by Marie Harte
“I could see from the start you were different than the other girls Foley’d been with. You’re special.”
“Nah. I’m just—”
“Special.” He squeezed her hand. “You’re too good for him. Hell, too good for all of us, but you fit right in. I only said that shit about you in the garage that day because I was jealous and scared,” he said in a raw voice. “You could take him away from me, and I don’t have that many good friends.”
“Sam, don’t you know Foley would never desert you? Not for me or anyone. He’s loyal, and you’re his best friend. He’s told me so on more than one occasion. And that’s great. I wish I had a friend like you. Nina’s probably it, but she got stuck with me because of my brother.”
His breath hitched, but he pretended not to notice, so she did too. “Yeah, well, you’re smarter than I am. I got scared, so I hit you where it hurt. I saw you come in, so I made that crack about you. Damn, Cyn. You’d have to be a complete idiot to think you’re ugly or fat. Yeah, you’re tall. You have breasts and hips and a kickin’ ass.”
She clapped a hand over his mouth when a few men in the waiting room looked over at them.
He wriggled his mouth free and continued in a lower voice, “He called dibs first, or trust me, we’d have been hitting it.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “All I know is my boy fell hard for you. Real hard. And I get the feeling I’m the reason you’re not together. It’s not his fault. You’re special. I’m the nobody. You matter, Cyn. Without you, he’s not right.” Sam paused and brought her hand up for a kiss. “He needs you.”
Cyn could only stare at him in shock. Then he nodded to the stairwell. “Go find him. He’s losing his mind. Security dragged him away, and he needs comfort. Even if you’re not getting back with him, could you help him out?”
“Oh, Sam. Of course I will.” She stood. “Keep an eye on my jacket for me, okay? And if Foley knows what’s good for him, he’ll take me back.”
“Hell, woman. He never got rid of you in the first place. You ditched him, remember?”
She blushed, knowing he was right. “You’re a pain, you know that?”
“Yeah, but I’m family.” His sweet smile lit up his face. “Now go help my boy before he kills someone.”
“Mr. Sanders? Oh, Miss?” The crabby nurse called out to Cyn. “We have information on Eileen Sanders.”
Cyn and Sam stared at each other, then rose as one and approached the nurse behind the desk.
* * *
Foley couldn’t think. They’d put him in some stupid room that locked from the outside. They’d threatened to call the cops, but fortunately Jacob had arrived in time and explained the situation, pleading for understanding.
Foley couldn’t do more than hold his head in his hands as he sat, praying and swearing and demanding to whatever power-that-be that his mother make it through the night. The door opened and closed, and he felt the presence of someone close.
“Not now, Jacob.”
“Been so long you can’t tell me from Jacob, hmm?”
He gave himself whiplash jerking his head up to see Cyn watching him.
He stood in silence, not sure what to say.
Her eyes dark with compassion, she gave him the hug he’d been needing for so very long. They remained still for a while. The only thing he felt was her hand stroking the back of his hair.
Her steady heartbeat and the faint scent of her perfume filled his senses, until he could almost accept she was really here. He lifted his head. “Cyn?”
“I got your text. Came as soon as I could.”
He frowned. “Text?”
“Your mom is in surgery. Sam’s up there waiting. Jacob went back to be with him.” She smiled, and her beauty made his heart ache. “Sam and I made up.”
“G-good.” He cleared his throat. “Thanks for coming.”
“I’m so sorry, Foley.” She kissed his cheek, and he felt her warmth all the way to his toes. “Your mom will be okay. She’s pretty stubborn. Must be where you get it from.”
He gave her a watery smile. “Yeah. That’s me. Stubborn.”
“Can we sit?” She motioned to the chairs in the small, otherwise empty room, and they sat. “Nice cell, by the way.”
“Ugh. Not funny.”
“I was kidding.” She seemed nervous. “I talked to your mom, since we went on our break, actually.”
He started. “You have?”
