It’s Always Us (Abandoned Brothers #3)

Chapter 17

MARK

I step in from the garage and stomp into the kitchen, tossing my phone on the counter.

“Stop pouting. What did you think was going to happen?”

I ignore Shane’s poke and head to the refrigerator. I came home from surgery, fell into bed, and stayed there until Shane barked at me to get up so we could get to the doctor’s office.

My phone buzzes on the counter, but I ignore it, grabbing eggs and a pan.

“Seriously. What the hell is your problem?” Shane takes a seat on a stool.

I ignore him. My shoulder is screaming at me for refusing the narcotics and sticking to Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I don’t need his loud-ass attitude on top of it.

I knew this would take time, and the pain and waiting game would be excruciating, but leaving the doctor’s office with my physical therapy schedule in hand was the last straw.

Without Lex, every single thing I’ve worked for, all the time we’ve been apart, has been for nothing. I have to see her, or I might completely lose my shit and kiss my very limited sanity goodbye. Forever. I told her I was coming for her, but it’s clear I’m not going anywhere if I want my shoulder to heal quickly and properly.

I wonder if I can squeeze in one night if I leave today?

Shane grabs an egg from my hand and cracks it into the warming pan.

“Nothing. I’m fine. This therapy schedule is intense. ”

When Shane doesn’t say anything, I peek at him as I stir the eggs. He leans against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, and not buying a single ounce of my bullshit.

“You need to chill out. Your surgery went even better than expected. You’ll have the best therapists to get you throwing again even sooner. Shit, you’re going to be out of that sling in a few days. What did you want to happen? Be able to jet off to some exotic paradise and live it up for a few weeks.”

I drop the spatula and stare back at him, calculating if I can get to Ohio tonight and return for my first appointment. “No, jackass, but I have something really important I need to do. When are Maggie and the kids getting here? I’ve had enough of you.”

“Like what?” Shane challenges.

I reach for a plate, ignoring his question. “When did they say I can drive again?”

“Two weeks.”

His eyes bore holes into me as I work one-handed, but he could throw darts at me. I’m not giving.

“Does this have something to do with some dumbass thing you did in Vegas?”

I’m not always great at keeping my cool when someone pushes my buttons, but Shane’s not getting this out of me. He can put his non-existent mustache and Magnum PI skills away and settle the hell down.

“Anyone ever tell you that you suck as a caregiver? I just had surgery, and you sit here pestering me while I make us breakfast.”

“Maggie likes how I care for her just fine.”

“Hold on.” I rest my good arm on the counter and gag. “I need her here now. You’re unbearable. When are they getting here?”

He sighs, and if my shoulder didn’t hurt so damn badly, I throw my hands in the air at his surrender.

“Not soon enough. I’ve hit my limit in dealing with your diva ass.”

His phone vibrates on the counter, and he reaches for it as I finish up the eggs and dump them on plates. I grab my phone to message the charter service to see when I might be able to schedule a flight.

I see a missed call from Lex, but bypass it to pull up the charter website .

I don’t know how I’ll explain leaving to Shane, given that Maggie and the kids are flying in for Sean’s game, but I’ll deal with that later.

“Maggie said they’ve boarded, and I’m picking them up in a bit. Thought I’d bring them here until Sean is home from practice.”

I scroll my phone in between bites, needing privacy so I can make a call. “Fine.”

There are a few beats of silence while we eat.

“You do what they say, and you’ll be fine.” My thumb halts movement over my screen, and I meet his eyes. “The doctor said it looked really good. Just stick to the plan. When you’re ready, Sean won’t let you slack.”

I let out a slow breath, wishing football was my biggest worry right now. I am worried. My entire life has been the game, and I’m not ready to be done. But the woman of my actual dreams is waiting for me, and I can’t afford to mess it up.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do.” I’ve got to figure out how to actually be with my wife.

“Well, good thing you know how to work harder than the rest. Quit stomping around and get to it.”

Get to it. I grab my phone and head to my room, needing a plane and time. I may only have a few hours, but I’m going to do what Shane said. I’ll work hard. I’ll work harder than I’ve ever worked in my life because none of the rest of it matters if Lex isn’t a part of it.