though I’d wait him out. I always won, and today would be no different than the many, many times before. While waiting, though, the heartache I’d felt at his absence when I needed him most just grew larger and larger. Then, I remembered that the distance between us was all my fault.
In my entire life, I’d never felt as broken as I had when my brother wasn’t there. There were so many times I’d picked up my phone to send him a text. Only to stop in my tracks, because his phone was sitting on our kitchen counter when he was in Boot Camp or after, when he went to training school. I was too embarrassed to face what had happened. So, I kept silent, and the more time that passed, the easier it was to just not dial his number. I told myself that we could talk when he got home. Was it the right way to handle everything? No, definitely not, but there was no explaining that to my brain. So, when he texted our mom and asked for a ride from the airport for him and a few friends, I jumped at the chance.
He turned, his bag in hand, and smiled directly at me. With just that smile everything else faded away. There was no anger there and no resentment at me for not calling or texting him. Only the affection I’d always seen when he looked at me.
I cocked my head to the side, debating my options. I could wait for him to get to me, or I could have a little fun with it. Obviously, I had to choose fun. Meaning that when I saw him turn away briefly, I sprinted the short distance between us and threw myself at him. Remy had no choice but to drop his duffel so that he could catch me. He did, too, with an even bigger smile on his face.
Overwhelmed and unable to process much of anything at the moment, I started crying into my brother’s shoulder. There was no chance the makeup on my face was going to survive the torrent of tears I was currently shedding. Thankfully, he was traveling in BDUs, because otherwise my mascara would be staining whatever he had on.
“Come on, Eddie.” His words didn’t match his actions though, because Remy just squeezed me tighter.
“You’re embarrassing me,” I muttered into his shoulder once I had myself under control. “Let me go.”
“Nope.” He laughed and turned back to the other man that had been with him. “Linc, can you grab my bag? I’ve got to torture Eddie here.”
At the mention of Linc’s name, I choked on imaginary spit. I’d seen him, of course, but seeing Remy for the first time in months had gotten the better of me. Although, if I was being honest, there was no chance in hell that I’d forgotten for a second that Lincoln Hayes was there. His brother, Danny? I could forget him in a heartbeat. It didn’t even matter that he was almost identical to his brother. I knew the difference, and for some reason, Danny always came out behind. I’d never forget Linc, even when I’ve tried.
“Shit,” I muttered, and then promptly hiccupped. “Put me down, you stupid big-head.”
“Nope,” Remy said gleefully. “I think I’ll just carry you all the way to your tiny-ass car as punishment for making me get into that abomination.”
“Hey!” I slapped him, hard. No one insulted my baby, not even him. “Pedro the Prius is amazing and you’re lucky to get to ride in him. Only thing is I didn’t bring my car. I brought your stupid truck.”
Remy froze, and carefully set me down at the mention of his baby. “You brought her?” He almost looked choked up as he asked. Although then, I remembered that he knew of my intense dislike for anything bigger than a car. “You didn’t have to do that, Kennedy.”
“Yeah I did,” I told him honestly. “I’m working on overcoming my fears.” I meant to casually throw out the words, to make them lighthearted and fun. Instead, they came out loaded and heavy.
Thankfully, Danny completely ignored me and practically sprinted outside.
“Shotgun!” he called out over his shoulder.
Remy gave me a small kiss on the forehead and took his bag back from Linc. Then, he followed his friend outside and left me alone with the only man in the world that was capable of bringing me to my knees now.
He smiled almost nervously, and then ran a hand