I’m in the cab on my way to the restaurant when I hear my phone ringing. I dig around in my bag searching for it, but I miss the call. I can feel my heartbeat pick up when I see I missed a call from Trevor. This is certainly a surprise because it’s been months since he called me. The very stubborn side of me wants to ignore his call, but the curious side of me wants to hear what he has to say. A few seconds later, I notice he left me a voicemail.
I take a few deep breaths and continue to touch up my makeup. I’m going to ignore his message for now. Another few seconds go by and I get a text message.
Please call me.
I groan. As tough as I’m trying to be, I really want to text or call him back. I know I still have some kind of feelings for Trevor, too, no matter how hard I try to fight them. I’m just not sure what those feelings are exactly. I stare at my phone screen for what feels like several minutes before I open the message.
“Hi, Maris. It’s Trevor. Please call me back as soon as you can. It’s about Gran (aka Beatrice).”
I suddenly feel sick to my stomach. Beatrice hasn’t returned my call and that’s not like her at all. Something must be seriously wrong for him to call. I’m about to return his call when the cab pulls in front of Mastro’s. I pay the fare and hurry out of the cab. I know Kyle is probably already inside waiting for me, but I have to call Trevor back.
The phone rings once before he answers. “Maris. Thanks for calling back so quickly.” He definitely doesn’t sound like himself.
“Trevor, what’s happened?”
He exhales loudly. “Gran’s really sick. She told me she got a message from you; she just hasn’t had the strength to call you back.” He hesitates. “Honestly, I don’t know how much longer she has.”
Is it possible to go into shock and not know it? I pace back and forth in front of the restaurant. I can’t believe this is happening. All I know is I have to get home to see Beatrice.
“Okay, I will work something out. Please tell her I will be there soon.”
I don’t give him a chance to say anything else. I hurry into the restaurant where Kyle is patiently waiting for me. He smiles as soon as he sees me.
“Hi. You look great.” He leans in to give me hug.
When he pulls away, he gives me a concerned look. “Okay. What’s bothering you?”
I tell him about my conversation with Trevor. Somehow, I manage to hold back tears.
“I have to go home and see her. It doesn’t sound good at all.”
He nods. “Absolutely. I will call a car and take you home.”
This is typical Kyle, so understanding and selfless. He doesn’t even question me talking to Trevor, and right now I’m not even thinking about Trevor. All I know is that I have to see Beatrice. I owe it to her and to my grandmother.
Chapter 3
When I arrive at Cassie’s house, she’s waiting for me on the front porch. She holds out her arms to give me a hug. Thankfully, Selena was very understanding when I told her I had to go home because of an illness in the family. I know Beatrice isn’t exactly a blood relative, but she’s pretty close. Selena told me to take as much time as I need, which was really great of her because I know I need to be home right now. Unfortunately, my bank account needs me to be working right now.
“Is there any update?” Cassie asks, not letting go of me.
I shake my head. “No, she’s just very ill. Trevor is trying to be positive, but I can tell he’s really worried.”
She nods her head. “Those two have a very special bond. It’s going to be really hard on him.”
I frown because I know exactly what she’s talking about. “Yes, it is. Thanks for letting me crash here. Georgie is on shift all weekend, so I wouldn’t get to see her anyway. I didn’t really want to be alone.”
She cocks her head to the side. “When was the last time you saw Trevor?”
I shrug nonchalantly. “It’s been several months, but it’s not a big deal. I’m not here for him anyway.”
She purses her lips. I know my sister well enough to know that she’s already trying to figure out if there’s anything going on with Trevor and me. She may also be trying to cleanse my aura or whatever it is she does to get rid of the negative energy.
“I better get over to see Beatrice,” I say, trying to come up with an excuse to leave, and fast.
She takes my hand and squeezes it. “Please give her my best.”
My heart is beating so fast. I don’t know if I’m more nervous about seeing Beatrice in a hospital bed or seeing Trevor. It’s probably a little of both. As frustrated as I’ve been with Trevor, I know now is not the time to give him the cold shoulder.
My heart is racing when I arrive at the hospital. I check in and make my way toward Beatrice’s room. The door is cracked just a bit, and when I peek around the corner, I see Trevor leaning over with his face buried in his hands. Beatrice is in the bed with her eyes closed.
I tiptoe in and put my hand on Trevor’s shoulder. He turns around, and as soon as he sees me, he jumps up from his chair and engulfs me in his arms.
“Thank you for coming,” he whispers into my neck. We stay embraced for what seems like several minutes. When we pull away, I look over at Beatrice lying in her hospital bed.
