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“The hospital called. Father is in the ER,” he answers. “We need you. According to the lawyers, you’re the only one allowed to handle his business.”
He’s not making sense. What do lawyers have to do with the hospital? “Lawyers? What business? What happened?”
“He had a heart attack. I’ll explain more when you arrive.”
“You’re the doctor, not me.” I remind him that he’s needed there. “Keep me informed until I can fly to Greenwich, maybe tomorrow or… later.”
“We need you here, Tristan,” he repeats. “He’s filing for bankruptcy. The lawyer needs you while he’s indisposed—or if he doesn’t make it… Plus, this is your fault. He begged you to change and instead, you went public. We need you now.”
What the fuck is he talking about? Heart attack? Bankruptcy?
I went public?
I run a hand through my hair. Fuck. My father is in the hospital. The kid in me, that obedient boy who always did what was expected of him, calls Mason Bradley to make plans for Connecticut as soon as fucking possible. Maybe after this I’ll close that entire chapter and leave my family behind for good.
Tristan:Thea, Matt, I’m flying to Greenwich. My father had a heart attack and my family didn’t give me too many details about it.
My phone rings immediately. “Sorry to hear that, babe. Do you want me to go with you?”
Matt’s voice loosens the knots of tension forming on my back. “No, I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s going on with him.” There’s a click sound on my phone. I check it and Thea is calling me too. I connect her call with ours. “Butterfly?”
“Coop, I just read your text. Do you want me to go with you?”
Matt laughs on the other line. “He said no. How are you, baby?”
“Worried,” she answers. “Are you sure you don’t want us to go with you? I don’t want you to face this alone.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I love you, baby. Once I find out what’s going on and make sure everything is under control, I’ll head back home.”
“Okay but promise me that you’ll call if you need us.” That sweetness is all I needed to head back home.
“I swear.”
“I love you too. Mattie, call me later.”
“You got it, Butterfly. Love you, Coop. Call us at any time. I’m heading to Seattle tomorrow morning. Thea and I can head to Greenwich whenever you want.”
“Thank you. And I love you too, Matt.”
ChapterThirty-Seven
Matthew
I’m nota fan of the red eye, but I want to discuss an issue with Dad before heading to Vancouver. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a charter, so I had to fly to Seattle on a commercial flight. My options were departing at six in the morning or waiting until ten. I had to pick six a.m.
At almost nine in the morning, I make it to my destination, but my stomach drops to the floor the moment I step off the plane and step foot outside the gate. Mason stands only a few feet away with his usualI’m going to kill youglare.
My brother-in-law and I are best friends. We have a lot of interests in common, and we like to spend our time playing video games. We don’t have heart-to-heart conversations, but we know each other pretty well. Well enough to know that if he’s here, there’s an emergency and I’m involved.
“Oh goodie, I have a welcome committee,” I say, lightening up the punch that’s coming.
My parents?
Fuck, Grandma Janine.
No, please don’t.She can’t leave us. I calm myself and instead say, “Where are the flowers and banners? Something likeMJ, you’re my herowould’ve worked.”
“You done?” he groans.
