Here I was in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and all I could think about was going back to New Jersey, of all places. The satisfaction I used to get from performing didn’t have the same shine anymore. Maybe it was time for me to rethink how I managed my career.
This was also when Sean was supposed to spend two weeks in Europe with me. Except he wasn’t because, although Liam was making great strides in his mental health, Sean still felt like he couldn’t leave his brother.
I didn’t blame him at all, but I should have been there with him. Sean shouldn’t have to do this alone. We were supposed to be a team, and I felt like I was failing him. Tears burned my eyes as I looked out the window of my hotel at the Eifel Tower in the distance. I missed him so much it was choking me.
My phone vibrated with a call. I checked the screen and smiled. It was Sean. With a six-hour time difference, it was still morning over there.
“Good morning,” I answered as cheerfully as I could muster.
Of course, he wasn’t fooled. “Hey, baby,” he said, “What’s wrong?”
“Just missing you,” I replied.
“I miss you too,” he said. “I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you like we planned.”
I shook my head, although he couldn’t see me. “Don’t apologize. You’re doing what you need to do for your family. I’m just sorry I’m not there with you.”
Sean laughed. “Aren’t we a mess?”
“I don’t know about you, but I sure am.” My gaze was drawn back to the Eifel Tower. “I’m starting to think I might not be cut out for this level of touring anymore.”
His voice got serious. “Are you okay?”
I hurried to calm his fears. “I’m fine. Well,” I amended. “I’m meh. Before the accident, I loved touring. I wanted to get out there and play in the great halls of the world. I honestly think Pierce and I were together for so long because I spent at least half the time on tour. I didn’t miss him when we were apart.” My voice hitched. “I miss you every day.”
“Jeremy…”
“I’m not trying to make you feel bad,” I hurried to say. “What I’m saying is I want to be back there with you. I should be helping you take care of your brother.”
He was silent for a moment before he said, “Jeremy, I think you needed to do this tour. You needed to find out whether or not it was something you still wanted. I know the timing sucks. But I think we’ve learned a lot about each other, even being apart. And whatever you decide to do about touring in the future, I’ll have your back.”
I rested my head against the window. This man. “When I get back, I’m going to send your mother a huge bouquet of flowers to thank her for raising an amazing son.”
Sean chuckled. “She’d like that. Speaking of Mom, remember that doctor who came to the house the day Liam came home?”
“Sure,” I replied. “Robert something or other. What about him?”
“Robert Martin,” Sean said. “It seems he’s a widower. His wife died four years ago. He asked Mom out on a date.”
My brows rose to my hairline. “No way. What did she say?”
Sean laughed. “She asked Liam and me if it was okay.”
“Oh my God, that’s adorable,” I gushed.
“Yeah, it is,” Sean agreed. He sighed softly. “I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too,” I answered hoarsely.
“Two more weeks,” we both said.
FORTY
SEAN
After I hung up with Jeremy, I closed my eyes and rested my head against the back of my desk chair. Two more weeks. It wasn’t that long. It was an eternity.
For as long as I’d known what love was, I wanted to find that special someone meant for me. I wanted a love like my parents had before my father died. Things hadn’t been perfect, but there was never any doubt they loved each other.
