Chapter 14 #2
“I might not be your husband, but we’re together. You’re mine just like I’m yours. And beyond all that, we are friends, Brooke. You know that.”
“I am doing just fine on my own. I always have.”
I sighed and pushed back the rage threatening to overtake me. “Yeah, you did just fine on your own. And you always will. But you do not have to. What would happen to Luke right now if my parents weren’t out there? Where would you want him to go?”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?” I asked, exasperated. “Stop caring about you? That’s not going to happen, Brooke. It can’t.”
“That has nothing to do with the situation. I got hurt. I’m fine. And thank you. Thank you for taking care of Luke. They will discharge me soon, and I can handle this.”
I was quickly losing control of this conversation, and I needed to get us back on track before either one of us said something we regretted.
“What happened? Let’s start there, and then we can go back to what you’re yelling at me about. What I’m about to yell at you for.”
“Don’t go off on me.”
“You’re the one going off on me. I’m not being a jerk, Brooke. I am your friend. Your fucking boyfriend. Let me help.” Tears filled her eyes, and I felt like an ass. “Brooke.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. That guy at work got weird.
” She let out a rough laugh, and I understood because “weird” was the understatement of the year.
“Apparently, he was drunk and he attacked me.” She went into detail about everything that had happened, about her coworkers holding him and calling 911.
How she’d already spoken to the authorities twice, all while thinking May could take care of Luke. And then May had called me. Not Brooke.
That hurt, but I understood. I did. Brooke was so used to doing everything on her own, so it made sense that she wouldn’t reach out.
But things were going to have to change.
I was falling for her, and I damn well knew she was falling for me, too. So we couldn’t pull away from each other. She had to rely on me, to lean on me, because if she didn’t, what was the damn point?
“I want to kill him.” I whispered the words I hadn’t even realized I was saying until they were already out.
“The authorities will handle him. I don’t want to make it a big deal. As it is, I have to go to work, to that same office where everybody will know that somebody hurt me. I have to be that woman with them. I don’t want to be that woman with you.”
The way that she emphasized that woman told me it was a whole other thing that she needed to deal with. I didn’t know if I was the right person to help. Maybe my mom would be able to help. Maybe Lake. I would bring it up later, but first, I needed to touch her.
I leaned forward and cupped her bruised cheek. “You scared me, Brooke. You scared me so damn much.”
Her eyes watered, and thankfully she leaned into my touch. Leaned in and didn’t back away. I had to count that as a good sign.
“I was scared, too. I don’t want Luke to see me like this.”
I nodded, looking down at her hospital gown. “When are we breaking out of here?” I asked.
Her lips twitched, and she winced since one of them was cut. I held back a curse. “They said it would be another hour. I don’t know what to do, Leif. I always know what to do.”
I sat down next to her and gripped her hand.
“Okay. Why don’t my parents take Luke home?
” She opened her mouth to argue, and I held up my hand.
“May can’t help right now, and it’s understandable.
She feels bad about that, by the way, so make sure you know that she tried her hardest to help. Nick had to practically drag her out.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. “She was in that much pain?”
“She tried to hide it from you because she was scared. For you and for herself, I think. But she’s okay.
She’s going to be okay. Lake is touching down at the airport any minute now, and we have that transportation handled, but how about this?
My parents take Luke home, give him a fun evening, and then you can video call him later.
That way, he doesn’t feel as scared. Then later, after we get you settled at home, we can bring Luke back, after dinner, after he gets spoiled by my parents, and see what happens then. ”
“I guess you have it all handled.” She paused and frowned. “I’m not good at letting other people handle me, Leif. I’ve never been good at that.”
I let out a rough chuckle. “I know. But it’s okay.
Because you’re going to let me do this. You let me take care of you.
I already promised Luke that I would help talk you into letting us take care of you.
” I raised a brow. “He also asked if we could all sleep together in your big bed to make sure you’re okay.
” She sputtered, and I grinned. “Smart kid there.”
“I don’t know what to do, Leif. I was so scared.
But I’m okay now. I’m going to be okay. I don’t have a concussion.
I didn’t even need to get stitches. I am just a little banged up.
And it took a while to get through the emergency room because of a pile up on the highway and then dealing with the authorities. ”
“You’re going to be okay,” I repeated, primarily for myself. “Luke and I will take care of you because we’re your guys. It’s what we do.”
“Leif… I don’t know what to say.”
I sat up, leaned forward, and brushed my lips against hers. “Don’t say anything. Just be okay, Brooke. Let us be there for you.”
I kissed the tears away from her cheek and then held her hand as we waited. I needed her to lean on me. I just needed her.
But even as I thought the words, the fear of what happened to her hit me. Something so inconspicuous, something I hadn’t even realized was a threat to her, hurt her.
And my own secrets, my own past, were still waiting.
I knew that if I didn’t deal with it soon, the danger that blurred between us both wouldn’t end here.
I just didn’t know where that end would be.