“She’s a pretty smart woman. Jacob is lucky to have her.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not upset with him for this, are you? He told me what happened.”
“Shit. No. It’s not his fault. Stupid accident.” He told himself he’d stop crying. But fuck. His mom was up there, halfway to dead for all he knew. “Cyn, what if she doesn’t make it?”
Her eyes filled. “Sweetie, she’ll make it. I’m telling you. If only to kick your ass to make sure you’re nice to Jacob. You know her better than I do. What do you think?”
“She has to make it. She’s tough.” He only wished she hadn’t always had to be. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“So am I.” She clasped his hands in hers, holding them on her lap. “I missed you, Foley.”
“You don’t have to be nice to me just because my mom is bleeding out.”
“That’s horrible.” Her frown turned into a reluctant grin. “I mean, really horrible. You’re pretty dramatic, aren’t you?” When he didn’t smile back, she sobered. “She is not bleeding out. The nurse told us they have her on the surgery table. She broke her tibia, and it’s an open fracture, but she should be okay. She woke up for a few minutes before they put her back under for the surgery too, so that’s another good thing. The nurse said something about an epidural line, so anesthesia wouldn’t be a problem. Eileen’s going to be okay,” she repeated.
“Yeah?” He felt weak with relief.
“Yeah.” She kissed his hands, then set them back on her lap. “Can I take your mind off this with an even better story?”
“God. Please do.”
“I told you I’ve talked to your mom this past week. More than once.”
“What?” Shocker number two of the day. Or was that three? He’d lost count.
“She’s an awesome woman. I mean, I wish she was my mom.” She sighed. “She made me see some harsh truths I’ve known but never dealt with. So tonight, I dealt with them.”
She told him about her mother and the dinner, about her seeing a therapist, and he sat, stunned. “Are you kidding me?” He laughed, his first since arriving at the hospital. “So you’re not going to see your mom anymore?”
“Not until she gets help for being such a wackjob,” Cyn said, sounding like him.
“Wackjob. Huh. Makes sense. I mean, who the hell undermines their kid for years? So that therapist helped you.”
She flushed. “Yeah. I always considered that kind of stuff for crazy people. I mean, normal people don’t see a shrink, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I know. Now I sound like a wackjob.”
“You said it.”
They sat in silence, and he took comfort in her presence. That she’d come when he needed her meant the world to him.
“Foley?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
He blinked. No way he’d heard what he thought. “Huh?”
“I do. It doesn’t make any sense. I’m not saying this because your mom is being operated on. And not because I’m scared of losing you or want to get you back or anything. I just thought you should know.”
“Are you on fucking crack?”
She frowned. “What?”
“You just thought I should know?” He gave an angry laugh, confused, elated, and annoyed all at once. “First
off, I was supposed to say it to you first. ’Cause yeah, it takes balls, and that’s more my department than yours. I’ve loved you for a while now. Ever since that dance at my place. Maybe it was your lasagna. Hell. I don’t know. But I love you.”
She just stared at him. “O-kay.”
“And that’s not that easy to say. I think I’ve said those words to maybe a handful of people in my life. Like my mom and Sam. And Sam not in a gay way. I love the guy like a brother.”
She coughed. “Right.”
“Right.” He stared into her velvety brown eyes, losing his train of thought.
“So you’re angry I said it first.”
“Yes. Yes, I’m angry.” He tried to get his anger back, because tears threatened once more. “Because no way in hell should you doubt how amazing you are. And you should have known that because I loved you first. I mean, I don’t just share Foley-love with every woman who wants it. And they all do, you know.”
She quirked a brow. “You have a name for it? Foley-love?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.”
“So maybe I was with a few women over the years. Hot chicks. So what? I picked you, didn’t I? Hottest one out there, bar none. I mean, everyone at New Year’s knew it. The guys all want you. Sam knows to be hands-off. Johnny’s pissed he’s stuck with Lara.”
“Oh, he is, is he?” She was openly laughing at him now.
“And Lou… I don’t trust that bastard. We need to watch out for him.”
