Chapter 31 Brendan
THIRTY-ONE
Brendan
Carmen and Tony finally left for their honeymoon twenty minutes ago. The moment I see the final guests pulling away, I’m in my SUV, heading to the hospital.
When I get there, I text Scarlett, then sit on a rock-hard love seat and look around at the beige walls and cold interior. This is the same lobby where she waited for me after Carmen’s accident. The room has been holding that secret all this time.
I paced these halls while my sister fought for her life, hooked up to what seemed like a dozen machines. That entire night I was consumed by guilt. If I’d just driven Carmen home that night, if I’d been a better brother, things would’ve turned out differently.
And the whole time, Scarlett was down here, waiting for me.
I never knew.
I grab two coffees from the vending machine on my way back to the waiting area, knowing it’s going to be a long night.
When the elevator doors open, she steps out, still wearing that beautiful bridesmaid dress that seems out of place under the fluorescent lights. Her smile is gone, replaced by a hollow look in her eyes.
“How’s your dad?” I ask, suddenly worried that things have taken a turn for the worst.
“His breathing is better. They gave him medication for the bronchitis and ran some scans.” She lets out a breath. “The good news is, his treatment is still working. Six more months and he’ll be in remission.”
“Six months. That’s great news,” I say, relieved he’s going to be okay.
She tucks her hair behind her ear. “He’s sleeping now. Mom’s with him.”
I hand her a coffee. “I’d be happy to stay with you.”
She takes a sip. “They only allow two people in the room at a time. And Mom won’t leave him.”
“I don’t need to be in the room.” I slip her hand inside mine. “I just want to be here with you.”
Her brow furrows. “But you have to travel to San Diego tomorrow. You should go home and get some rest. Coach Marco needs to bring his A-game.”
I shake my head. “Nothing’s more important than this. And I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’m not alone. Mom’s here and Eli’s on his way.” She bites her lip, then sinks onto the love seat. “Speaking of Eli, your uncle told me something tonight.”
“About Eli?” I sit next to her. “Why would Rafael bring up your brother?”
She hesitates, setting her coffee down. “He said you gave Eli money for a business venture.” She wraps her arms around herself. “Is that true?”
I freeze. Of all the things Rafael could have said tonight, I didn’t expect this one. I don’t know how much he told her, or how much she already knows, or whether Eli has said anything.
“Yes, but he wasn’t supposed to tell you. That was between Eli and me.”
Her eyes widen. “How long have you been keeping this secret?”
“It was years ago.” I drag a hand over my face. “I hardly remember it.”
Her brow knits. “How much did he borrow?”
“I don’t remember the amount. It was for the developer he hired for the delivery app.”
“And he never paid you back.”
“He couldn’t—the business went under. I told him it was a risky move, but he didn’t listen. I really didn’t expect him to pay me back.”
“Well, apparently your uncle did.”
“Rafael wasn’t supposed to know either,” I mutter. “No one was.”
“That’s why you and my brother aren’t speaking,” she says. “He owes you money and he’s ashamed that he can’t pay you back.”
“It’s not about the money. I never cared about that. When I told him he could forget about it, he got angry. Told me I didn’t understand what it’s like to struggle, since money has never been an issue for me. But it put a wedge in our friendship, like he’d failed me somehow.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Then why didn’t he tell me? I’m his sister.”
“He was embarrassed. Which is why he asked me, as his friend, to keep it between us.” I move closer to her on the love seat, close enough that my arm brushes hers. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Scarlett. Your brother cares about your opinion. He didn’t want you to know he’d failed again.”
Her eyebrows rise. “I would never think less of him.”
“I know that, but he didn’t. That’s why I kept my promise to him.”
She studies me for a long moment, then lets out a breath. “You know, for someone who claims you’re not friends with my brother anymore, you’re sure acting like one.”
I’ve been carrying this secret so long, it feels good to get it off my chest. I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “Do you know how many times I almost blurted it out? That night you forced us to have dinner together was the worst.”
She looks down at her hands in her lap. “That must have been painful.”
“Excruciating.” I reach for her hand. “But not as painful as keeping something from you.”
Her fingers curl around mine. “I believe you, but I still have to talk to my brother.” She pauses. “What I don’t understand is how your uncle even found out.”
“His financial advisor noticed a large withdrawal from my account and flagged it. Rafael asked me about it, and I told him I’d loaned money to a friend.
” I let out a heavy exhale. “I should have pushed harder to keep it between us. I never thought he’d bring it up to you after all this time. Not like that.”
“That’s not all he brought up tonight.” She picks up her coffee cup, but doesn’t drink it. “He remembered me, Brendan. From the night of Carmen’s accident.”
I shake my head, not understanding. “Why should that matter now?”
She stares at the coffee. “Because he thinks the only reason I’m with you now is to secure the vendor contract.”
My hand tightens around the cup. “We both know that’s not true.”
“Not now, it isn’t.” She looks up at me and I can see how this is eating at her. “But that is how it started, Brendan. I agreed to be your wedding date, hoping it could benefit me.”
“You were trying to help your family,” I correct her. “That’s not the same as using me for personal gain.”
“To him it is.” Her gaze darts away. “Dad asked me again tonight if the contract came through. He wants so badly for it to work out. He needs something to give him hope while he gets through this.”
“And you’re going to get the contract.” I lay a hand on her arm. “I know it.”
“The decision hasn’t been made yet.” She looks at her coffee again, like the weight of this decision is suffocating her.
I can’t stand seeing her upset like this.
I take her coffee from her hands and put it on the table, then pull her into my arms, my lips brushing over the top of her head.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I stroke her hair lightly.
“Whatever happens with the contract or our families, we’ll face this together. ”
She leans into me, twisting the fabric of my shirt in her hand. “But what if he won’t believe you? What if no one from your family believes you? No matter how you try to explain it, they’ll always have their doubts about my motives.”
I tilt her face up, needing her to see the truth in my eyes. “Scarlett, I love you. And I don’t care if we’re alone against my family or the whole world, as long as we’re on the same side.”
She doesn’t say anything, just searches my face.
“I’m always on your side, Scarlett,” I tell her, meaning every word. “That won’t change. Whatever is best for you and your family—I will always stand behind you.”
She stares at me long and hard. “But what if the best thing—” She swallows. “—isn’t what you actually want?”
“Then I’ll accept that,” I say with finality. “Because I want what’s best for you. Always.” I press a kiss to her forehead.
For a moment she says nothing, just lets me hold her in the middle of an empty waiting room.
“Tell me something, Brendan.” Her voice is quieter now. “Will you still wear your heart pajamas while you’re away?”
I laugh softly. “Of course I will, even if the team never lets me hear the end of it. I’ll wear them every night just so I can think about you.”
“Good.” Her voice is muffled against my chest, her fingers tracing slow circles on the fabric of my shirt. “I want you to think of us when you’re away—how happy you make me. Because even if we’re not together…” Her fingers stop moving. “I still love you.”
We sit there for a long time, her body gradually relaxing in my arms. Her breathing evens out, before she falls asleep against my chest.
I shift slightly, making sure she’s comfortable, and settle in for the night.
I’ll stay here as long as she needs me, just to have the privilege of holding her before I leave for San Diego.