“Apparently, he prefers silence while he recovers.” Rachel slid her gaze toward the hallway leading to the restroom where he’d taken up residence. “I’ve been checking on him,though.”
“He always did prefer to do things his way.” Gavin closed his eyes for a minute.
So did Gavin, if he decided to be honest with himself, but now was clearly not the time to point that out.
“Once you’re well enough, we can go someplace and talk about what’s happening between Travis and me. If you want to,” Rachel said, toying with the edge of the blanket. “It sounds like you and I have both had an eventful summer.”
“Eventful” being the least appropriate word ever.
Gavin didn’t say anything for a bit; he seemed to be intently studying the wall behind Rachel.
“Are you happy with him?” he finally asked.
The way he said it sounded like her answer really mattered.
But that question was an easy one. “Yes. He makes me really happy.”
“Then that’s what counts.” Gavin smiled. It seemed forced, but he was trying, and she appreciated that more than she’d ever be able to show.
The bone-deep satisfaction she experienced at Gavin’s willingness to let her be happy made her smile. Maybe they could be real friends, beyond just co-parents.
“I thought you might be more upset about it,” she said, not able to meet his gaze.
“I knew you’d meet someone eventually. I’m notthrilledit’s Travis.” Gavin glanced at her. “I wish it were anyone but one of my brothers. But he makes you happy. You’re both important to me.Yourhappiness is important to me. I’ll deal with the rest of it, so it doesn’t affect what you’ve built for our family.”
“What have I built?” She had an idea of what she felt like they’d constructed as a team, she was just suddenly really curious whathethought, too.
“You built a pretty awesome situation for our boys. They know they’re loved. They know you’ll be there for them. I wish I could say that I had a huge hand in it, but I don’t think that’s true. Mostly, it’s you,Rachel.”
Rachel swallowed hard. “You’re not giving yourself enough credit.”
They both sat in silence, the only sound the television the boys were watching nearby.
This was how it should’ve been. Well, without the vomit and convalescence part. Two parents, two kids, two dogs, the television on in the background. Nothing falling apart for a change. And yet…
“I think I’m falling in love with your brother,” she said, the words surprisingly easy,given the weight they held.
Gavin looked at her like she’d just suggested they all eat toaster tarts for dinner. “That’s good, because I’m pretty sure he’s already there.”
“You think?” He seriously thought so?
Gavin nodded, a sly smile tipping the edges of his mouth. “He’s in pretty deep. Deeper than I’ve ever seen him.”
Her heart seemed to expand, even though she was pretty sure nothing had changed at all. And that was…that was…
Her eyes got a little wet. She parted her lips. Then pressed them together.
“Thank you,” she said. Meaning every bit of the words.
“For what?”
“For starting me down this path.” She would not cry. Refused to do it.
“You know, Rach, I didn’t want to stay away. But I didn’t want to make your life harder, either. You always seemed like you preferred it when I stepped back so you could run the show.”
She stilled. That’s what he thought?
The sticky, bitter taste of regret seemed to coat her tongue. “That’s not what I wanted at all.”
