“Thanks for being a great friend. I’ll never forget what you did for me when I got into trouble with Cara’s father.” He didn’t remember ever properly thanking Nick, for taking his place that night.
Nick stared straight ahead into space, and then looked down at his hands. “I wish I could take your place now, like I did then.” His voice was broken, and when he looked up at Jake. He swung his arm over his shoulders. “You’re just as much my little brother as you are Luke’s. Blood don’t mean shit to me.” He tugged him towards him, as a big brother would.
Jake patted his back. “You are family, Nick. And I hope one day you really are my brother.” He meant it, with every fiber of his being. There was no one he would be happier to see with his sister.
Nick laughed. “Not unless I tie her up and throw in the car and drive her to Vegas, at gunpoint.”
Jake grinned. “If you need help putting that plan in motion let me know.” Jake slapped his hands against his thighs and began to push himself off the bed. “I asked Sam to take Cara out for the day. She’s been so wrapped up in taking care of me, that she hasn’t left this house since we came home from the hospital.”
Nick knew better than to help him stand, Jake was a bull and wore his pride on his sleeve, like one of his tattoos. “Don’t feel guilty Jake. She’s doing exactly what she wants to do. She wants to be there for you.”
“She’s amazing.” Adoration and love filled his voice. “Be right back, I have a horrible taste in my mouth and need desperately to brush my teeth.”
Nick nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be here.” He watched as Jake disappeared into the bathroom. He looked around the room and smiled nostalgically. At one point or another, they had all crashed in this basement, each calling it their own. The walls were adorned with pictures of the five of them through the years.
The more things seemed to change, the more they stayed the same Nick thought as he gazed along the wall of pictures. The same smiles, the same family, different were the struggles.
He still remembered a time, when the most challenging crisis was how to change Ava’s diaper. Now they all were challenged on how they dealt with Jake’s disease. Nick’s train of thought was disrupted by Jake’s anguished cry.
Nick hurried to the bathroom, pushing the door open, fear running through his whole body, as to what he would find. There Jake stood staring at his reflection in the mirror. Horror streaked his face as he ran his fingers through his hair. When he pulled his hand out, he looked down at them, and stared at the clumps of hair that he held in his palms. He stared at the hair as if he was staring at the blood of another man on his hands.
Chapter Twenty
Cara leaned back in the pedicure chair, forcing herself to relax as she wiggled her toes in the tub of water. Sam had found a little day spa in the neighboring town, and signed them up for the complete package. They had just had facials and were now sipping mimosas as they each got a pedicure.
“What do you think of this color?” Sam asked as she passed the plum bottle of nail polish to Cara.
“I like it. I think the dark colors make a pedicure look fresh longer.” She said eyeing the color Sam chose.
“Or this one?” Sam said, eyeing a deep red and then frowned. “I pity the man that marries me. I hope he’s handy because I’ll have him painting the rooms of our house every month, considering I suck at making permanent decisions.”
Cara laughed. “You do realize this is nail polish, and it comes off right?”
Sam handed her both colors. “Pick one for me.” Begrudgingly she closed her eyes and Cara slipped the color she chose into her palm, laughing at her as she did. Sam peeked at the color and grinned. “I was hoping you went with the plum.”
Cara smiled genuinely at Sam, and finished off her mimosa. “Speaking of the man you marry being handy, I heard Nick’s great with a set of tools.”
Sam signaled for a refill on her mimosa and turned back to Cara. “Really, you’ve jumped on the bandwagon too?”
“Well I was never too far off of it.” She said in her defense, and then shrugged. “Instead of skirting around what’s obvious, why don’t you tell me what’s holding you back?”
Sam hesitated for a moment. “Nick is not a sure bet.” Satisfied with her answer she leaned back and played with the massage controls on the chair.
“Bullshit.” Cara said, her smile widened when Sam looked at her shocked. “Come on Sam, it’s obvious you two have feelings for one another, and I’ll let you in on some inside info.” She said, leaning closer to her.
Sam couldn’t help but indulge, and leaned in closer. “Spill it.”
“Jake told me that Nick and Luke had the conversation, a couple of months ago.” She said very matter-of-factly, and let decided to Sam digest her little scoop.