Page 128 of Fierce Storm
“Because it’s me?”
“No, of course not,” she lies, trying to smile through her pain. “He’s pissed that I lied. Or that I held back the truth.” She shrugs and...It’s definitely because of me.And I have no fucking idea how to fix it. They need a book for shit like this. What to do if you find yourself falling for your son-in-law’s sister.
If Gregory’s pompous ass can release a book, why hasn’t anyone written something like that?Fuck. They probably have.
“Tell me what to do, Keels, and I’ll do it.”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“Keeley. This isn’t all on you. It takes two to tango, remember?”
“God, you’re old.”
“Why? Young people use that phrase.”
“Sure they do.”
I fight not to smile but it shines through, and when Keeley hits me with a grin matching my own, I start to relax. “What about I ask Jeffrey to drive us to the hospital to visit your mom. I can come up or wait in the car—whatever’s best for you.”
Keeley’s smile briefly falls before she widens it again, and I have my answer. “Thanks, but Mom doesn’t want me visiting either, so I’m just going to help pack up here and head home.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“No, that’s okay. I didn’t have much to drink and my last one was hours ago. You don’t have to wait.” She glances toward Easton and Paige, and my heart breaks for her. This was supposed to be a happy occasion. It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
“I’ll help you pack up. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“You don’t…” She begins to argue but trails off before I’ve even opened my mouth. “Thank you, that would be nice.”
She directs me like we’re strangers, and when everything is packed and we’re ready to go, she gives me a brief hug goodbye before driving away.
Taking a part of me with her.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
KEELEY
After messaging Phil several times asking if he’s sure Mom’s okay, and him telling me she’s good every single time, he finally sends me a video of her rolling her eyes with the accompanying text, “Do not come here. I’ll see you when I get home.”
Of course, I ignore her, and the second visiting hours begin, I’m hovering in her doorway. I need the distraction after lying awake all night thinking about Sal.
“Seriously?” Mom rolls her eyes when she sees me, mimicking her video from last night. “I thought you were a rule follower?” She raises her eyebrows, her face looking much gaunter than I remember it, her body looking frail as she lies in the hospital bed. Have I been missing the signs? Is she worse than I thought?
“Keeley?”
Shit. I smile to hide my spiraling thoughts. “Yes. I am a rule follower. That’s why I waited until visiting hours.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve barely woken up. So thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I smile, ignoring her sarcasm. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I stole the spotlight from my son.”
“The perfect gift for him. Now you don’t have to give him a present.”
Mom stifles a laugh and I call her out on it. “You know I’m right. You have no reason to be embarrassed. We’re all worried about you.”
“Don’t be. This is part of my life now. We have to get used to it.”
