Page 24 of Fractured Grief (Hope’s Ridge #2)

Seb

I ndy had been so busy that we hadn’t been able to chat for more than a few minutes via texts.

I still didn’t know who was taking over my appointments or if he’d spoken to Carol yet.

Trusting he had it under control, I would find out on Friday, at my next appointment.

From the few snippets he’d mentioned, he had no support system.

He hadn’t been able to go out or make friends and didn’t know his neighbors or the area well enough to explore. It sounded lonely.

I had a few ideas for our date, and until he told me otherwise, I was still planning. I was surprised at how excited I was every time I thought about it.

“You’ve still got a while to wait. Should I be worried about all this smiling you’ve been doing? It’s scaring me.” Lyric motioned to my face, which had been smiling often since Saturday .

I’d finally taken the time to groom my beard and get my hair trimmed and styled. I was ready and excited to hopefully see Indy and tease him about our date.

“Leave me alone. I smiled all the time before.”

“Not like this,” Lyric cautioned.

“What are you talking about? I was always smiling and messing around with you, Atty, and Theo.”

“Sure, you joked and stuff, but you never really smiled,” Lyric paused, turning serious. “Not like you have lately, not since before Pa died.”

His words hit me in the solar plexus. It had taken each of us quite some time to smile again after losing Pa. He and Ma were the heart and soul of our family, and we’d lost our light when we lost our Pa.

“That’s not true.” But I knew it was. I thought I was better at hiding it. With Lyric living with me, I’d been dropping my mask more, but I blamed it on my recovery. Lyric saw more than I realized. “Sorry,” I muttered.

“You don’t need to be sorry, Seb. We all miss Pa. You know we’re here for you, any time you need.” Lyric’s gaze bore into mine as he continued, “Even if you’d like help airing out the workshop, or something.”

I froze as nausea settled in my stomach. I couldn’t go in there. No one should go in there. “N-n-no. Don’t. Please, Lyric,” I stuttered, imploringly.

Lyric moved to sit beside me at the breakfast bar and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “I miss him, too. Every day. ”

Patting his hand, “I know. He’d be so disappointed in me.”

“What! No, he wouldn’t. Why would you even say that?” Lyric exclaimed.

“You know why. I can’t even step foot inside.

All the work we’d done is probably ruined.

I haven’t even looked at the car s-since I found him.

” My eyes burned with unshed tears as I told the truth.

I’d been the one to find Pa. He’d been working on our restoration project, and I’d ducked out to grab us some coffee.

By the time I came back, he was dead. Now, whenever I thought of the beautiful 1964 Pontiac Tempest Convertible, all I could see was Pa lying dead on the floor near the hood.

“It’s been over three years. I can still see it like it was yesterday.” Silent tears streamed down both our faces. “It hurts too much, Lyric. It hurts too m-m-much.”

“I know,” Lyric whispered. “I feel it too. I see Pa whenever I look in the mirror.”

Glancing at Lyric out of the corner of my eye to see that he was similarly affected, with tears caught on his thick eyelashes.

Even in profile, he looked so much like Pa when he was young.

With his high cheekbones, regal nose, and intense green eyes, I could only imagine how distressing all the similarities must be for him.

Even their boisterous personalities matched.

“Maybe we should both talk to someone. About Pa, I mean. I’m sure Levi could help you,” Lyric added gently.

“Probably,” I answered, knowing he was right. “I will, if you will.” I needed to be able to move forward and face my grief. It was the healthy thing to do. I wanted to work on myself if I had any hope of having a successful relationship. It didn’t make it any easier to face, though.

Most of the week passed quickly, and it was Friday before I knew it. I was so excited to see Indy. I was overflowing with nervous energy. So much so, I’d even annoyed Lyric into leaving early.

My appointment had been changed to an afternoon session, and my reminder text said Dr Carol Redcliffe would be attending.

I wasn’t sure if she was there to supervise or was taking over my care.

Carol was head of the department and the manager of outpatient care, but I couldn’t remember her taking on clients, so I had no idea what was happening.

I hoped that Indy was okay and that everything worked out.

It was two o’clock when they arrived, and I couldn’t help the smile taking over my face as I opened the door.

“Hi…wait, what’s wrong?” I asked as I took in Indy’s mask-covered face. His eyes were red, and he looked exhausted .

“I’m fine. I think I have a cold and wanted to take all the precautions to avoid giving it to any of my patients.” His smile reached his eyes as he gazed up at me.

“Hi Seb. It’s good to see you again.” Carol spoke from beside Indy. “Mind if we come in?”

“Of course.” I quickly moved aside to let them in. Gently placing a hand on Indy’s shoulder, I got him to hold back a bit. “Are you okay? You look tired. Can I g-get you something?”

“I’m okay. Just a busy week, and this cold has hit me hard.” He shuffled past me and followed Carol into my living room.

The coffee table was still off to the side since my first appointment, so the rug was clear and ready for us to start.

Taking a seat on the single recliner, I gestured to the three-seater that sat in the center of the room, waiting, with a close eye on Indy.

He was too pale. He needed some of Ma’s healing soup.

Focus, Seb. There’ll be caretaker time later.

“So, let’s jump right in. There’s no point beating around the bush. I understand you two wish to pursue a romantic relationship. Is that still the case?” Carol smirked as she looked between me and Indy.

I smiled at Indy as he nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. But I don’t want it to affect Indy’s j-ob.”

