“Rae?” he whispered.
Nothing.
“Rae?” Dylan tried again.
Still nothing.
He relaxed and tried to calm his racing pulse. They’d had their first kiss, and she wouldn’t even remember it.
11
Dylan had been right. Rae didn’t show any signs she remembered the kiss, but he couldn’t get it out of his head. As the weeks passed and they each went on more dates, he found himself having a harder time not saying something. He was glad he’d decided not to take a summer class. Between his regular responsibilities, training with Mr. G., worrying about not hearing anything from Nora, and stressing that Rae was going to fall for one of the guys she was dating, Dylan felt like he needed to give up something. But what?
He found himself dragging a little more than normal when he packed up his equipment and headed into the office. Sitting quietly in the background through all of her dates was killing him. He wanted to call it off.
As he entered the office, the sound of voices drifted in from the other room. It sounded like Jason talking with someone. Then Rae laughed, and Dylan’s stiff neck muscles tightened even more. He forced himself to take a breath. Sitting next to Rae’s desk to wait for her, he figured to take the time to calm himself. Jason had turned out to be a decent guy. With pressure from her, things between him and Dylan had improved. Now if he didn’t worry about every date she went on.
Maybe he needed a break from everything. It wasn’t like she’d done anything wrong. She could see whomever she wanted and had no obligation to return his feelings.
His phone rang, and he checked the number. His father. Dylan’s pulse quickened. The last time they’d talked it had been about Jayden. Dylan had taken his father’s advice and made his temporary custody of the boy official.
“Hello?” he asked, and a funny sound came from the phone. “Dad? Are you all right?”
“It’s Nora.” His words came out as a croak, and Dylan realized his father wascrying.
A lump formed in Dylan’s throat, his eyes burning. “Is she . . .” He’d worried so long his sister might end up killing herself. Now, faced with the real possibility that she’d done it, he couldn’t speak the word. His father did.
“Dead.” Lawrence Rademaker’s voice broke.
Shoulders shaking, Dylan wiped at his eyes, his heart aching both for his sister and his father.
“It’s my fault,” his father sobbed. “I thought . . . I thought if I used tough love on her, she’d finally stick to her treatment.”
“Dylan, what is it?” Amelia cried, hurrying over to him.
“I know you’re at work,” his father said, his voice in control but still rough. “I’ll call you tonight about funeral arrangements. I want you involved in this.” He ended the call.
Dylan looked up into Amelia’s concerned face and started to cry again. She sank to her knees and wrapped her arms around him.
“Is it your sister?” she asked when he’d settled down.
“Yes.” He got control of himself and gave Amelia a quick hug before straightening. When the large woman tried to stand, she groaned. Dylan rose and helped her to her feet.
“Was it an overdose?” she asked.
“My father didn’t say, but I assume so.Hewas crying.” The lump in Dylan’s throat choked him again, and he coughed.
“What’s wrong?” Rae cried as she stepped into her office and hurried to him. “Is it Nora?”
He nodded, wiping at his eyes again.
“I’ll tell Mr. G.,” Amelia said, patting him on the shoulder. “We’ll arrange to split up your route amongst the others until you come back.”
“Thank you.”
Amelia gave a sad nod and left the office.
Rae slid her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
