Page 107 of Untethered Heart
“Is she okay?” When I look up at Isabelle, her blue eyes are glassy, and she’s chewing on her thumbnail. I lean my open palm over the desk, and she takes it willingly, putting her small hand in mine and squeezing.
“She’s not physically hurt, if that’s what you’re asking.” I shake my head when he just mutters back at me. “Why won’t you talk to her?” I push, not hiding the irritation in my question.
“Did she tell you that?”
“I’m taking a wild guess.”
“She could have been hurt,” Gage says, the confession quiet and raw.
“She is hurt.”
“You just fucking said she wasn’t,” he snaps.
“I said physically. You ignoring her is something different.” And Jesus, when did I start wanting my brother to talk to Iz? A few months ago, I was warning him away, and now… now I don’t know what I want to happen. But it’s not my brother and my best friend hurting.
“I didn’t look after her.” The line goes dead, and Isabelle’s hand slips out of mine.
“Just give him some time, Iz. The accident. It brings up part of his past that isn’t healed.”
She nods her head as she stands. “Thanks, OG.”
Once Isabelle leaves, I pick up my phone to text Gage.
ME:
I’m here for you if you want to have a real conversation.
GAGE:
Okay, be real with me. Did you just have me on speakerphone?
Oh shit. No way could he know that. I’m pretty sure. Before I can bluff, he sends me another text.
GAGE:
I heard her earrings. Those long pendant ones that clink every time she moves.
ME:
Just answer her. Please. I don’t like seeing my friend so down. Or my brother…
I get a thumbs-up emoji. I don’t know if that means he’ll talk to Isabelle, or he’s just acknowledging my feelings on the subject, but hopefully both my friend and brother get back to their normal selves soon.
This whole situation has made me so grateful to have Lex by my side. Having someone to lean on for big and small things reminds me of those moments I would see my parents share. Growing up, those in-between times when they confided in each other and downloaded their day, shared passing thoughts or niggling concerns.
Lex has become my everything. I didn’t think I was capable of having a love so sweet.
I bring up the search engine on my computer to find a florist who can deliver as soon as possible. It takes a phone conversation and a two-hundred-dollar tip, but that’s a drop in the ocean compared to what I’d give for Lex.
I spend another hour online shopping, wondering how much of a dork I am for buying matching pyjama sets, especially when I demand Lex sleep naked next to me every night.
She’s working at the nightclub tonight, so I don’t mind staying back a bit longer in the office until I go down to see her later with some dinner. I love our routine, this new life we’ve slipped into. It feels like she was made to perfectly co-exist with me.
My phone beeps and then beeps again beside me. Picking it up, I see a picture of a huge bouquet of red roses.
SIREN:
Awww, Honey, you’re so sweet. I had to take these through the back door, they wouldn’t fit through the front. I love you <3 see you later xx
