Tyler looked up. “That coming from you?”
The corner of Troy’s mouth lifted. “I said ‘can.’”
“So why didn’t you change yours?”
Troy reached for the handle of his plastic cup. Tyler stood and helped him bring the straw to his lips. He took a long drink, then laid back on his pillows.
“I loved your mom, Tyler. If that’s what you’re asking.”
“Funny way of showing it,” Tyler muttered.
Troy flinched. “I guess I deserved that.”
The machines beeped, and the lights flickered on the walls. Tyler dropped his eyes. He hadn’t planned on walking in and accusing his dad of ruining their family on his deathbed, but there it was.
Tyler pointed at a clipboard on Troy’s tray. “What are they saying about your stay?”
Troy shrugged. “Mostly pain management. Getting some nutrition in me.”
Tyler’s shoulders tensed. “Dad, I—”
“I was young and selfish.” Troy dropped his eyes to his hands. “I took her for granted. There are some mistakes you can’t come back from.”
Mistakes.Was he really trying to pretend he’d accidentally ended up in someone else’s bed? Thenaccidentallycontinued that pattern for thirty more years? But as he watched Troy adjust his hospital gown over his bony shoulders, Tyler couldn’t bring himself to argue.
Troy turned. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t make the same mistake, Ty.”
Tyler scoffed. “I won’t.” He couldn’t. Because he would never let himself get close enough to let somebody down.
Troy patted Tyler’s hand. “I didn’t mean betraying her. I meant taking her for granted.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
At the barbecue,Emma tried to act normal. She didn’t succeed, but thankfully it didn’t seem like anyone noticed. Curtis was showing Brett how to play chords on her dad’s ukulele while Fly, Mike, Ryan, and Suraj were deep in an intense game of corn hole. It was warm enough to eat outside with jackets on, and her parents had pulled out the patio furniture from the garage just for this occasion.
Emma took a bite of her bison burger just as Kelty dropped into the seat beside her, balancing a plate piled high with potato salad and chips. From the looks of it, her parents had decided on All Dressed.
“I’ve missed you, you know.” Kelty popped a chip into her mouth.
Emma sighed. “I know. We have our final shoot on Monday. As long as everything goes well, things should calm down from there, at least until we start on the next property.”
“You’re going to keep working there, then?”
Emma twisted her napkin, and she forced a smile. “Not sure yet. I’ve got some other irons in the fire.”
Kelty nodded and took a swig of her water that smelled like a flavour but actually tasted like salt. She turned and scanned the backyard."It's a bummer Tyler couldn't make it, eh? I feel so bad for him."
Emma frowned.She felt bad for him?What excuse could Tyler have given that would evoke pity? “Mmhmm.” She took another bite of her burger, hoping a mouthful of food would disguise her annoyance.
Kelty sighed. “I’m sorry, you probably know more since you work for Troy. Have they given any updates on his condition?”
Emma chewed and swallowed. “I think he’s doing relatively well. When I saw him yesterday—”
“Oh, Emma, had you not heard?” Kelty put a hand on her shoulder, and her stomach dropped. “Troy had a medical emergency during the night. He’s in the hospital.”
The world around her seemed to slow as Kelty’s words sank in.Medical emergency. In the hospital.Emma's thoughts raced back to the tense conversation she'd had with Tyler that morning in front of the elevator. Was that why he’d come? To tell her Troy was in trouble?
"I have to go," she whispered, and Kelty nodded. Emma offered a tight smile as she rushed to drop her plate in the trash. She gave her parents each a quick hug, then raced out the door to her car.
