Page 82 of The Beat of My Heart
He called me Jules. As much as I love Angel, hearing him use my proper name puts a smile on my face and a sense of calm washes over me even in the middle of the biggest shitstorm of my life.
Exhaling more loudly than necessary, I follow Trevor as he pushes open the door and walks into my best friend's new home.
Following the sounds of voices, we find Dexter and their friend, Preston, in the family room.
“Doll,” Preston says, opening his arms wide for a hug.
“Didn’t I tell you to watch your balls if you called me that again?” I ask.
Over Thanksgiving last year, I’d gotten to know Preston and his crazy brothers when they came to Vermont with Dexter. Dexter’s bid to win over Lanie made huge strides with that trip, and although I’ll never admit it, I think Preston’s a good man.
Cupping his dick, he backs away. “I forgot, sweetcheeks, forgive me,” he says with a wink.
I said he’s a good guy, I didn’t say he wasn’t an asshole, but something about his playful nature sets me at ease. I can almost forget the clusterfuck I learned about in the car.
“You,” Dexter says, pointing to Trevor. “Sit the fuck down and start explaining.”
Dexter is pissed.
Playing dumb, Trevor says, “Well, we met in Boston—”
Dex cuts him off. “Try again, fucker. I know all about Boston thanks to Lanie. You could have told me you’ve been searching for someone for almost two goddamn years, asshole. But that’s not what I’m talking about. Start with why the hell your house was blown up,” he whisper-yells.
I try not to laugh. I know he is doing it so he doesn’t wake up the house full of kids, but I have to wonder if he is keeping this from Lanie too.
“Dex,” Trevor starts. Gripping his neck, he continues, “Listen, it’s more shit with my dad. I’ll explain as soon as I can, but right now, we need to get to Vermont. I have a son to meet.” The smile that comes over his face makes the entire room go silent.
“Fuck yeah, you do,” Preston finally says. “What are we waiting for? Let's go get that little sucker.”
“Can you not refer to my son as the little sucker?” Trevor says dryly. “My son,” he repeats in awe. “Holy fuck.”
“Yeah, holy fuck is right,” Dex says, dragging Trevor off the couch into an embrace.
I know after a years’ worth of texts that Dexter is the biggest romantic on the planet, but to watch him tear up with happiness for his friend is too much, even for me.
“So, when are we leaving?” Preston asks.
We all turn to him, “What do you mean we?” Trevor asks.
Holding up his phone, he says, “Mom’s plane is ready and waiting. If you think I will miss out on a chance to get some of Mimi’s cookies, you’re out of your fucking mind.” Turning serious, something that is not usually in Preston’s DNA, he says, “Plus, whatever the fuck is going on with your dad, I have a feeling the faster we get you guys back here to Waverley-Cay, the safer everyone will be. What’s faster than a private plane?” he grins in a way that screams trouble maker. “My brothers are packed and waiting at the airport, so I’ll ask again, when are we leaving?”
Preston is an enigma. He is also the oldest of five boys. If he means that they are all waiting at the airport, my poor hometown of Burke Mountain is about to get railroaded by a pack of Westbrook’s.
“All your brothers are at the airport?” Trevor asks incredulously. “What if we hadn’t come back until tomorrow?”
“Then they would have slept on the jet,” Preston says, shrugging like that’s an everyday sentence. Maybe in his life, it is.
“Dex?” I ask, “What about Lanie?”
“Preston’s mom will be here at the crack of dawn to help. For now, let's just tell her that Trevor couldn’t wait to meet Charlie, okay? I hate having to lie to her, but her blood pressure is already high, I’m worried this will be too much for her.”
“Do you not remember what happened the last time I tried to lie to her?” I ask, remembering my attempt at being his wingman when Lanie first moved here.
“Oh, no, I remember perfectly well, thank you. You almost blew it for me before I’d even been able to turn on the charm,” he says, teasing.
“Yeah, well, nothing’s changed,” I say. “Lanie will know I’m hiding something.”
Coming up behind me, Trevor wraps his arms around my middle and rests his chin on my head, “Love, you’re not alone. We’ll get through this together, okay?”
