Headlights, Dipsticks, & My Ex's Brother

by Heather Novak

  “What about Cynthia? Does she know?” I ran a hand through my hair to hide its shaking. “Giving me my dreams means she doesn’t get hers.”

  He nodded. “She’ll be okay. We’ll be okay.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “You two are so much alike, but there’s just so much baggage between you, you don’t see it.”

  “I don’t know about that.” I laughed without humor.

  “You’re both strong, determined women who know what they want and do what they need to get it.” He finally met my gaze. “She’s you in eighteen years, Edith. And as someone who lost his mother way too young, I hope you two figure out how to get along.”

  “Will—”

  He held up his hand. “I know I played a role in this discord, and I am truly sorry. We would love to have you at our wedding, but if you don’t want to come, I completely understand. I just hope we can figure out how to all be in the same room someday.” He brushed nonexistent lint off his pants. “I really miss big family holidays.”

  “Me too,” I admitted.

  He sighed and sat back down next to me. “Luke stopped by Dad’s on the way out of town. I was there.” He shoved his hands into his hair. “You know I get so fixated on things, like this wedding and Cynthia and just, trying to make everything work—” He blew out a hard breath. “While Luke’s gone, it’s easy to forget how much I miss him. How I don’t even know him anymore. He’s the only family I’ve got left.”

  I reached over and gripped his forearm. “Will...”

  “No one else remembers what Christmas morning was like when both our parents were healthy. No one else knows how he held my hand when he walked me to school in first grade or beat up the older kids who tried to take my lunch. No one else remembers what it was like to go with Dad to the Lions game every Thanksgiving. No one else knows how hard it is to miss Mom in the quiet moments.”

  His chin rested in his hand and he turned to face me, although his eyes didn’t meet mine. “Luke looked so tired, so damn exhausted and homesick. I am too. Mom’s gone; Dad’s basically gone. I can’t lose my brother again too. Cynthia gets why I have to do this.”

  Realization was like a punch to the gut. “She lost both of her parents, too,” I whispered. We were both silent for a long moment, wrapped up in our own thoughts.

  He cleared his throat. “Maybe now that Alice May has had her baby, things will settle down. Her bills are taken care of...I don’t know. Maybe Luke will come back. Especially if the woman he loves is waiting for him.” He smiled softly. “And he loves you.”

  I shook my head. “I fucked it all up.”

  His eyes found mine. “You love fiercely; it’s one of your best qualities. And you love him, more than you ever loved me. There’s no way he could stay away, trust me.” He helped me stand as I opened my mouth to argue.

  He held up his finger. “Don’t argue. We imploded because of this house. It was one of the reasons I struggled so hard in our relationship. I always felt like all this”—he gestured around us—“came first and I was a consolation prize.”

  “Will…” I whispered in apology, shame coloring my cheeks. He was right. I wouldn’t have given up the house for him, ever. “We should’ve talked about it.”

  “Yeah.” He shrugged. “Anyway, I’m sorry about…everything. But you have to know how happy Cynthia makes me. She puts me first.”

  I tried not to cringe. Or barf in my mouth. “That’s…good,” I lied. It was still really fucking weird. “I’m never calling you Dad.”

  He groaned. “Please don’t. It’s weird enough. My ex is going to be my stepdaughter and my sister-in-law.”

  I shook my head. “Okay, get out of here before I throw up on your shoes.”

  He laughed and put on his sunglasses. “Yeah, yeah.” He reached out his arms out for a hug.

  I held up my hand. “We aren’t there yet. But…thanks.” I held out my hand and he shook it in both of his. When he let go, I raised an eyebrow and cocked my head. “Sister-in-law?”

  “He’s told me he’s been in love with you since we were kids. If he doesn’t put a ring on it, I’ll punch him in the throat for you.” He took a few steps back. “Seriously, Edie. We’ll get him home. Then we both win.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Edie’s Tip #19: Always carry a spare, or you’ll end up seeing me. Which is actually not a bad thing; I’m a delight!

