AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I put my arms around myself, cold from the air conditioner and Brooks’s response. I don’t know why I was so surprised. His behavior twenty years ago and today were pretty pathetic. I stared blankly out the glass door that led to the rest of the hospital. There wasn’t much to look at other than a drinking fountain and a picture of some old guy. I rubbed my arms, shifting my thoughts to Tom and praying he would make it. The doctor said he was stable for now, and his temperature was coming down. I wanted nothing more in that moment than to be sitting next to Tom and holding his hand. It would be an added bonus to be away from Brooks’s gaze. I don’t even know why he came here in the first place. He’d refused to go back and see his daddy when given the chance earlier.
Amid my silent contemplation a suit coat that smelled of orange tree blossoms with a hint of spice was being draped over my shoulders, engulfing me. I instantly felt warmer.
“You look cold,” Brooks crooned from behind me.
I was cold, but I didn’t need his kindness. “I’m fine. You can keep your suit coat.” I tried shrugging it off.
Brooks placed his hands on my shoulders. “Please take it.”
I begged myself not to revel in his touch or the way he smelled. The voice that kept telling me Brooks was meant to be mine was wrong about him, and I had been too. “Really, I’m okay.”
“Don’t be stubborn. Your magically delicious shirt is paper thin.” I heard the smile in his voice.
“Are you making fun of my shirt? I’ll have you know, because of this baby, I beat your daddy,” my voice cracked, “and mine every week in poker.”
Brooks dropped his hands. “You play poker with Tom?”
I turned with a scrunched brow. “He’s your daddy, and yes I do. We also have a monthly book club, manicure Mondays, salsa Sundays, and occasionally fried food Fridays, which, under the circumstances, are now canceled.” I felt sick thinking I had contributed to Tom’s condition. I should have been firmer with him about his eating habits, but his favorite saying was, “I’m a Texan, and it’s our God-given right to eat badly.” His other favorite was, “Go big or go home.”
Brooks ran his hands through his tousled hair. “I didn’t realize you two were still so close.”
“I think there’s a lot you don’t realize.” I took off his suit coat and handed it back to him. I’d rather freeze than be tortured by his yummy scent.
He stared down at his jacket. “You have no idea what he did to our family.” Brooks seethed.
“That’s where you’re wrong. And if you don’t think your daddy has felt the repercussions of what he did every day of his life, you’re sorely mistaken. That man loves you so much. He’s so proud that you followed in his footsteps and became a lawyer.”
Brooks’s head jerked up. “I’ll never be like him.”
“Sadly, that’s probably true.”
Brooks’s icy glare made me shiver, but I held his gaze. He tilted his head. “You’re different than I remembered.”
“How so?”
“You used to be a lot nicer.”
My hand flew to my heart. I was a nice person. At least until Brooks had appeared today. “I could say the same for you.” I headed back for the chairs and took a seat, shaking.
Brooks paced and paced, rubbing his neck as he went.
I tried to ignore him and pulled out my phone to read our book club choice for the month—Twilight. I smiled to myself thinking of Tom’s pick. He had chosen it because Carly loved that series and he was desperate to connect with his kids in any way. I hadn’t read the book in years, so I was brushing up. Unfortunately, lusty teen angst couldn’t keep me distracted.
Brooks eventually threw himself into the chair next to me. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his face in his hands. He inhaled and exhaled loudly. “Grace, I don’t want to fight with you. My father could die,” he choked out.
My heart instantly softened toward him, and before I could stop myself, I rested my hand on his back. “I know. And I’m sorry.” Sorry for what could happen and sorry I hadn’t been kinder. Tears welled in my eyes.
He turned his head toward me, the corners of his mouth slightly ticked up. “I should apologize to you.”
“Probably.” I smiled.
That elicited a full grin from him. In his smile, I saw the boy I used to know and love. It had me removing my hand from his strong back. My heart couldn’t afford to waste its time on a lost cause.
He leaned back and rubbed his eyes. “Has he been sick?”
“No. I mean, he hasn’t exactly taken care of himself for the better part of the last two decades, but he hasn’t had any major illnesses.”
