Chasing the Wild Sparks (40 page)

“I didn’t make you mad or hurt your feelings?”

He looks out to the water. “Fuck no. I’m used to you and Morgan playing around with me. I’d miss it if you guys didn’t.”

“I don’t understand then. What is it?”

He licks his lips and I see his eyes roam over the water in front of us. “It’s Eden. She was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia again. She’s coming down with it more and more.” He bows his head. “Her doctor told my mom Monday night that E is down to six months if she even makes it through this bout.
Maybe
a year, if she’s lucky, which I’m doubting since she’s sentenced to die anyway,” Rod states bitterly. He bites his lip and blinks quickly a few times. He whispers, “I’m going to go see her for Easter, but I won’t have that long with her. I’m afraid it’ll be her last.”

I put my hand on his arm. “Greg, I’m so sorry.”

He absently plays with his Pac-Man tie. “I’m going to lose my only full sister, one of my best friends. I love my other sisters, but Eden is different. She’s special to me. She’s all
my
sister. We have the same blood, unlike my other step and half-sisters. We have a bond. She always looked out for me, her obnoxious little brother, making sure I did my homework, tied my shoes, got on the right school bus, had enough money for lunch at school…” He sniffs and sighs. “She is the best big sister. And I was always trying to do my part: checking to see if she was taking her meds, if she was having trouble breathing, if she needed her inhalers, or if her oxygen tank had a kink in the hose.” Rod closes his eyes and sucks in a big breath. “What will I do? We’ve always been so close, through my parents’ divorce, especially. I don’t want to go through life alone. I’m alone enough as it is.”

I’ve never heard Rod so emotional about anything before. He’s Mr. Joke-a-Minute. He came close when we went out for dinner Saturday, but not like this. I sit in quiet shock as I take all of this in.

“Greg, you aren’t alone. You’ll always have Eden with you. Always. I don’t know if it really helps, but you also have Morgan and me. Don’t say that you’re alone. Far from it. I wish there were something I could do. I feel so helpless seeing you so…helpless. I know you love your sister. You always will. Nothing will ever change that. All you can do is be there for her. Be the best little brother ever…like you always have been.”

He looks down at the ground and takes a shaky breath. I scoot over so that I’m up against him, putting my arm around him and my head on his shoulder. I close my eyes as I feel his body shake and I fiercely fight my own sobs to stay strong for him. For my friend.

CHAPT
ER 22

Rod and I take our time walking in the parking lot back to our office building. I bump his arm with mine and he looks down. His eyes aren’t as puffy as they were earlier. “Morgan asked me to be her maid of honor.”

“Really?
Never
saw that coming,” he deadpans.

“
I
didn’t. I thought maybe just a bridesmaid. She does have Tonya.”

He snorts. “You mean the chick who thinks wearing tight, leather pants is sexy when you’re at
least
150 pounds over a FedEx truck’s freight limit? Those pants make her look like a penniless, male prostitute’s last condom, if you catch my drift.”

“What. The. Hell?” I gasp.

He rolls his eyes. “Do I really have to explain that one to you?”

“Yes and no.” I laugh. Rod opens his mouth to enlighten me and I squeal, “No!”

“I didn’t know I actually would have to draw you a picture.”

“I don’t want that either.”

We pass between cars on our way to the front entrance and he asks, “So, when are they swapping the vows?”

“Soon. She wants to do it at a beach.”

“How fitting for Tonya. After the ceremony, she could just set sail.”

I snort and cover my mouth. “Oh, my God! Stop! She’s nice!”

He scowls. “So is a smooth, leather couch, but I wouldn’t want to be stuck inside one.”

I stop walking and grab my stomach, trying to catch my breath. When I do, I say, “Anyway, Morgan said I can wear anything I want.”

Rod’s eyes immediately fly wide open. “Bikinis for the bridal party? Fuck no. I’d literally cut off my right nut for
Ton
-ya
not
to wear one.”

I grab his arm and try to shake him. “Rod! Stop! I’ll be thinking of all these things in my head now when I see her!”

