Chapter 30: Crossroads

THEO

It had been a week since Sterling came home yesterday. As of right now, he was paralyzed from the waist down, but the doctors believed that with time and therapy he could walk again.

Sterling had been a nightmare. He was mean and angry before the accident, but it had gotten worse.

He didn’t care what he said. He wanted everyone else to hurt.

We were all at the end of our ropes, and we were thinking about hiring a full-time inhome help, but he’d end up chasing the poor person away with his anger.

“Why the fuck are you here, Theo?”

“To help you.”

“I don’t need help.”

“Yes, you do and it’s okay to admit that.”

“I help people like me all the fucking time.”

“I know, but it’s different. You can’t treat yourself.”

“You need to leave, Theo. I don’t want you here. You never came around before this, so don’t start doing it now. I want you to leave.”

He was right. I had barely visited before.

I was always too busy to come home. I didn’t even come home when Etta had Noah.

“I’m going to call Wren to come over,” I said.

He ignored me and wheeled himself into the living room.

***

“You’re back early,” Reece said.

“Well, Sterling was being a prick. Where’s Etta?”

“She took the kids to a playdate. Do you want a beer?”

“Yes. I need one.”

“He doesn’t mean what he says,” Reece said.

I knew Reece was trying to make me feel better, but it wasn’t working. “But what he says is the truth.”

“He still doesn’t mean it. He’s angry, and he needs an outlet. He called me a bastard, and he didn’t know how Etta could stand me.”

“He basically told me he didn’t want me around because I didn’t bother coming around before.”

“Like I said, he’s angry and lashing out. Don’t let him get to you. Do you think you’ll head home soon?”

“I don’t know. I want to be with Nadia, but I feel like I’m needed here.”

“You can always move back.”

“I don’t think Nadia would move with Nathan.”

“So, you’re still serious about her?”

“I am. I’m going to ask her to marry me when I get back.”

“She’s a great person, and I’m happy you finally found someone.”

“It’s a work in progress, but I love her.”

“Then you need to do what’s good for you and her, and if going back is what you need to do, then do it.”

Reece was right. I’d spend one more week here and then head home.

***

“How are things?”

I was getting ready for bed, so I thought I would call Nadia. I missed her, and I was counting down the days until I saw her.

It had been a week and a half, and I realized how much I liked being around here.

“It’s good. Things haven’t changed. Sterling is still being an asshole.”

“He’s angry.”

“I know. We all know he’s angry, but he doesn’t need to be a prick to everyone. He says some nasty things to us on purpose.”

“He needs time. Anyway, I’m excited you’ll be home this weekend.”

“Me too. I miss you.”

“I miss you too. I let my other apartment go. I told the landlord I moved out.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Nathan and I belong with you.”

“This is the best news that I’ve had all week. If you were here, I would kiss you.”

“I would want to do more than kissing.”

“And what would that entail?”

“You’ll find out when you get home.”

“You’re such a tease.”

“But you like it.”

I did like playful Nadia. Her playfulness worked me up, and it usually led to amazing sex.

“Have you gotten your period?” I asked.

Nadia let out a sigh. “No, but it’s not late yet, so don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. I just want to know.”

“I know. We should know by next week, hopefully.”

“We’re taking a test when I get home.”

“I have some waiting here. We’ll take one the morning after you get home.”

Part of me was excited and hoping that Nadia was pregnant. The more time I spent with Etta and Reece, the more I wanted what they had, and I knew I could have that with Nadia if we put our insecurities behind us.

***

“I hate that you have to leave. Caroline has enjoyed having you around.”

“It’s been great spending time with the kids and with you, but I’m ready to be back home.”

“You’ll FaceTime after she says yes to your proposal?”

“Yes. I’ll also visit more. Especially when you have the new baby.”

“Be safe and let me know when you make it home,” Etta said.

Over the last few years, Etta had gone from being the baby of the family to being the mother of the family.

“I’ll call you in a few hours, and we have the space if you guys wanted to visit us,” I said.

“It’ll have to wait a while. Reece is afraid of me traveling in the later months of pregnancy,” Etta replied.

“Well, I’ll visit after the birth,” I promised.

“I’m going to hold you to it,” she said.

I hugged Etta, Caroline, and Noah before heading to my car. I was sad to be leaving them, but excited to see Nadia and to move forward with our relationship.