“Absolutely.”
Since Beck and Seth slept, Heavenly slid onto a long bench at the front of the plane and dialed the person she most owed a call.
Thankfully, Raine picked up on the first ring. “Heavenly?”
“Yeah. Hi!”
“How are you? I’ve been worried.”
“Sorry. I’m okay. How about you?”
“Fine. Learning the joys of acid reflux during pregnancy while one of these little rug rats keeps kicking me in the ribs, but I haven’t had any spotting or swelling in a month, so I’m good. But it’s been days since we talked. I left you alone because Hammer told me Beck and Seth went to Wisconsin…”
“They did. And I’m so grateful. They helped me deal with everything when it felt like too much.”
“There’s nothing they wouldn’t do for you.”
Heavenly smiled softly. “I’m getting that.”
Raine paused. “Sounds like you’re on a plane, which tells me you’ve decided where you’re going next.”
“That’s why I’m calling, to let you know the guys and I talked last night—”
“Is that all you did?” her friend drawled.
Heavenly felt warmth steal up her cheeks. “Not exactly. How did you know?”
“Because if I were in your shoes and my men had come across the country for me, I would have wanted them to comfort me while none of us was wearing a stitch, and they would have been happy to indulge me. After all, I didn’t get pregnant by playing checkers with Liam and Hammer.”
She laughed. “We had a very nice evening, and I’ve decided to come back to LA with Beck and Seth until the end of this semester.”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know.” Heavenly explained the agreement they’d reached.
Afterward, Raine hesitated so long Heavenly almost wondered if they’d lost connection. “I know you’re going through a lot right now and I don’t mean to sound as if I’m not happy you’re coming back, but if you stay a handful of weeks and leave again, you’ll break their hearts.”
“That’s been my worry, too. They insisted they’re willing to take that risk…but I know you’re right.” Heavenly sighed. “The thing is, my whole life changed in a blink when Dad died. Now that every day and every decision isn’t dictated by his illness, I have all these choices I never thought I’d have. The sudden freedom has been a lot to wrap my head around. But honestly, it’s a little exciting, too. I feel guilty about that.”
“Sweetie, feelings aren’t right or wrong. They just are.” She heard something wry in Raine’s voice. “I learned that in therapy.”
“I know. But deciding what should come next has been surprisingly overwhelming. At first I thought maybe I’d honor Dad by going to Chicago next. He and I always swore we’d go someday. But after I talked to the guys, I realized it made more sense to come back to LA and finish the semester while I spend time with them. After all, it’s pointless to toss away the hard work I’ve put in at school and at the hospital. Plus, no matter how much my dad wanted me to start the next chapter of my life alone…my heart keeps telling me to stay with Beck and Seth.”
“I’m sure they made you a pretty persuasive argument, too. All night long.”
“Um…they did.”
Amusement tinged Raine’s laughter. “For what it’s worth, I think you should follow your heart. It worked out when I did. But I had to say something about the possibility of Beck and Seth being hurt. They’re like my brothers. I can’t help but want to protect them. The ways they bent over backward to help me with Hammer and Liam… I can never repay them.”
“I totally understand. But I don’t think I can decide anything, much less move on, until I see if we have a real future together. When I’m with them, I feel safe and happy. And I’ve wanted that for so long. My instinct keeps telling me we could have something special. But I know what my dad would have said about that…”
“Sweetie, I didn’t know him and we’ll talk another time about why you were in such a bad situation and never asked for my help, but he’s gone and you can’t live your life for him.”
Heavenly couldn’t ask if Raine had wanted to disappoint her father; she’d had to kill the man before he killed her. So maybe she didn’t understand. “I know, but it’s hard not to feel like he’s up there watching me and shaking his head.”
“Are you really going to let that stop you from having the life you want?” Raine sighed. “Look, do I think my mom would have approved of me living with Hammer and Liam? Of having no idea which of them got me pregnant? No. But she was devout enough to think anything other than traditional marriage was a sin. She was also scared of her own shadow. That’s not me. Did you agree with everything your dad thought and did?”
She made a really good point. “No.”