James moved around the kitchen. “Mom insisted we have it at their house.”
“What do you want for your big birthday little man?”
Mason slammed his hands against the high chair’s tray again.
“Oh. A set of drums, huh.” John laughed.
James placed the bowl down in front of Mason. “And we can keep them at Uncle John’s. You can play them when you go to visit. Right, buddy?”
The little boy plowed his two hands into the bowl and shoved a fist full of food into his mouth.
This was as good a time as any to get to the root of James’s distant behavior. “James, can we talk?”
“Whoa, that sounds serious.” James poured a cup of coffee for both of them.
“Are we okay?” John leaned forward in the chair and rested his elbows on his knees.
James stiffened for a moment and then plowed his hand through his thick brown hair. “We’re fine, bro.” The tone didn’t convince John things were fine.
John sat back in the chair as Mason tipped the bowl of food onto the tray of his highchair. “It doesn’t seem like it. You hardly call, you rarely come over and it seems like you’re pissed with me.”
“I’m not pissed with you.” James sighed. “I was angry with you, yes, but I was angrier with myself.”
“What? Why would you be mad at yourself?” Now he was really confused.
“The day of the funeral, you asked me to go with you. Mom was even going to keep Mason for the night. I was so wrapped up in my grief I didn’t want to go anywhere.” James turned to the window. “It’s my fault you had the accident. If I’d gone with you, we would’ve stayed all night and the accident wouldn’t have happened.”
John jumped up from the chair. His twin had a death grip on the counter. James’s knuckles were white.
“Hold on a second, bro.” He grabbed James by the shoulders and turned him until they were face to face. “None of that was your fault. It was a moose, bad weather, and stupid luck.”
James’s voice cracked. “I should’ve gone with you.”
“You’d just buried your wife for Christ’s sake. I don’t blame you. I probably would’ve crawled in a hole if I were in your shoes.” John said. “I would’ve never been able to keep it together the way you did.”
“That’s just it, John, I’m not keeping it together.” Tears filled James’s eyes. “Sure, when people are around I put on this brave front, but I feel empty. The only thing keeping me from falling apart completely is Mason.”
The sight of James with tears streaming down his face was breaking his heart.
“Why didn’t you talk to me? Or mom and dad. Hell, you could’ve talked to Ian, Keith or Mike for that matter. For fuck’s sake, even Nick and Aaron would’ve listened.”
“I couldn’t. Everyone was so worried about you and the last thing they needed was to worry about me too.” The guilt hit John in the gut like a sledgehammer.
“So you just tried to deal with all this yourself.” John sighed. “Well, you don’t need to anymore, James. You shouldn’t have been trying to do this on your own.” He pulled James into a strong hug. “I’m here for you. Even if it’s just a couple of hours to yourself or someone to sit and have a few beers.” James clung to John. Finally, James let it all go. John held his trembling brother as he sobbed.
“Let it out, buddy,” John whispered as he tried to keep himself composed. “Just let it all out.”
“Thanks for being here, bro.” James sobbed.
“Since conception, bro. Since conception.”
It killed John to know James had been keeping all this bottled up because he didn’t want to upset the family. Jesus fucking Christ. If the family knew about this, they would be devastated. James shouldn’t have been going through this by himself. Grief was bad enough when you had someone to lean on, but going through it alone had to be overwhelming.
When James finally pulled himself together, John turned back toward the baby. Mason was staring at them. His little head was tilted to one side and his face covered with food. John and James looked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter.
“See, when I’m really having a bad day, I’ve got him to make me laugh.” James chuckled.
“He’s a character.” John chuckled.
James cleaned up Mason and put him down for a nap, and John cleaned up the mess the kid had made. James was definitely more relaxed. It seemed like he got it all out of his system. At least for a little while anyway. It was probably going to hit him from time to time. It had to. Either way, John was glad he helped. James grabbed a couple of beers and John followed him out to the back deck
“Did you know Aunt Cora suggested Stephanie as my therapist because of her cupid power?” John and his brothers always referred to Cora’s special gift as ‘cupid power’. Of course, it was their way to make fun of it.
“Looks like she was right.” James chuckled and held out a bottle to John.
“Yeah, she was.” Cora was definitely right.
“I like her.” James leaned against the railing. “I’m guessing so do you?”
“I’ve never felt like this before.” That was no lie. Stephanie brought out feelings John couldn’t even imagine. “When you told me you were in love with Sarah after a month, I thought you were nuts, but I definitely understand now.”
“You love her?” James raised his eyebrows.
“Yeah,” John admitted. “She’s amazing. She makes me feel….” John stopped.
“Alive?” James finished.
“Yeah.” There was that twin thing or was it James felt alive with Sarah.
“I’m happy for you,” James said, but there was sadness in his voice.
“You’ll find love again.” It was probably the wrong thing to say, but James needed to hear it.
“I don’t know, John. I believe there’s only one great love of your life and I lost her.” James cleared his throat.
“Didn’t you tell us Sarah said she’d send you someone?” John reminded him.
“Yeah, and she was going to send someone for all of my brothers.” James pointed the bottle toward John.