“You can’t really
miss
her.” Not getting any response from shaking him, I smack his arm instead and he ultimately laughs.

“So are you going to go to the wedding?” I ask.

He shoves his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “I doubt Morgan invites me.”

“I don’t doubt it. Who are you going to take?”

“Me? I’d do a threesome with me, myself and I.”

“If Finn can’t go with me, would you be my date? We can save dances for each other, at least.”

“Wait a minute. Wilder said he’d go?”

“Yes, if he doesn’t have to work, but I highly doubt he’ll go.”

“Wow. That’s unexpected.” He stops walking when we reach the sidewalk and I turn and step over to him. A look of bemusement colors his face. “And you’re asking me out on a date?”

“As friends. That’s all,” I clarify.

He takes a hand out of his pocket and points aimlessly as he talks. “Hold on. Didn’t you refuse
him
a happy ending?” He pats his chest dramatically. “How’s
my
night going to end? What the fuck kind of date will I be on with you? I swear to God I’ll want to put a bullet in my leg from boredom and frustration. I want a guarantee that I get a happy ending, Hadders!”

Evilly grinning at him, I spin and bound to the doors as fast as my heels will let me, and I yell over my shoulder. “I’ll see what Tonya can do for you!”

I check my email before I talk to Val.

__________________________________

Hey, Becks. Guess what I’m about to do?

I’m doing it all for you, baby.

So, go ahead and doubt me.

I dare you.

I love you.

Finn

____
______________________________

Baby, I have total faith in you.

I’m thinking about you doing a dare just for me.

It’s hot.

I love you, too.

Becks

____
______________________________

“What’s up, babe?” Val looks up from her desk and puts her pen down.

“Nothing. How’s Ali?”

“She’s doing well. She loves her new job and her new apartment. I hope this new catering job brings her closer to her dream of opening up her own business. I’ve been helping her move in. One of her brothers is helping her, too, which I’m so grateful for. He’s my youngest, but has always been the most helpful out of my boys. Her other brothers would probably help, but they live far away. I’m just so glad she moved here. I’ll see her so much more often now.” I nod and smile. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

“Rod’s sister isn’t doing well. He’s going to see her for Easter, but he’s upset about not being able to spend a lot of time with her.”

“Doesn’t he have personal days to take? He can stay with her longer.”

“He does, but you know our Rod. He doesn’t miss work.”

“Isn’t he taking Monday off, too? That’s an option for everyone.”

“No.”

I’ll talk to Amos and have him give Rod a call.”

“I wish I could help him. I don’t know what to do.”

“Just be his friend. Pray for him and his sister. Let him talk your ear off and cry on your shoulder.” Been there! Done that!

“I will. What are your plans for Easter?”

“Three of my kids will be in. I can’t believe I’ll have Ali and two of my boys all in the same house for an entire weekend. Not all of them, but it’ll be great. What about you, babe? What are you and Finn doing?”

“I’m going to his mother’s for the weekend. He has to work in Philadelphia until Friday, and I’ll meet him in Dover.”

“Are you looking forward to spending a weekend with his mother and any of his family members?”

“It’ll be more crowded than I’d like it to be when we don’t see each other that much, but that’s my own fault. I have to suck it up. It’ll be great.”

“He got you that ring for Easter. Did you get him anything?”

My stomach suddenly drops. “No, actually. I guess I didn’t even think about it. I’m the worst girlfriend in history.”

She laughs and waves her hand. “No. Why don’t you go now? Take the rest of the day off. Nothing is going on here. I’m still waiting for a word back on the Brecklin case, so if you want to go and find him a gift, go ahead.”

“Really? Thanks, Val!” I jump up, but then freeze. “I have no idea what to get him, though.”

She looks down at my right hand. “Why don’t you get him a ring, too?”

I glance down at my ring. “What kind of ring?”

“Any kind that you want.”

I peer up to Val. “What would it mean?”

She leans forward on her desk. “Whatever you’d want it to, babe.” An
engagement
ring? Could I get one for Finn? That sounds so bizarre. Could I even propose to him? Would he turn me down?

