Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Leonard
The hospital room has been silent for a while.
Still, sterile, and quiet.
Movement in the hall draws my attention.
Cromwells. Kaleb and Samantha approach hand in hand. Pushing off the hard seat, I meet them outside the door.
I force the words from my mouth, painful and bitter, as I explain about the baby. Kaleb and I stand watching as Samantha rushes to comfort her best friend.
I watch as Shelby’s last shield comes down and she sobs, even harder than before, for the loss of our baby, the accident, hell, maybe even for the secrets I now force her to keep.
The sight rips my heart out.
I force myself to tell Kaleb about her injuries; I deserve to say them out loud.
Together, we keep watch over our girls, as one offers comfort and the other seeks the strength she needs.
Samantha is giving Shelby something that I can’t right now—peace.
Sounds of crying and whispers dim until the room is once again quiet, and my sadness turns to rage once more.
Cooper will pay for this, all of it, but he’s not the only one to blame.
My throat feels like it’s closing. “This is your fault.” I force out.
“He may have been there because of us, but Cooper’s actions are his own,” Kaleb argues.
“I’m not talking about the car plowing into my family.” Shaking my head, I huff a hollow laugh. “You and your brothers should have taken care of him well before now. He shouldn’t still be on this earth to be driving!”
That gets his attention; his blond head snaps to me.
“You’ve been fucking around with him for years. This”—I point at the bed—“is on the three of you.” I mean it.
For years, I’ve ignored the obvious issues in this fucking town. The Cromwells aren’t as sneaky as they think they are, but up until now, it’s not been my business. After all, they don’t interfere with my extra activities. I tell him as much.
“We’ll take care of it.”
It’s not good enough.
“No, you had your chance.” I glare.
“We’re Shelby’s family,” he reminds me.
I let his words sink in.
If I take care of Cooper, the Cromwells will have something on me, and that just won’t do.
Keeping my eyes on the bed, I offer, “Then maybe it needs to be a family event.”
No other words are spoken on the matter, but the silence says it all.
“Can you stay with her?” I whisper, “I need to see Riley. Just show myself that she’s okay, but I don’t want to leave Shelby alone.”
Kaleb nods. “Of course.” Turning away from the sleeping women, he promises, “We’ll stay as long as you need.”