I walk over to her and pick up her hand.
“Beatrice,” I whisper. “It’s Maris. I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to visit you.”
“Mmmm . . . finally,” she says softly. “Too busy being a damn big shot in the Big Apple.”
I smile and gently squeeze her hand. “I’m glad to see you still have your sense of humor.”
She gives me a weak smile. “I’m very happy to see you.”
I smile as the tears fill my eyes.
“Now don’t you dare cry,” she scolds. “And make my grandson leave so we can have a chat.”
I turn around to see Trevor leaning against the wall.
“Did you hear that?” I ask. “We need to have some girl talk, so you need to leave.”
He nods his head. “No problem. I need to check in with my mom anyway. She should be arriving soon.”
After he leaves, I pull the chair closer to the bed.
“You can keep talking to me,” she says, with her eyes closed again. “How are things going for you in the city?”
I start telling Beatrice about everything that has been happening with my job and my roommate situation.
“So long story short, I moved there to start fresh. Of course, I haven’t been performing, but I do enjoy my students.”
Beatrice’s eyes are still closed, but I notice her nodding and smiling.
“And what about your love life?” she asks, opening one eye. Now this is where things get awkward because I know she wants to talk about Trevor and me. She was really pushing hard for us to get together, even before Kyle and I broke up.
“My love life is mostly nonexistent but that’s okay because I’m definitely too busy right now for a relationship.” Her eyes are still closed so I don’t even know if she’s listening. I would actually prefer if she wasn’t listening so I don’t have to answer any more questions.
“My Trevor is just scared,” she says, after several seconds of silence. “When I told him you had left me a message, he was awfully curious about what you had to say.”
She starts coughing, so I offer her a few sips of water, and then she clears her throat. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to respond to your message.”
I hang my head. It’s so hard seeing her like this. “Beatrice, please don’t apologize.”
She holds her hand out for me to take it again. I take her hand in mine and lean in toward her.
“Maris, I need you to do something for me,” she says softly.
I shift around uncomfortably in the chair. I already know this is going to have something to do with Trevor.
“Um . . . okay.”
“Keep an eye on him for me,” she says. “I know he’s a huge pain in the ass, but he does care about you.”
This is definitely not the conversation I want to be having right now. Not just because of Trevor, but the way she’s talking . . . like she’s . . . I can’t even say it.
“You just need to get better,” I reply, my voice starting to shake.
She gives a faint laugh. “Oh please, I’m ninety years old. I should have kicked the bucket years ago.”
I just notice I’m holding my breath, or maybe I’m just holding in the ugly cry.
She turns her head to face me. “Be patient with him, because he’s worth it. And when you get irritated with him, just look at him. You know your children would be gorgeous.”
I give a nervous laugh. I have no idea how this conversation has shifted to the children that Trevor and I don’t have.
“What am I interrupting here?” Trevor asks playfully.
I turn around to see him raising his eyebrows. He has perfect timing.
“Gran? Are you starting trouble?” he asks.
She points her finger at him, her hand shaking. “I wouldn’t have to meddle in your personal life if you weren’t such an idiot.”
I snort loudly, and he glares at me.
“Sorry,” I say, trying to hide my smile.
Before the conversation becomes any more uncomfortable, the nurse comes in to check on Beatrice.
“We’ll be right outside, Gran,” Trevor tells her.
I pat Beatrice on her arm and follow Trevor out.
“So what was that all about?” he asks, once we’re a safe distance from her room.
I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly. “You know how she is, she just wants everyone to be happy. Of course, she thinks she knows what’s going to make everyone happy.
He stares at the ground. “She’s probably right about me.”
The corners of my mouth curl up into a smile. “You mean about being an idiot?”
He smiles. “You think that’s funny, don’t you?”
I shrug. There are so many things I could say right now.
His smile fades. “I’m really going to miss her.”
I reach up and put my hand on his arm. When we make eye contact, I feel a familiar spark. Our physical attraction has never been an issue, but this time it feels a little different. Despite what Beatrice says about him being an idiot, I know how much she adores him.
Somehow, without me realizing it, we’ve managed to move closer to one another. It’s almost as if there is some kind of imaginary force pulling us toward one another.
“Trevor,” a voice calls from down the hall.
We both turn to see Katherine (Trevor’s mother) rushing toward us.
“Hey, Mom,” he says, holding his arms out.
She runs right to him. I have to admit watching him with these two women is very endearing, he definitely scores points in my book.
“Is there an update?” she asks, her voice shaking.
