Page 37 of Stay with Me
“Andrew Brian Nolan. You stop right there,” Uncle Mooney commanded. Oh yeah, he might be retired but he still had it in him. Drew straightened, raised his chin, and pulled his shoulders back. Snapped right to attention.
“Sir, yes, sir,” came out of his mouth by rote.
“About face, soldier.” Guess Uncle Mooney was this side of pissed. Turning, Drew glanced at his uncle’s face but didn’t — couldn’t — meet his eyes. He stared right over his shoulder like he was taught by his instructors. Uncle Mooney took a step closer, making Smokey growl. “Put your dog at ease, Lieutenant.” Drew relaxed enough to give a hand signal to Smokey, releasing him from his attack posture.
“I don’t see any visible signs of injury. Would you like to explain what the hell you’ve been thinking? Disappearing. Turning off your cell. Not telling anyone where you were?” Uncle Mooney paused, looking at him expectantly. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself? And what the ever-loving bullshit were you just spouting off? Not good enough? Has anyone in this family ever implied they weren’t proud of you?” He didn’t give Drew a chance to answer. “Nova talked to your boyfriend and he told her that you said some bullshit about him being better off without you. Your uncles thought you’d been in an accident when you didn’t show up as scheduled. We’ve all been trying to find you.Allof your family has been worried sick. I had a feeling today to look here. Tris is ready to get on a plane, assignment be damned because you’re missing.”
“Are you done, Sergeant Major?” Drew asked, snidely.
“Excuse me?” Mooney said. A deadly, calm tone emanating from those two simple words. He’d always heard about the infamous dressing downs that his father and uncles gave out. He’d been a good kid and didn’t get into serious trouble as a teen, so he’d never experienced his father’s wrath. Seems he wasabout to be on the receiving end of his uncle’s. Oh, shit. “You are not stupid enough to speak to me in that tone. Are you high or drunk?”
Drew wasn’t sure how to answer his uncle, so he stood there silently. Maybe he could just curl up and fade away.
“Drew, talk to me,” Uncle Mooney stepped closer and put both hands on Drew’s shoulders. “What happened?”
That one short question broke through and dropped him to his knees. Tears began to run down his cheeks, and he couldn’t stop shaking his head. “I didn’t protect him. I told Brody that I’d keep Jared safe. That he wouldn’t be pushed aside. I failed and he’s in the hospital. I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t—” Drew choked on a sob as Uncle Mooney wrapped his arms around him and pulled Drew into his chest.
§ § § §
Drew turned off the shower and stood there. He didn’t have anything left in him. When Uncle Mooney got Drew home, Aunt Debbie had taken one look at him and brought him to the bathroom. Told him to get in and warm up, that she would find him something to change into. Drew pushed the curtain back and grabbed a towel. An old set of sweatpants and a Clemson sweatshirt that had seen better days were sitting on the counter. It didn’t take him long to dry off and pull on the comfort in fleece. Guess it was time for him to face the music.
He walked down the stairs; Smokey met him at the bottom to knock against his hand. After Drew made sure Smokey was okay, they headed to the kitchen. Drew found his aunt and uncle sitting at the table holding mugs. He cleared his throat, causing them both to turn toward him.
“Thank you for the clothes and getting me out of the rain,” Drew said, feeling uncomfortable for the first time in his lifewith his family. Oh, he’d always felt like a let down and not good enough to be a part of the amazing circle that made up his family but he’d never been apprehensive. He didn’t know what was going to happen. He didn’t think he’d been disowned, but he knew that he had disappointed all of them.
“Are you fuc—” Uncle Mooney started to talk but was quickly cut off by Aunt Debbie.
“Rafael Stefano Luna, you check yourself right now. Andrew doesn’t need us to attack. He needs our support and understanding. Do you hear me?” Aunt Debbie glared at her husband, who was grinding his teeth together if Drew read the movement of his jaw correctly. “Well?” she asked pointedly.
“I might not be the best officer or soldier but even I know the answer to that question is ‘ma’am, yes, ma’am’,” Drew answered. Uncle Mooney nodded then placed a kiss on his wife’s temple.
“While Andrew is correct that the answer is ‘yes, ma’am’, he is completely incorrect in his assessment of his skills and qualifications. That will be a discussion for tomorrow. Take a seat, Drew. Debs made you some soup and a sandwich before you crash upstairs,” Uncle Mooney instructed him. “I’d suggest you call your parents and let them know you’re okay. Yes, I sent out a group text letting everyone know I found you but I’m sure they want to hear it from you.”
“Yes, sir,” he said as he walked across the room with Smokey close on his heels. Aunt Debbie stood and wrapped him in a tight hug.
“You had us all worried. We love you,” she whispered before letting go. Drew chewed on his lip as he sat down. He couldn’t quite meet his uncle’s gaze. A plate-bowl combination appeared in his line of sight, making his stomach growl.
“Eat up. Call your parents and then sleep. None of us know what’s going on in your head but it can wait for the sun to rise,” Uncle Mooney said as he stood up. “I’ll take Smokey out if he’ll come with me.”
Drew reached down and scratched Smokey’s head before saying, “Take a break” to the dog. Smokey’s reaction was instantaneous. He jumped up and ran to the back door.
“Guess we all have our orders,” his uncle joked as he opened the door.
§ § § §
Brody grabbed his car keys. He’d buried himself in the house for twenty-four-plus hours… he was not going to sink into a depression. Since they were supposed to be gone, there was no food in the house and he’d eaten the last of the frozen waffles for dinner last night. Whether he wanted to hide or not, he needed food. If he brought home a week’s worth of junk food, sue him.
As he was getting to the bottom of the stairs, he heard a squeal that made him turn. Standing not ten feet away was Trish with Nicole on her hip. The little girl had her arms out with her little hands opening and closing like she was trying to grab him. Brody felt the tears form again. Fuck him. He looked to the sky and blinked back the tears.
“B, b, b, b, b, b, b, b, b,” Nicole babbled and, as he got close, she launched herself at him. Quick moving on Trish and Brody’s parts kept her from hitting the cement head first. He cuddled her to his chest and buried his face in her neck. He was going to miss this.
“How are you doing?” Trish asked as she put an arm around his back. Brody wasn’t sure he could answer her. Drew had pulled his heart out and stomped on it. Having someone show sympathy and caring toward him? Yeah, he wasn’t sure what todo. Or what to say. So, he said nothing. “Nova said she talked to you. I know she told you to check in with one of us and I also know you’ve probably overthought it enough that you believe you’ll just slip away. Disappear from our lives and no one will notice. How’d I do?”
“Your husband has obviously taught you how to aim straight,” Brody choked out. Nicole leaned back and started babbling at him — must have learned that from her mother — and then started slapping his face with hands.
“Gentle, baby girl, gentle,” Trish said as she pulled Nicole’s hands down. “Even if I agree with you that Uncle B needs some sense knocked into him. Uncle D, too. Now, are you going to join us for lunch or be stubborn? A bit of advice? I’ve learned to outstubborn a member of the heptad so I can, and will, win. Save yourself some hassle and just come eat with us.”
Brody shook his head, knowing he was not going to win this argument. “I believe I’ve heard Drew answer similar questions and there is only one correct one. Ma’am, yes, ma’am.”
