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Vince
Nick is busy pacing back and forth down the long hallway past the waiting room. He’s struggling, I know, but I don’t know how to make it better for him. I can’t make it better for anyone. And I fucking hate that. I want to make the people I love feel better. My dad drops into the chair next to me.
“How are you holding up?”
“Fine.”
“You know, usually you’re a better liar than that.”
An eyebrow lifts, and I squint at him. “I don’t lie.”Much.
He stifles a laugh and nods. “I’m just staying at Maia’s to help with Harper. She’s my best friend, we like hanging out late. I only sleep on the couch.”
“Well, when I first said all that, it wasn’t a lie.”
“And the week you started dating, you were sleeping on the couch?”
I bite my cheek to keep from smiling. “Absolutely.”
He shakes his head. “Seriously. I know none of this is easy for you, and not just because of your relationship with Maia or how complicated things are with Braden, but because of what it—”
“I can’t.”
“You can’t what?”
“I can’t go there right now. I know there’s no shame in letting my emotions out, but Maia and Nick don’t need that from me. I’ll have my time to break, but it’s not now.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t try to hold it in for too long. You’re more likely to explode if you do.”
“I know,” I say quietly. “I almost had a couple of panic attacks already.” I look up at the time, just before four in the morning. “I just want to make it through the night.”
I hope I can.
“I’m here if you need me,” Dad says, giving my shoulder a squeeze.
“Thanks.”
We look up to see Maia and Leigh walking back to the waiting room. Leigh continues down the hall to Nick as Maia stops in front of me. My dad gives Maia’s arm a squeeze and goes to sit by Leo.
Maia’s fingers graze my arm. She opens her mouth to speak, but then stops, surprised. “Is that Brent?”
I glance over my shoulder to where Meredith and Hank are sitting with Braden’s older brother, Brent. He’s several years older and moved away years ago. He rarely visits and barely knows Harper. I didn’t think he and Braden had much of a relationship anymore.
I’m one to talk.
“Yeah. He showed up a little while ago.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
Silence falls between us, highlighting the severity of the situation yet again.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Was this time any… easier?”
“A little. I knew what to expect. It’s still hard, though, seeing him like that. Are you sure you don’t want me to go in with you?”
I take her hand, pulling her away from everyone else. “Do you know how incredible you are? How in awe of you I am? Your strength—”
