Page 47 of Accidentally Falling
I made the mistake of not having my headphones handy for my flight to Chicago and learned my lesson for the flight home.
Never again.
Grabbing my luggage from the carousel, I turn and scan the crowd, my eyes widening when they don’t land on Jude but his brother, Deacon.
Deacon smiles and gives me a small wave as he walks toward me, people giving him a wide berth.
“How was your flight?” he asks, taking the handle of my suitcase and pulling my carry-on from my shoulder.
“Oh, it was fine and thank you. Where’s Jude? Not that I’m not happy to see you, I just…”
“You were just expecting him; I get it,” he says easily, leading me out of the terminal toward the parking lot.
Jude made a big deal about dropping me off and picking me up. I rolled my eyes no fewer than three times during that conversation but had finally relented because he’d been adamant.
“Something like that.”
“He had to run to the bar really quick but didn’t want you to have to wait. Besides, I’m a great car-trip buddy. I brought you snacks, and I have no problem jamming out to ABBA if that’s your jam. I’ll even take the high notes.”
I laugh and he grins. “Did you practice that pitch?”
“Nah, I just never had a sister before and I’m excited.” His words nearly knock the breath from my lungs as he opens the passenger side door for me before tucking my luggage in the back seat.
“I appreciate that. You. This is really nice,” I admit, relaxing against the headrest as he starts the truck and reverses out of the spot.
“Happy to do it, and it’s cool seein’ my brother happy. I know you guys are taking it one day at a time but I just want you to know you get me too. If you or the baby ever need anything, you call me. I don’t care if you need milk in the middle of the night. Just pick up the phone, all right?”
I gape at him, my chest filling with so much warmth as he looks from me to the road.
“I will,” I manage, completely taken aback by the kindness of his words and the underlying fierceness in them.
“Good.”
“How is it that no one’s snatched you up yet?”
Barking out a laugh, he shakes his head. “I’m not ready to settle down. I like quick and casual…most times.” Sobering, he says, “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Of course.”
“I needed Jude to go first. I couldn’t chance him locking himself away every night after work. Between you, Dez, and the baby, I think he’ll finally be all right.”
“He’s really lucky to have you.”
“And we’re lucky to have you.”
Instead of answering, I give him a smile and rummage through the bag of snacks, settling on mini chocolate chip cookies and a sour candy. We ride in a comfortable silence, Deacon only breaking it to hum to a nineties Shania Twain song.
I offer him some cookies, but he just shakes his head before rummaging through the rest of what he brought before deciding on a little bag of chips. It looks comical in his big hand, the contents gone as he tosses it back like a shot of alcohol.
“Impressive,” I tease as we near my house.
“No way I can get my hand in there. Besides,” he says before swiping at his beard, “less crumbs.”
“Makes sense.” Pausing, I worry my bottom lip and try to hide my smile. “Can I ask you a question?”
He turns his head toward me and narrows his eyes. “Sure.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” It’s none of my business, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious.
