“I can’t write here.” She held her breath, scrutinizing him as she waited for his answer. “I can’t get in the zone.”
His attention focused on her again. “You could go to the beach house in Portugal.”
“Without you?” Her brow tightened. She hadn’t considered leaving him behind.
“I might make it at some point. Vince’s bruises are a lot better, and his bones are healing. His headaches are less, and he says his vision is improving, even if it’s still double.” Isaac didn’t sound convinced.
“Maybe your mom could help or take over for a week,” said Anna, biting her lip. Isaac shouldn’t bear this burden on his own. “She’s already offered, twice.”
“He’s my responsibility,” said Isaac, his voice leaving no room for argument. “He needs me. After I ignored him and moved out for over a month, it’s the least I can do. He might not have crashed if he hadn’t been pushing so hard and under so much pressure to win.”
“You were under almost the same pressure.” The words popped from her mouth.
“It’s not the same. He’s the champion. Plus, I need to take care of him.” Isaac’s disagreement shut down the conversation. “I worry about him being here alone.”
She didn’t agree. Was there something she was missing? Isaac was right to have moved out, and since the accident, he’d gone the extra mile. Vince had been an ass—and sometimes, he still was. If she’d been in Isaac’s place she wouldn’t have been as quick to forgive and forget. Arguments lingered and built up if there wasn’t proper resolution. Not just an apology but actual amends were required. That was how her brain worked.
“You’re sure you don’t mind if I go to Portugal on my own?” said Anna, considering the possibility. She’d be lonely, but probably productive.
“Of course not,” said Isaac. “Your goal for the break was to finish your story. That’s important, and I don’t want to impede your writing. You should go.”
The beach house would be peaceful. There would be fewer interruptions, and swimming would feel amazing in the heat of the day. Summers in Spain were hotter than she was used to after living in the Pacific Northwest her whole life. Portugal would be similar, but with the ocean nearby.
Here, Vince’s restlessness and misery weighed on her emotions. An escape seemed ideal, except that she didn’t want to leave without Isaac. Though she’d spent years living on her own and could look after herself, everything was better together. She liked the idea of Isaac joining her later. If she worked hard, she could finish the draft of her story, and there might still be opportunities to spend quality time together while she tackled revisions and lined up an editor for the fall. Still, it might be longer than a week. What if Isaac didn’t come?
So she wouldn’t feel so disappointed, she ran through scenarios. She’d come to Europe to write, not to fall in love, even if she was trying to succeed with both the writing and herrelationship. Even if Isaac didn’t come for two more weeks, he’d be there for the last ten days.
It seemed like a workable solution.
“If you’d like, I can drive you to Barcelona tomorrow to catch a train,” he said, his eyes flicking once more toward the screen and his research.
CHAPTER 16
Isaac
Isaac wandered the house, still feeling distracted as he gathered his book and his keys. His mind kept circling back to his last conversation with Anna before she’d left on vacation. The details weren’t as clear as they should have been. He’d been so worried about Vince spiraling into depression because of his injury, that Isaac hadn’t been able to think straight. Anna had left at his suggestion, but he couldn’t recall exactly what he’d said. He frowned, unable to escape this new worry. He hoped she hadn’t been offended.
He should have told her about Vince’s past, even if nobody outside the family knew the secret.
Time seemed to drag without her around.
He headed upstairs to collect Vince for an appointment.
“You’re so mopey and miserable,” said Vince as Isaac drove, taking his brother to a follow-up with a specialist in Barcelona. “You’re not regretting staying with me, are you?”
“Of course not,” Isaac snapped without thinking. “What makes you think I’m moping?”
“You’ve been wandering the house for the last three days like you don’t know what to do with yourself. I don’t need you to look after me twenty-four seven.”
His brother’s words got him thinking. Isaac wished that he’d been able to go with Anna to Portugal to frolic at the beach andmake love on the patio under the stars, not to mention swim in the warm ocean. Cervera was inland and hot. He’d been looking forward to being at the coast since the Portimão race in April. But it just wasn’t the right time, not with Vince’s injury. The uncertainty about his brother’s condition weighed on him. Even more, Vince’s mental health needed monitoring. If he couldn’t race, they might have a problem.
Throughout the drive and during lunch, he couldn’t shake the idea that he might not have made the best decision when he’d sent Anna away alone. Vince didn’t think he needed full-time care, so why had he stayed? Isaac could remind Vince about his eye exercises, drive him to appointments, cook, and keep him somewhat entertained, but if this appointment turned out well, Vince might need him less.
Isaac leaned back in his chair, resting his head on the wall of the specialist’s waiting area as he considered what came next after the summer break. He hoped Vince could race the second half of the season. Once racing resumed, his time with Vince, if he was still recovering, would be reduced and he and Anna could spend more time together again. Plus, Vince had a championship to defend.
“Good news,” Vince said as he left the doctor’s office. His smile was wide and genuine.
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