Page 102 of Her Ex-Husband's Brother

His eyes find mine.

For one second, nothing in his face moves.

Then his lips part.

“Lennon?”

The nurse glances between us, professional enough to pretend she didn’t hear the break in his voice.

“August,” she says, “do I have your permission to discuss your discharge instructions and transportation plan with Lennon?”

His gaze never leaves mine.

“Yes.”

“The psychiatrist has entered your discharge order, and you’ve completed the necessary paperwork,” she tells him. “Your safety plan and medication instructions are in this packet. The outpatient clinic has your referral and should call you Monday morning. If you haven’t heard from them by noon, call the number on the front of the packet. No alcohol with the medication and no driving tonight.”

“He won’t have to drive,” I say. “I’ve got it.”

August’s gaze sharpens.

The nurse looks at me. “Are you the person accompanying him?”

“Yes.”

My hand tightens around the strap of my purse.

Behind the glass doors, across the dark parking lot, Jake’s silhouette shifts inside the car.

August sees him.

Every bit of fragile color drains from his face.

The nurse notices. People in places like this must be trained to recognize the twitch that comes before an explosion.

“Mr. Gallagher,” she says evenly, her hand shifting toward the phone on the desk, “is that someone you feel safe leaving with?”

Across the parking lot, Jake opens the passenger door and steps out.

Dammit.

I shouldn’t have stopped earlier and let him into the car. What was I thinking? Of course August would need transportation, and of course I couldn’t put the two of them together in an enclosed space.

Look what happened the last time they were in the same room.

August’s plastic bag crinkles in his fist, and he takes a step backward.

I move without thinking, placing myself between August and the doors.

“He’s not leaving with Jake,” I say. “He’s leaving with me. I’m calling a rideshare to take us both somewhere he can get settled safely.”

The nurse lowers her voice.

“Mr. Gallagher, you have been discharged. You are not in custody. You decide who accompanies you and where you go.”

August’s jaw flexes once.

“Then I’m not going with my brother. Only Lennon.”