Page 88 of Say I'm Yours
“Sixteen will get you twenty,” I remind her.
“No one said we had to have sex!”
“You tell my hormones that. Darlin’, I was not waiting until you became legal if we were dating.”
Grace shakes her head as she drives. “You’re a mess. Tell me more about when you were young and horny.”
We spend the rest of the drive talking about our childhoods. I sometimes forget because she’s been my girl for so long that she has most of her younger memories with Wyatt and Zach. Zach was always around Presley and Wyatt was always wherever she was as well. But I wasn’t with them. I had my own life with friends in my own age group.
I go quiet when I start to think about how the dynamic will change. Knowing that I’m not their full brother could shift things. My brothers are good guys, I don’t know if they’ll care, but I do. I’ve prided myself on being Trent Hennington. There’s been an honor in being Rhett’s son. He’s respected in the community, and I grew up not wanting to disappoint him.
My chest gets tighter with each mile that passes by. I pray we’re not too late. I have so much to say to him. Questions I need answers to that only he can answer. They aren’t so much about who I am, those answers will come from my mother. They are more about who I am to him.
I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t make it to him.
We get to the hospital in record time. I take her hand as we walk through the doors. I have no idea what’s waiting for me on the other side. Grace told me a little about Wyatt’s reaction to my leaving, which I expected. However, if the tables were turned, he’d have lost his shit, too.
When we open the doors, everyone turns and looks. Some show relief, while my brothers are clearly pissed.
“Trent! You made it.” My mother rushes forward and draws me in her arms. “God, where have you been? You smell like dirt.”
I lock up and try to keep myself under control. This isn’t the time to say anything to her. “I’m here now.”
“Yeah, the prodigal son returns,” Wyatt mutters. “Nice of you to join us.”
Grace squeezes my hand, keeping me from saying something I’ll regret. “What happened?” I ask my mother.
Tears fall from her eyes, and she touches my cheek. “The transfusion didn’t work as well as they hoped. He also has developed what we think is pneumonia. They’ve tried, but his heart is failin’ and . . . it’s too late to try anything more.” A sob breaks free, and I pull her into my arms as she loses it. “It’s about m-makin’ him c-comfortable now.”
I hate this for her. I hate all of it. If this was Grace, I’d be lost. She’s spent her entire adult life married to him. I’m not sure how she’ll survive. I’m not sure how any of us will.
As angry as I am, it’s nothing compared to the pain I feel. “I’m sorry.” I’m sorry for so much more than just her impending grief. I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough for her. I’m sorry for the pain that’ll come when she finds out I know her precious secret.
She nods against my chest. “I don’t know what to do, Trent. I’m gonna lose him.”
My brother envelops his arms around Presley as everyone watches her fall apart. Mama is the one who held us together when Wyatt had his tragedy last year. She’s the one who knows what to say when we’re struggling. Seeing her like this, as upset as I am, breaks me.
“We’re all here, Mama. We’re here for you.”
She leans back before clutching me close. “He wants to see you, honey. He asked for you a few times.”
Zach walks over and takes my mother in his arms. “Go,” he says curtly.
I’ll deal with his shit later.
Grace steps in front of me and holds my hands. “Stay here with her?” I request.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Yeah, I need to do this alone.”
“Okay.” She gives me a sad smile. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I pull her in my arms and hold her close. “Thank you, Grace,” I say against her hair. “Thank you for makin’ me see sense.”
She leans back and kisses me. “I’ll always be here for you.”
“I know.”
