by Taylor Hart
Boston frowned.
The server came and put plates of lobster in front of them.
“Thank you,” she said to their server.
Boston only looked at her.
“What?” she asked, picking up the lobster cracker.
He still didn’t comment, and she realized she had crossed some line. In the ten days she’d really known him, she hadn’t seen this side of Boston. Those first and second days, yes, but he was a different man back then.
“I’m not cat-fighting.” He enunciated the words carefully. “I blocked her, remember?” He grunted and then took a bite of food. “You think it’s been easy to go cold turkey?”
Her nerves settled a bit, and she hated that his point meant so much to her. “Well, why? I mean, why did you block her?” Mostly she wanted to know how long it would last, how long he could stay away.
They both ate for a bit, before his eyes swung back to hers and he wiped his mouth. “Because I realized what you said was true. It was fake. And Lana and I …” He blew out a breath.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear this next part, but she couldn’t just stop the conversation now. But it didn’t matter, right? If things went poorly after the tryout, at least she’d had him for a dance partner. She shouldn’t be so invested in his relationship or non-relationship with Lana.
“I don’t want fake anymore.” The intense way he was looking at her made all kinds of other reactions pop inside of her.
“Oh.” She ripped her gaze away from him, picked up a piece of the lobster flesh, and shoved it into her mouth, barely tasting it.
“Addison.” His tone was quiet.
She jerked her head up, meeting those divine blue oceans of his eyes. He still hadn’t shaved and was growing a nice beard. The man was blond, so blond, but his beard had a touch of red in it. She thought about how, with dancing so closely for a week and a half, she knew everything about him: his face, the scratchiness of his beard yielding to a more soft touch, and each swell of the muscles he was always working to maintain.
She blinked. All these thoughts were exactly why her head fluttered into the clouds way too much. She had to talk about something else. “Your beard—it’s growing out nicely. It doesn’t prick me anymore.”
Now he squinted at her, a tinge of a smile touching his lips. “Okay.” He took a bite of lobster.
Silence reigned between them. He didn’t press her.
Finally, she couldn’t handle it. “I’m confused.” She might as well just admit it.
He took another bite, then sipped his water. “About what?”
She met his eyes and felt another tinge of attraction. “About this. Us.” There was no choice but to tell him the truth.
He frowned. “I think it’s going well, all things considered. I’m actually glad we had so much time with Christian so he could train me, but I think I learned what I need to learn from him. I mean, is that what you’re saying, or do you think we need to pull in another dancer to help me?”
It was funny—she’d been so obsessed with dancing, and now it was the last thing on her mind.
“It can’t be the showcase that’s got you worried,” he said. “We already did that, and you rocked the stage.”
“No. It’s not that.”
He exhaled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I … I think about you,” she blurted.
He went still. “Okay.”
“And I don’t like it. I mean, it’s fine, but I used to think about my husband. I …” She felt her hand tremble on the table and slipped it inside the other one. “I don’t think about him like I used to. And I don’t like it,” she confessed, hating the vulnerability in her words, in how she felt. “You’re taking up too much headspace.”
He leaned back, his face serious. “I’m sorry.”
Even the slow pace they were taking was too much, too fast. She couldn’t handle it. She stood, knocking back the chair. “And I don’t like it at all.”
With that, she rushed down the little pier. Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes, and she couldn’t get away from Boston fast enough.
Chapter 18
Boston watched Addison, hating that he didn’t know whether to run after her or let her go. He wasn’t used to not knowing what to do.
Well, strike that. The past couple of months with Ty had been spent learning how to just let stuff be and not to react to it violently.
He decided to stay and let her have some space. He was shocked, but he felt a glimmer of hope, too. Not that he was at all happy that she was confused about her husband and not thinking about him as much. But would he be lying to say that he didn’t think of her every moment? That the past twelve days had been consumed with her and this world of dance and, well, Ty? No. No lie there.
Since Ty had met Luna, he’d basically ditched Boston, and Boston hadn’t complained. Ty enjoyed spending so much time with Luna, which freed Boston up even more. It had just felt natural when he was bored to go to the dance studio. It’d been easy to slip into this world. Or so he’d thought.
He sat there, sipping his water, his heart racing like he could get up and run a 10K. They had slipped into each other’s world so easily. It was almost seamless. They would run in the morning. They would do a dance class together, then a class they were both teaching. They would train all the time, in between classes and until late at night.
The routine was good, better than good, but he could see how this would be hard for her. She’d realized that she’d stopped dwelling on her husband.
He couldn’t imagine what it might feel like to suddenly not have her. He winced. With Lana, he’d never felt this way. The breaks had been welcome. He sucked in a long breath, then blew it out even slower.
Wasn’t that interesting? It was certainly sad.
Picking up his phone, he texted the group chats with his brothers. Did you guys know I never loved Lana?
It wasn’t too long before Ocean responded. Dude … no kidding.
