Page 158 of Return To You

“Sure,” I say, leaning on Ethan. The night air picks me up like a cool shower. Shit. I really did have too much to drink, didn’t I? Was I yelling in there? But why did Colton… ohmygod, I yelled at Colton. My sweet brother. “I yelled at Colton,” I say.

“He can handle it.”

I’m turning back to go inside when my phone rings with Mom’s ringtone. I let it go to voicemail. I’m in no state to talk to my mother. The phone rings again.

“Want me to get it for you?”

I shake my head softly. I want to stay here, in silence with Ethan, for another minute. Or two. Or two million. He dips his face to mine and kisses me, then brings me against his chest and caresses my back.

My phone rings again.

Then the voicemail chimes.

Then it rings again.

“I’ll get it for you,” he says and digs into my tiny cross-body purse, picks up, and holds the phone to my ear.

“Gracie—it’s Daddy. He’s—they’re—he’s going to the hospital.” My heart constricts and I look up to Ethan. He frowns and cups my shoulders with his hand while Mom gives me some info. When I hang up, he says, “I’ll drive.”

“We need to tell Colton.”

“Stay right here.” He rushes inside and comes right out, talking to Colton. Colton bolts to his car as we get in the Jeep, Ethan driving.

Ethan cups my thigh with his hand. “Breathe, baby,” he says as we get on the highway. “What did Shannon say?”

All sign of intoxication has suddenly left me. “She came home and found him on the floor.”

“Shit.” He strokes my thigh. “I’m sorry, baby. Did she—did she say if he…?”

I look at him. If he what? He looks so worried; I almost feel sorry for him too. “She found him unconscious, so she called 9-1-1. I don’t know what she did then—I didn’t ask. She called me from the car. She was following the ambulance.”

“Did she sound okay?” He lifts his hand from my thigh to my nape and kneads it, then pulls me against him. “I wish we’d driven her.”

“She’ll be alright,” I say in a small voice. That Ethan is worried for Mom is just so… so touching and overwhelming and sweet. And it makes sense but… I guess I’m not used to a man sharing my daily troubles with me. Why did Dad fall? I should have gone to see him. The last time I did, was… I straighten from Ethan’s embrace to look through the passenger window. “The last real conversation I had with Dad, we argued.” The dark landscape whizzes by while I fight the tears but keep the guilt right where it belongs. Front and center.

Ethan’s hand lands on my thigh again. He gives me a squeeze. “Don’t go there,” he says. Then, stroking me, he adds, “Your dad and your family need you strong. Guilt isn’t gonna do that for you, or for them. Trust me on that.”

I turn my eyes to him and catch his concerned gaze on me. “Whatever you argued about has nothing to do with what happened to him. Trust me on that too. Don’t beat yourself up. Save yourself for where you can help. Just be there for them.”

I nod. “Thanks. You’re right,” I say as we pull into the hospital entrance in record time.

“I’ll drop you off at the entrance and park the car,” Ethan says as he slows under the carport.

I lean over to kiss him. “You’re coming, right?”

“I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

“No. I want you to come. I need you, Ethan. I’ll text you where we are.”

fifty-two

Ethan

The hospital is brand new and nicer than what I’ve gotten used to on base. Its appearance is closer to a mall. I suppose that helps with morale.

My phone buzzes—Grace telling me where they are. When I get there it’s just her and Shannon, huddled next to each other on a hard couch. Shannon stands to greet me, and I hug her. Peeling herself from me, she looks into my eyes. “Thanks for being here,” she says just as Colton stomps in.

He takes his mom in his arms. “What happened?”

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