“Oh, Miss High-and-Mighty wants to fight,” she cackled. “I gotta see this!”
“There you are,” a deep, smooth voice interrupted. Cassius appeared beside us, a bundle of tall, handsome, hulking disapproval.
“The doctor said that Lucas was ready to see you.” He eyed my mother coldly. “Both of you.”
“Whatever.” My mother hitched her cheap purse over her shoulder and grabbed her coffee. She looked pissed. She didn’t want to see my brother; she usually avoided it at all costs. But I could tell she was assessing Cassius and wasn’t sure what to make of him.
Her curiosity won out. She followed us down the hall to Lucas’s private room. I caught her inspecting Cassius, her heavily lined eyes narrowing in on his cufflinks and watch. For his part, the billionaire didn’t spare my mother any attention. But his strong presence was a comfort. For once, I felt like I had an ally against her.
We reached my brother’s room, and I straightened my shoulders. If I could do one thing, it would be to stay positive in front of him. I didn’t want to fight with Mom and just make everything worse.
“Hey, Lucas!” As we entered the hospital room, I placed a full-wattage smile on my face. It was a cheerful space filled with colorful prints and lots of sunlight. My brother’s hospital bed was covered with a multicolored quilt made by the staff, and his stuffed dog, Chipper, was tucked next to him.
Lucas’s grin split his face when he saw us, making everything worth it. “Hey! I didn’t know you were coming today.”
He turned to my mother, clearly shocked. “Hi, Mom!” God bless my brother. His smile was genuine. He was always one to forgive and forget when it came to my mother. He loved her no matter what she did—or, more importantly, didn’t—do. His hopefulness in her presence always squeezed my throat, making it hard to catch my breath.
“How’s my baby?” Mom hugged him, her reedy arms surrounding his frail frame. “You’re looking good, kiddo. You’re probably going to get out of here soon.”
“Really?” Lucas’s eyes got huge in his face. “Can I come home?”
“Oh…” My mother looked around helplessly—she hadn’t anticipated his question even though she should’ve known better. “I don’t know. It’s up to the doctors.”
“Okay,” Lucas said eagerly. “But when I get discharged, then can I come home? Faith and I were couch-surfing at her friend’s apartment, it was totally gross?—”
“You know what, hon? I forgot I have to run to an appointment.” Mom bent over and gave Lucas a hasty kiss on the head. “I’ll see you soon!”
She fled, her cigarette-like frame disappearing into the hallway before you could say Mommy Dearest. My heart broke for my brother, just like it did every time I saw him try to reach out to our mom.
Lucas’s brow furrowed, but he quickly smoothed his features. Like me, he was an expert at hiding his disappointment. He turned back to us, eyeing Cassius. “Who’re you?”
Cassius cleared his throat. “Cassius Blackwood. It’s nice to see you.” He held out his hand, and my brother took it.
“I’m Lucas Kensington,” my brother said, mock-serious. “The pleasure’s all mine.”
That made Cassius smile.
“Cassius drove me here from Rhode Island,” I explained.
“Are you her boss?” Lucas asked.
“Today, I’m her driver.” The billionaire smiled again. “I’ll give you and your sister a few minutes alone. Can I get you something from the cafeteria, Lucas?”
My brother’s eyes lit up. “I’d love a Milky Way. Just don’t tell my nurse—I already had jelly beans.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t say a word,” Cassius said with a smirk and left us.
“He’s nice,” Lucas said. “I like him.”
I blinked at my brother, surprised. It was unlike him to pronounce something like that. He could forgive my mother anything, but when it came to my friends, he was protective and innately suspicious. “You do?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Dude’s buying me candy, and he’s wearing a suit. He’s cool. I bet he has a nice car.”
“He does.” I felt my cheeks heat and hoped he didn’t notice.
“I can’t believe Mom was here,” Lucas said, sounding wistful. “She didn’t last long, though.”
I shook my head. “You know she hates hospitals.”