Page 160 of Fierce Storm
“You didn’t have to.”
Jeffrey’s been with me since before my divorce with Camilla. He’s the only person I asked to follow me here, and I’m grateful on a daily basis that he said yes. Sometimes I think he knows more about my life than I do. He certainly sees a lot of it.
“You deserve to be happy, Sal. And the nights I’ve driven you and Keeley home are the nights you’ve looked the happiest, your time with Paige and Isaac aside.”
“Fuck, I know. But she’s…” I trail off. I’m not talking about this with Jeffrey, even if he is a friend as much as a driver.
“Great for you,” he finishes for me. “That’s all that matters.”
“Just drive.” I jokingly roll my eyes, and he laughs again.
“Yes,sir.”
“Jeffrey,” I warn, and yet I’m smiling after being so worried when I first got into the car. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’re not too far away now.”
Thank God.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be. Feel free to go home. I can book an Uber later.”
“I’ll be around. Call me when you’re done.”
“Okay. I will.”
Jeffrey pulls up in front of San Francisco General, and I’m out of the car so fast, I almost trip up the curb. I rush through the front doors, beelining for the reception desk until Paige calls out from behind me.
“Dad. She’s this way.”
I spin around, finding Paige’s soft gaze staring back at me, and when she smiles, I return it, striding her way.
“Thanks, Kid. How is she?”
“Almost as grumpy as Easton usually is.”
“I can see that.” A laugh escapes me but I know there’s more coming, and when Paige’s face drops, I briefly close my eyes.
“How is she really?”
“I don’t know. She won’t talk to me either. Easton said she wouldn’t tell him anything after her fall, but I wasn’t too concerned. Only now,I’vetried, and so has her mom. The thing is…” she trails off, glancing nervously over her shoulder, eliciting a heaviness in my chest.
“What thing?”
“She told me something that I promised I’d never tell you.”
“What? When?”
“A while ago.”
“Paige, honey. I love you, but you need to tell me what the hell is going on. Now.” My voice rises a little and I rein it back in. “Please.”
Paige closes her eyes and I immediately feel bad.
“I’m sorry, Paige. I just?—”
“Love her?”
“Care. I care. A lot. And I know you. If the secret you’re keeping wasn’t important to the present situation, you wouldn’t have brought it up.”
