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“I have to go,” I tell them.
“We’re all going,” says Dennis.
No words are exchanged during the drive to the hospital but Rose’s tight grip on my hand shows that she already knows everything I’m thinking, everything I’m feeling.
I do love him. A lot. And all that pain, and irritation, and desire to push him away is because my own feelings are consuming me.
Brian is not answering my calls, but Rose says it’s probably because his phone is on silent. He has a lot on his mind right now—the last thing he needs is distractions. Dennis stops the car in front of the hospital as I jump out, running to the entrance, Rose following close behind.
“Andrew,” I yell when I spot Brian’s friend. “How is he?”
Andrew gives me a quick hug. His face is pale, and his eyes are red. “He’s alive. Brian is with him.”
“Can I see him?” I ask.
With all these reporters nearby, there’s no way I’ll be allowed anywhere near him.
Andrew nods. “I’ll take you.”
Rose grabs my shoulders and whispers that she and Dennis will wait here before Andrew leads me inside the hospital and then into the suite where Brian’s father is.
Brian is half-leaning against the wall, crouched, his hands on his knees for support. He tilts his head when he hears the door open, his eyes go wide when he sees me. Paler than Andrew, his face seems contorted with pain.
He straightens up and turns to us right as I crash into him. I link my arms behind his neck and pull him closer, trying to fight off tears. Just as fast, he does the same, wrapping his arms around my waist and then burying his face in my neck.
“How is he?” I ask.
Brian lifts his head so that he can look at me.
“He’s stable— still sleeping— but stable. It was a heart attack; he was very upset with the situation at work— his maid found him like that and called an ambulance.”
He grabs my face, pushing away strands of hair that have become stuck to my sweaty face. “How did you— why did you come?”
“Do you really think that my feelings are so shallow that your stupid lies would make me not care for you?”
Brian smiles, the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen on him and kisses me softly on the lips. It’s brief, but it’s enough to make my heart start pounding again, like nothing bad ever happened between us.
A soft beeping noise can be heard from inside. “Is that normal?” I ask.
The room looks more like a hotel suite with a cream living room and a large opening that leads to where the patient is.
“It is.”
He pulls away but grabs my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, and leading me toward the door.
“I never thought I would see him like this. He’s had issues in the past, but... I don’t know. First, the accident with my mom and then this.”
I’m sure the fear of something happening to his parents is very painful but that lost expression on Brian’s face tells me he’s worried about his son, too. He’s worried about something happening to him and his little boy ending up alone.
“It’s okay, Brian.” I look at his father. “If they have him in this room, it means that the doctors are not too worried about his health.”
Brian nods but I can feel his fingers tense around mine. “Thank you for being here.”
I kiss his cheek but don’t say anything. This is not the right time to speak about us—I might make promises I will regret later on.
We stay like this until the doctor interrupts us, asking to speak to Brian in private. I’m about to go outside but he shakes his head and leads the doctor outside.
Robert Reeds is sleeping peacefully, unaware of all the beeping machines around him. Slowly, I move to his side, my arms crossed over my chest in a defensive position. If he hadn’t been so cruel to his son growing up, maybe Brian would have handled his problems differently.