Ziggy chimed in. It was all image with you two. Still is for her. I know you blocked her, but we’ve all had to see her claws come out on you more than normal lately.
Boston’s thumbs automatically moved to open his social media apps and check. Good thing he’d deleted them all. With effort, he was able to resist downloading them again.
Ty replied. You still on your date with Addison?
This led to a whole other list of strings of texts from his brothers about his hot date, to which he responded by recording himself doing a fart noise and sending it for all of them. That was a mistake, because then they all started sending fart videos.
It did elicit a laugh from him.
He received a text from Dax’s phone. Stop. This is Sky.
Boston laughed. Yep, the wife was done.
The text was followed by one from Ziggy. Agreed. This is Sophia.
Boston laughed harder. You all are whipped.
Then he stood, shutting off his phone and actually feeling better. That’s how brothers worked out their feelings. With fart noises.
As he walked toward his beach house, he resisted the urge to go to Addison’s bungalow and tick off Shelly by pounding hard on the door.
When he got to the Pemberly, he paused by the beach where they’d taken to having little swims together at night. Another thing that had easily become part of their routine.
But she wasn’t here tonight.
He’d let her have tonight, sort out her feelings and get used to him, but he was far from giving up on her.
“Sorry, Addison, but you’re just going to have to get used to me taking up headspace, because I’m not giving you up.”
Chapter 19
The next morning, Boston woke with a jolt. Someone was pounding on the door. He lifted his head, disoriented. The neon clock on the bed stand said 9:03.
“Boston?” Addison’s muffled cry was followed by more banging.
Throwing off the covers, he rushed through the house,
not caring he was only in boxer shorts.
When he pulled back the door, she put her fingers over her eyes. “Pants!”
He laughed and fled back to the room, loving that she was here. “I can’t believe I slept this late! I never sleep this late!” he called out behind him as he grabbed a pair of jeans and slipped them on, then found a T-shirt.
She was giggling, and for a moment, he thought he’d died and gone to heaven. Strike that. Heaven had happened onstage a few nights back, and not because of a social media share.
He left his phone in his room. The missing weight was liberating.
When he emerged, he found her in the living room, staring out at the beach. She turned, wearing a smile that melted his heart, and all he could do was go to her and take her into his arms. No kiss, though it seemed like the perfect way to start a day. If she needed time to get used to him, he’d give her time.
“I was worried when you didn’t bang down my door this morning.” She snuggled in, and he smelled her light vanilla scent.
“Good morning.”
“Sorry about leaving the way I did last night.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you came.” Boston pulled her with him into the kitchen. “I can’t believe I didn’t wake up. I’ll make you breakfast.” He grabbed a pan and got eggs out of the fridge.
She laughed and stood. “Okay, what can I do to help?”
He pointed at the counter seat. “Nothing. Sit.”
Before she could get into her seat, there was a knock at the door.
Boston wondered who it could be as he moved to answer it. “I’m not sure what time Ty got back last night.” When he threw back the door, he was shocked to see a policeman. Adrenaline spiked through him. “Officer?”
The officer looked back and forth between him and Addison. “You’re Boston Brady?”
Boston nodded, his mouth suddenly cotton dry. “Yes.”
“You need to go to the hospital. Your brother passed out.”
Chapter 20
Addison ran behind Boston through the parking lot of the hospital, not bothering with trying to keep up with him. He kinda turned back, but she waved him on. “Go. I’m right behind you.” She held out his phone. “Take your phone and text me when you can.”
Boston came back, snatched his phone, and then halted, holding her close for a moment. She thought they would fall over, but he was too strong. He kissed her cheek. “Thanks.” Then he was off again.
He had hardly spoken on the way over to the hospital, but he’d asked her to send a message to the group text with his brothers and mom telling them the news that Ty was in the hospital. Now there were a million panicked texts coming in every second.
Boston had waved his hand at the continuously buzzing phone, saying, “I can’t deal with them right now. Tell them I’ll send more info when I have it.”
Addison rushed into the ER and frantically searched for Boston. He was being escorted back, and she watched the door close behind him.
She moved into the ER waiting room but didn’t sit. Her heart hammered inside her chest for Ty and Boston. Tears came to her eyes as she flashed back to that night: she’d been escorted back into the ER room after the doctors had worked on Jason, only to find him with a sheet already over his face.
She angrily batted her tears away. Not Ty. Hadn’t Dr. Cruz told them the medication would slow the symptoms? Ty wasn’t supposed to be passing out or anything.
Her hands trembled and she felt twitchy. She remembered that they were going to have lunch today with the dance class. Tugging out her phone, she texted Cyree and Devon, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Baxter, and Mrs. Olsen, letting them know the situation.
A string of texts fired back at her with concern and sympathy and wanting updates. Mrs. Hamilton summed it up best: You just hug our Brady boys for us.
