Page 98 of Love in Training
He sits again almost immediately.
I take a deep breath and put the call on speaker. “This is Caprice.”
“Okay, youarealive. That’s a positive.” My brother’s voice comes over the line thick but surprisingly clear. “Some Forbes answered your phone last night, and I wasn’t sure whether I should believe him.”
I raise my eyebrows, wincing when I forget my stitches. “Very much alive. Are you stateside?” He must be if he’s calling from his cell.
“Yeah. I’m in... Delaware,” he says. “Trying to get my ass on a flight so I can bust some balls in Denver.” He hesitates, then asks softly, “Are you okay?”
My cheek twitches. I don’t know how much Drew told him, and honestly, I don’t know how to answer his question yet. “You donotneed to fly here and do anything.” I let out a low breath. “I’m okay, Theo. Thanks in part to that smelly dog you gave me.”
The corner of Drew’s mouth curves into a smile.
“Okay,see?” Theo’s voice rises. “I told you?—”
“Blah blah blah, I’m grateful for Rufus. I’m keeping him. End of conversation.” I sink happily into our usual banter.
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled.” A barely audible chuckle comes over the line before my brother ruins our playful facade. “Reece, if I’d been there—I—I’m so sorry?—”
My throat closes. I don’t know if he’s really in Delaware. If he’s really somewhere safe. But I can’t listen to Theo beat himself up because he thinks he failed me.
“The guy’s in jail. I’m okay.” I squeeze Drew’s hand, letting out a shaky breath my brother can’t hear. “The police are still investigating, but they think it was the same guy sending me shit this whole time.”
“The one from Unmatched?” Theo growls.
“Not the guy I originally thought, but yeah. He was on there. Apparently, I’m not the first woman this asshole has stalked.” I swallow. “And before you say anything, I know this wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t written about that app, but I didn’t become a journalist to write about shit that doesn’t matter.”
There’s a long pause, and I gird myself for a lecture. Something about safety and not drawing attention to myself. But when he speaks again, my badass little brother is clearly holding back emotion.
“I hope you know I’ve only ever given you shit about your job because I love you and I want you safe. Inevermeant to imply you were responsible for any man’s behavior.” He takes a breath and continues. “Your work exposing that app has been important—admirable. And when I read your piece about Kyle this week...” He hesitates, voice quavering. “It was beautiful, Reece. You honored his life, but you also shed light on his struggle. I think it’ll help people. I think he’d be proud.”
I press my lips together, unsure what to say. Then I glance at Drew in the chair where he spent half the night. And the shine in his eyes is everything.
“If I haven’t already said so,” my brother goes on. “I admire you. You’re a damn good writer. A talented journalist. And you’re fucking brave.”
“Thanks, Theo,” I whisper.
He clears his throat. “I’m gonna have to run. I-I just needed to hear your voice. Iwillbe checking to make sure that motherfucker who came after you gets what he deserves, but mostly... I just needed to say I love you.”
I wipe the corners of my eyes. “I love you too.”
“Oh, and Mom’s on her way up from Castle Rock right now. Sorry.”
“You didn’t...” I bring my hand to my face, but he’s already ended the call.
I set the phone next to me on the bed, staring at my fingers still curled around Drew’s. He pivots toward me and clears his throat. “You know, your brother was right.”
I tilt my head, afraid to look straight at him until I’ve fought back my tears. “About what?”
“What you wrote about Kyle. His depression. Not just after his TBI—his lifelong battle.” Drew’s voice is thick, but his words are unflinching. “I could tell how much you loved him just from what you wrote. How hard you must’ve tried to make his existence easier.”
My throat tightens.
He squeezes both my hands, catching my eye again. “But Theo’s right. The most powerful part of your article, the part that’s going to help people heal, is your forgiveness. Of Kyle, but also yourself. Acknowledging that while you did everything you possibly could to help him, ultimately the choice he made was never about you.”
A tear splashes onto our joined hands. Mine.
“Or you,” I whisper.