  I stared at my phone. Then I stared at it some more. I restarted it twice. Still nothing. No new calls, texts, or emails.

  Luke’s phone had gone straight to voicemail the last seven times I tried to call, and I couldn’t leave a message because the mailbox was full. Outside of a picture message of his new godson, Alberto Jr., I hadn’t heard from him since he’d left almost three weeks ago. Well, twenty days, four hours, sixteen minutes, and seven seconds.

  I had to do something, even if it meant losing him forever. So, after a generous helping of tea, I’d spilled my guts to a computer screen. One last email. No alcohol, just truth.

  I told him about the house, about what Will had done, about how sorry I was for being too afraid to ask him to stay. I told him about this amazing idea I had to drive around to different universities and teach a weekend seminar on car basics. I told him I loved him.

  Then, without even proofreading it, I sent it.

  I proceeded to spend the next three days rereading it in a constant state of shock and panic. I didn’t know what I was expecting from the email. It wasn’t like he’d ever responded to one before.

  My phone rang and I dropped it, screaming. I dove for it and answered before it even got to my ear. “Hello! Hello?” I gasped into it, not even bothering to check who was calling.

  “Uh,” my brother said. “Are you okay, sissy?”

  I sank onto my couch. “Yeah, just running up the stairs to finish packing for my trip.” Lies. I’d finished packing an hour ago and was now just waiting for my lunch to cook before I took off.

  “Liar, I know you finished packing an hour ago. Listen, you sure you won’t regret not coming to the wedding?”

  I guffawed. “I would rather clean the bathroom with my toothbrush naked while being bitten by fire ants.”

  There was a long pause. “That’s oddly specific. But okay. Have fun and drive safe.”

  “I can’t believe you’re actually going. I can’t believe you agreed to be in the wedding!”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. But I’m bringing a date.”

  I choked on air, my hand pounding my chest to get my lungs working right. “You’re taking Caden?!” I wheezed. “You’re coming out to Mom at her wedding?!”

  “You wanna come now, don’tcha?” he teased.

  “Yes, I want to be a fly on the wall.”

  He laughed. “I’ll have Kristy send you the video. Promise. This is her revenge too.”

  “You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for.” The buzzer for my stove went off and I jumped up to grab my gluten-free pizza. “Okay, this girl’s gotta eat and hit the road. South Haven won’t come to me.”

  “Text me when you get there, and have a good time, okay? Love you, little sis!”

  “Love you, big bro.”

  My bag was tied to the back of my motorcycle and I was decked out in my full-face helmet and thick riding gear when Chieka ran up the path, waving her arms. I pulled my helmet off and sighed. I knew I shouldn’t have shut my phone off. “What?”

  Chieka shrugged apologetically. “Girl, I’m so sorry, but I can’t get ahold of Earl and there’s someone down at Freemont and Porter that needs a tow.”

  I growled. “Seriously?!” It would take me at least forty-five minutes to get out there, hook them up, and bring them back to the shop. I knew I should’ve left earlier and eaten on the road. So much for beating the traffic.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I pulled off my gear and tossed it on top of my bike, then motioned for her to lead the way. I snatched a clean set of coveralls and put them on over my jeans, tying th
em around my waist. I’d dressed for comfort and a long bike ride this morning, so my hair was in a messy ponytail and my bra strap kept threatening to fall down my arm. This was definitely not my most professional look, but I wasn’t going to take the time to change, and I didn’t want to get dirty. Chieka tossed me the keys for the truck and I ran out back, started the beast up, and burned rubber out of the driveway.

  Okay, I didn’t actually burn rubber, the thing was massive, but I drove with determination. My annoyance filled the silent cab as I made the turn down Freemont. I was hoping it was just a dead battery that I could jump and send them straight to the shop without having to tow. Wishful thinking and all.

  My heart leaped into my throat as a black Explorer came into view with its hood up. I shook my head hard. I knew it wasn’t Luke. There were hundreds of black Explorers in this town.