“I guess I was first, huh.” John clinked his bottle against his brother’s.
“I hope the ones she sends for Nick, Mike and A.J have lots of patience.” James laughed. Those women would need the patience of saints. Those three liked to play the field. It mortified his mother. Aaron and Nick had a string of girlfriends a mile long. None of them lasted more than a week or two. John couldn’t remember the last time one of them spent a weekend dateless. Mike wasn’t as bad but still tended to jump from one girl to another. John couldn’t wait for the day when they were knocked on their asses by a woman. It’ll be a sight to see.
Chapter 22
Stephanie sat across the café table from Cora going over her schedule for the next couple of weeks. Cora gave her the files on four new patients. Which made Stephanie very excited. Now all she had to do was tell Cora to stop paying her for the last week. Stephanie hated to lose the money, but it was wrong to get paid for what she was doing with John.
“Cora, I don’t think I should be paid for the last two weeks of John’s contract.” Stephanie blurted before she chickened out.
“Why in heaven’s name would I not pay you?” Cora gasped.
“Well…. Cora, it’s like this… Oh God…” Stephanie didn’t know what to say.
“You’re good for my nephew.” Cora smiled at her. “Of course I knew you would be.”
“I’ve heard you’ve got a knack for being a matchmaker.” Stephanie giggled.
“That’s me, Cora the cupid.” She sipped her coffee. It was hard to believe the woman was in her late fifties. Five feet tall and slender, she didn’t look much older than forty. Obviously, she favored Nanny Betty’s body type. Cora’s sky blue eyes sparkled. Her brown hair was cut in a stylish bob with a few flecks of gray that looked more like highlights through her hair. She had a kind smile and Stephanie understood why peopl
e felt so at ease with her.
“I’ve been told that’s what people call you.” Stephanie laughed.
“So I guess by the sparkle in your eyes and the glow in your cheeks things with Johnny are good.” Cora smiled.
“Yes, they are.” Stephanie felt the flush rush to her cheeks.
“Kathleen says those O’Connor men are hard to resist and damn good in bed.” Cora said and cringed. “I really don’t need to know that about my brothers, but Kathleen seems to think it’s information I need.” Stephanie almost knocked over her cup.
“Umm, ok.” Stephanie stammered. Her cheeks felt like they were burning.
“No need to be embarrassed, Stephanie.” Cora laughed. The whole family had no qualms in bringing up sex. It had to be the generation. Her parents were the same. It flustered Stephanie and her sister.
Toward the end of her meeting with Cora, John texted her to let her know he was spending the afternoon with James and then he was headed to rehearsal. It was odd. She missed him even though it was only a few hours. John was worried about his twin. James was definitely withdrawn. It was so tragic. To be thrown a curve ball like that was terrible, but things happened for a reason. There were other plans for James.
The traffic on the way to her parent’s house was out of control. Living in Hopedale had spoiled her. The easy going community was relaxed, and you could walk anywhere within thirty minutes. By the time she got to her parents’ house, Stephanie was ready to turn around and speed back to Hopedale.
Janet was watering flowers that lined the front steps. Her mother wasn’t one to sit around and do nothing. Stephanie didn’t remember a time when her mother just sat down and relaxed. Her father owned his own construction company and her mother worked there as a receptionist. Doug told everyone that Janet was the heart that kept the company going. Although, her mother recently retired, she still went to the office every day. Stephanie couldn’t quite understand how that meant she was retired.
She jogged up the steps and hugged her mother. “Hi, Mom.”
“Stephanie, I wasn’t expecting you today.” Janet dropped the watering can. “But it’s a grand surprise.”
“I had the afternoon off and I just had a meeting with my boss.” She linked her arm with Janet’s. “She gave me some new patients since John’s contract is up next week.”
“That’s great, sweetheart.” Inside the house, the mouth-watering aroma of baking bread filled the air. Nobody baked bread like her mother.
“Homemade bread.” Stephanie grinned when they entered the kitchen. The counter was lined off with several loaves.
“Would you like a couple of slices?” Janet cut the warm bread.
“Definitely.” Warm homemade bread right out of the oven and smothered in butter. Who could resist it? It was the only thing she couldn’t say no to. Stephanie grabbed a plate from the cupboard and her mother poured her a cup of tea. Stephanie took a huge bite. Heaven. Janet sat across from her and narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
“You look different.” Janet sat back in the chair and studied her. “You’re glowing.”
“Mom, you’re crazy.” Stephanie took another huge bite of bread.
“You’re seeing someone.” How the hell did she know?
“What makes you say that?” Stephanie sipped her tea and tried to hide her smile.
“It’s in your eyes.” Janet smiled. “Who is he?” No matter how much she tried to hide things, her mother always knew. It was like some sort of sixth sense.
“How do you do that?” Stephanie sighed.
“It’s a gift.” Janet chuckled. “Now spill it, young lady.” There was no use in trying to deny it. The woman was relentless when she wanted to know something.
