Fucking hell. I hate that she’s in this position. Hate whatever made her run here with nothing. Hate whoever made this her only option.
But damned if I’m not also grateful as hell, because it’s what brought her back to me. Gave me the second chance I never thought would happen.
“You rest.” I run the back of my hand across her forehead, the heat radiating from her skin forcing me away from her side.
Bruno has finally made his way to the stairs leading inside the house, and is scrambling up them. I pause to scoop his little body up and set it on the hardwood before going to collect everything from my truck. It takes me three trips to get the puppy’s shit, and everything I bought at the grocery, into the house. Once I’ve taken Bruno out for a quick pee to make sure he doesn’t immediately relieve himself in the house and create more work for me, I dig through the bags to find the medications I bought.
Selecting the one that seems to fit her symptoms best, I pop the gel tabs free from the foil, get one of the electrolyte drinks, and go to where Brooke is sleeping—open-mouthed, thanks to her stuffy nose.
Being as gentle as I can, I slide one hand under her back and lift her upright. “Time to take some medicine, sweetheart.” The endearment slips right out, and I don’t even try to stop it.She’s not gonna remember any of this anyway, and I like how it sounds too much to take it back.
I place the pills on her tongue, one at a time, helping her tip back a mouthful of lemon lime flavored rehydration after each one. Once they’re in her belly, I tuck her back in, close the blinds, and turn on the television, selecting a soothing music station to play while I go to work.
I get Bruno all set up, putting out his crate and toys, along with his food and water bowls, before putting away all the groceries I got, leaving out the items I’ll be using immediately.
While Brooke sleeps, I chop vegetables and shred a rotisserie chicken, combining everything with bone broth and an odd collection of seasonings that includes cinnamon and nutmeg, along with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It seems weird, but I trust Mariah. So far, I haven’t tasted a single thing she’s made that I wouldn’t fistfight one of my brothers for.
Once the soup is set to simmer, I go back to check on Brooke. She’s sleeping soundly, and when I press my hand to her forehead, it seems to feel cooler than before. Satisfied I’ve done as much as I can, I spend the next hour and a half making sure there’s nothing embarrassing in any of the areas of my house she’ll likely be visiting during her stay. The last thing I need is her thinking I don’t know how to put a toilet seat down or scrub a bathtub.
Though having a filthy house did work out pretty well for Titus…
Fucking Titus. Again, I want to be pissed at him. Want to kick his ass. Especially after the way I found Brooke.
But if Titus hadn’t hired her, I definitely wouldn’t have known she was sick. And if I hadn’t known she was sick…
She’d still be laying in bed, burning up from a fever, too weak to take care of herself or call someone else to.
Speaking of calling someone else…
Grabbing my phone, I text my admin assistant, asking him to email me a list of all the company phone numbers. Malik is amazing and has them to me in under five minutes. He also doesn’t ask any questions, which makes him my current favorite person.
Not counting the one snoring on my sofa.
Scrolling through the documents, I quickly find Brooke and type her number into my phone, creating a contact before messaging her directly. No more of thisshe can’t get in touch with me if she needs mebullshit. I don’t care if it’s overstepping or too much, too fast.
This is about making sure she’s taken care of and has someone to count on. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let anyone fill those two positions but me.
I hear her phone ding from the bag I collected out of her room when my text registers. Satisfied I’ve done all I can, I stand there for a minute, unsure what to do now.
Without any better ideas, I go into the great room, intending to once again check on Brooke. What I find there stops me in my tracks. The flush of her cheeks has calmed, and her breaths seem to come easier. The medication I managed to get her to take is clearly working.
But that’s not what has me rubbing the center of my chest.
Copper is tucked up close to her mama, nose to ass, looking content and comfortable. Bruno is dancing around the edge of the couch, doing his darndest to climb up. He’s too little to be successful, so I offer a helping hand, scooping him up and settling him on top of the blankets. I’m shocked when he goes straight for Copper, nosing his way right up against the older dog until he’s wedged between her and Brooke, before yawning and passing out himself.
And I gotta admit, they look like they’re onto something there. Unfortunately, I don’t have the right—or the space—to wrap myself around the woman they clearly favor over me. So I prop myself up on the other side of the sectional, leaning back into the corner so all I have to do is move my eyes to one side and I can see where Brooke’s resting.
I don’t want to turn on a television show, because I don’t want to disturb her, so I decide to wake up my phone, open the family group chat…
And start some shit.
Bradshaw Family Group Chat
Tobias
Anyone check on Brooke? I heard she called in sick.
Titus
