Page 33 of Falling for the Guy Next Door

I gazed up at him and could feel my heart breaking with each word. “You were just telling me about you and Bosco. Some friendships come with a lot more than just hanging out together occasionally on the weekend. Emily and I have a lot of history together, both good and bad. Emily would never forgive me and then I’d lose my best friend. I know, it sounds strange.” I released his hand, or he tugged his away first, I wasn’t entirely sure. “We’ve always been there for each other, and it feels, it feels like betrayal.”

“I get it, Layla. I’m not going to push the idea, but hey, if you decide you want to get to know me better—I’m all for it.”

“Thanks. Can I still take Rocky out on a walk tomorrow?”

“Oh man, that dog of mine. I need to learn his secret. Yes, of course. But are you sure? After what happened?—”

“I’m not going to hide in the house because Dustin couldn’t handle rejection. And maybe I’m wrong about all of it, and I have some other secret admirer who decided to leave me a rose.”

“That doesn’t sound far-fetched to me at all. Goodnight, Layla.”

“Goodnight, Nash.” I stopped and rubbed the top of Rocky’s head. “Goodnight handsome.”

Nash chuckled behind me as I headed across to the cottage.

ChapterTwenty

Nash

Ifed Rocky, checked his water and grabbed my keys. A light fog had coasted in overnight giving everyone and all the critters in nature a break from the incessant heat. It was almost cool enough to consider running back in for my sweatshirt, but I skipped the idea.

My phone rang as I sat down behind the steering wheel. An early morning call from my sister was never good. I braced myself for bad news.

“Hey, Becky, what’s up?”

“I wanted to let you know that the specialist, Dr. Burman, had a cancellation on his surgery schedule. He can fit Mom in two weeks from today, otherwise, he’s booked four months out.”

I slumped down in exasperation. She sounded so excited and hopeful … and pushy, something she was good at. “Seems like you’re forgetting that we have no way to pay for an operation like that.”

“I spoke to the office manager, and she said we could pay it in five installments with the first installment due on the day of the surgery.”

“Beck, that’s like twelve grand. We don’t have that.”

“Are you sure we can’t take more out of the house? Mom thought there was still plenty of equity.”

“Mom’s really up for this too, eh?” I asked.

“I haven’t seen her in this good of a mood in a long time. It’s her chance to be out of pain and become active again.” Becky paused and said something away from the phone. “Mom wants to talk to you.”

“Uh, I’m just on my way to?—”

“Nash, baby, how are you?” Mom sounded weak and nothing like herself. The constant pain and disappointment of not getting better was wearing her down. Becky knew what she was doing. It would be much harder to disappoint Mom.

“I’m good, Mom. How are you after that last fall?”

“Better.” Her voice wavered. “Do you think there’s any equity left in the house? I thought there might be because the house down the street sold for four hundred thousand, and it’s not nearly as nice as ours.” Mom had pushed aside the fact that our house needed a new roof, and the driveway was just patches of cement dotted with weeds. And that was probably only the start of it.

“Mom, we already took out a second, and that was the maximum amount we could take. There’s not enough equity to borrow. It would take more than two weeks to get a loan even if we did try it.”

Her sniffles came through the phone, and they landed like stones in my gut. “I’ve let both of you down so much, and financially, we’re in ruins.”

“No, we’re not in ruins, Mom. I just don’t know how to get the money for that operation. I’m not giving up on the idea. Tell Becky to grab the spot on the doctor’s calendar. We can always cancel. I just need some time. But Mom, no promises, all right? Is there any way you can appeal it with the insurance company?”

“The financial manager in Dr. Burman’s office called them to make the case that this would help improve the quality of my life, but it was still denied. Apparently, I’m not close enough to death or in enough pain to make it anything but elective. They’re not really interested in quality of life. Enough about me, sweetie, what are you up to? How is the band?”

I had no intention of bringing up Moonstone’s demise. It would only compound her worries, and she didn’t need that. “The band is good. Bosco was asking about you.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. Give him a hug for me.”

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