“He’s a police officer.” Stephanie began. “I know it probably sounds terrible, but it’s the patient I’ve been helping for the past couple of months.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t read her mother’s expression.
“He’s wonderful, Mom. He’s smart, funny, kind and makes me so happy.” Stephanie sighed.
“Is he handsome?” Janet grinned.
“Very!” Stephanie smiled.
“Are you being careful?” Leave it to her mother to ask something like that.
“Mom!” Her mother the advocate for safe sex.
“Stephanie!” Janet mocked.
“Oh my God!” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Yes mom I’m being careful.” She answered because her mother wouldn’t drop the subject.
“Good!” Janet smiled.
“Where’s dad?” Change of subject was needed. Janet’s face tensed and Stephanie felt a cold chill run up her back. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Now don’t go worrying yourself, but he went to get a restraining order,” Janet said softly.
“What? Why?” Stephanie’s heart jumped
“Marc’s been harassing us. Wanting to know where to find Marina. For the last couple of days, he’s been waiting in the driveway when we get home from the office. Your father just wanted to punch him in the jaw, but we called the police to get him removed from the property.” Janet explained. “Your dad is worried he’s going to do something.”
“Does Rina know?” Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to have kept the phone call from Marc a secret.
“No, and we don’t want her to know.” Janet’s voice said don’t you dare say anything. “She’s happy and content and doesn’t need to worry about his issues.” Was it really a good idea to keep it from Marina? “He’ll give up eventually.”
“I don’t know, Mom. He seems pretty determined.” What if he did something to her parents? Marina would never forgive herself.
“I don’t want to talk about him. Now tell me more about that sexy man of yours.” Janet put her elbows on the table and leaned her chin on her fists.
“Mom!” Stephanie giggled.
“Do we at least get to meet him?” She asked.
“Of course. We are going to a fundraiser on Friday. So probably Saturday or Sunday.” She should probably ask John if he wanted to meet her parents first.
“The one at the Delta hotel?” Her mother’s face lit up.
“Yes.”
“Your father and I are going.” Her mother said excitedly. “I guess we’ll meet him there.”
“I guess so,” Stephanie told Janet about the band and how they were the main entertainment. She’d never seen her mother so excited.
Stephanie helped her mother tidy the kitchen and bag the fresh bread. Of course, declaring at least one loaf was hers to take home. They were almost done when her father walked into the kitchen. Like every other time her parents were apart for more than ten minutes, Doug walked up to Janet and kissed her full on the lips.
Stephanie rolled her eyes.
Even after all these years, she still got embarrassed when her parents kissed. Growing up, Stephanie couldn’t remember a time her parents spent more than a few hours apart. They had disagreements over the years, but even their worst disagreement would be over after a long overnight discussion. Janet had two rules about relationships. Never go to bed angry, and kiss like it’s the last time.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, Princess.” He wrapped his big arms around Stephanie and lifted her off the floor. Doug Kelly was a large man, six feet four and solid muscle. All his years working construction kept him in great shape. He owned the company, and didn’t need to do manual labor, but he always worked right alongside his employees. Stephanie admired that about her father. His thick ash blonde hair had started to turn grey, but he still turned her mother’s head. His deep green eyes sparkled whenever he looked at Janet.
“Our baby girl has a new man.” Her mother sidled up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Janet barely came up to his chest.
“Mom, really.” Stephanie groaned.
“Oh really, and who is this new man?” Doug deep voice boomed.
“He’s a police officer.” Janet continued. “He’ll be at the fundraiser
tomorrow night.”
“I’ll have to check him out.” Doug chuckled.
“Dad, please be good,” Stephanie whined.
“It’s my job to intimidate your boyfriends.” His face turned completely serious. “I wish I’d scared off Marc sooner.”
“Dad, that wasn’t your fault,” Stephanie said. “He fooled all of us in the beginning.”
“Let’s just be glad Marina and Danny are far away from him.” Janet reached up to kiss Doug’s cheek. “Did you get the restraining order?”
Doug pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
“They said because of his past violence, it was a good idea to get this.” He glanced at Stephanie. “You should probably get one too before he starts bothering you.”
“Dad, I live in an apartment owned by a police officer, and he has two brothers and an uncle who are also police officers,” Stephanie said. “I’m sure he isn’t that stupid.”
“I don’t know, but you may want to talk to your new man about it, and get his opinion.” Her mother was probably right, but Marc O’Reilly didn’t worry Stephanie in the least. Marc always backed down from her when she confronted him. Besides, she really didn’t want to worry John or his family.
Spending the day with her parents was fun. It seemed like such a long time since she spent a full day with them. Her parents missed Marina as much as she did. Probably more. Marina lived with them for the last few weeks before she moved. They definitely missed Danny.
Stephanie was getting ready to leave when she received a text from John. He was on the way home. She let him know she was on her way. His next text made her smile. He missed her.
“Must be from your man, huh.” Stephanie glanced up to see her father grinning.
“Yes, it is.”
“Well if he can make you smile with a simple text message, I like him already.” Her father kissed her cheek. “You’ve got to bring him by on Sunday so I can give him the third degree.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes.
Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) Page 19