AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I understand. As charge nurse, my mom is very good to all her nurses. “I’m looking for Mom. Do you know where she is?”
“She told me she was off to see Tia’s boyfriend. By the way, your sister is mad because we won’t let her go down and visit him. He’s still a little groggy and she’s…”
“She’s what, Sonya?” I ask.
“We just need to watch her a little longer.”
I fucking hate HIPPA laws. There’s something Sonya isn’t telling me. “I thought she was going home today?” I ask.
“The attending is keeping her another day.” It’s all she can say.
“Thanks Sonya. If you see mom, let her know I’m here.”
I take a step toward the general’s room, and the television is on low, playingThe Wedding Singer. Tia’s favorite movie, ever.
Her eyes are closed, and she has her purple blanket pulled up over her shoulders. I forgot about that old and torn blanket but it was something our dad gave her. Mom and he teased her at the time, saying it was three times bigger than her. She didn’t care, and it’s been her comfort for years. I bet she wore mom down before mom when to her apartment not far from the University.
I take a seat near my sister, taking in every little bruise and cut on her body. She’s not short. Neither Mom nor Dad were short. Mom is five foot ten inches. Dad was right at six foot and one inch. Tia is slim, with a small waist. She’s just a touch taller than Mom, closer to Evelyn’s height. I always wondered where I got my thicker frame. I still have abs, and a defined physique, because I take care of my body. How did I miss all the signs? I’m built just like Carl. So is Noah.
I fall asleep and when I wake to a hand on my shoulder, I look into the loving face I thought was my mother for my whole life.
I stand, without thought, throwing my arms around her. “I love you, Mom. Nothing changes.”
“Oh, honey.” Her own hold on me is just as tight. “I needed to hear that today, baby.”
She pulls back, searching my eyes. “I hope you know it changes nothing with me, either, Ashton Michael Brooks.”
She’s calling me by my birth name to remind me I’m always a Brooks.
* * *
Tia had beenin and out of sleep.
The kids begged me to be home before they went to bed. And I have to go see Liam. I drop a kiss onto my sister’s forehead. “I love you.” I whisper in her ear, and say good-bye to Mom.
At Liam’s door, I give it a light knock. “I’m not naked, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Typical Liam. “It’s Ash. You up for some company?”
I’m still at the door, and can only hear him. “Thank fuck. Your man is a grumpy ass without you.”
Taking a few steps into the room, Liam looks like actual hell, and Noah is sitting next to him, his legs crossed over his knees. He’s not shaved, it doesn’t look like he’s slept, and yet I’ve never seen anyone as handsome as my husband.
“Liam, you look like shit warmed over.”
He laughs with my analogy, “Yeah, asshole. You’re not wrong. So please put me out of my misery, what the fuck is going on with you and my brother? I had a feeling something was up, but Noah didn’t get up and maul you, so I now know. Spill it.”
My eyes search Noah’s. He gives a shrug, but this is not the way Liam needs to find out.
“Wait a second, asshole. We’ve not addressed the issue at hand—you and my sister.” I try to deflect.
“Yeah, averting isn’t working. Anyway, you two were blind if you didn’t realize that our animosity only grew. Hate sex is the best.”
Noah doesn’t laugh. He’s in his mind still.
“I swear I’ll hurt you if you mention sex and my sister again. However, to answer your question. Couples fight. Even Noah and I. So, it’s just a little spat, and I’m sure everything will be fine soon.”
Liam looks at me, then at Noah and back at me. “Okay, but as much as I’ve messed with you all over your PDA, I miss it in comparison to this shit.”
