched her nose when she saw Tanner sleeping against my shoulder. Before Deegan could say a word, she schooled her features. “Ryan. It’s a surprise to see you here.”
“It’s good to see you,” I responded, even though it really wasn’t. After the shit she’d pulled at the wedding, I would have been okay with not laying eyes on her during this visit. “I’ve been here for the past week, visiting Tanner.”
“And you don’t have a problem missing work?” She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, manicured fingernails digging into her skin. “I would have thought you had responsibilities to attend to.”
I couldn’t help myself. I held Tanner tighter and kissed his forehead, hoping I didn’t wake him up. He didn’t need to be subjected to his mother’s snit. “My primary responsibility is right here. Luckily, I am my own boss, and I can work remotely.”
“Oh. Well, that’s…good, I suppose.” She held herself so tightly, I wondered if she’d snap. “Estelle is resting now. We’re going to take Jerry back to the house so he can get settled in, but we’ll be back this afternoon.”
Tanner stirred in my arms. He opened his eyes and looked directly to me, not noticing his mother hovering in front of us. “Is it time to see her?”
“Soon, baby.” I smoothed a hand over his hair. “Your mom said she’s resting right now.”
“I want to go sit with her,” he insisted. “I won’t wake her, but I need to see her.”
“She’s. Sleeping,” Lillian bit out. “Just because youwantto be near her, doesn’t mean you get to. She needs to rest so her body can heal, Tanner.”