Cyree tried to call, but Addison didn’t trust herself to answer. Instead, Addison sucked in a breath and went back outside, deciding to take a lap around the hospital to clear her head. She knew that Boston cared about Ty deeply, even through his rough exterior and how much he nagged Ty. After walking around the hospital twice, she went back and sat in the ER waiting room.
An hour later, Boston came and found her, looking white as a sheet.
She stood. “Is he okay?”
Boston nodded, putting his hand on a wall and bracing himself. “The idiot was on a moonlit ride last night. They ended up going to this lookout and staring at the stars, and they both fell asleep. When Luna woke up, she couldn’t wake him.”
“Oh, man.”
Boston sucked in a breath. “It’s okay.” He stood straighter, taking her hand in both of his. “He’s awake now; they’ve moved him to a room.”
For a moment, they just stood there, staring into each other’s eyes.
Gently, she put her hand on his face. “You’re a good brother.”
Boston hesitated, then wrapped her up in his arms, pulling her closer.
His strength comforted her. She breathed in the fresh breeze smell of his fabric softener, and she listened to the beat of his tender heart. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, willing it to be the truth.
“Yeah. Dr. Cruz was there. He said a couple of days in the hospital getting some fluids and some immune booster stuff should help him. It’s a balancing act with the extreme treatment, I guess.”
Addison noticed Luna coming out of the patient room area. She looked white and pale and a bit shaky.
Addison broke free from Boston. “Luna,” she called out.
Luna stopped, looking to be in a haze.
Addison hugged her. “Are you okay?”
Luna accepted the hug, then pulled back.
Boston scowled at her. “You shouldn’t have had him out.”
“I thought he was okay.” Luna’s voice broke. “He didn’t show any symptoms of being weakened.”
Addison kept her hand. “It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
Luna’s eyes looked bloodshot. She nodded.
“Let me give you a ride home,” Addison offered.
“No.” Luna shook her head. “I need to go home, get some rest, shower. But I’ll be back later to check on him. I’m just really grateful he woke up.”
Addison hugged her one more time. “Me, too.”
Luna left, and Addison moved back over to Boston.
His jaw had a hard edge to it. “I told him he was doing too much. I told both of them it was never a good idea for him to have a relationship.”
Addison didn’t argue, just took his hand. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
“No, I can’t go. I can’t leave him. I just wanted to check in with you.”
A million thoughts rushed through her mind. She hated to think about it, but …
Boston took both of her hands. “I’ll still be at the audition with you tomorrow. Nothing can keep me away.” He nodded.
He’d spoken her fear. “You don’t need to worry about it; you need to worry about Ty.” Having lost someone before, she knew how important it was to enjoy every minute with them.
He kissed her lightly on the lips. Peace enveloped her, a feeling that she was ready for this as long as they kept moving slow. Jason would want her to be happy, and she couldn’t deny any longer that she wanted to be with this man who had surprised her on so many different levels.
Addison rested her head on his chest, and he wrapped his strong arms around her. She felt so blessed that he wanted her to be here with him at this difficult time. “It will be okay, Boston,” she said, backing out of the hug reluctantly. “Stay with him as long as you need to. Things will work out.”
“I’ll be there, Addison. Mom’s getting on a plane in …” He reached in his pocket, and his hand came out empty. “Left my phone in the room. What time is it?”
“Eleven.”
“She boards in two hours,” he said. “By tonight, she’ll be here and Ty will be fine, and the audition is going to be great.”
Unable to
resist holding this man—this larger-than-life, irritating, cocky man who had wheedled his way into her heart—she only wished she could comfort him more than he was comforting her. She squeezed his hand. “You can head back in. I’ll bring something from the cafeteria.”
“Thanks. Since he’s a celebrity, the hospital has a list of people allowed in to see him. Let’s get you on it.” Hand in hand, they walked to the desk and gave them Addison’s name. “See you in a few minutes,” he said.
He gave her a kiss that made her tingle all the way to her toes, and then she watched him walk back through the doors.
Chapter 21
Boston stood by the window in Ty’s hospital room, vacillating between anger to sadness for his brother. Ty should have listened to Boston’s warning about his health. He should have been more careful.
“Have you decided if you’re going to rearrange my face or not?”
Ty’s words jolted Boston from his thoughts. He returned to his brother’s bedside. “No.”
A faint smile crossed Ty’s face.
Boston exhaled and pulled the chair closer to the bed, taking Ty’s hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Great.” Ty’s voice was croaky.
Boston got the water by the bed and pressed the button to lift Ty up. He put the straw in Ty’s mouth, and Ty drank deeply. Boston thought about how frail Ty was, and all of his anger dissipated, replaced by big brother love.
“Thanks.” Ty closed his eyes. They were sunken, with deep shadows under them. He looked beyond exhausted.
Boston put the water back and sat, using the remote to lower Ty back down.
“Luna?” Ty asked.
“She told Addison she was heading home, but she would be back.”
“’Kay.” Ty took in a long, deep, oxygen-enriched breath through his nose.