I planned on showing up at Callie’s after my afternoon class, but she never replied. A canal of emotions opened up and I had no idea what to do with them. Unable to see her, I drove to my sister’s. I knew she would barely have gotten home from student teaching but I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts. Aaron met up with Greta, explaining everything to her, and the others all went out to drink some beer. I could’ve gone with them, but I wanted to be around family.
“Hey, Z. Let me up.” I buzzed her door and heard her surprise. I took the stairs two at a time and hugged her when she opened the door. She let out a grunt and pushed me off. “What the fuck is going on?”
“I have no idea. I’m a fucking mess inside.” I let her go and plopped onto her couch. The shelf we’d bought at Wal-Mart matched her eccentric living room. “Can I chill for a bit?”
“Duh. But explain what happened. I mean, I love you, bro, but we don’t express ourselves too much. We’re Willows.”
I laughed and ran my hand over my jaw. “I know. That’s the problem. I’m not used to showing emotions like I have the past four or five days.”
“Is this all about the girl I have yet to meet and am pretty pissed about, still?” She joined me on the couch and crossed her arms. “Not fucking cool, bro.”
“Yes. No. Part of it. Aaron’s dad was diagnosed with stage four cancer. We just learned about it and it’s a fucking ride.”
“Oh my, oh god.” Her cheerful face fell and she put her hand on my arm. “I am goddamn sorry. God, I can’t imagine what he and his family are going through.”
“It’s rough. Hardest thing I’ve ever seen. We drove to his parents’ house Saturday because we had no idea what the hell was going on. He’d missed practice and meetings for a week and up and left the house. The team is running in the half marathon now to raise money.”
“That’s a huge sign of support.” She nodded a couple of times. “Can I run, too?”
“Hell yeah. I can get you a shirt.” I showed her a picture of the shirt we made. “It’s not the best but—”
“It’s amazing and you’re turning into the leader I know you to be. Zade, I’m proud of you. I generally am but stepping up and organizing it for a teammate… This is why I know you’ll do big things in the world. I am really fucking proud to call you my brother.”
“God, go back to insulting me or something.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and playfully punched her arm. “I need to drink beer, smoke a cigar and watchThe Godfather.”
“You afraid your man card is slipping away?”
“Yes. God, yes. It’s awful. For someone who pretty much skirted through life as baseball, family and parties, the whole thing is a new experience for me.”
“It’s about a time you grew up. Just saying.” She stood up and pulledThe Godfatherfrom her movie stand. My sister still had a fucking DVD stand in the world of streaming. She liked to think of herself as old-fashioned and I wouldn’t be shocked if she had a VCR somewhere in the place. “Should I get tissues or can you get through the movie without getting upset?”
“Fuck. Off.” I laughed, order restored in my life. The tightening in my chest felt uncomfortable again, because I was thinking about how much I loved my sister and how glad I was that she sat in front of me, perfectly healthy. Sometimes life wasn’t fair.
Chapter Thirty-One
Callie
My body burned. Not the good sexy kind either. My legs burned, my arms were stiff and I had the beginnings of a headache. Why Nicole had thought it would be a good idea for me to do a workout perplexed me. But I’d done it. I regretted it as I began hobbling back to my apartment for some much-needed rest. I had been going since six that morning and I hadn’t gotten the best night of sleep due to Zade and his wandering hands. And mouth. I smiled.This is working out.
“Hey, Callie. Wait up.” Aaron jogged toward me, a tortured expression on his face.
“Aaron. Long time no see.” I went in for a quick hug and he patted my back. “What’s up?”
“I’m sure Zade already told you, but I wanted to tell you for myself because we’re friends, I think.” Zade hadn’t told me anything. “My dad, uh, well, he’s battling cancer now and it doesn’t sound good.”
“Oh, Aaron.” My mouth slammed shut hard, the pit in my stomach hurting for him. “I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t mean anything but I feel it anyway.” I put my hand on his arm and closed my eyes. “Is that why you’ve been gone for a while?”
“Yes. I’m not really telling people. Please don’t say anything.”
“Of course, and Aaron, we are definitely friends.” I pulled him into a hug again and he squeezed me. “How can I help? Anything?”
“Not that I can think of. Oh, actually, just don’t treat me differently. I need you and Greta to be the bright, happy faces you always are. I don’t think I’ve told you how much you cheer me up. I can’t handle sympathy right now.”
“You got it, dude.” I punched his arm, another small smile breaking out. My heart broke for him, but I didn’t let it show. I wanted to be a friend to him and he wanted it to be normal. I could try to be normal. “Want to go find some hot girls or something?”
He laughed.Score.“I appreciate your willingness to be my wingman, but not today. Another time, perhaps.”
“Can I at least make you dinner or something?” I knew food helped in any situation. The tiredness went away, knowing Aaron needed support. Who would’ve imagined that guy I thought was robbing the apartment my first day here would have become such an important friend?
