Miles and Teo sniffle from behind the coffee table.
“It’s all right,” I tell them, infusing my voice with as much certainty as I can. “He needs medicine, and he’ll be back on his feet.”
Miles nods, his blue eyes wide.
Rafe stops midstride, plants his feet apart. “Tyler?” He brings the cell closer to his ear. “That you, man? What’s all that noise?” He turns toward me, his whiskey-colored eyes unreadable. “Okay. Listen, I need a favor. Need you to come and babysit Dylan’s brothers. Yes, now.” He listens for a few seconds, his mouth tightening. “Then bring Jax along. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent. Yeah, right now. Hurry up.”
A long moment passes. Then he disconnects. “Okay. Let’s go.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Tyler?”
“He’ll be here in a minute. He doesn’t live far.”
“I want to take Dylan to my doctor. She’s very good.”
“Fair enough.” He leans over Dylan, puts an arm under him and pulls him up. “Come on, big guy.”
Dylan’s face pales as he swings his legs off the sofa and sits up. He blinks owlishly. “Where?”
“Let’s get you into the car. You can do it. It’s not far.”
“Tessa,” Dylan whispers, and I take his hand again.
“I’m here.”
He groans when Rafe pulls him upright. The last of the color leaves his face, and I hurry to his side, afraid he’ll fall. Rafe steadies him, and I wrap my arm around Dylan’s back.
Dylan looks down at me, his eyes unfocused. “I’ve lost …”
“What have you lost?” I tug on him to move, and we start walking toward the door.
“I lost time.” He licks his cracked lips. “With you.”
My throat closes up completely. I tighten my hold around him and hide my face in his muscled shoulder. “We have all the time in the world, Dyl. Just get well.”
***
Tyler, Erin and Jax arrive just as we’re ready to leave. Tyler’s expression is grave, his dark eyes filled with concern as he leans into the car to pat Dylan’s arm.
“You’ll be fine, Dylan.”
“My brothers,” Dylan whispers.
“Erin and I will look over your brothers, man. You concentrate on getting better.”
Jax is jumping around, a miniature of Tyler, and Erin grabs him just before he runs in front of a car speeding down the road.
“Hey, Tessa.” She smiles at me as she hefts Jax in her arms, but her gaze is somber.
I fasten Dylan’s seatbelt, and he lifts a hand to my face, strokes my cheek. “My Tess…” he whispers.
The gesture, the words almost undo me. I can feel tears burning behind my brow. “I’m right here. See? I haven’t run away.”
“No,” he says. “You haven’t.” In spite of the fever, in his eyes I see clarity and determination. “I was wrong. About many things. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. We’ll be fine.”
I shut the passenger door and straighten.
Erin is watching us, her small mouth tight. When I walk around to the driver’s seat, she begins, “Tessa, you shouldn’t—”
“Shouldn’t what? Care for him?” I snap. Oh God, I’m falling apart. I rub my face. “You gave Tyler a second chance. Why shouldn’t I give Dylan one?”
“Tess.” Erin steps closer, lifting her hand. “What I meant to say was, you shouldn’t trust in anyone but yourself. We’ve all been through doubt and even despair, but love won out. You love him, and I think maybe he loves you, too.”
I wasn’t expecting this. I nod, biting my lip.
“Thanks for coming,” I mutter and let her draw me into a one-armed hug, the other full of a squirming Jax. “I really appreciate it. Take care of Dylan’s brothers. We’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry. Poor kiddos. We’ll keep them busy.” She gives me one last parting pat on the back and pulls away. “Go take care of your man.”
I smile at her and sit behind the wheel. I wait for Rafe to cram his big frame into the back seat, wave at Tyler, Erin and Jax, who’s waving back enthusiastically, and set out for the doctor’s office.
***
“There seems to be no infection,” the nice lady doctor says. “Could be just one of those viruses that go around these days. Especially if there are young children in the house.”
“I think it might be Lyme disease,” I say from my perch on a plastic chair in the room corner. Rafe is standing by the desk, head down, arms folded over his chest.
“Why would you think that?” the doctor asks, her red lips pursed.