I sit there, holding my breath as he knocks on the door.
Mitsy answers, her robe wrapped tightly around her frame. Brooks says something. Her face falls. She nods slowly, clutching her robe like it’s the only thing keeping her grounded.
Then, Brooks hugs her.
She stands there, watching, as he turns and walks back to the truck. I catch it in her face. Disappointed, not blindsided. So she knew the rules. Still hurts, though.
He slides into the driver’s seat, buckles his seatbelt, and turns on the radio like nothing just happened.
I can’t look away.
"I don’t understand," I finally manage to say.
Brooks doesn’t hesitate. "I told her it was over."
My breath catches as the truck rumbles to life and he pulls back onto the road.
And as we drive home, my heart won’t stop racing.
He watches the road. I watch the choice he just made.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Just for the Aesthetics
I’ve been hiding out at the hospital all morning, watching as Dad sleeps in that stiff, sterile bed. The beeping of machines is the only thing keeping me grounded in reality, though each one feels like a ticking clock counting down to something I don’t want to face.
The nurse has come in a few times, her expression set in that professional mask of indifference, the kind they must wear to survive days like these. She checks his vitals, makes notes on her chart, and quietly slips out again.
Every time she comes in, I tell myself I’ll ask.Is he okay? Is he getting better? Is he...
But the words stay lodged in my throat, like if I say them out loud, I’ll hear an answer I’m not sure I’m prepared for.
I run a hand over my face, my fingers lingering over my eyes like that will hold in all the emotions pressing against my chest.
I don’t think I’m strong enough to do this alone.
The truth hits me like a punch.
I feel alone. Utterly, completely alone.
My phone buzzes on the side table, rattling against the cheap plastic. I reach for it, my pulse spiking when I see Jasper’s name flash across the screen.
I hesitate, finger hovering overaccept. But instead, I hitignoreand tuck the phone deep into my purse. Out of sight, out of mind.
"I think I’m going to head home," I say to Dad softly as I stand, though my voice wavers, and I know he won’t hear me.
He lets out a quiet snore, his chest rising and falling so slowly that for a terrifying moment, I count his breaths just to make sure they’re still coming.
I lean down and press a kiss to his forehead. His skin feels warm, too warm, and I’m not sure if it’s from sleep or something worse.
"I have a meeting with Belle," I whisper like it’s some kind of confession. "About the collab. We’re starting a series or something... I don’t even know. Honestly, I can’t remember what it’s about."
I glance over my shoulder as I pick up my bag, swallowing the guilt. "I’ll be back later. Maybe I’ll sneak you in a cheesesteak from Philly Joe’s. Remember how you always said it was the only thing good about this town?"
Dad doesn’t stir, and for some reason, that makes my chest ache more.
As I walk out of the hospital room, my purse vibrates again, Jasper’s name lighting up the screen for a second time.