“Sure thing, Foley-love.” She smiled.
“That’s it. We’re officially off break.”
“Okay.”
“And… Okay? That’s it?”
“Yep. You were right. I’m an idiot. I missed you, and I love you. Oh, and I’m going to work on my issues.”
She’d taken the wind out of his sails. “That’s so unfair.”
“What?”
“I had a speech prepared and everything.” His euphoria faded under worry for his mother. “God. I can’t be this happy. Not now.”
“You deserve it. Knowing Eileen, she’d demand you have it. Now let’s go back upstairs, act like nonviolent, worried people, and wait until we hear she’s okay.” They stood together, and he knew he was holding her hands too tight. But he couldn’t help it.
“What if she’s not okay, Cyn? What then?” He didn’t know what he’d do. Eileen Sanders had been his rock forever.
“Then we’ll be together. You, Sam, and I will find a way to go on.” She kissed him, so tenderly, and brought tears to his eyes again.
“Quit making me cry.”
“I will if you will.” She wiped her eyes, and her mascara ran.
“You look like a raccoon.”
“You sweet-talker.” She knocked on the glass, and the security guard grudgingly walked them back upstairs.
An interminable length of time later, the surgeon came out.
Chapter 23
Foley didn’t think he’d ever been so pleased to hear his mother bitch. She was itchy. She hated that stupid wheely-thing—the knee walker—that allowed her to walk with her cast. Where had Jacob gone, and was he back yet? All that on top of a pre-wedding party for the boss. It was like he was in pre-matrimonial hell, except his mom was back and Cyn sat by his side.
“You know,” Cyn whispered, seated next to Foley, “I had no idea your mother was such a terrible sick person.” Eileen and Jacob sat next to Cyn.
“If Jacob can handle this, the guy is seriously gearing up for sainthood,” Sam whispered from Foley’s other side.
A month after the accident, the three of them sat across a large banquet table from Lou, Johnny, and Lara. Liam sat at another table with Sophie and a bunch of his annoying relatives, the Donnigans. Mike McCauley’s aunt, uncle, and four cousins—two obnoxious ex-Marines, a lanky teen, and a pretty little blond.
To Foley’s amusement, the Donnigans seemed to be just as annoying as the McCauleys. Even J.T. seemed to be keeping his distance from the table, despite Liam trying to urge him over. Foley understood the big dudes being irritating, but the daughter might have drawn him for a closer look if he’d been in the market for a sweet blond.
But his honey had no worries in that department. As it was, he had to refrain from knocking Lou’s teeth in and rearranging one of the Donnigans’ faces. He studied the blond giant and noticed the dude’s siblings rolling their eyes at him.
Hell. Even the prick’s family found him annoying.
“Why are you staring so hard at the hunky Donnigans?” Cyn asked.
“Excuse me?” He glared at her, only to hear Sam chuckle. “You find that funny?”
“You’re jealous of that?” He waved at their table, making no effort to keep his voice down.
So of course the prick looked their way. He gave the ladies at Foley’s table a smile, ignoring the guys. Foley didn’t care for the way blondie seemed to linger on Cyn. From Johnny’s frown, his friend didn’t like the way he’d looked at Lara either. Blondie smirked at Sam then deliberately turned his back on them.
Foley thought he heard the words tough guy wannabe and asshole and had to grip Sam to keep him from leaving his seat.
Cyn took charge. “Sam Hamilton, if you start a fight at this pre-wedding party, Del will have your head. Not to mention dealing with Liam, who’s glaring at you. Landon seems nice enough. Why don’t we give him the benefit of the doubt?” Eileen said something, drawing her attention.
“Landon? What the hell kind of name is that?” Lou asked.
“Amen,” Johnny agreed.
Sam muttered, “The dipshit’s lucky I don’t shove my boot up his ass.”
Foley laughed with the guys. Even Lara cracked a smile. Fortunately, his mother and Cyn didn’t seem to have heard him.
