I didn’t know what Jake said to his dad exactly, I didn’t ask and he didn’t offer, but the tension in the house dropped appreciably by the time Klara and I returned with all the supplies I could ever want for shark week. I wasn’t due for another few days, but like I said, I never turned down ice cream.
The second week of our stay included card games that Jake’s dad—he insisted that I call him Bill, and yes, that was weird for me—and Klara taught us, along with board games. Jake and I bought them a game console, and Jake spent an entire afternoon teaching his dad how to use it so they could actually play over the internet once Jake got home.
Klara’s relief was a tangible thing, whether we were at their place or she was giving us directions to some sightseeing we might want to do. Bill and Jake also seemed more at ease with each other, even if their teasing still seemed a bit on the prickly side. We were happy to celebrate the Fourth of July with them, but I was missing the guys, even if I talked to them every day.
I was also missing the work they were doing, though it sounded like they had everything moved up to the new place. Then again, the tour Coop had given me over the phone had proven just how fantastic the new place was, and I had been floored by how gorgeous it was. The only room I hadn’t been allowed to see was the master suite on the top floor.
Archie had interrupted the tour and announced I got to see that when I came home.
Fair enough.
The ache to see them just grew, and by the end of the third week in Germany, Jake’s dad had been fitted for a leg brace and boot. It would give his leg support and help him walk while he continued to heal.
Essentially, he and Klara would be fine without us. While I was eager to get back to Archie, Ian, and Coop, I wasn’t leaving Jake behind. So as long as he needed to be here, I was staying with him.
Also, phone sex had gotten very interesting, at least the way Coop and Archie played. Ian was killing me with new music. He’d been writing up a storm in the new place. I had picked up souvenirs for them, including a little beer girl outfit that Jake promised would drive them nuts if I wore it at home.
At home being the key phrase there.
I kidnapped Jake out of the house one day at Klara’s request, and we went to see the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums. While I didn’t care anywhere near as much about the cars or their engineering as he did, I soaked up his excitement and the notes he took. He also sent Archie about a hundred texts.
When we got back to the base, Klara and Bill had prepared an outdoor grill, and we barbecued like we were at home. It was a great night, and for the first time in my hearing, Bill asked Jake about his engineering degree and his plans.
Something inside me relaxed as the tension in Jake also eased. No more discussions about Jake entering the military and no more judgment either. If anything, Bill appeared genuinely interested. Klara raised her glass of wine toward me, and I clinked mine with hers and we settled in to enjoy it.
It was the last week of July when I called Archie and asked him to send the plane.
“Oh thank fuck,” he said at the request. “I wasn’t sure I could go much longer without seeing you, babe.”
“You saw me day before yesterday on video chat, but I get it… I miss you too. I miss all of you.”
“Yeah well, you’re gonna have to suck up to Tiddles, I’m his new favorite.” He sounded almost smug about it.
“Oh, I miss them too. Jake and I could book a flight…”
“Hush,” Archie ordered. “I’ll get the plane on the way. They’re in London currently. I can have the plane there in a few hours or tomorrow, whenever you want it.”
“Tomorrow is great. It’s already late afternoon here, and we just spent the day walking all over the market. My feet are killing me, and Jake promised me a massage.”
Archie grunted. “I hope he knows he gets the outside for at least a month when you get home.”
I busted out laughing. “He does, and thank you for not making a big deal out of me wanting to be here for him.”
“Babe, he needed you. We all get it. You needed to be there for him. And I know I’m going to hate myself for this, but your grandparents still want you to come out to the Hamptons when you’re back. They asked Grandpa Ted about how much longer you thought you might be gone because they didn’t want to bother you.”
A snort escaped me, not because I didn’t believe him, but because I’d talked to my grandparents at least once a week while here as well. “What did you tell them?”
“That I hoped by the first week of August.” I could almost see him crossing his fingers.
“That works for me,” I said with a grin. “That means I get a whole week with you guys and to really get a feel for our new place and the city before I go see them.”
“Yes.” His verbal fist pump just filled me with joy. “Labor Day at your dad’s then?”
“Ugh, family is hard.”
It was Archie’s turn to
