Page 92 of Worlds Collide

Derek just shrugs, not minding the tears streaming silently down his face. I barely tip my lips up and then he’s joining the hug. I close my eyes again and accept the silent apology for what it is.

Derek and I were never friends because we had deep meaningful conversations, or inside jokes, we were friends because we could justbewith each other. There were days when we didn’t exchange a single word—just grunts, and that worked for us. Looks like it still works.

In the past few months, somewhere in there, I accepted that Derek was always meant to be for my brother. And that’sokay.

It’s fate, and I’m still grateful that my brother has his perfect match. That will never change.

“Good to see you, Deedee,” I whisper and get the expected grunt in return. He never liked that I called him that, but because of a stupid bet, I earned the right, and I’m the only one who has it.

I linger in the hug when normally I would’ve stepped back by now because I know what’s coming next, what I’m going to have to do next.

Face CJ and not ask him to run away with me the way he asked me all those months ago.

The moment comes too soon.

Derek and Birdie step back and CJ is just there, walking toward me with a serene smile on his face. I have no idea what that smile means and it grates on me. I should be able to read him better than this, but because of my fuck ups, because I don’t—and never will—have control over myself, I haven’t had the chance to learn everything about him the way I want to.

“Hey, Max,” he whispers and hugs me. I resist for about half a second before I bury my face in his neck and hug him back as hard as I can.

“I can’t, CJ,” I whisper helplessly, and after a rattling breath I step back and look down. “I’m sorry.”

I go to walk away but he holds my shoulders.

“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m glad I could see you and I understand. Don’t apologize,” he says like a plea.

“Okay,” I answer simply, but still walk away just a few seconds later.

I only look up once I’m in the hallway again. Rich is there, and Adam comes out right at that moment.

I manage to get over my damn self for two seconds, and know exactly what to say when I see his huge smile.

“Congratulations, Papa.”

He lets out a slightly hysterical laugh and I can’t resist a big smile of my own.

“It’s a girl, Wolf,” he whispers, and my smile only gets bigger. “You’re leaving?” he asks suddenly.

I nod and gesture at the door to the waiting room. “Everyone just got here.” That’s all the explanation he needs, apparently.

“Well then, I’ll tell you her name is Daniela and you better come visit us as soon as we’re home, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper brokenly, choked up beyond anything I’ve ever felt. My throat actually hurts from how big the knot inside it is. “Thank you.” It’s not enough for how he’s bringing me into the most amazing day of his life, but it’s all I got.

“See you soon,” he says and gives me too casual an up nod for the conversation and breakthrough we just had. But again, I’ll take it.

TWENTY-SEVEN

CJ

“Jesus,that's a cute baby, Sounders. Put that away or my ovaries are going to get me in trouble,” Pres grumbles at me. Valery Preston is a resident just like me and we’re working in Dr. Litton’s department this month.

She wants to be an ortho surgeon so she’s been overly excited about this rotation since they told us last week.

“It’s my goddaughter,” I tell her, preening a bit. “She’s one month old today.” I’m probably the proudest godfather in the world, and I don’t even care about how ridiculous that is.

Dani—as Sebas and Adam told us they’ll call her for short—has been a godsend the past month since I went to New York. Since... Wolf. I was a wreck after seeing him, but having the opportunity to get to know her even for a few days in New York really helped me focus on what’s important and what’s in front of me.

My phone vibrates with yet another call from my mother. It's been constantly one phone call a day since Wolf told the world exactly how far he wants her to stay away from him, and I’m not inany hurry to answer. She should stop soon, there’s no way she’ll keep giving me this much thought.

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