His father’s stern gaze held his. “Make her. Like you tried to make her be your girlfriend. I couldn’t make her talk to me in the hospital because she was so broken and grief-stricken she couldn’t stop crying long enough to hear what I had to say. Make her! I won’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to do for you. Not after what you’ve done. Not after you ruined your life and could quite possibly destroy my life’s work.”
Adam tried to be contrite, even though he wanted to rage at his father for making him this way. “Please. Can’t you try? If she read my letter, then she knows I’m sorry.”
“What good is sorry to her after what you did? The best we can hope for is that she never utters your name ever again. That is the only thing I am willing to do for you.”
Adam eyed his father, seeing the calculation and resignation. “What does that mean?”
“I will talk to her again. When she’s feeling better and has had time to think. Hopefully she’ll come to the same conclusion she silently agreed to in the hospital, that you’re better off here than in a jail cell.” His father fell back in his seat and stared up at the ceiling. “If people knew…” He pressed the back of his fist to his forehead.
Adam leaned in and let his hatred show. “That’s the only thing you care about. What people will say. What will happen to you. I need to see her! I can make this right!”
His dad sprung up from his seat and towered over Adam. “No you can’t! Nothing will make this right! Her baby is dead!”
His dad walked out and slammed the door behind him, leaving Adam flinching and alone with his mom.
He turned to her. “Please. Won’t you do this one thing for me?”
“No,” she snapped. “I will not push your needs on a grieving mother.”
“He didn’t send her my letters, did he?”
“Adam…”
“Right. Of course he didn’t.”
Her stern face softened. “If you really care about Brooke, you’ll leave her alone and let her recuperate in private.”
“I want to help her heal.” Adam pulled the paper out of the back of his pants. “Please, give her this.”
His mother took it, then stood. “I better go find your father. Please listen to the doctors. Do what they say. Take your meds. And remember that your father and I are only trying to protect you.” She walked out on him then, too.
He stood, went to the door, and looked out at the two of them, standing with his doctor. His mom said something to his father, then handed the letter over to him. He crushed it in his hand and stuffed it in his inside coat pocket.
Ever the gentleman, he shook the doctor’s hand and walked to the elevator with his mom.
Adam wondered if they planned to ever come back and see him again, or if they’d just leave him here for the rest of his life, out of sight, out of mind like always.
Well, if they wouldn’t do what he needed them to do, he’d have to find a way to do it himself.
He owed Brooke.
He’d see her again.
Chapter Eighteen
Cody had to swing by his office today to pick up some files and deliver a surprise to his assistant, Brandy. She loved the box of honey almond shortbread cookies he’d picked up from her favorite bakery downtown. She’d gone above and beyond helping him with canceling the wedding plans and notifying guests. Which was why he’d also given her a gift card to her favorite restaurant, so she and her husband could have a nice night out together on him.
He was just about ready to leave when Brandy popped her head into his office. “Heads up. Kirk Randall is in Parker Beecham’s office.”
Cody rolled his eyes, knowing they were probably discussing him.
Kirk wanted to ruin him.
Brandy sneered. “They’re having lunch together at Pandora’s.”
Of course Kirk would take Beecham to the most exclusive restaurant in town. He was surprised they weren’t meetingthere, but he guessed that Kirk hoped to find Cody in his office for a little face-to-face chat.
He stood and headed for the door.