I quietly move away to give them some privacy. When I check my phone, there’s a message from Kyle, he’s checking on Beatrice and me. I sit down in the very uncomfortable chair that’s in the waiting area and put my face in my hands.
I feel a hand begin to rub my back. I look up to face Trevor sitting next to me. Without saying a word, we embrace each other. I knew this was going to be difficult, but I guess I didn’t realize how much.
Chapter 4
“Coffee is fine,” I say, trying to convince Cassie that I don’t need her to make me breakfast.
“You need to eat something,” she demands. “I know you love breakfast.”
I shrug. “I’m just not hungry. It was really hard seeing Beatrice like that,” I say glumly, while I add some cream to my coffee. “She was still herself—making jokes, insulting Trevor.” I pause at the mention of Trevor. “Anyway, it wasn’t the same.”
Cassie sits down on the barstool next to me. “Don’t get mad at me for asking this.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Well, then maybe you shouldn’t ask me.”
She ignores my sarcastic comment. “Is it just Beatrice that has you so upset or . . . is it Trevor also?”
I scowl.
“Seriously? Do you really think I’m worried about my personal life right now?”
She smirks. “It’s okay.”
Why do sisters have to be so annoying sometimes? At least mine is . . . she always thinks she knows everything. I especially hate when she’s right (like right now). I decide to ignore her comments about Trevor.
“I feel like Beatrice is my last connection to Grandma,” I say, wrapping my hands around my coffee mug. “Ever since I met her, so many things in my life have changed. She’s been a great friend to me.”
It’s kind of weird thinking of Beatrice as a friend but that’s exactly what she is.
Cassie puts her hand on my forearm. “I think it’s safe to say that she feels the same way about you. Why else would she want you to end up with her precious grandson?”
I open my mouth to say something, but she holds up her hand to stop me. “Before you say anything, it’s no secret how happy she would be if you and Trevor ended up together. Remember when they came to your show last spring? She could see that connection, even before you wanted to admit it.”
I shake my head. “Okay, fine. You’re right, are you happy now?”
She rubs my back. Just then, my phone rings interrupting us.
“It’s Trevor,” I say, picking up the phone.
“Hello.”
“Maris, it won’t be long,” he says, his voice shaking. “Would you mind coming back to the hospital?”
I suddenly feel nauseous. “Of course. I will be there soon.”
I hang up and try to fight back the tears. I know Cassie is right. Seeing Trevor again has sparked old memories and definitely some unresolved feelings. I’m sure some of it has to do with everything being so emotional right now. I’ve always heard that your emotions are at an all-time high during life-changing moments.
Cassie gives me a hug before I leave to say good-bye to my friend.
~*~*~
Trevor and his parents are outside Beatrice’s room when I arrive. Trevor walks toward me.
“Is she?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet. The doctor is in with her.”
“Hello, Maris,” Katherine says, giving me a hug. “Thank you for coming. I know it means a lot to Mother. It’s as special as if your grandmother was here herself.”
I smile. “Of course.”
“It means a lot to this guy, too,” she says, squeezing Trevor’s shoulder.
Trevor forces a smile. “Thanks, Mom.”
She throws her head back. “Oh, don’t be embarrassed. You two are way past that point.”
This is really awkward. I know she’s trying to give Trevor a hard time, but is now really the time?
“Mom,” he exclaims. “Can we not talk about this now? We need to focus on Gran.”
She smiles. “Nonsense, you know your grandmother would rather us talk about your relationship any day.”
It would probably be very rude for me to announce that we are not in a relationship. Trevor looks like he’s about to explode. Luckily, the doctor comes out of Beatrice’s room at exactly the best moment.
“Maris, why don’t you go on in?” Katherine says.
I make a face. “It’s okay. I don’t want to take up any of your time.”
She shakes her head and leads me to the door. “I don’t want to hear any of that. You’re part of our family, too,” she insists.
I hesitate until I glance at Trevor who looks like he’s about to lose it. That’s even more reason for me to leave the two of them alone.
I take a deep breath and walk into Beatrice’s room. I’m somewhat taken aback at how different she looks just from yesterday. I take her hand in mine without saying anything. A tear falls down my cheek.
“Don’t you cry, young lady,” she says softly. “You need to be happy for me. I will be reunited with Charles and Maris. It’s a good thing.”
I
nod my head, trying to hold back the rest of my tears.
“I’ve lived a wonderful long life, and I don’t want anyone fussing over me,” she demands.
I nod again.
“And you know I’m counting on you to take care of him.”
See You Later Broadway (Broadway Series Book 2) Page 2