  A guy in dark jeans and a white T-shirt leaned over the engine. A guy with the exact same silhouette as Luke. I barely managed to get the truck pulled over as I began hyperventilating. It couldn’t be him. He was in North Carolina.

  It took me three tries to get the door open, my hands were shaking so much. I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I could do this. It was just some man who looked like Luke and had his style truck. It was bound to happen, even in a small town.

  But as I approached, the man turned around and I stopped dead in my tracks. Luke stood there, arms crossed, smiling so big I forgot how to breathe. “She just stopped running. Figured I’d better get it towed in.”

  I stood there, frozen, every word in my email coming back. I love you. I honestly think it’s always been you. I wish I’d begged you to stay.

  “I got your email,” he said. “I decided to respond in person.”

  That damn bat in my chest resuscitated itself and started flapping like crazy. “Wha...how?”

  He took a step toward me but stopped as my eyes widened. “Alice May decided to sell her house and move to Florida with her sister. When she learned about you, she promptly chased me around the house with a shoe until I promised I’d go live my own life.”

  “Your job?”

  He shrugged. “My heart hasn’t been in it for a long time. I quit. And now I’m jobless. You still hiring? I’m pretty good at car stuff.”

  I opened and closed my mouth, but nothing came out. I just nodded instead.

  “The moving truck was already loaded when you sent that email. I’m back for good. My stuff will be here in a week.”

  I nodded, still in shock. “So, your truck?” I pointed to the tow truck behind me, ignoring how my voice wavered.

  He smiled. “She won’t run.”

  My cheeks were probably scarlet, and I kept my eyes on his truck, too afraid to look at him. A quick glance over the engine made me shake my head. I turned around and leaned back on my elbows against the Explorer. “You know what would make your truck run better? If you reconnected the battery.”

  He nodded seriously. “Ah, I wondered if that might be important. I appreciate you coming out to check.” He took a step forward and put his right arm on the hood, above my head, bringing us close.

  My stomach dropped to the center of the earth. “I’m sorry for what I said before you left,” I admitted. “I was just saying what I thought you needed to hear.”

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded. “I love you. Please stay.” My heartbeat was so loud in my ears, I almost couldn’t hear him.

  “I see.” He took another step forward, his hand going to my chin and keeping our gazes locked. “That’s great, because I love you too. And I’m here to stay, if you’ll have me.”

  “Promise?” I whispered.

  “Always.” He took another step into me. “I think the idea of you traveling around and teaching people about their cars is brilliant. I would love to travel with you.”

  I bit down hard on my bottom lip so I didn’t start crying. My chest was clogged with a hundred bats all fluttering at once. “But you said this place could never be your home.”

  His hand smoothed around to the back of my neck. “Any place where you’re not in my arms isn’t home. Because you’re my home.”

  I couldn’t stop the two tears that escaped out the sides of my eyes. He leaned in and kissed them away, then his mouth hovered just above my lips. “I love you, Reeses.”

  “I love you too.”

  His lips pressed to mine and we wrapped our arms tightly around each other. My knees buckled as he deepened the kiss, and he scooped me up, holding me against him. By the time he pulled away, I was laughing with pure joy.

  He placed light kisses all over my face, brushing my hair behind my ears. “I can’t believe you were going to sell the house for me.”

  I shrugged. “I would’ve done anything for you.”

  He smirked. “I knew it. I so knew it!”

  I poked him. “Come on, I’m going to a bed and breakfast for the weekend. Want to come with?”

  He nodded and then pursed his lips. “Yes, conditionally.” I raised my eyebrow. He walked over to the truck and opened the door, pulling out a furry, sleeping bundle. “Do they allow pets?”

  “What?!” I asked, running over. A sleepy French bulldog puppy with a bandaged paw blinked his big eyes at me. “Who is this?” I asked, my voice going incredibly high.

  “This is Dash,” he said. “Found him on the side of the road on my way back here. He had no tags and no microchip. Had been on his own for a few weeks, the vet said.”

  I scooped Dash into my arms and held his warm little body against mine. He was wiggling in excitement and licking my face. “Oh my gosh, he’s the cutest!” I smiled up at Luke.

