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“Isn’t this the time of night vampires usually hunt their prey?” Wes smirked, teasing his younger brother.
“Usually. But we make an exception when our mothers stumble and fall down half a flight of stairs.”
“What happened? Is she all right?” Wes slid his arm from beneath Brianna and climbed out of bed, pacing the floor near the window.
“She got tangled up in the bedding she was carrying downstairs to the wash. Damn lucky to have only have fractured her ankle and sprained her wrist.” Drake’s gravelly voice was that of a man who spent his nights in smoke-filled clubs.
Wes cursed, running a hand over his head. “This happened tonight?”
Drake hesitated before responding. “Last night. We’ve been trying to reach you, but your phone was off.”
“My phone died last night. I’ve been…preoccupied.” Wes glanced back at Bree. “Started charging it about an hour ago.”
He’d always been the reliable son. The one who’d drop everything to help out his mother. But he’d failed her when she’d needed him most, a mistake he wouldn’t make again.
“Thanks for being there, Drake.”
“She’s my mother, too.” His words were laced with resentment. “Maybe I’m not always there physically, but I do whatever I can for Mom, no matter where I am in the world.”
“Didn’t mean to imply otherwise. Like I said, I’m just glad you were able to be there.” Wes sighed, kneading the tension in his neck. “Is she still at the hospital?”
“Yes. Her doctor wants to hold her one more night for observation, in light of her Parkinson’s.” His brother cleared his throat. “When do you think you can get here? I’d love to stay, but I have to catch a plane in the morning. The band’s got a gig in Germany in a few days.”
“I’m in Asheville, but I’ll leave first thing in the morning. I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. Is Mama awake? Can I talk to her?”
“She’s resting. The pain meds knocked her out. I’ll be leaving shortly, but between Aunt May, Dallas and Shay, she’s in good hands. So don’t worry. And Wes…” Drake’s tone had softened, the tension gone.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t beat yourself up over this. There’s nothing you could’ve done to prevent this. And no one blames you for taking a little time for yourself. Certainly not Mama.”
Wes wouldn’t commit to not feeling guilty about allowing himself to be distracted when there was so much on the line professionally and personally. Still, he appreciated his brother’s assurance.
CHAPTER 14
Bree awoke just in time to see Wesley striding out of the bathroom, freshly showered, with a towel slung low across his waist. As he bent over his luggage, the beads of water on his brown skin highlighted the strong muscles of his shoulders and back.
“Good morning.” She sat up in bed, pulling the cover up around her.
“You’re up. Good.” He turned to her, a grave expression tugging down the corners of his mouth. “I’m afraid I have to bail on the rest of our trip. I have a family emergency. I need to be back home in New Bern as soon as possible.”
“What happened? Is it your mother?” Panic bloomed in Bree’s chest on his behalf. She knew how close they were.
“My mother tripped down the stairs. She fractured her ankle and sprained her wrist. I know the injuries might seem minor, but I’m afraid it’s part of a larger problem.” He paused as if there was something more he wanted to say. Something he wasn’t comfortable sharing with her. Wes sighed. “She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six months ago. I only learned about the diagnosis when I went to visit her after our first meeting about the tournament.”
“That’s where you spent the night.” Bree’s cheeks warmed the moment she blurted out the words.
“I stayed to accompany her to the doctor the next day and to help out around the house.” A knowing smirk curled the corner of Wes’s mouth.
“Sorry to hear about your mother. About the fall and the diagnosis.” Bree forced her eyes to meet his rather than take in the brown skin stretched over his muscles. “I’ll jump in the shower so we can get out of here as soon as possible.”
