Page 63 of Erik's Redemption
Once she was gone, Erik lifted a brow at his father. “Why are you making this so much more difficult than it needs to be?”
His father sighed as he leaned back against the pillows propped behind his head. “Because, son…getting older is harderthan I ever thought. Your body gives up on you before your mind, and in a way, it feels like your body’s betraying you.”
Some of Erik’s frustration left him. “I’m sorry. But fighting everyone on the pacemaker isn’t going to change anything.”
“My body knows that. My brain just needs some time to catch up.” His brows slashed together. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry, just accept the medical aid.”
“No.” His dad looked straight at him. “I’m sorry about climbing that ladder. That I put you through that and you had to find me on the ground looking the way I did.”
A vein in Erik’s temple throbbed at the reminder of what he’d seen. At the fear that had seized every limb of his body. “Just tell me you’re not gonna do it again.”
“I won’t do it again.”
“Good. And take the damn pacemaker.”
His father’s lips twitched. “You know I’ll end up with thedamn pacemaker. When does your mother evernotwin a fight?”
Erik chuckled. “Happy wife, happy life. That was something you taught me.”
“That’s right. It’s been true since the day I married her.” He paused, eyes softening. “It was nice to see Hannah here yesterday.”
Erik wet his lips, feeling the familiar uptick of his pulse at the mere mention of her. “She was with Andi when she received my call.”
A knowing smile stretched his father’s lips. “But she came foryou.”
She did. And fuck, he was grateful for that.
“That’s why you’re different today.”
Erik’s brows rose. “Different how?”
“Well, for one, you’re not scowling.”
“You’re in a hospital bed, Dad. Of course I’m not scowling.”
“Ah, but even when you try to keep whatever you’re feeling inside you, there’s still a hint of it on your face. Trust me, the family’s been looking at that scowl for over a month.”
Had they? It was probably true. “Things are better today.”
Relief spilled over his father’s face, so distinct Erik could almost feel it. “Good.”
His mother had just returned when Erik’s phone rang. Nate. He stepped into the hall and answered the call. “Hey.”
“You at the hospital?”
“I am. You get some time off?”
“Yep. And I’m here. Which room’s he in?”
Damn, that was quick. “Eighteen.”
Less than a minute later, Nate was stepping out of the elevator down the hall. There was a hard look on his brother’s face. When he stopped in front of him, Erik gripped his brother’s shoulder. “He’s okay. A concussion and some broken bones.”
“Why would he have climbed the damn ladder?”
“Because he’s stubborn.”