  He leaned down and kissed me, slow and deep until Dash gave a small bark. Luke laughed, pulling away. “Oh, you gonna get jealous every time I kiss your mommy, huh?” The puppy barked in answer as if he understood.

  I laughed, handing him back Dash. “I’ll reconnect the battery and you can follow me home.”

  He looked back to me, eyebrows raised. “Home?”

  I crossed my arms. “If you think you and Dash aren’t moving in with me, I will punch you in the throat.”

  He laughed. “Well, I’d better not argue with you, then.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “The dog was your backup plan, wasn’t he? If I was on the fence about it, you were going to have him woo me with his cute old-man face, weren’t you?”

  He winked, and my heart skipped a beat. “I’ll never tell.”

  With one last kiss, he put Dash back into his truck while I reattached the battery and closed his hood. I was practically bouncing up and down on the seat as we drove back to the shop. Once I had parked and shoved the keys into the shop’s mailbox, I ran up the driveway to find Luke pulling Dash out of his truck and setting him down. “Welcome home, buddy!”

  He immediately dashed off toward the coop and I put my hand to my mouth. “Oh God, he’s not going to eat Sergeant Cornflakes, right?”

  At the sound of his name, my rooster came out and crowed loudly, flapping his wings. Dash let out a low whine and took several steps back, and I burst out laughing. Luke walked over and wrapped me in his arms. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

  Dash ran circles around my chicken, trying to get him to play. The puppy was so fast, he was a blur. “I see where he got his name!” I said, laughing.

  “He’s going to give us a run for our money.”

  Us. Our. My stomach squeezed at those words. As if sensing what I was feeling, Luke held me tighter as I nuzzled my face into his neck. “Stay,” I said simply.

  “Always.”

  Epilogue

  Edie’s Tip #2: Seatbelts, in addition to saving lives, can be used in the heat of the moment for many, many things.

  Luke and I were snuggled together watching a movie in our hotel room—a hotel where pets were allowed—when my phone started vibrating off the nightstand. I grabbed it and sat up, scrolling through the cascade of messages from Kristy, Sam, and Jami. I la
ughed and covered my mouth as I tried to catch up with the group text.

  Luke sat up, kissing my spine on the way. My stomach flipped even though we had been wrapped in each other the entire evening. “What’s going on?” he asked, brushing my hair to the side and kissing my neck.

  “Jami just came out at my mother’s wedding!”

  Luke pulled back and laughed, then put his chin on my shoulder to read the messages along with me.

  Kristy: Jami just came out @ wedding!

  Sam: Holy shit bro that was beautiful

  Kristy: Payback’s a bitch

  Sam: Hold on I have video...

  Jami: Thank you, thank you. I thought it was poetic justice.

  Sam: [Video]

  I hit play. Jami was giving a speech into the microphone when he lifted his glass. “Now, I know it’s my mother and William’s day,” he said. “But I believe they would be as happy for me as I am for them!”

  I covered my face with my hand. “Oh God, he did it. I can’t believe he did it!”

  “This afternoon, this amazing man, my boyfriend, Caden, told me he loved me, and I said it back! So from one happy couple to another, congratulations, Mom and William!”

  Kristy: FIERCE!

  Sam: Aunt Cynthia is mortified. It’s amazing.

  Jami: [Picture of Caden kissing Jami’s cheek] Happy couple!

  I looked at Luke. “Quick, pose for a picture!” I hadn’t told anyone Luke was home yet, so this was about to be a double surprise.

  Me: [Picture of Luke and Edie smiling] This is the best thing we’ve ever heard!

  Kristy: WHAT?!

  Sam: Finally.

  Jami: We promise not to steal the thunder at your wedding.

  Jami: …but maybe you should elope?

  After responding with talk to you later, I turned off my phone and snuggled back into Luke. He kissed my forehead. “What do you think about eloping?”

  I laughed and kissed him hard.

  Edie’s Tip #1: Never ever, ever, ever (again) give up on love.