Page 134 of Interference

He was still laughing as he replied, “Just like hanging out with hockey players.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “I love it.”

I settled against him as we all kept bantering.

And I loved it, too.

It was late when we made it back to our hotel. We carried some of our gifts up to the room since leaving them in the car was way too risky. I didn’t care how secure the parking garage allegedly was—no way in hell was I leaving a new MacBook out of my sight.

About two minutes after we walked into the room, Anthony looked around, patting his pockets. “Did I—damn it. I left my phone in the car.” He rolled his eyes and grabbed his keys. “Be right back.”

Yeah, we’d definitely been living in two different worlds. I didn’t imagine my new smartphone would be more than six inches away from my person any time soon. I was way too paranoid about it being stolen.

While Anthony went back down to retrieve his phone, I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my fingers over the box containing the sleek laptop.

The price tag was probably pocket change for him, but I was still blown away that he’d spent it on me. I still couldn’t believe he spent anything on me, never mind coughing up for a MacBook and an iPhone.

But I wasn’t marveling so much at the money as what these new devices meant. They were amazing, but not in a materialistic sense. They were like tangible representatives of what Anthony had really given me, just like this swanky hotel room and the drive down to Portland in his luxury SUV. It wasn’t that any of it was fancy or expensive—it just all added up to me reconnecting with my family. To the world I’d been terrified I was severed from forever. The electronics meant I could stay connected with the people I loved. It also meant I could look for jobs and follow up on my VA claim. I could use the GI Bill and take online classes.

These weren’t status symbols or expensive trinkets from a rich boyfriend. They were connection and hope that had been so far gone from my life that I could barely get my head around them now.

I put the laptop aside and ran a hand through my hair. I was still overwhelmed from the past handful of days. Against all odds, I’d been able to spend precious time with my dad while there was still time left. I’d been able to take some weight off my mom’s shoulders. Those things, I’d known I needed, even if I hadn’t thought they were possible.

What I hadn’t realized was how distant my relationship with my brother had become. Today’s conversation had been hard as hell, and I was still wrung out and raw from it, but holy shit, I was relieved. Of all the things I’d been missing over the last year or two, I hadn’t known just how badly I’d needed to reconnect with Jon.

And it was all because of the same man who’d gone out of his way to outfit Lily and me before telling us, “You know what? Just stay here.”

I looked at my dog, who was watching me intently. “We really lucked out, didn’t we?” I stroked her smooth head. “We hit the damn lottery.”

She wagged her tail, and I smiled to myself. Yeah. We really had hit the jackpot.

The keycard clicked in the door, startling me out of my thoughts, and I looked up as Anthony came into the room.

He smiled, holding his phone up triumphantly. “Found it!”

“Right where you left it?”

Rolling his eyes, he nodded. “Yep. I should just tether it to my hand.”

“There’s always duct tape.”

“Or I can just not be an idiot about it.” He put his phone, keys, and keycard down beside his wallet. “But that might be asking a bit much.”

I just chuckled and pushed myself to my feet.

He glanced past me at the laptop. “Do you, um, want to get that set up?”

“No.” I crossed the room to him and put my hands on his waist. “It can wait.”

Interest sparked in his eyes. “Yeah?”

“Mmhmm.” I lifted my chin and kissed him lightly. “I, um… Thank you. Again. For everything. Bringing me down here to see my family. The…” I nodded toward the laptop.

“I figured it would be helpful for you.”

“It will be.” I hesitated. “You know you don’t have to do all this stuff for me, though, right? You don’t have to buy me things.”

“I know.” He kissed my knuckles, then smiled at me. “But I like seeing you happy. And you said looking for a job is tough without access to a smartphone and a laptop.” He half-shrugged. “So I thought this would make things easier for you.”

“It will make things easier,” I whispered. “So much easier.” I swallowed. “But it also—it means I can stay in touch with my family more than I have. And bringing me down here, it was…” Christ, why couldn’t I talk? “I don’t know if I’d have seen my dad again without you.” I carded my fingers through his hair. “I probably wouldn’t have ever had Christmas with him again. So… thank you.”

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