He turned at the bottom of the stairs and stared into her eyes as she stood on the last step, looking at him with disapproval in her gaze. “I asked you not to be here, but you ignored me. I hope you’ll heed what I have to say now: Not now. Not tonight. It’s been a shitty couple of days. I’m tired and frustrated and veryclose to a rage I won’t be able to control. I need a shower and a meal and to be left alone.”
“Then we’ll sit down together. Janie made a wonderful roast chicken with mashed potatoes. You can eat and explain to me what’s going on.”
“I plan on eating. As for the explanation, you know the result of what happened between me and Brooke. I want to tell you everything, explain it all…you deserve that. And I’ll give it to you. Just not right now when my head is so messed up.” He headed for the kitchen.
Kristi would be wise to heed his warning.
Susanne would be down soon. She’d want the details from last night and about what Brooke had been through over the last week. And the last six months.
He’d have to explain that everything was his fault.
All his fault.
The minute he walked into the kitchen, Janie set a plate of food at the breakfast table. He sat down, grateful for the hot cup of coffee she handed him.
Kristi took the seat across from him.
He didn’t look up. He dug into the food, not really tasting any of it, but he needed the sustenance so he could stay strong for Brooke.
He bet Brooke could use a good meal. It had been nothing but fast food this morning. He glanced up to tell Janie to take a plate up to Brooke, but she was already walking out of the room with a plate and a bottle of water.
“Janie, if she won’t eat that, try ice cream.”
Janie smiled and headed up to Brooke’s room.
“Ice cream?” Kristi asked.
“She loves ice cream. It was the one treat she allowed herself while she was pregnant.”
He paused and thought about the fact that his daughter was gone. It hurt. It hurt so much.
Kristi placed her hand over his. “I’m sorry, Cody. I know it hurts.”
His eyes glassed over, and he put his head down again, surprised by her compassion after the way she’d been acting, but grateful for it all the same.
He ate several more bites, but he’d lost his appetite. He let his fork fall to the plate with a clatter and picked up his coffee mug, taking a deep sip, hoping the hot brew warmed his cold insides.
Kristi sat back and watched him, waiting for him to say something.
He needed time to think. If they got into it now, he’d end up saying something he didn’t mean. He wanted to do this right after he’d messed up so much over the last six months.
“I understand you’re upset about whatever happened to Brooke.”
Like she didn’t know. She was just trying to distance herself from it. Maybe she was delusional.
More likely, she simply wished it weren’t true.
“She’s your friend. It’s understandable you’re upset.”
“I’m beyond upset because our baby was murdered. Brooke is devastated and so am I,” he snapped and took another sip of coffee, fisting his free hand on the tabletop. “Sorry. I told you I didn’t want to get into this tonight.”
“The Christmas party.”
“Yes,” he confirmed what she hadn’t asked outright.
“Because we fought that night, you turned to her,” she said furiously. “It’s the same as always. Every time you have a problem, or need someone, you turn to her.”
“I do.” He couldn’t deny it. Why lie or make excuses now? “You and I had been arguing about this or that for weeks. That night,youended things and walked out the door. I was jealous as hellof all the attention Brooke got that night. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her.” He finished off his coffee and set the cup down. “We’ll leave it at that for tonight.”