“Not nice, Sam,” Lara said, trying to wipe away her grin. “Landon is a great guy.”
Johnny rounded on her. “How the hell do you know him?”
“For God’s sake, Johnny. Liam introduced both of us to him when we arrived.” She snorted. “I swear. Del was right not to invite you idiots to the wedding.”
“Oh, we’re invited. Johnny too, I think.” Foley shrugged. “Maybe not smart, but Johnny’s her call.”
“Hey.” Johnny frowned. “Pick on someone your own size. Like Mount Rainier,” Johnny added, not quite under his breath.
Cyn chuckled.
Foley sighed. “Not sure what this party is for though. I thought you were supposed to have a big celebration after the wedding.” Hadn’t Del just mentioned having to postpone the big day due to some problem with the venue anyway?
“It’s not a reception.” Cyn and Eileen shared a sigh, and Cyn explained, “It’s just a party. The upcoming wedding is an excuse to get everyone together for some fun. Did you not read the invitation?”
“Not much longer until Del will be Delilah McCauley.” Eileen dabbed her eyes. “I’m so happy for her. She’s wonderful.”
“She is,” Lara agreed.
Cyn nodded as well.
“A few more months of the ROP. Now that’s something to celebrate.” So saying, Sam left the table, encouraged the DJ to play some funky tunes, then crossed to the Donnigans’ table to ask the blond woman to dance. Apparently her brothers’ glares and large, clenched fists meant nothing.
“Now that’s trouble waiting to happen.” Cyn finished her wine and poured another as Sam and his partner hit the dance floor.
Foley could almost hear Liam’s sigh from here. He laughed when he saw Liam grab the golden-haired Landon to stop him from following his sister. “Come on, Cyn. Let’s go join the festivities.” As if that had set the others free, almost the entire table departed for the dance floor. “Hey, Mom. Here comes Jacob.”
Her smile made Foley warm inside. The perfect ending to a hellacious week.
He’d owed Del’s ROP two dollars in quarters, and that had been her taking it easy on him. Cyn still dithered about where they’d live together, her place or somewhere new, because “No way in hell am I living in your beige, bland town house. No offense to Eileen.” And Sam was secretive as hell staying God knew where all the time—away from home.
But at least Eileen and Jacob had set a date. And Cyn was all his. All the time.
“Have I told you today I love you?” he asked as they grooved to some European track.
“Nope. Say it again.”
“I love you.”
Del’s soon-to-be stepson, Colin, and some little redheaded kid bumped him as they raced by, laughing and jamming, while Mike and his brothers grabbed their women to dance. The party was well underway.
Foley kept coming back to that little red-haired boy.
“See something you like?” Cyn asked.
“Besides you?” He kissed her and brought her in for some closer dancing.
“Hey, Foley.” Del smacked him in the head.
“Damn it. What?” he snarled.
“Keep it clean. There are kids here. And let’s not offend the delicate McCauleys.” She snickered.
“Not funny.” Mike glared at her.
Foley grinned and put a little distance between himself and Cyn. “Better, Sister Serious?”
She scowled. “Watch it or I’ll hit you with my ruler.”
Mike sighed. “Seriously. She’s no fun anymore.”
“Mike.” Del sounded hurt.
“Delilah. What did I tell you about our ruler?”
“It’s only for bed?”
“Exactly.”
Foley made a face. “Ew. Go away, you two. Be happy somewhere else.”
McCauley gave an evil laugh and whisked his fiancée away.
Cyn seemed caught as well by the kids playing in the corner. “You think our kids will have red hair or black?”
He tripped. “Damn, woman. Don’t say things like that.”
She laughed. “I didn’t mean we’d make them now.” She pulled him in for a kiss and teased the nape of his neck. “But maybe when we get home?”
He just stared. His physical had come back clean, as he’d known it would. Cyn planned to go on birth control, but she’d been so busy lately she hadn’t had time for an exam yet. And man, he hated condoms. But kids? “You mean it?”
