Page 85 of Chasing Forever
“Go home, Brooks. I’ll handle things here.” I step around him and head back toward the hospital entrance.
“I can’t believe you’re just letting them win,” he shouts into the night air.
But I don’t turn around because if I do, I’ll run right into his arms. And I’m not sure I’d ever be able to let go.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Brooks
Bennett answers the phone, and I hear Wren in the background, squealing with laughter.
“What’s up? Say hi to everyone.” He puts me on speaker, and Wren shouts hello.
“First of all, everyone’s fine, but I need you to go pick up your sister and Poppy at Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.”
“What?” I hear the panic in his voice. “Why are they in the hospital?”
I really don’t want to talk about why I can’t drive them home, but I have to make sure they get home safe. “I think Poppy broke her ankle.”
“Seriously?” Nash says in the background.
“Yeah, Romy is—I have no idea. The entire night was a disaster.” The edge in my voice probably gives it all away.
Everything feels as if it’s splintering at once. My life is blowing up, and my parents are holding the gasoline and lighter.
“Anyway, just go, please.” I swallow hard.
“Done,” Nash says. “I’ll text Poppy now.”
Nash doesn’t hesitate. It should calm me but it doesn’t.
Nash is a horse trainer on the ranch and the third roommate in the guys’ house. The entire reason we call Bennett Danson is as a Three Men and a Baby reference. I’ve always wondered if Nash has a thing for Poppy, but Nash is Jensen’s best friend, and I think that’d be a big problem between those two.
“Thanks, man. I don’t want to drag Wren all the way to Lincoln,” Bennett says.
“No problem,” Nash says, then I hear the door shut.
“I’m gonna go. Thanks.” I’m ready to hang up, but Bennett doesn’t say anything for a beat.
“You okay, Brooks?”
I blow out a breath. No. I’m not. But I’m not telling him that. “I’m good.”
“You’re not, and I know it probably has to do with my sister. I just want to… I don’t know… tell you she’s worth it.”
There’s a softness in his voice that hits me in that same soft spot I have for Lottie.
“I know.”
His voice lowers, and I’m guessing he doesn’t want Wren to overhear. “I know you do, but I felt like I needed to say it because I want to see her happy.”
“Relax, Danson. She might think she’s thrown what we have away, but I’m a goddamn boomerang. There’s something I need to clear up tonight though.”
“All right, then. Good luck.”
“Thanks. See you soon.” I click End and tap my thumb on the steering wheel.
I’m seething. My jaw hurts from how tight I’m clenching. My parents—God, they did this. They made her cry. Made her feel less than. And somehow, I’ve stood by and let them continue to take up space in my life.
