“With everything going on with Mom, and Thane being”—Gideon looked at Gunnar and at the same time they said—“Thane.”
Gideon laughed along with Gunnar. At least the shooting hadn’t taken away Gunnar’s sense of humor.
Gideon became serious again as he talked to his oldest sibling. “I can’t lose you. Family is all we have.”
“I know.” Gunnar nodded. “That’s why you need to take care of Mom’s flower shop. Victor’s done a great job, but he’s been there alone.”
“Done.” Gideon ran his hand over his hair, which caused Gunnar to look up.
“You know Mom is going to hate that.” He pointed up.
Gideon smiled. “Yeah, she already warned me that a lecture is coming. I am ready for a change.” He rubbed his hand over Gunnar’s newly shorn head. “I see you got a new look. What’s up with that?”
“It was time for me to grow up, stop hiding, you know?”
Gideon knew all too well about his brother’s once-troubled past and his former mistakes. He’d seen the No Equal gang tattoo when Gunnar had gotten it done. Even back then, Gideon had called him an idiot and told him how great they had it with Queen Elizabeth. Until their mother had proved herself by putting herself in harm’s way, Gunnar hadn’t embraced their charmed lives.
“Mom told me that you and Eboni are together.”
Gunnar didn’t smile. He beamed. Everything on his face lit up like he’d won the lottery. His pale skin held some color now. He pressed a button on a controller on his bed to raise his head a bit more.
“Since we’re alone, I can tell you this. I bought her a ring.” Gunnar nodded. “Doing it right this time. I can’t let more time pass between us.”
Gideon stood as fast as he could with his bum knee and embraced his brother. “Congratulations.”
“Yeah, I had planned on proposing after your game but, well, you know.” Gunnar shrugged. “She’s perfect, man.”
Gideon sat down. “She was pretty special back in the day. I remember thinking how great she was to hang with you after all the stuff you had gone through with the drugs and the fighting and that gang. She never left your side.”
“I know.” Gunnar got quiet for a moment before looking at the window across the room.
Gideon peered down to give his brother a moment. He hadn’t seen him get emotional about much. Eboni really must have gotten to his heart more than before.
Gunnar wiped his eyes and sniffed before he continued talking. “What about you? Did you tell Mom that you and Hilary are over?”
Gideon nodded. “Told her yesterday before the game. She was disappointed, but what can I say? It wasn’t meant to be.”
“You have bigger fish to fry.”
“I know, like making sure you’re okay. Watching out for Pick ’N Clip. And—”
“Your knee.”
Gideon stared at his brother.
“Sorry for cutting you off, but you know I’m right.” Gunnar stared at him.
Gideon returned the look and tried not to blink. “I’m fine.”
Gunnar tilted his head. “Dude, if I recognized that you’re hurting, you know Mom will know. She knows everything.”
“That she does.” Gideon laughed.
The phone in the room rang.
“It’s been mainly the media.” Gunnar waved his hand dismissively.
Gideon had no problem telling off a nosy reporter. He answered phone that rested at the head of Gunnar’s bed. “Yeah?”
“Gunnar?”
Gideon recognized the voice but needed to hear a bit more. “This isn’t Gunnar. What can I help you with?”
“Is Queen Elizabeth there? This is Victor. I need to talk to someone about the store.”
Gideon relaxed back into his chair. “Hey, Victor. This is Gideon.”
“Oh, thank God. You’re in town.” Victor exhaled. “I need some help with some the business. Queen was way better at this than me.”
“I’ll come down there.” Gideon stood. The pain didn’t register to him this time as he thought about the store and his duty to his family.
“Good. Good. I’ll see you later.”
Gideon disconnected the call. “Victor needs help already. I hate to leave you so soon after getting here. I was hoping to see Mom and Eboni.”
“Hopefully, I won’t be here for very long.” Gunnar smiled like he wanted to reassure Gideon.
“If you want to stay with me at my house, you can. You know I have plenty of room.” Gideon embraced his brother.
“I know. But you know how Mom is. At least for now, I’ll stay with her.” He waved at Gideon as he walked out of the room.
He got into the elevator and made it down to the lobby. As he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Eboni going into a different one. He had to smile at her dedication to Gunnar. His brother had better treat her right this time.
Gideon walked through the lobby and went by the gift shop, where he noticed someone familiar. He walked into the store and stood behind a woman he recognized. As she admired a display of freshly cut flowers, he watched her touching a petal and smelling an open bud. He took a deep breath and caught her distinctive flowery scent. Even among the various bouquets for sale, her aroma brought Gideon back to his days of sitting at the kitchen table and inhaling every bit of food his mother produced and then some.
“Are you going to stand there or are you going to hug your mother?” Elizabeth said without turning around.
“How do you do that?” Gideon laughed.
Elizabeth turned and embraced Gideon. “Don’t you boys know that you can never get anything by me?”
As soon as he embraced Queen Elizabeth, Gideon felt like he had arrived home. His shoulders relaxed. His breathing slowed. Even the throbbing in his knee subsided. She made everything right.
“I’m learning. I saw Gunnar. I was going to stay but Victor called and said he needs some help.”
“Oh, no. I can go.”
Gideon shook his head. “No, you stay with Gunnar. Besides, I have a feeling he’s about to do something special.”
Queen Elizabeth cocked her head. “Do something special? What is he going to do? Walk on water?”
Gideon shrugged. “He might. You did raise us to be the best at whatever we do.”
She gave him a playful slap on his arm. “You’re cute. Good luck at the store, honey. If you need help, I have a friend who also owns a flower shop nearby. Her name is Janelle Gold. She owns Flowers Galore. Hold on.” She opened her purse and retrieved a business card from inside. “Here’s her information. See her if Victor can’t help you.”
Gideon blinked. “So the competition helps you? That’s like me asking Peyton Manning for tips. Doesn’t happen.”
Queen placed her hand against Gideon’s cheek. “Florists are way different than football players, darling.”
Gideon laughed again. “You are right about that. I’ll check out the store and hopefully will be back soon.”
“Good.