Page 8 of Shuttered Hearts

“We’ve had a lot going on. I’m not surprised it slipped your mind. And Dad’s, apparently.”

There’s a beat before either of us says anything. Caleb and I often find ourselves sitting in silence on the phone. It’s reminiscent of when we were younger, when Mom would be on a bender, and Dad would try his hardest to keep us away from all of it. We’d hide out in one of our rooms, doing our own thing but existing together. Knowing he was there if I needed or wanted to talk was one of the most comforting things in those days. It still is.

“Let me know what you need from me. You think he’ll be kept overnight for observation?”

“Probably, but we won’t know for a few hours.”

“Okay. Let me know. Max and I will come by for dinner and drop some stuff off for Dad to help keep him occupied.”

“Sounds good.” Caleb takes a deep breath and releases it before he says anything else. “I know I’ve already said it, and you don’t want to hear it anymore, but I’m really glad you’re home, sis.”

“I’m glad I’m home too.” My eyes water, and I bite my lip to keep my emotions at bay. “I’ll talk to you later. Love you.” I rush to hang up the phone, my arms folding on my desk and my head falling to rest on them.

There’s a moment of silence before I feel a hand land on my upper back, sliding up to the back of my neck before giving a gentle squeeze. I forgot Declan was here, and while his touch is surprising, it’s also comforting. Springing up to sit properly in my chair, I look up at him with tears in my eyes.

Declan crouches down next to me, removing his hand from my neck and letting it fall to the armrest of my chair. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, turning back to my desk. “For all intents and purposes, Dad’s fine. He fell at home, broke his leg, and lost consciousness, so they’re worried about a concussion. They’re running a few more tests and will likely keep him for observation, but he should be home tomorrow.”

“That’s good, but I asked about you, not Scott,” Declan says softly.

“Right.” I wipe my eyes before looking at Declan. “I’m okay.”

“It’s okay not to be okay. You don’t have to hold it together all the time. I can guess how close you are with your dad based on the way he always talks about you. This can’t be easy.”

“About that. Why didn’t you say you were best friends with both my father and my brother?” I stand from my desk, jumping on the opportunity to change the subject.

Declan stands from his crouched position, laughing quietly. “Honestly, I was more focused on our conversation, and then it felt like the opportunity to tell you had passed.”

“Hmm.” I squint at him. It’s not that I don’t believe him or that I don’t trust him exactly. It’s just that I don’t trust anyone outside of my dad and brothers.

“What? Shouldn’t that be flattering? That I wanted to be present in the conversation we were already having?” The smile on Declan’s face would probably sway a normal woman to his side, but I wouldn’t call myself normal, not with everything I’ve been through.

“Sure, it’s flattering.” I move to the whiteboard at the front of the class and begin erasing the notes I had written up there during my advanced photography class.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. The truth is your family has practically adopted me since I moved to town a few years ago. I sometimes forget it hasn’t been that long and that I’m notactuallya Marks.” Declan laughs self-deprecatingly. “Your family also talks about you often. I forgot I didn’t know you personally.”

“Now I feel bad.” I turn back to look at Declan. “That’s kind of you to say.”

“It’s the truth. Your family loves you quite a bit. I know all three of them are very happy you’re home.

“I’m happy I’m home too. And I’m glad you’ve been there for all of them as well. I know they’ve been carrying a lot of weight, and I can only imagine the comfort you’ve brought all of them, seeing how you’ve already jumped in to help me so much.”

The bell signaling the end of lunch rings before Declan can say anything else. We both stand there a few moments longer, saying nothing.

“Tell your dad I hope he feels better soon. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Declan offers a quick nod before he turns and walks out the door.

four

DECLAN

I makeit back to my classroom right before the late bell rings, my mind reeling. I need to make it through one more class before I’m done with students for the day, and then I can allow myself to panic about everything going on in my mind.

I wasn’t always a teacher. Until I moved to Ashford Falls, I was actually a working artist, and a good one at that. I’ve traveled all over the world and met people from all walks of life, but none of them have made me feel the way I do after meeting Quinn.

Maybe part of it is that I feel I already know her after hearing about her so often from her family. But even then, I was married to a woman I had known my entire life, and I was never left feeling this way about Melissa.

And to make it worse, I don’t even know what name to put to this emotion.

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