Page 67 of From the Embers

“To be honest with you, I’m not mad about it. How long has it been going on?”

“Not that long,” I say, feeling sheepish. “Not right away. But we got closer over the last month, and he’s, well, he’s pretty fucking great.”

Daryl snorts. “You had to go for my best friend.”

“Correction.” I hold up a finger. “He had to go for his best friend’s little sister.”

He narrows his eyes. “I know you, sis. I know how persuasive you can be.”

“We were gonna tell you at my housewarming dinner, but Mom and I decided that won’t be until Thanksgiving because that’s when we can get everyone together.”

“Do Mom and Dad know?”

“Mom does,” I say, biting my lip. “I confessed because I was so worried you’d be mad and things would be awkward between us.”

“You should know me better than that. I’ve got no reservations that Denver isn’t a great guy for you, the problem is it becomes awkward for our friendship if you two break up⁠—”

“We won’t be breaking up.”

He side-eyes me as we rush to the elevator. I stab the button over and over. “You’re sure about that?”

“Pretty darned sure.”

“Jesus, I haven’t been gone that long. You really had to fall for my best friend?”

“I didn’t mean to.”

He gives me a sympathetic smile and then says, “Let’s take the fucking stairs.”

We race down, two at a time, and when we finally get to his truck, I clamber into the passenger seat. He starts her up and we pull out into the street.

“For the record,” Daryl says, his eyes on the road. “All I’ve ever wanted for you, and for Carrie, is to be happy, and if that means you want to date Denver, then I’m okay with that.”

I give him a teary smile. “You’re a good brother, but would you really be saying that if D wasn’t holed up in a hospital, fighting for life?”

“He’s in recovery,” Daryl reminds me. “Let’s not jump to conclusions until we’re there, okay? And yes, I would be saying it because you could have just told me. I’m a big boy. I’m not going to condemn you or talk you out of it. Yeah, I have concerns about what happens if you two don’t work out, but I have zero say in who you want to be with.”

I nod, giving his arm a squeeze. “I appreciate you saying that.”

“You’ve always been very strong willed, and had amazing gut instinct. I trust you, and I trust Denver implicitly. You may not know this about him because he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, but he’s fiercely loyal, protective, and a decent guy. I figure whatever you two have going on is something you need to explore. And really, am I that much of a stick in the mud that I’d come down heavy on you?”

I burst into tears, covering my face with my hands. “You being nice is making it so much worse.”

He chuckles. “Well, I’m not going to yell at you. You’re a grown woman in charge of your own life. If Denver steps out of line, trust me, I may be a nerd but I’ve got means and ways to make him disappear, best friend or not.”

I laugh, wiping my tears. “I’m gonna hold you to that.”

I know my brother is a good guy. I’ve always known it, but I’m also hearing his words. Things would be awkward if me and Denver had a bad breakup. Which is all the more reason to be open and honest with each other. Denver has admitted he’s not the best at sharing how he feels, but he’s opening up little by little. After he and Bodhi came over that night, things between us changed. I heard him out. I knew deep down that Hannah was a trouble maker, heck, I saw it coming a mile away, but I also realized a lot about myself in that moment: I run away when things get hard. I can’t do that to Denver, not if we really want to give this a shot.

So that’s what I hold onto as Daryl drives across the city, my heart hammering in my chest because the man I love almost died today.

It’s him. Only him. And I can’t wait to tell him so.

twenty

Denver

When I open my eyes, it doesn’t feel as fuzzy. The doctor is assessing me, a smile on her face.