Crossing Paths (20 page)

Suddenly, the music from my phone is interrupted. Looking to the screen, I see that I have a text message from my brother. After slowing the treadmill pace, I pick up my phone and tap the screen to open his message.

Sorry about last week. I’ll be back in Houston on Monday. Can we do dinner? —Cohen

Yes. Is everything okay back home? —Caroline

Not good but okay. I’ll only be in town for a few days.
—Cohen

Are you going to talk to June? —Caroline

We’ll talk about it when I see you. —Cohen

Please text her and tell her you’re okay. —Caroline

I don’t receive any messages back from my brother, but at least I know he’s coming back to Houston. I’m not sure what’s going on back home. I guess I’ll have to wait until Monday to figure it all out.

In the meantime, I’ll have to find a way to be friendlier with June, or she’s eventually going to freak out. I stop the treadmill and wipe off my sweat with a towel as I head to the weight machines. After I spend thirty minutes lifting weights, I decide to call it a night.

When I get home, I have every intention of spending some time with June, but as I walk in the door, I see she has fallen asleep on the couch. I take a quick shower and get into bed. I pick up my phone and decide to make a quick call to check on my mom.

“Hey, Care. Haven’t talked to you in a couple of days.”

“I know. It’s been a crazy week. I was just calling to check on you.”

“Check on me? Well, honey, I’m fine.”

“Are you really, Mom?”

“Care, what are you talking about?”

“Why did you have to go to the doctor the other day? You didn’t sound good. I’ve been worried, but I didn’t want to say anything. Is everything okay?”

“I guess I should be honest with you.”

“Okay.”
Oh crap, maybe I shouldn’t have asked.

“I wasn’t really at the doctor’s office for me. Julie’s been sick, so I was helping Laura get her to and from the appointment.

“Oh my gosh, Mom. Is she okay?”

“She is, but that’s why your brother had to come home. Things aren’t going well.”

“How bad is it?”

“Let’s just say that you might need to come home soon, too.”

I feel tears welling up in my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Laura didn’t want to say anything to CJ yet, so I didn’t think I should tell you before he knew.”

“That makes sense, but I still wish I would have known sooner.”

“I know, Care, but there’s nothing you can do. It’s hard on all of us. Just be there for your brother. I know he’s returning to Texas soon. Spend a little time with him.”

“I will.”

“Alright, well, get some rest, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Bye, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

We hang up, and I stare at the ceiling. I wonder what Cohen knows.
Should I call and talk to him now? Maybe it’s better if I wait until tomorrow.
I glance over to the bedside table when my phone lights up.

Haven’t heard from you. You going to
dinner tomorrow? —Liam

Sorry. Been busy, I guess. Yes, I’ll be there. —Caroline

I’ve been busy, too. See you soon. —Liam

I breathe a sigh of relief. At least, Liam seems to be acting normal. Tomorrow will be a new day, and I will find a way to act like I’m happy. Reaching over to turn out my lamp, I know the first thing I’ll have to do in the morning is make up for my bad attitude with June.

Sunday

My back is killing me from sleeping on the couch half the night. I have no clue what time Caroline got home, but I know she saw me lying there because the TV was turned off when I woke up. Groaning as I roll myself out of bed, I hold my back and lean forward like an elderly woman. As I walk slowly toward the bathroom, I think that my senses must be teasing me.
I swear I smell bacon and coffee.

“Good morning, June. I’m making breakfast, so hurry up and get dressed!” Caroline shouts from the kitchen.

What the crap? Did she just have a hint of cheer in her voice?
I take a shower, running the hot water over my sore back and neck. After drying off and getting dressed, my body is already feeling better.

As I walk into the kitchen, Caroline appears to be back to her old self. She’s wearing cute pink pajama shorts and a matching top with a cooking apron tied around her waist.

“Holy crap! This looks amazing.” I look over the plates full of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. “How in the world are we supposed to eat all of this? Did you invite someone else over?” I ask, eyeing her bedroom door.

