Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I’ve tried with Ben, but he doesn’t understand that I want you to walk me down the aisle,” I say as I look at my dad. “That’s important to me, and right now, our schedules don’t match up. I told Ben we can pick a date, something attainable. He came back with “right away”, back in December, and I told him no. And he wants kids. I do too, but . . .” I trail off. We want the same things; our timing is just off.
“Honey, Ben’s feelings are valid,” Mom says. “But so are yours. I know how important it is to have your dad walk you down the aisle.”
“I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to see him hurting like this, whether we’re together or not.”
“I know, sweetie.” Mom rests her head on my shoulder. “We’ll do everything we can to help him.”
Help him.
I maneuver so I’m looking at my parents. “I can help him. I can make sure he has the best doctors in California. The best care available. I’ll hire the best in home nurses, make sure he has whatever he needs. I’ll do that for him.” I start to get excited by my plan, but my parents don’t react like I thought they would.
“What if Ben just needs you to be by his side? To be there when he wakes up from surgery?” Mom asks. “Sure, you can afford the best of everything, but sometimes what someone needs is the one they love the most.”
“Mom’s right, kiddo.
“Well, then . . .” I stare at the water, feeling helpless and frantically thinking of ways I can be there for Ben. A thought hits me and I throw my hands up in the air as a plan takes shape. “Dad, I need your help.”
“With?”
“My new group, Plum. They’re invited on a twenty-stop tour with Loving Light. US only. Would you be willing to go with them? I want to be there for Ben, and if I go on tour, I’m going to be a mess and won’t be able to focus on the girls.”
He looks at my mom and asks, “Are you okay with Oliver for a couple of weeks?”
Mom nods. “I have a feeling we’ll be busy, making sure Ben is well taken care of.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it?”
Dad nods and I launch myself into his arms. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“One condition,” he says when I release him. He stands, helps my mom, and then me. We brush as much sand off us as we can.
“What’s that?”
“Apologize to your brother. I’ve never seen you at odds like that with him. Ben is his friend too and Quinn kept his friend’s confidence. You would’ve done the same thing.”
“You’re right. I’ll talk to Quinn.”
Dad puts his arm around me and the three of us walk back into the house. Quinn’s on the couch, playing with Oliver.
“I thought I put him down for a nap?” Mom asks as she enters the room.
“Uh . . . he fussed,” Quinn says sheepishly. I think everyone in the room knows this isn’t true.
I sit down next to Quinn and rest my head just below his collarbone. When Peyton and I were younger, we’d each take a side, and the three of us would lie on the floor to watch movies. Quinn was, and will always be, our built-in pillow.
“I’m sorry for earlier,” I say but realize I need to look at him. I sit up and meet my brother’s gaze. “What I said and did, please know I didn’t mean it. I’m frustrated and sad, and very, very scared.”
“I meant what I said, Elle.” His words shock me. “You need to grow up. If you’re going to be there for Ben, be there fully. Don’t half ass it and then get pissed when he tells you he doesn’t want you around. If you love him, show him. Don’t just throw money at someone because you think it’s going to help. Be there for Ben.”
“I’m going to,” I tell my brother.
“How?”
“Well, regardless of what you think, I’m going to make sure his doctor is the best, because I love Ben and I don’t want him to be in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what the hell they’re doing. I get that you may think I’m throwing money at the problem, but you’d do the same thing for Nola.
“Dad’s going to go on tour with Plum so I can stay with Ben. I’m going to call Uncle Liam and ask him to help out in the office, and I’m hoping my brother can pick up some of my slack.”
Quinn looks at Oliver and says, “I don’t know, Ollie. Are you up for the job? Those musicians can be divas.”
Oliver coos.
“Oliver thinks you should help out.”
Quinn shrugs. “If Ollie says yes, then I’m in.”