said with a grin. “You were always good at tackling big problems. Make a little spreadsheet or whatever it is you do and go from there.”
I rolled my eyes. “It isn’t quite that easy.”
“It isn’t supposed to be easy. You are saving a man from himself. That is going to be tough, but you can do it.”
I mulled it over, trying to dig deep. Suddenly, a light bulb went off. I checked the time and hopped off the stool. “I have to go.”
“Where?”
I smiled. “I know where to find him, or rather, I know how to find him, but it’s going to take a lot of finesse and probably a great deal of begging to get the information. I’ll call you later.”
I rushed out of the bar, hoping I could make it before he left. I drove straight to the college, knowing my dad was teaching a summer class. Hopefully, he would be in his office. If not, I was going to have to beg him to return.
I practically ran down the hall to his office. I slapped my open hand against the door and pushed it open without waiting for him to invite me in. “Dad!”
He jumped up from where he was sitting behind his desk. “What’s wrong? What is it? Are you okay?” He rushed toward me, his hands grabbing my shoulders as he studied my face.
“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He sighed. “Thank god. What are you doing here?”
“I need a favor. A huge favor.”
“Anything you need, I’m here to help.”
I smiled and closed the office door. “I was hoping you would say that.”
Chapter 49
Xander
I parked the rental car on the opposite side of the street from the funeral home. I got out and leaned against the driver’s side door. A steady stream of mourners made their way inside. I had spotted my dad’s car when I drove by the first time. He was one of the first to arrive. Technically, I was first but I never stopped the car. I had been circling the funeral home for an hour.
I couldn’t bring myself to go inside. It wasn’t like I would be viewing his body. There would be a big picture of him smiling.
No, that wasn’t right. My father would have chosen a photo of him in his uniform. His celebration of life would be more of a celebration of his military career, something I was not a part of. I didn’t understand a lot of it. I certainly didn’t share in the joy of being a military man.
A young woman wearing a very small black dress openly sobbed. I didn’t recognize her. Hell, I didn’t recognize most of the people making their way into the home. I didn’t feel like I belonged. I felt like I was an intruder at my brother’s funeral.
There was no point in waiting any longer. I owed it to Kade to make an appearance. I had wrestled with going and not going for days. I was going. I needed to say goodbye, and doing it at the funeral seemed like the only way I could do that.
Preparing to walk across the street, I cleared my throat and threw my shoulders back, but that was as far as I got. I stood frozen in the middle of the sidewalk. The funeral would make it real. Part of me had been hovering in denial, not denying he was dead but refusing to cope with it. If I didn’t admit it, I wouldn’t have to think about it. I wouldn’t hurt if I didn’t acknowledge it.
A hand rested on my lower back. I immediately spun around to find out who dared to touch me.
“Evie?” I said with shock and disbelief.
“Hi,” she said with a small smile.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to be with you,” she answered.
“But how? How did you find me?”
“That’s not important. I’m here for you.”
I didn’t know what to think of her presence exactly, but I was glad she was there. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to go in?” she asked.
“I have to,” I said.
“You don’t have to do anything, but I think you will be glad you did.”
“This isn’t going to be pretty,” I warned her. “You should know I was uninvited to this.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh no. I’m so sorry. He’s your brother. No one can tell you not to show up.”
I smirked. “My dad certainly didn’t mind saying it.”