“Why did Kat have to tell me she was sending everything here today? She knows how hard it is for me to wait for things.” His fingertips drummed on the side table. “She’s being extra spiteful because I told her how banging our sex life has been since you’ve been back on your feet.”
“Want to go upstairs?” Speed slid an arm around Blake’s waist so he could pull him closer. He’d been a nervous wreck too after Kat called and informed them that the order for their announcements, invitations, and other various wedding paper goods had been sent to the printer in Lake Cliff and would be ready later in the afternoon. Neither Speed nor Blake were all that concerned about what the invitations looked like, it was howrealeverything would be once they saw their names and a date in print. Speed tossed his book on the end table and aimed the remote at the television over the mantle. He had Netflix open and was browsing when his phone buzzed on the coffee table.
“Who’s Declan?” Blake asked, reading the caller ID as he grabbed the phone for Speed.
Someone I was hoping I’d never hear from again.
Not that Speed didn’t think the world of Declan Leary. He just didn’t want to answer the phone and hear what Declan had to say to him.
“He’s an old friend. I have to take this,” Speed said apologetically but Blake gestured for him to go ahead.
“I’ll kill some time by browsing.” Blake sat forward, scowling at the television as he scrolled.
“Good idea,” Speed murmured distantly as he got up and went to the window to see if Lavender’s car was parked out front. He swiped at the phone’s screen and acted like he was relaxed but Speed was shaking as he held it to his ear. “Hey, Declan. How’s it going?”
“Same as always. Nothing changes around here. I decided not to go to seminary but that’s about it.”
“Good. I told you that would have been a mistake.”
Things might be taking a turn for the worst for Speed but it would have been a tremendous waste if Declan had become a priest. Declan had the biggest, purest heart but he wasn’t particularly religious.
“It felt like something I had to do because of Mickey but I don’t feel as ashamed now that he’s gone.”
“He never had anything to do with you, Declan.”
“He might have left me and Mom but I never forgot who I was. And I thought that somebody should have to atone for Mickey’s sins. But then someone caught up with him and got the last laugh so it didn’t make any sense for me to carry Mickey’s shame anymore. No one’s gonna look at me and wonder why I’m walking around like I got nothin’ to worry about while my father got away with murdering and terrorizing half a city.”
“Most people don’t even know—”
“I knew, Speed. But it’s over and I don’t want to go anymore.”
“Good. Is that why you called?” Speed’s voice rose hopefully.
“No. You told me to tell you if I ever got a call from Frank and he mentioned Mom.”
Speed covered his mouth to hold back a curse. “What’d he say?”
“He said he’s gotta handle something and that we probably weren’t going to hear from him again. Frank said I’d be getting a bunch of envelopes with instructions for Mom’s care and that I didn’t want to talk to anyone about him ever.”
“Fuck. Did he say anything else?”
“Yeah. I asked why he wasn’t asking you to look after Mom. You know how me and Frank are. He said he didn’t know if he could trust you anymore.”
“God damn it!” Speed whispered and looked over his shoulder to make sure Blake hadn’t heard him. Blake had given up on the television. He’d picked up Speed’s copy ofPride And Prejudiceand was reading the back cover.
“Are you going to be alright?” Declan asked.
“Yeah. I’ll be fine!” He was probably lying but Speed wouldn’t jump to conclusions until he’d talked to Francis. There was still a chance Speed could talk him down if Francis was just being paranoid or lashing out at Speed for taking too long to get results. “I’ll call Francis soon and I’ll get him to calm down. What about you, though? You won’t be safe if he is mad at me and finds out you gave me a heads up.”
“Me?” Declan exhaled loudly. “I don’t know but don’t worry about me. Mom’s been staying with friends in Florida and seems like she wants to stay so I was thinking about leaving. I was only staying to keep an eye on her.”
“Why don’t you come out here? At least until we’re sure it’s safe.”
“Not that I wouldn’t love to get the fuck out of New Jersey but what if Frank is pissed at you? Me being there wouldn’t be good for either of us,” Declan worried.
“Can you get to Chicago? I can send a plane ticket.”
“I have money, Speed.” Declan sounded like he was rolling his eyes. “I can get to Chicago but I don’t want to be in the way.”