Page 45 of One More Round

“God damn, Todd. You’re such a dick.”

A slow smile crosses his face and he huffs out a laugh.

“I know. I can’t help it.”

Then I regain my composure from the near blink-and-you-miss-it brotherly-sisterly interaction. The first one we’ve had in two decades.

“Todd, I’d like it if you got to a place where you didn’t hate me, either. And when you are ready to test the waters, let me know.” I give him a genuine smile, another thing that hasn’t happened in forever. Then I tuck tail and get the hell out of his room.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Gia

Once I leave Todd’s hospital room I go straight to the closest restroom. Standing in front of the mirror I stare at myself.

“Breathe in, breathe out.” I repeat this mantra, over and over again. I splash water on my face to cool off. My face is red and slightly blotchy from the cry I had in the stall as soon as I entered the restroom. I know that Simon and my mother will want to know what was said, and I’m not sure I want to tell them.

Who wants to share with the world that your twin finally confessed his reason for making your life miserable, and that reason is that he hates you. I know that, ultimately, he wants to get to a better place, but … yeah. Still hurts.

I know my mother won’t want to believe it, but I know Simon will see right through me. I also know that I had to hold him back on several occasions from giving Todd a piece of his mind when we were kids. Even though neither one has ever mentioned it, I know they had words a handful of times.

Taking another deep, calming breath, I leave the restroom and head back to the waiting area. I’m ready to go home. I don’t want to be here any longer and after our little heart-to-heart, I don’t think Todd wants me here any longer either.

Simon stands when he sees me. My mom and dad, who were sitting next to him talking, also stand, and I can tell by her face that Mom is itching to know what happened.

“You alright?” Simon leans in and asks as he places a kiss on my temple.

“Yes, I’m gonna be fine. Todd had some things to say. He explained some stuff and I’m glad he did. I think things will be a little better from now on,” I tell them, trying to look hopeful, mostly for my mom’s sake. I’m not thrilled that he explained away his hate, but I guess there’s no “he hates me, he hates me not” going on.

Simon studies my profile. Yup. He sees right through me. I sigh heavily.

“What time is it? I’m starving.” I’m not really, but I need an excuse for us to leave.

My dad checks his watch and tells us that it’s almost three. I look to Simon to ask him if he’s ready to get out of here when Dad gets my attention.

“If you guys don’t mind sticking around for just a bit longer, your mom and I would like to take you to an early dinner. We’ve got a consultation with Todd’s doctors in about twenty minutes. They told us it shouldn’t be a long meeting, it’s just to go over some of the results of the tests they took this morning.”

I’m surprised they are willing to leave the hospital, I steal a glance at my mom and she looks hopeful, I start to look back to Simon when he tells them that he’d love to have dinner with them, but it is up to me. I nod and hold back the groan of having to stay here longer. But I do want to have some Mom and Dad time.

This makes my parents super happy, which in turn makes me happy. They tell us they will be back, and Simon and I head back to the chairs near the windows that we’d commandeered for the day.

“Tell me the truth, Gia. What happened back there? I can tell whatever he said to you hurt you.” His tone low but commanding.

“You’re not going to be happy. It was hurtful, but he explained why he’s always been this way toward me. So, I guess it’s fine,” I say, unable to keep eye contact with him. I start picking at my fingernails and shrug my shoulder.

“Bullshit. Tell me what he said.”

“I really don’t want to repeat it.”

He swears. I see him ball his fist and then he gently lifts my chin with his knuckle, so I’m looking him in the eyes.

“G. I need to know what he said.”

“He told me he hates me,” I say, my voice breaking.

“Jesus. Why the fuck would he say that?”

“I’ll admit he did a bang-up job with his presentation, but he explained that was the reason he’s always been so horrible to me. He explained why he hated me. And that he doesn’t want to anymore. It was hard to hear it. I tried to leave, but he apologized. And I think things are going to get better between us. Probably not soon, but someday.” I truly do believe what I’m telling him, I’m not making excuses. “I did tell him he was a dick,” I half smile.

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