When Sky Breaks: Burn & Break Duet Book 2

9. Sky

Johnny frownsmomentarily before gracing me with one of his charming smiles. “Should’ve known surprising you would’ve gone one of two ways. Your slack-jaw tells me I was right.”

Still shocked, I step outside and close the door behind me.

He peers down from behind those Ray-Bans he loves before shoving them atop his glossy hair. His warm brown eyes search mine for a second before he pulls me in for a hug. “Traffic sucked, and all those cornfields grew tiring to look at after a while, but I missed you.”

He smells like cologne and mint, and for a second, I lean into him, reminding myself that different is good. That sprung surprises are okay and that seeing Johnny in my hometown right after seeing my ex is no big deal at all.

“Are you okay? I know I should’ve probably called, but it took a minute to get everything worked out.”

Realizing I haven’t uttered a word, I clear my throat. “Of course, I’m okay, just shocked to see you on my porch. How did you even know where I lived?”

He cocks his head like a golden retriever and furrows his brows. “Lenore assisted me.”

A wave of anger rises, but I tamp it down. It’s easy to fall under the spell of Johnny Hawk, and Lenore is no different from any of the other women who seek his attention. Given she works in registration, it’s not difficult to search anyone’s information. But I hid this part of my life for a reason. I didn’t plan on coming back.

“Well, welcome to Maizeville, Indiana. Foster is napping right now, or I’d invite you in.”

Johnny nods and shoves his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, his corded forearms on display under his button-up short-sleeve shirt. It’s rare to see him in anything but dress clothes or scrubs. Makes me feel self-conscious about the leggings and T-shirt I threw on once we got home from getting ice cream.

“It’s all right. I have to check into my hotel room soon, anyway. Early morning.”

My heart rate speeds up. “For what?”

If he isn’t just in town to see me, why else would he be here?

“For your dad’s next appointment. I requested to be on his care team. Luckily, I can do some of the work at home, but I took off a few weeks to make sure he gets hooked up with the best possible care.”

I take a step back. “What? Why? Why would you do that? We had it all handled. There are excellent doctors here, too.” My cheeks flush as his eyes pinch at the corners.

“Babe, I thought you’d be happy about this. Like I’m not trying to give myself immense credit here, but I know what I’m doing. I just want to make sure your dad gets the best. I know how much he means to you.”

With my whole chest, I want to say I’m a nurse and a damn good one myself, but I keep quiet. He’s right, in a way. While he possesses greater knowledge on the subject, I’ve grown tired of my choices being dictated by men who presume to know what’s best for me.

“You should’ve asked first.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but I stop him. “I don’t ask for much, never have. We haven’t known each other very long and have a lot to learn, but something like this? You should’ve talked to me first.”

Johnny stands there stunned as if no one has ever called him out on his behavior before.

“However, I appreciate you thinking of Foster like this. You’re right. He’s very important to me and Trek. I know I don’t talk a lot about myself and what it was like growing up, but I’d do anything for my dad.”

Johnny folds me into his arms once he sees the tears well in my eyes, my arms stiff at my sides. “I know, I can see that. From his file, I saw he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and if someone is going to get cancer, that’s the one to get. It’s extremely curable with a high success rate on the right chemo plan. He’ll be okay.”

I let Johnny hold me, knowing he’s correct. Even so, the fear is well and alive within me. I can’t lose Foster; I’ve already lost too much.

As I hiccup and wipe my face, the fear morphs into sheer anxiety. Foster doesn’t even know Johnny exists. Oh no. He’s going to want to meet him.

I never planned for this. I wanted casual. It was safe and easy to keep Johnny at arm’s length when we were up north; he and I preoccupied with the hospital in between going to functions.

But here in this sleepy town, where everyone knows everyone? They’ll have me married off to the fancy doctor by the end of next week.

Another thought rips my reality to shreds.

August.

He’s back and, before long, will know I’m here, too.

Between him, Johnny, Trek, and Foster’s illness, I feel my strength ebbing away to stress. The last thing I need is this level of complication.