“Nope.” She laughs. “Just you and me. I feel bad for how hateful I’ve been over the past couple of days. I’m really sorry, June.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. You weren’t too bad. Just don’t let it happen again, or if you do, make sure to add chocolate milk to the list for breakfast.”

Caroline smiles at me, and I feel like my world is beginning to return to normal. We eat breakfast and then go our separate ways to run some errands.

Meeting back at the apartment, we ride together to my parents’ house.

So far, dinner is uneventful. Liam, being his typical weird self, chooses to sit at the opposite end of the table again. My mom and Addison are talking about all things baby when my dad interjects.

“Addie, you probably shouldn’t do too much planning until you see the doctor. A lot of things can happen before your first appointment.”

“What are you trying to say, Dad?” Addison asks. “Do you think something might happen with the baby?”

“Leave her alone, and just let her be excited. Besides, the baby is just fine. I wouldn’t worry a bit, honey,” Mom says, obviously irritated with my dad’s comment.

Dad shakes his head and takes another bite of chicken.

Caroline and Liam are chatting away about work and life in general. She seems to be in a happy place, and Liam has been genuinely listening to her. The more I see them interact, the more I wonder if I was wrong about letting them hook-up.

The night ends with an amazing double-layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing. I am so full that I can barely move when it’s time to leave. I’m about to suggest that Caroline and I head out when I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. As I take it out, I wonder who could be contacting me because everyone that matters to me is currently in the same house together. Sliding my finger across the screen, I see Cohen’s name. I close my eyes, feeling light-headed.

“Caroline, I’m going to the bathroom before we leave. I might be a minute.”

I bolt for the bathroom and close the door behind me. Sitting on the closed toilet seat, I read the message.

Sorry for not calling. Back in Houston early this week. Can we grab dinner on Tuesday? —Cohen

Should I answer? No, I’ll let him suffer for at least a few minutes.
I count the seconds tick by until I realize I’m being an idiot. Thinking back, I realize it’s only been three days since I’ve heard from him.
I don’t know why he had to head back home. Maybe he has a good reason for leaving quickly and for not calling.
I should give him an opportunity to explain.

Dinner would be good. See you Tuesday. —June

Although my recent emotions about Cohen have been flip-flopping, I can’t let this go without first hearing him out.

The words from our last conversation run through my head every night. I know he was sincere when he said all those things, and the passion I felt was so intense when he placed his lips against mine. I can’t fully explain it, but when our lips touched, it was like I could envision spending my life with him. I didn’t want to say it then, and I probably shouldn’t be thinking it now.

As he was pouring out his heart to me at dinner that night, I had the urge to tell him that he is worthy of love. Maybe it won’t be me who will show him the love he deserves, but considering the strong feelings I already have for him, I know I have to give him a chance to see where this could go.

So, dinner it is, and after that, I’ll see if I need to shut him out of my life.

Sunday

Dinner with June’s family is perfect.

Liam and I manage to talk to each other without any question of our motives. Since most of the discussion is centered around Addison’s pregnancy and all the changes the new baby will bring, our side conversation doesn’t draw much attention.

“I’ve been so busy at work this week,” Liam states. “We’re finalizing a new merger, and I’ve got several new projects to complete before that happens. I’ve been going in early every morning and leaving after five every evening.”

“See, that’s why I’m glad I get paid by the hour. At least my efforts would be rewarded if I worked overtime,” I say.

“True. Salaried positions have their downsides. Overall, I like my job though, so it’s all good. I just hope it slows down a little bit, so I can have more time for things I enjoy.” Liam gives me a quick wink as he smiles.

“I hope so, too.” I feel my cheeks blush.

Listening to Liam explain his busy week—and the fact that he felt the need to explain—makes me feel better about not hearing from him on Thursday or Friday. Not to mention, he basically said that I’m something he enjoys.