Page 127 of Fierce-Hyde

“No,” she said. “Just got some bad news.”

He frowned. “Why didn’t you call me?”

He was looking back and forth between her and Raina. “I’m sorry. I knew Raina would understand since it’s something she is more familiar with.”

“Oh,” he said. “Is it a friend of yours?”

“Why don’t you two go talk in Hyde’s office,” Raina said.

“Thanks, Raina. I’ll let you know what is going on,” she said.

She got up and walked down the hall to Hyde’s office and shut the door, then took a seat.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re so upset?” he asked.

“My father just called. He’s got cancer and is dying by the sounds of it. I didn’t stay on long enough to get that information. He wants to see me.”

“And you went to your best friend before the man you’re in love with?” he asked.

“Because she knows more and I wanted another woman’s thoughts on this,” she said. “Don’t be mad at me. I can’t take another hit right now. I was going to tell you. I wouldn’t keep it from you.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, moving toward her and putting his hand out to pull her up and into his arms. “I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I guess I’m just hurt.”

Not what she needed on top of everything else.

But wasn’t this what Carolyn and Diane said?

Nothing was perfect and she and Hyde surely weren’t even close to it.

39

HAVE TO DO ALONE

“Ididn’t mean to hurt you,” she said. “Don’t take it that way.”

He shouldn’t be laying any guilt on her shoulders, but his heart was bruised that she didn’t come to him first.

“Tell me what is going on,” he said.

“I don’t know everything,” she said. “He called. I was stunned to see his name come up, but I answered it. It felt weird hearing his voice again.”

“Weird how?” he asked.

Hyde was trying to understand all of this.

He didn’t think he could ever have a distance like this with his parents.

To not say a word, but just stop communicating with anything other than a few texts a year.

And he didn’t expect it of someone who was a counselor.

Didn’t that go against everything they did? Trying to help people, yet there were times he felt Tori could barely get out of her own way.

Not that he’d ever say that to her and cause an argument.

“It’s like hearing it again didn’t feel like any years passed in between.”

“Is that a good or bad thing?” he asked.

---