Chapter 24
twenty-four
My heart stopped, and a lump rose in my throat. I couldn’t have responded if I wanted to. What are they doing here ? I understood why Seth would show up. I sent him a text about my wrist from the hospital yesterday. I’d assured him I was fine, but my brother couldn’t resist an opportunity to check up on me. But Brett? Why was he here? Had he really come all the way from Kansas City? I never should’ve given my brother a key to the house. If I hadn’t, he’d be stuck on the other side of the door, and I could ignore him.
Two sets of feet clomped up the stairs. I shifted away from Tripp and stood. He leaned forward and stood up beside me. My body tensed, ready to either fight or run. My bedroom door had a lock. I could easily lock myself away in there for a few hours. I’d had plenty of food, so I wouldn’t be hungry until at least dinner time. I’d settle for bathroom sink water if it meant I could avoid spending any time with Brett. I glanced toward the bedroom and back at Tripp. I couldn’t leave him out here on his own. Could I? Surely, he’d understand. Besides, Seth and he were friends. Well, at least they knew each other on a professional level.
Before I could make up my mind, my brother and Brett were at the top of the stairs. Brett’s gaze went straight to my splint. There was a visible sigh of relief when he realized it wasn’t terrible. Based on the look of terror on his face, he’d been expecting much worse. Satisfied I wasn’t about to lose a limb, he turned his attention to Tripp. He was there beside me. His hand reached for me, interlaced his fingers between mine, and squeezed. He wasn’t even considering abandoning me. That knowledge alone made me grateful I hadn’t retreated to my bedroom. Seth caught my eye and raised an eyebrow as he glanced between Tripp and me. I hadn’t spoken to my brother in a few days, so he was not up to date on whatever this was with us.
“Sorry to show up unannounced,” Seth said. “Hey, Tripp. I didn’t expect to see you here.” If I didn’t know any better, I’d say my brother's voice had a hint of protectiveness. Interesting.
“He’s been here since last night,” I said. Seth cocked his head to the side and stared me down. Brett shifted his weight between his legs and glanced between Tripp, Seth, and me. His mouth was creased into a tight line, like he didn’t know whether to frown or scowl. “Just to make sure I’m okay and keep me company while Ava is out with her boyfriend.”
“Ava has a boyfriend?” This time, I couldn’t decipher what I was hearing in his voice, but I could dissect that later. The more important question had to do with the man standing beside my brother.
“What is he doing here?” I asked. I didn’t bother hiding the disgusting taste that question left in my mouth.
“I called him after you messaged about the accident.”
“Accident? I have a tiny hairline fracture on my wrist. Hardly worth his time.”
“I’m right here, Sadie,” Brett said. “You can talk to me, you know.”
“Can I?”
“Yes, of course. You’re my daughter. You can call or text me any time. I’m worried about you. It's not just the wrist but everything I’ve seen on social media recently. The bungee jumping? Hot air balloon rides? I mean, I barely recognize you. All of this seems like a cry for help. It’s so out of character for you.”
Tripp stepped forward and opened his mouth to speak. I tugged his hand to pull him back. While I appreciated his desire to speak up for me, I could handle my father. “No, Brett, it’s my job. And even if it weren’t, you are the last person on earth who gets to decide what is and isn’t out of character for me.”
Seth sighed and shook his head at me. “I think what Dad is trying to say is —”
“No, Seth, don’t defend him. You know exactly what I am doing and why.”
“Maybe, but you’re different.”
“Maybe I am, how is that a bad thing? How is it any of his business? None of this,” I said, waving my uninjured hand around me and Tripp, “has anything to do with you,”
Tripp’s grip on my hand tightened. “I get that you’re worried about your sister, man, but maybe this isn’t the best time to be springing more surprises on her.”
“Stay out of this,” Seth snapped at Tripp.
I held up my hands. “No, please don’t take your frustration with me out on him. This has nothing to do with him, but he’s right. Now isn’t the best time. You can’t just show up with Brett like this.”
“We’re family.”
“We are.” I pointed between Seth and me. “You’re my brother. He’s a distant relative.” Tripp squeezed my hand again.
“No, you’re right,” Brett said. He handed me a gift bag. “Mel sent a care package. She broke her dominant arm a few years ago, and these are all the things that helped her maintain her independence while healing.”
I reluctantly took the bag and peered inside. “A bidet?” Heat flushed my cheeks. Despite the instant embarrassment, a giggle rose in my throat. “I hadn’t even thought about … that.”
I couldn’t hold the laughter back. Curiosity got the better of me, and I set the bag on the table to inspect the rest of the contents. Mel had managed to pack a bidet, a back scratcher, an eBook reader stand and a remote control, along with all of my favorite snacks into the gift bag. There was even a gift card to our local independent bookstore.
