AllFreeNovel
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“Blood got thin out west, huh?” Pops teased from the bed.
“John!” Gigi chided. “Stop.”
Pops chuckled, his face crinkling into a smile. He could rib me all day long if it had that effect on him.
“Also, the food. But I’m looking forward to some home cooking, too, don’t get me wrong.”
“I can do that for you. Did Quinn set you up at the house?” Gigi asked, tipping her grey bob at Quinn.
“No, we came straight here,” I said.
“He’s staying at my apartment, Mom. Don’t worry about it. Me and Ryder have him covered. I’m going to get some coffee in the cafeteria before it closes. Can I bring you food?”
“Yeah, I’ll take a pork chop, biscuits, and a side of beans,” Pops said, his eyes wide at the thought of a pork chop smothered in gravy.
“John! Not you. You are on a strict hospital diet right now, at least until we see the cardiologist next week.”
Pops muttered something under his breath; I caughtdamn, low salt bullshit,anddoctor. Before his parents got into an all-out brawl, Quinn left, leaving me alone with my aunt and uncle. A strange silence fell over the room, the only sound the beeping of Pops’s bedside machines.
“So, did Quinn and Ryder sucker you into taking over the store?” Pops’s gruff voice broke the silence.
I nodded. “For the time being. We’ll get it worked out, don’t worry.”
“That’s crazy. You’re a hotshot tech guy now, you shouldn’t be manning the general store in Peachtree Grove. Get outta here!” Pops waved his hand towards the door.
“Not a chance, Pops. Besides, I’m between projects, so I’m not missing work or anything. It’s the least I can do for you.” I met his eyes across the bed, my throat constricting at the sight of my larger-than-life uncle, now shrunken in a hospital bed.
“Dinnertime, Mr. McCauliffe!” A cheerful attendant bustled into the room holding a tray of unappetizing-looking food.
“Yum-yum,” Pops said, eyeing the green blob of gelatin wobbling on the plate.
“I should let you rest. I’ll get with Ryder and Quinn, figure out what all needs to be handled at the store. I’ll be back tomorrow.” I leaned over the bed, patting his arm, carefully avoiding the wires and IV.
“Thanks for coming, Liam.” Gigi hugged me again, and I scooted out of the room, catching snippets of Pops’s commentary on the food.
I headed down the hall, figuring I’d meet Quinn in the cafeteria.
“Hey, you ready to go?” Quinn stepped out of the elevator, two coffees and a brown paper sack in his hand.
“Yeah, your dad just got his dinner. Needless to say, he wasn’t too impressed with Peachtree General’s cuisine.”
Quinn chuckled. “Let me drop this off to my mom, then we can hit the road.”
He strode away, leaving me standing alone by the metal doors. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, scrolling through email for a distraction. Nothing too interesting, a few prospective clients, some bills.
Benji:Hey dude. Want to circle up with you about project at winery we talked about. Need to get the ball rolling before my family disowns me. Give me a ring.
I texted a quick reply:Will do. Had to make trip to GA, family emergency. But will call ASAP.
Benji: Sounds good. Hope everything’s ok w/ the family
Liam: Thanks. Should be fine, but I might be gone a while. When do you need to know about project?
Benji: I can punt for another week or two. I’ll tell Gabe about the family emergency. That should buy some time. He really wants you for the project. LMK if you need anything
Liam: Okay, thanks.??
“Ready?”