I give her a small smile. “That’s something to think about. Thanks, Val.”

I gather my things and walk over to Morgan’s office. I knock on her door and she yells for me to come in. I see her stacking papers on her desk and closing her purse. I ask, “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Wrapping up. You? Are you leaving?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s go to a dress boutique down the road. You up for it?”

I grin. “Absolutely. This is weird, but,” I lower my voice and turn to shut the door. “Will you try and cheer Rod up? Eden’s not doing well.”

Her face falls. “Oh, no.” She nods. “Yeah. Okay. Why don’t we take the bastard shopping with us?”

“Dress shopping? Are you serious?”

She shrugs and stands. “We’ll throw the bait out and see if we hook him.”

I laugh. “Now he’s a bass.”

She walks over to me and slides her hand over the wall switch to shut her overhead light off. “A carp. They’re bottom feeders.”

We walk out of her office and Morgan pounds sudden and hard on his door.

“Come in!” We walk in and I shut the door behind us. He throws his pen down onto his desk. “Holy fucking shit you two whores gave me a coronary!”

I ignore his outburst and ask, “You want to go shopping with us?”

“With you two cocksuckers?” He reclines in his chair and smacks his head. “Oh, I’m sorry, Hadders, I meant that for just Mortuary.” Morgan throws her head back and growls, while Rod looks at me and mischievously smirks. Crossing my arms, I glare at him.
Ass.
He then shrugs and stretches his arms above his head. “Sure. Why the hell not? It might be a goddamned hoot.”

I frown and shake my head. “You really are abusing that waiver.”

He straightens in his chair. “That shit is better off to be abused than forgotten.” He slams his hand down on his desk. “Hey! That should be on a fucking greeting card or a bumper sticker!”

I roll my eyes and head for the door. Morgan follows and she imparts before leaving the room, “We’ll meet you downstairs, Ass Rod.”

We walk out into the hall while we leave Rod giggling. I ask, “Are you telling him where we’re shopping at?”

“Nope.” I put my hand out and we high-five.

I sigh. “I am glad to see him smiling, no matter how much of an ass he’s being.”

“I am, too. It’s not right seeing Dick Rod sad. It’s like seeing a clown with a sad face.”

“Um, okay,” I incredulously agree. I glance around us. “Can I ask you something?”

Morgan nods. “Sure.”

“What do you think of me buying a ring for Finn?” We reach the elevator and she aims her gaping face at mine.

“What? Are you actually considering my suggestion? Are you going to propose to Finn?”

“Um, I don’t know. I think so… Yes… Maybe. Val also made a comment similar to that. She said to buy him a ring for Easter. I don’t know, though. I’m thinking about buying him a ring, but I think giving it to him on Easter and asking him to marry me then, is too soon. He said he’d think about us. Maybe I should give him a couple weeks, at least, before I’d ask him. I’m deathly afraid he’ll say no and I don’t think he’d accept my proposal. Or if he does, he’ll still refuse to marry me. I need to do
something
, though. I just don’t know what.”

Morgan grins. “I love it. You should do it. How about after the dress shop, we swing by a jewelry store so you can look and get their advice. Then, we’ll come back here for yours and Rod’s cars and head to the gym. Sound good?”

“Rod is going to just
love
us.”

We both giggle and Morgan says, “You know he can’t live without us, though.”

We step into the elevator and I cross my arms as I clear my throat. “I’m also thinking about telling Finn that I will move in with him.”

“You’d be willing to do that for him, go against your principles or even your dream of being married to him first?”

My hand flies up to my hair and I nervously tuck some behind my ear. I look at the floor and nod. “I don’t want to totally give up on my dreams, but his dream is for us to live together. How can I deny him of his only to get mine? And quite possibly if I change my mind, he’ll do so, too, in return.”

“Wow. You’re not just lusting after his hard body. You really do love that hot jackass.”

I lightly laugh and look up at her. “More than life itself, Morgan.” I just hope he truly feels the same way about me.