Page 260 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

"Why do hospitals always have squeaky floors?"

Nash heard his brother Wade's question, but he assumed he was talking to Ellie since she stood closest to Wade. Besides, it seemed they both understood that Nash was too in his head to entertain a conversation.

"You are so right," Ellie said. "I've never really thought about that."

Nash eyed the numbers beside each door, counting down as they neared room 213.

Room 219…218…

"If I see a janitor, I’m going to ask them what kind of floor cleaners they use,” Wade said. “I think it’d be cool if my floors squeaked like this."

Room 215…214

And there it was—room 213.

"He's not going to be very happy if you go in there before he wakes up," Wade warned.

Nash smiled. "I know."

Ellie gave his hand a squeeze. “You go ahead. Wade and I will be out here talking about floor cleaners." She reached up and pressed a kiss to his lips before giving his hand another squeeze.

Nash twisted the doorknob and stepped inside.

The sight of his big brother, Wyatt, lying motionless on a hospital bed, tubes coming from his arms, the hideous gown he was probably ticked about wearing…all of it filled Nash with an overwhelming mixture of emotions.

Gratitude, though, was at the top of the list. Gratitude that Wyatt had survived, gratitude that he’d welcomed Nash and Ellie with open arms. And gratitude that he was soon moving back home.

Nash still wasn’t sure what possessed Wyatt to extend the olive branch and crush the animosity between them, but once Nash sensed that he had, it’d been easy to let his own hurt slip by the wayside. He and his brother could finally experience the kind of relationship they were meant to have all along.

"Excuse me while I switch out a few of his IVs," a nurse said as she came up from behind. “It will probably be a little while before he’s conscious, so if there's anything you want to confess, I suggest you do it now." She chuckled and tapped one of the empty bags before sliding it off the hook.

Nash remained quiet as she worked, then nodded his thanks as she finished up.

"I hear this one's a hero,” she said as she wheeled her supply cart toward the door. “Took a couple of bullets and all."

Nash had to smile. "Since he's still out, I’ll give you the affirmative. But I wouldn’t let him hear me say that. Can't have his head growing any bigger…”

“Does that mean I should send the press away? And the mayor, who’s ready to hand over a key to the city?” The nurse chuckled as she exited the room, and Nash turned his attention back to Wyatt and stepped closer to the bed.

"You always say that you’re not much for words, that you’re more of an action guy, but I believe some things need to be said. And since this is probably my only chance to speak what’s on my mind without you stopping me, I’m going to put it all out there.

“I’ve accused you of being the problem in our relationship for years, and I want to apologize for that. Yeah, we’ve been crappy to each other, but I can admit that it probably started with me.” He cleared his throat as he recalled the weeks following Mom and Dad’s funeral. The uncertainty, the fear, the sick, haunting feeling that chased him no matter how bright the sun.

“I know I pulled away from you after Mom and Dad died. I’m sorry for that. The truth is, you were too big of a reminder of what happened. When I spent time with Thatcher, I could tell myself that we were just staying with our cousins for a while and that the police were wrong; it hadn't been Mom and Dad in the accident; they were coming back for us.

“Thatcher made it easy because he didn’t want to talk about it either. I found out later that denial is often one of the first stages of grief. I think I stayed in that stage for a very long time. And the only way I could do that was by pushing you away.

“And I guess I can assume you’re still out since you probably would’ve interrupted me by now.” He glanced down and sniffed.“Thanks for being the one to squash things first and for welcoming me back into your life. That meant a lot to me. I hate to say that it took something like this to make me appreciate what I had, but when I didn't know where you were…I felt like my whole world was falling apart.”

Nash clenched his eyes shut for a moment as the truth of that sunk in. “I'msoglad you’re okay, man. And I’m glad you’re moving back home.”

Just then, Nash sensed movement in Wyatt’s expression. Was he waking up? Had he been awake longer than he let on?

“You should probably move back soon, though, because you don't want to miss the wedding."

Nash watched Wyatt closely as the statement lingered in the air.

Wyatt flicked open an eye. “Married?” he rasped. “Take ‘er easy, why don’t ya? Ellie wants a cowboy, does she? She may as well get to know me first so she can take her pick.”