“I know. Indy and I have had a few discussions this week and have come to an agreement. As we are fully booked, I will be taking over your care. Unfortunately, I will only be able to make one appointment a week in person. We can do an online, telehealth style for the supplement appointments, or leave it, and I will have to trust you are doing your daily exercises, stretches, and strengthening.” She raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yes, ma’am. I do all of those daily.”

“Good. From your notes and progress, Indy assures me you’re an excellent patient.

I know you will continue to work hard even without Indy’s official guidance.

” Carol pulled out a stack of forms from her satchel.

“I have a transfer of care form to cover, and then we can get started. Indy also mentioned that you can’t drive, but you would like to.

I can work with Judy to make this an additional priority if you’d like. ”

“Yes, p-p-lease. I’m a mechanic and love to drive, so if we could, that would be g-great.” I glanced at Indy. I doubted I’d be able to drive by our date, but the fact that it was on the cards boosted me more than I would have thought. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I will work you hard and ensure you are pushing yourself safely and often. You’ll probably hate me, but I get results,” she smiled with a somewhat manic grin. “Let’s get to work.”

Carol put me through a quick circuit that had me sweating, panting, and my arms shaking by the end.

She was right. I think I would hate her if she were always going to work me this hard.

We finished up the paperwork, and she gave me a list of exercises and stretches she wanted me to work on, and then the session was over.

I didn’t want Indy to leave yet. We hadn’t had any time together, and our texts during the week weren’t enough.

I wasn’t sure I could wait eight more days to see him again.

It wasn’t as if I could keep them here any longer or ask Carol to wait while I spent time with Indy.

“Well, I’ll see you next week, Seb. I’ll have a schedule sent through for you to approve, and please feel free to email me if you have any trouble with the exercises in the meantime.” And with that, she left, shooting a wink to Indy as she closed the door behind her.

“She’s fun,” I was being sarcastic, of course, as a breathy chuckle left my lungs. “I guess I’ll see you next week, too.”

“Or we could catch up for about an hour before I, too, have to leave,” Indy smirked at me.

“Wait. You’re not leaving?”

“Not unless you want me to.” His eyes sparkled as he teased me.

“Please stay,” I launched at him and wrapped him in a hug, so happy to feel my arms around him.

The laugh that burst out of him was music to my ears. “I’m guessing this was a nice surprise.”

“A wonderful s-surprise,” I said as I kissed the top of his head. I paused, pulling back from him. “Are you okay, though? You feel warm.” I placed my palm on his forehead.

He swatted my hand away and stepped back. “I’m fine. It’s probably just a cold. We’ve been run off our feet at the clinic, so my body’s tired and struggling to fight it off.”

“Okay,” I hesitated. “Well then, you need to sit and I’ll make some tea.

” I guided him back over to the couch before I used my new cane to make my way into the kitchen and put the kettle on.

I got Yaya’s ginger honey tea, which she swore would halve a cold and knock out any fever.

Once brewed, I brought the cup to Indy, who was gazing at me with a softness in his eyes I couldn’t name.

“It’s my Yaya’s healing tea. She swears by it,” passing him the cup. “Careful, it’s hot.”

Indy pulled his mask down to breathe in the tea. “Thank you,” he whispered before taking a careful sip. “Hmm, it’s good.” He rested his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes for a moment. “It’s nice to just stop for a minute.”

“It sounds like you’ve had a hell of a week.” I gently brushed his ashy curls off his forehead. “You rest.”

He must have been truly exhausted, because he smiled and fell asleep right there. I was honored that he felt so comfortable with me that he could just fall asleep. I moved his cup and watched him sleep for longer than probably was appropriate before the door opened and Lyric walked in.

“How was. . . it?”

I held my finger to my lips to shush him before moving off the couch to meet him by the door. “Shh, he’s exhausted.”

“Aww, look at you being all cute.” Lyric jostled my shoulder, playfully. “I take it your appointment was good, but how is he still here?”

“He and Carol came separately, and he must have cancelled appointments to stay.” I could feel my face breaking into a giant smile.

“Oh boy, look at you all giddy and in lurve ,” Lyric teased .

“Shut up. No teasing, pl-lease,” I implored.

“But it’s so cute.” Lyric gazed at me with his palms on his cheeks like a lovesick child. “My giant, stoic, lug of a brother getting all the feelings . It just makes me so happy!” He was squealing.

“Shh, keep it down and k-keep it to yourself.” I shoved him towards the stairs. “Go away and leave us be.”

“But I’m hungry, ” Lyric added as he tried to make his way to the kitchen. Grabbing the hood of his hoodie, I pulled him back.

“No, you’re not. You’re a brat. Go.” I pointed to the stairs.

“You’re no fun,” he pouted before making his way up the stairs. It was still weird that he was in my old bedroom, and my room was now downstairs.

Once I was sure he was gone and not going to come back and continue annoying me, I went to grab some water before sitting next to Indy. He murmured in his sleep as I sat, and he shifted to cuddle into my side, his head on my arm, still fast asleep.

A rightness settled over me at having him in my arms again.

I’d known he was special from our first meeting, but I don’t think I realized how special until this moment—seeing his much smaller body next to mine, fitting perfectly against me.

I could feel the clawing darkness inside me loosen its hold.

He’d helped me learn things about myself; things I didn’t think were in the cards for me.

He gave me hope of more, shaking away the loneliness and grief that had been a part of me since Pa died.

I wasn’t living, I’d just been coasting.

Indy made me long for more, a real life, a family, kids.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Hazel. She was so cute. I hope I’ll get to spend time with her, too. What was it like to have an eight-year-old? Would Indy want more kids?

My eyelids grew heavy as my mind ran away with the idea of kids and what my life with Indy could be like.