Page 74 of Devoted

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Jess. God, it must be hard for you sitting across from me now, isn’t it?”

The corner of my mouth tips up as moisture stings my eyes. “I’m not going to lie, it’s stirring a lot of things up for me. You two have a lot in common and you remind me so much of her. But I wanted to be here for Brooks, and for you. I am one of the few people in this world who understands exactly what he’s going through, and I hope like hell that you can beat this—that he doesn’t experience the same pain I’ve felt from losing my mom.” I reach for her this time, clasping my palm over hers. “Don’t give up yet, Vivian. You are a fighter, I can sense that in just this brief conversation. Let me know whatever I can do to help, okay?” I want her to know that Brooks needs her, the same way I needed my mother. I don’t think anyone ever stops needing their mother.

Her plea comes out soft and gritty against the tears that spill over. “Just love my son enough for the both of us, okay?”

I nod, my own tears forming now. I brush one away and then answer her. “I promise.”

After Vivian changes the subject to tell me a few stories about a young Brooks and what a daredevil he was, a call from the front door alerts us to dinner being ready.

“The food has been good to go this entire time, but I wanted to give you more time to talk. Are you okay?” Brooks has me cornered in the hallway as everyone fills their plates in the kitchen.

“Yes, I’m good. I really love your mom. She’s charming, just like you.”

Brooks grins down at me and then rests his forehead on mine. “I am who I am because of her.”

“I can see that.”

“Are you,” he pauses, taking a deep breath. “Are you okay with being around her right now? I’m not going to lie, I’ve been nervous about how seeing her might bring back some emotions for you.”

“I’m okay. It definitely reminds me a lot of what I saw in my mom, and just her personality in general. I feel like they would have gotten along very well. But your mother seems strong, Brooks. She’s a fighter.”

“She is.”

“I love standing here talking to you and smelling the Bubble Yum on your breath, but my stomach is about to eat itself. Let’s go eat, shall we?”

His chest shakes as a soft laugh rolls through him, and then he steps back. “I don’t know what I was thinking choosing this bubble gum flavor. I think it was the nerves influencing my decision. And I definitely regret it.”

“Then why are you still chewing it?”

He looks over my head, staring off into space. “I have no idea.”

Once our plates are full and everyone takes a seat at the table, the teasing begins. And if I’m being honest, I’m all for it. I love watching Brooks interact with his family. It gives me yet another glimpse of the remarkable man he is, and it’s lightening the stack of boulders that were sitting on my chest earlier.

“Don’t be jealous that you didn’t beat my time,” Brooks says to Ethan as the conversation yielded to the two of them growing up and fighting just like brothers.

“How was I supposed to? You have Gumby legs and a full six inches on me!” Ethan refutes and then takes a bite of his taco.

“It’s not my fault you didn’t eat your vegetables.”

“It’s not my fault that your ego doesn’t fit through the door.”

“Um, if I recall, your ego is pretty large yourself, Ethan,” I chime in as everyone’s heads turn to me.

“Oh, this outta be good,” Brooks gleams as he waits for me to continue.

Ethan eyes me suspiciously. “What are you talking about?”

“Do you not recall what you said to me when we met for the first time in the ER?” I take a bite of my rice and wait for him to finish squirming. Oh, I am loving this far too much.

He plays dumb, but he and I both know what he said to me that day. “Can’t say that I do.”

“Oh, really? Well, then let me enlighten everyone.” I wipe my mouth with my napkin and clear my throat, loving how I can already return the favor of his creepy smile idea when I entered the house. “The first time I met Ethan, he was hitting on me while I was doing chest compressions on a patient.”

Everyone’s eyes widen as Ethan glares in my direction.

“Ethan! You did not!” His mother exclaims.

“It’s not what it sounds like…”

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