Page 56 of Seductive Swimmer
“Wine would be better,” I half laugh, half sob.
“I’ve got that, too.”
An hour later I am ensconced on Dex and Bianca’s couch, Molly pressed against my side, a pile of damp tissues on my other side, and a glass of wine in my hand. I’ve explained everything, from my feelings for Alex, to my frustration over his inability to tell me anything, to him adopting Molly and me freaking out.
Like a true friend, Bianca didn’t say anything, didn’t pass any judgement the entire time I was pouring my heart out to her. But now that I’m done, she’s shaking her head in disbelief.
“I love you, Van, but you’re a fucking moron.”
“I know,” I mutter under my breath, dropping my gaze back down to Molly. She lets out a huff as if she, too, agrees with Bianca’s assessment.
“From what you’ve told me, it seems as if Alex has never allowed himself to get close to a woman until you. Doesn’t it make sense that he’d have no clue how to share his feelings with you? You’ve got to remember, men are idiots.”
The frank way with which she says that makes me smile. It’s true, and no one knows that better than Bianca.
“His feelings were right there in front of you the whole time, Van. He was showing you that he was falling in love with you, probably long before he realized it himself. Hell, he probablystilldoesn’t realize that’s what has happened.”
I sniff. “You really think so?” I hate sounding and feeling so insecure, but I need to hear it from her. She may not know Alex well, but she knows me. And that means she knows what I need right now.
“Yeah, I do. And I think you love him, too.”
I just nod, as a fresh wave of tears fall. Bianca hands me the box of tissues with a sympathetic smile.
“So, the question is, what are you going to do about that?”
I look up at her through my tear-filled eyes. “That depends. Can you keep Molly for me for a few days?”
She pulls me in for a hug, disrupting Molly who hops off the couch and goes in search of food.
“That’s a stupid question. She can stay with us as long as it takes. We love you and we love that big goofy dog. Just like your man does. Now go and get him.”
Feeling better than I have over the last twenty-four hours, I smile at my friend. How I got so lucky to have her and Dex in my life I will never know, but my gratitude for them knows no limits. Bianca convinces me to stay for dinner, and as much as I want to get on a plane to England right this very second, I realize I need to take a breath and figure out a plan. Over pasta primavera, Dex and Bianca’s daughter, Georgina, keeps me distracted with her adorable antics. And when dinner is over, when I go to leave, both Dex and Bianca pull me in for deep hugs.
I leave their apartment still nervous and worried about seeing Alex and hopefully working things out, but far more hopeful about it all as well.
Back at home, I open up my computer to look for flights when my phone vibrates with an incoming message. For a second my breath catches, thinking it might be Alex, but then I see Brayden’s name and number.
BRAYDEN: Are you okay? Did you talk to Alex?
Not wanting to try and explain things over text to the man who is still, technically, my boss, I call him.
“Hey. I’m sorry for running out today, and I’m even sorrier to say I need to take a few days off,” I begin.
“Are you going to England?” he asks, his voice echoing, as if I’m on speakerphone.
“Yeah. I am.”
“Thank God.” I hear the sound of computer keys clicking in the background. “You’re booked on the nine pm flight tomorrow night out of JFK. I’ll have a car pick you up at seven, okay?”
I’m stunned into silence for just a second before my brain catches up to what he said. “Brayden, you don’t have to buy me a plane ticket, I can get it—”
“Savannah, just go to him, please.” Brayden interrupts, his voice cracking with emotion. “Being around his dad is hard enough, and if something is going on with his mom, he’s going to need you. He may be my best friend, but you’re the one who should be with him right now. Just please, let me help.”
I ache, realizing that Alex may not even realize just how loved he is. Not just by me, but Brayden and Lorelai, too. A thought strikes me. A sudden, horrifying flash of insight. God, I hope I’m wrong about this, even if it would explain so many things about Alex.
“When he had his accident, his leg, did his parents come to see him?”
Brayden’s intake of breath tells me the answer I’m dreading. “No. His dad refused to come, or let his mother come. He was alone. I didn’t even know about it until several weeks later, when he was out of the hospital. The fool didn’t tell me. Only his coach and his teammates knew.”
He went through a terrifying, soul-destroying loss alone. Everything makes sense now. And I need to get to him, tell him that he is loved, and that he’s not alone anymore. He never will be.
“Book the flight, Brayden.”
“I already did.”
