Page 54 of Sinful Skulls
He’s leaned over the counter looking at his phone, his hand covering his eyes.
I watch for a few minutes before walking over to him. “Is everything okay?”
As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, he grabs onto me and hugs me tight. My fingers run through his hair as he presses his face against my chest. His body trembles, full of emotion.
Whatever he’s just read has made him incredibly sad. Even though I don’t know what that is, my chest aches for him. I know he can’t speak right now, so I stand strong, comforting him the only way I know how.
I don’t let go.
He did the same for me. Brody literally brought me back from the brink of insanity. I’d hold this man forever if that’s what he needs.
“I need to go home,” he says after several minutes.
“Okay, baby. I’ll get us packed up while you have breakfast.”
He shakes his head against me. “I can’t eat.”
Brody doesn’t want to eat? Something has definitely turned his world upside down.
“Hey.” I push away from him so I can look him in the eye. “Take the time you need, and I’ll get us ready to go.”
His eyes are glassy from unshed tears. He nods, and it releases one. It rolls slowly down his cheek. I brush it away with my thumb like he’s done to me a hundred times. “It’s going to be okay,” I say quietly.
He takes his phone and heads outside while I rush around the cabin, packing our bags, and cleaning up as I go.
I have everything sitting by the front door when he finally comes back inside. I wish I could say that he looks better, but he looks sadder than before he went out.
“I’ve just got to load up. Other than that, I think we’re ready to lock up.”
His gaze roams over the space as I go in and out, packing everything up in the back of his truck. When I’m finished, he’s still standing in the middle of the room. I step in front of him and slide my arms around his waist. “Do you want to talk about it?”
He hugs me and places a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m sorry our trip is ending this way,” he says quietly.
“It’s okay, Brody. I had a wonderful time here, but it’s time for you to go home. Please don’t worry about it.”
He takes my hand and walks us over to the couch. “Jackson’s mom is dying.” He chokes on his words.
“I’m so sorry.”
“She’s the only mother I’ve ever had.” He begins to sob. His heart is breaking before my eyes. I want to rip out a piece of my own to patch his up.
“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.” I hold him tight.
“I don’t want to believe it. He said there’s nothing they can do. She’s … she’s going to go on hospice in a few days.”
There’s nothing I can do to ease his pain but listen.
“Jackson and his wife are expecting a baby. They’re moving the baby shower up so she can attend before she gets any sicker.” He squeezes his eyes closed. “I … I have to be there for them.”
“Of course. We can get on the road right now. Everything is ready.”
He blinks his eyes open and looks around. He tries to apologize again, but I stop him. “This isn’t one-sided, is it? Wetake care of each other. Sometimes I’ll be down, sometimes it will be you.”
He runs his hand over his face. “I’ve never had that before.”
“Well, you do now, so let’s get on the road. I’ll drive. That is if you trust me.”
His sad chuckle lifts my heart a tiny bit.
