One Last Rainy Day: The Legacy of a Prince(23)

Sean’s old Sunday school teacher steps up, a mix of nerves and excitement in her expression. “When the truck pulled up, we were just blown away. We’ve received some generous donations in the past, but nothing of this magnitude. We were close to shutting our doors even after our annual fund-raiser last month. We’re so thankful to whoever found it inside themselves to gift us the ability to keep the shelter going and potentially change dozens of women’s lives.”

Satisfied, I lower the volume before cracking my neck and pushing away.

Muscles screaming due to pulling another all-nighter, I dread the long hours ahead. Heading toward the bathroom, my personal cell buzzes in my hand. Pissed it’s not my brother—who’s left my last two texts asking for a call unanswered—dread blankets me when BLUE RIDGE MEDICAL fills my screen.

In the bathroom, I study the dark half-moons under my eyes in the mirror as I answer. “Hello?”

“Dominic King?”

“This is he.”

“I’m sorry to call so early. It’s just that your . . .” I hear the flip of a page, “Aunt Delphine. Well . . . she’s early for her chemo appointment and in no state to drive herself home.”

Cupping the back of my head, I inhale a deep breath for patience. “How early?”

With her reply, I scrub my jaw. “Can you keep her there? I can be there in an hour.”

Hearing the woman panic at what’s sure to be the longest fucking hour of her life, I thank her and hang up before starting my shower. Once stripped, I palm the tiles, letting the water rain down my back as I close my eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

It’s the only prayer I can muster.

Somewhat revived after a brisk, cold rinse, I pull on my King’s tee before kicking into my boots. Taking the stairs with what little energy I have, I’m halfway down when Sean glances up from where he stands behind the kitchen island—the news still running on the living room TV. “See it?”

I nod as he grabs a mug from the cabinet, scouring me as he pours me a cup before pushing it over the island in offering.

“Another all-nighter?”

I grunt, taking a hearty sip before the bitching commences.

“Need you whole, man. Can’t keep burning the candle at both ends.”

“I don’t see anyone else around here capable of handling my workload, my way, and someone has to organize the mess that was left for me.”

“According to your impossible standards,” he snarks. “Did we really fuck up so badly holding the fort down while you were in Boston?”

“You feeling needy?” I ask between sips. “Want a compliment?”

“If I’m in need of anything or anyone right now, it’s not you. By the way, thanks for fucking that up for me. She snuck out last night without a word and won’t text me back this morning.”

I lift my cup in salute. “Anytime.”

“So, it was intentional.”

“As intentional as you leaving her here yesterday without playing guard dog.” I shrug. “Maybe you didn’t drill your point into her good enough with your little make up fuck.”

“I believe you heard evidence to the contrary.”

“You’re confusing me with someone who gives a damn. I’ve got more important shit to deal with right now than your fuck life.”

“Say what you will, man, but even with Tyler on our collective asses, you’re the one currently sabotaging progress.”

“She needs to know her place.”

“I understand why this is hard on you, but you can’t keep holding her ignorance against her when she doesn’t know what you’re really about. If you’d give her half a goddamn chance, I think she’ll surprise you.” He palms the counter. “If you’re honest with yourself, she already has.”

“You understand?” I walk around and stare out of the kitchen window, scanning the cloud-covered mountain ridge beyond our backyard. “Yeah, I don’t think you do.”

“Then we need to talk about this.”

“What we need to do is get to the fucking garage. Tyler’s waiting.”

Sean sets his cup in the sink next to me as I dump mine in a travel mug, grabbing the pot and filling it to the brim before capping it. Sean turns to me, and even as pissed as he is, his expression leaks with concern.

“Want me to drive you?”

“I’m good.”

He bites his lip ring briefly before pinning me. “Are we good?”

He tries to get a read on me as I duck my head and grab my keys—over the Cecelia conversation altogether. “What do you want to hear?”

“The fucking truth. I’m not going to lie to you. There’s potential there, not just for me, but for us, collectively long term.”

I pause the travel mug at my lips. “Now you’re thinking long term?”

“Isn’t that the point of this? I see it in her, and I think you’re pissed you can see it too.”

“I see a mouse.”

“Whatever, have it your way. If you wanted me to back off, you’ve made your point crystal fucking clear. Just so you know, you could have saved us all the dramatics and just told me outright.”

“My fist didn’t clue you in?”