“So you didn't mean it when you said you'll always be everywhere I am then?” His chest dips and the sadness in his eyes make my heart ache.
What the fuck is happening? What is he doing to me? Why do I want to take him in my arms so badly while whispering yes, yes I'm right here and always will be? This is the reason he almost died today. Someone could be watching us now. One wrong move could lead to me losing him in a worse way than I would if I walked away from whatever it is that's been happening between us.
“I don't know what you're talking about but I do know it's getting late and I need to finish my yard work before the sun goes down.”
“Yeah…” Hesitation is heavy in his eyes and his bottom lip shakes. “Yeah, okay. See you around neighbor.”
As I'm turning around, trying not to give into the temptation of following him, I hear a metal door slam. An engine roars minutes later and my heart pounds heavily in my chest as he backs out of his driveway. Where the hell does he think he's going? I quickly toss the bag of cookies in the back of my truck bed and get in to follow him.
No one else is on the road but us and he goes exactly to where I think he's headed—to see his brother. Right when I think it's another day of him staying in the car and debating on going inside, the passenger door swings open. His shoes step onto the pavement and he slowly drags himself forward, wiping at his eyes.
Not moving from where I am, I keep watching him until he's fully out of sight and this time I'm the one debating if I should get out of the vehicle or not.
Fourteen
Patrick
Who knew it was my frustration toward another person that would finally get me out of my car and to my brother's hospital room?
I had to get away from there. I wanted to listen and do what he asked of me too badly. I want him to go back to his house and watch me inside mine doing exactly what he demanded. And that's why I had to leave. He doesn't get to have that from me when he can't even tell me the truth. When he just keeps doing shit without explanation.
What was wrong with those cookies? Was there even anything bad about them or was this another one of his games to make me more afraid? Why would anyone leave me with something that could hurt me when I only know two people in this whole town?
“Can I help you?” A nurse in blue scrubs asks me, stopping me in the hall.
“Yeah, I'm here to see my brother in room 223.”
Her lips lift. “Oh you're the one listed as an emergency contact.”
“Yeah. That would be me.”
“Which I find it weird that he'd add someone who lives so far away when his husband lives down the road.”
“What?” I say, feeling as if someone just threw cold water on me. “My brother isn't married.”
Her brows scrunch together. “Sure he is. The man only comes to visit almost everyday. Unless….” she lifts a hand to her mouth. “I think they recently tied the knot and he didn't have a chance to tell anyone.”
“I…” My tongue feels like it’s increased in size. “I didn't even know he was dating anyone.” He knew all about my relationship issues and yet stayed quiet about everything going on with him. Why?
She frowns. “I'm sorry. This is all a hard thing to find out after someone so close to you almost loses their life.”
“Yeah…it's not your fault though. My brother was a very secretive person and probably was waiting for the right moment to tell me.” Whenever the fuck he thought that would be.
“I'm sure that's it.” She gives me an empathetic smile, squeezing my shoulder. “Well, feel free to go in whenever you're ready.”
“Thanks…” My eyes skim her tag. “Wendy.”
“You're very welcome, hun. Let me know if you need anything.”
“When do visiting hours end?” My question stops her midwalk as she's passing me by.
Turning her head slightly, she smiles gently. “Don't worry about that today. Stay as long as you'd like.”
I smile in return and nod. “I appreciate it. I shouldn't be too long though.”
Boy was that a lie. As soon as I'm sitting in a chair by his bed, I rest a hand on him, telling him all about the farm. I go on about the farmer's market and how good we did. In between it all, I lightly mention my neighbor and when I finally don't have any more topics to help distract me from theone weighing heavy on my mind, I say, “Why didn't you tell me you met someone?”
His face remains still, his colorless cheeks sinking and my eyes water. “I would have loved to meet him, you know. I would have…” I wipe my eyes, sniffling. “I would have liked to know you weren't really all alone out here.”