“Library closes at two today.”
“Good, good, then you can grab Dad’s laptop and paperwork for him.” She said the words as if they were fact, no request involved.
Brian rolled his eyes, knowing she couldn’t see him.
“And why can’t you grab whatever dad needs...”
“Because I am stuck in the office all day today. I have a mountain of paperwork of my own to sift through.”
Tellulah’s job at the university was one of his father’s crowning achievements. Even though she did not work in his department, he never ceased to bring up how proud he was thatoneof his children had the brains to work at one of the top accredited institutions along with him, even if she worked in the finance department.
“And I don’t have things to do?” he grumbled as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“You are a near thirty-year old single librarian who never leaves his house except for work. When was the last time you actually went out and did something?”
Brian wanted to speak up and say he had, in fact, gone out. On a whim of course, to the speed date at the DeLux Cafe, but he knew admitting such things out loud would be giving his sister ammo to roast him for the remainder of their lives, and he was not certain he was ready for that kind of torment.
After all, who met the love of their life speed dating nowadays?
He knew the idea was crazy, after all LA was full of individuals looking for hookups rather than attachment, and he had to admit, he hadn’t expected to even get laid when he’d showed up at the place, let alone meet someone who made him feel...
How did Athena make him feel?
Satisfied, warm, happy, content.
Whole.
Better get over it, Bri, that’s not likely to ever happen again. You don’t even know her last name, or her number, and it’s not like you know her address being as she lives in the middle of fucking nowhere...
“I still have a life of my own, you know,” he griped as he sauntered over to his dresser, pulling out his clothes for the day. “Why does Dad need this stuff? I thought he was supposed to be coming home today?”
Tellulah sighed.
“They want to keep him for observation, but that’s all Mom told me. Lord knows, she won’t say more, which makes me think—”
“It’s not good.” Brian stilled, looking at the ceiling. He hated to think about such things, yet the intrusive thoughts and anxiety curled itself around him.
“I’ll grab the stuff after work and drop it off,” he said solidly.
Tellulah’s sigh was exasperating.
“Thank you, Bri.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said as he hung up, hanging his head in defeat.
There were plenty of reasons they’d keep him for observation. None of them meant he was going to die tomorrow, but...
Five years.
He’d been given five or six years.
Surely he would make it that long...
Brian felt restless at the thought, the worry thickening in his stomach.
One thing at a time, Bri.
He set his phone down, clutching his clothes as he headed toward the shower, hoping that perhaps the water would wash away the harsh truth of reality.