A strange burst of warmth flooded my body. She’d pulled all of this together and sent it with Brett on a plane in less than twenty-four hours. She’d done it for me, the ungrateful stepdaughter who always treated her like a parasite.
Tripp’s warm hand pressed against my back.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted.
“I’m sorry would be a great place to start,” Seth said.
“No, you don’t owe anyone, especially me, an apology,” Brett said.
“Tell her thank you for me, please.” I carried the bag into my bedroom and closed the door behind me. I sank onto the bed and closed my eyes. Placing my hand over my chest, I tried to calm my racing heart. Between the conversation with Tripp earlier and all of this, the swell of emotions threatened to undo me completely. I wasn’t going to let that happen, though. I’d cried enough tears over my dad. I’d vowed never to let him break my heart again a long time ago, but this was a new kind of ache, and it was still too much. I drew in a deep breath and steadied myself. I couldn’t leave Tripp to fend for himself.
I’d only been gone a minute or two, but when I returned, the three men were sitting on the couch, watching something on Tripp’s phone. Did they become best friends already? Was Tripp taking their side? Not that there was a side to choose in this situation, but if there was, I knew without a doubt that he’d choose me.
“What are you watching?” I asked.
“Oh, I was showing them some of the footage from the kayak practice.”
“He was bragging about how awesome you were at the wet exit. I’m impressed, sis. You even look like you’re enjoying yourself.” Seth had been on a few kayaking trips over the years, granted his were usually a bit more exciting than a float down the Cumberland River.
“I was,” I admitted. “Of all the challenges so far, the kayak has been my favorite. Despite this.” I held up my arm.
“Does it hurt?” Brett asked.
I had to give him some credit; despite my very intense efforts to shut him out, he kept trying. He stood and walked toward me. I fought the urge to pull away from him. I glanced at Seth and Tripp sitting on couch. Tripp raised his eyebrow as if to ask if I needed him, I shook my head. No, I could handle my father.
I let him take my wrist into his hand gently so he could inspect it.
“Not right now, but it did. They said it should heal within three or four weeks. So, I won’t be out of commission for long.”
“Already ready for another adventure?” Seth asked.
“Yeah, I am.” The honest answer surprised me. It shouldn’t have. Something had changed between the hot air balloon and the kayak. I couldn’t describe the feeling exactly, but it was as if I’d found a long-dead part of myself. I’d never pushed myself as much as I had these last few months. I’d just accepted the status quo and hadn’t let myself imagine a life that didn’t involve constant fear. I didn’t hesitate at the elevator when we visited Tripp's office. I’d even gone up a few times without Ava.
“I’m sure this isn’t the best time to say this, but I need to say it someday, Sadie. Why not today?” Brett asked. He drew in a slow, measured breath as he stood and walked toward me.
I looked at him in confusion. “What?”
“I’ve made a lot of bad decisions in my life regarding the two of you. I know I can’t undo any of it, but I wish I could.”
“Please, don’t,” I said. I wasn’t ready for this speech. I’d dreamt of it often as a child—the day my dad finally admitted he’d made a mistake walking out on us. The day he begged for my forgiveness and told me how much he loved and missed us. “Not now.”
“Can you let me finish?”
“No, I can’t. I’m sorry.” I needed to set this boundary almost as much as I needed to hear him say the words. “Not when you’re here because I got injured, and not when it’s from a place of guilt. I’m not here to make you feel better about abandoning your family. I appreciate you coming, and the gift from Mel was very thoughtful, but I’d like you to go. I’m not sure I’m ready for any of this. Not yet anyway.”
Dejected, his face fell. He stepped back, putting more distance between us. But he didn’t fight me. He respected my wishes. “I’ll wait in your car, Seth.”
“Wait, Brett, thank you for showing up today. I’ll call you soon, okay?” He was trying and watching him turn his back to leave nearly broke me. He’d dropped everything to be here for me. I could see the pureness of his intention, even if I wasn’t ready to welcome him with open arms.
“I know I haven’t always been there, but I promise I’m going to be here as much as I can,” Brett said.
"I’ll call you, okay?” I watched him walk back downstairs and waited for the door to close before turning to Seth. “You can’t just show up with him like this. I know what you’re doing and why, but you can’t force me into forgiving me. Even if you could, it wouldn’t automatically heal every broken thing. And it’s not fair to me or to him.”
“I’m still going to try. I can’t give up on us.”
“I don’t want you to.” And I didn’t. I appreciated his desire to have a whole family after we’d been broken for so long. He gave me a quick hug before turning to go.
He gave Tripp one last look that said I’m watching you . I rolled my eyes. He played the role of protective brother a little too well sometimes.