I pull it over my head, breathing in deep. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this so far without him. He packed my bag, bought my plane ticket, and arranged for the car to come pick us up and take us to the airport.
Dad stayed at the reception, trying to keep Diana from freaking out. I don’t know the appropriate reaction she should have. It’s her wedding, after all, and freaking out won’t save grandpa. She’s never been close to him, not like I have, and there were only two seats left on this plane ride back. Logan will arrive a few hours after I do, and I have no idea if Diana will be with him.
I pull Logan’s iPad out of the bag. He downloaded a few things for me to watch, and my heart lurches in my chest when I think about him.
How much I miss him.
How much I need him right now.
And how much I love him.Chapter 25Danielle“Mom.” I gently nudge her. “We’re landing.”
She sits up, blinking rapidly, and looks around. Maybe she took more Xanax when I wasn’t looking, because she slept nearly that entire flight. I don’t know the last time I slept for a solid eight hours, and I know that’s entirely my fault. I stay up too late doing non-important things, like binging TV shows or finishing a book.
My phone is in my hands, waiting to get the all clear to turn it off airplane mode. It’s early in the morning here in Chicago, and I’m terrified for the news I’ll get once I get service again. I pack up my bag and look out the window, feeling an odd sense of relief to see Lake Michigan and the flat, green Midwest land below us.
Using my feet, I push the bag under the seat in front of me and grip the armrests. Landing always makes me a little nervous, and I don’t have Logan’s hand to hold this time.
I turn my phone back on the second we’re on the ground and check for updates. A text comes through, but it’s from Owen, saying he’s almost to the airport to get us. He’s here and waiting by the time Mom and I get off the plane. With no bags to get, we hurry through the airport and meet Owen outside.
He pulls me into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Danielle.”
“Thank you. And thanks for coming to get us.” I sniffle and straighten up, turning to Mom. She’s looking at Owen with her mouth hanging open. Right. She has no idea Logan has an identical twin.
“Mom, this is Owen. Logan’s twin, obviously. Owen, this is my mom.”
“Nice to meet you,” he says. “I wish it were under different circumstances.”
Mom, who’s still a little drugged up, shakes her head. “Yes. I wish so too.”
Owen takes our bags and puts them into the trunk of Logan’s car, which I’m sure he’s driving because it gets much better gas mileage than his truck.
“How’s Dexter?” I ask as I get into the passenger seat.
“Driving me crazy. I’ll be happy when Logan’s back.”
“Who’s Dexter?” my mom asks.
“Logan’s dog,” I tell her. “He’s a puppy. A giant puppy, but still a puppy.”
Owen glances down at my hand, looking for the ring on my finger before pulling out of the parking spot. I’m not sure if he knows what happened between Logan and me yet. Logan isn’t one to kiss and tell, but I know it’s basically impossible for him to hide anything from Owen. I’ll never understand the “twin thing,” but it seems basically like mind reading.
“Have you heard from Logan at all?” I ask.
“Yeah, he texted me right before he boarded. His plane left on time. He’ll land in a few hours.”
A few hours isn’t that long. But it seems like an eternity.* * *
“Thank you again,” I tell Owen as he walks into the hospital with us.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I know. But…thank you.”
“Yes, thank you,” Mom echoes.
Owen gives me another hug. “Want me to go up with you?”
I shake my head, heart racing. I’m so nervous my hands shake. I got a call from the hospital not long ago, telling me that Grandpa’s condition hasn’t changed, which is both good and bad.
He’s not getting better.
But he hasn’t gotten worse, either.
“No, it’s okay. Go home and get some sleep. Are you picking Logan up too?”
Owen shakes his head. “Our dad is. I’ll call later and check in, okay? And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, Danielle.”
“I won’t.”
“I’m sure my mom will call you later too. We’re all here for you.”
“Thank you.” My eyes fill with tears. Owen’s jaw is tense as he says goodbye, turning around and going back to the car. I know what room Grandpa is in, but I’m not familiar with the hospital at all. I ask the attendant at the front desk, and she directs us to an elevator.