Page 481 of Rock Me All Night
"I'll make it up to you."
"How?" I ask.
"Rebound sex."
I laugh. "You're not..." I study his expression. He's stoic. It's hard to tell when he's kidding. "You're kidding, right?"
He nods. "If you do dump Tom, be gentle. Not for his sake. For mine. For some reason, I love the asshole."
There's an ocean of concern in his voice. I don't buy his cool facade for a second. He really cares about Tom. It's obvious how much they mean to each other.
"He's your brother," I say.
"Must be it."
"And he's not an asshole. Usually."
Pete pushes off the bed with a nod goodbye. "If you need anything, I'm in room 816." He steps backwards. "Well, almost anything." He winks on his way out the door.
* * *
The drive isa blur of nerves, coffee, and jazz music. I don't bother asking whose car we're driving or where it came from. All my attention goes to keep down my half a bagel breakfast. We might find out Tom and Pete's mom is dying. I know I'm not part of the family, might never be part of the family, but I'm still terrified for them.
Traffic is light on the five freeway. We take an exit somewhere in Orange County. It's a few streets to the big, clean hospital and its wide parking lot. It almost looks like an office building with its big windows and its turquoise exterior.
The inside is nice. Well lit. The walls are cream, the signs bright blue. Pete checks something on his phone then presses his hand against my upper back to lead me through the hallways. I'm almost glad I'm with him and not Tom. I don't think I can handle Tom touching me at the moment.
We stop in front of an open door. There are voices. Laughter. A woman's throaty chuckle. And Tom's bright laugh. I know it well by now. Even with everything all screwed up, his laugh makes the world feel light and effortless.
I follow Pete into the room. Tom's eyes catch mine. They're filled with surprise. And something else. He's nervous.
"Didn't think you were coming, kid." He shoves his hands into his pockets.
"Damn. I was hoping she was Peter's new girlfriend." The woman on the hospital bed laughs. She pushes herself up and extends her hands. "I'm Ophelia."
She's in her late fifties, maybe a little older. Her short hair is electric blue. She's not particularly tall or broad, but she's a presence.
Pete jumps in. "Mom, no one calls me Peter."
"Unless they follow it with Parker." Tom laughs.
"Don't tease your brother. He looked handsome in those thick black glasses." She smiles. "Why wouldn't you want to be Spider-Man, honey? He's one of the least obnoxious of those super heroes."
I shake her hand. "I'm Willow."
"Drew's little sister," Tom adds. "You remember Drew?"
"Please, Thomas. You think I'm going to believe that you're spending time with a beautiful woman, and you aren't sleeping with her?"
Tom cringes. "Is this the time?"
"Sex is life, sweetheart. It's always the time. I've fucked plenty of beautiful women. It's not going to shock me that you're sleeping around," Ophelia says.
Fucked women? "You're gay?" I cover my mouth with my hand. Shit. It's not like she has spots. But no one mentioned it.
"Yes. A good thing too. Men can't handle a nipple-less fake tit."
Pete and Tom turn various shades of red. Ophelia motions to their embarrassment as if it's proving her point.
