Page 122 of The Way Home

“We’ll be right there.”

His face had gone ghostly pale. Jamie placed his hands on Caleb’s shoulders and dipped his head slightly.

“Caleb, listen to me.” He waited until those brown eyes finally met his. “You are agoodson,” Jamie said firmly. “You are here to support your father, and that is incredible.” His fingers tightened around Caleb’s shoulders, wishing he could squeeze the fear right out of him.

“You do not owe anyone any explanations,” he continued softly. “You are here. You showed up. And that makes you a good son.” Jamie squeezed his shoulders once more. “Whatever happens in there, I’m right behind you.”

When Caleb’s eyes cleared, and he finally took a full, steady breath, he muttered, “Thank you.”

A swell of pride lit up Jamie’s chest. For the first time in a long while, he felt likehecould be the partner Caleb needed. Taking charge didn’t come naturally to him, nor did leading. But he could, and hewould,for Caleb.

Hand in hand, they walked down the hall and into his father’s hospital room.

Chapter 33

Derrick Reed’s hospitalroom reeked of antiseptic and chemicals. Harsh fluorescent lights flooded the room, forcing Jamie to squint as they stepped inside.

Beside them, Caleb went rigid the moment they crossed the threshold. His grip tightened on Jamie’s hand briefly before he pulled his hand free, wiping his palm on his jeans and folding his arms across his chest.

The man in the bed looked so sickly and…smallerthan Jamie expected. From the stories, he had imagined someone larger. Imposing.

Instead, Derrick Reed looked thin and worn down, the hospital blanket pulled high across his chest. Grey threaded through his brown beard, and the skin around his hazel eyes sagged heavily.

His eyelids drooped as he glanced around the room, slowly taking inventory of the people there. The nurse had said something about him being “out of it” because of the drugs. He certainly didn’t look very alert.

“Hey, Dad,” Bri said softly.

She stepped to the bedside table and picked up the plastic cup sitting there. Jamie watched as she lifted it slightly and gave it a quick, subtle sniff before setting it back down.

“Probably checking for alcohol.” Caleb’s voice was low, but Jamie saw his jaw tighten as his eyes flicked toward the cup.

Is that why Caleb never drinks alcohol?

Jamie tucked that thought away for later. For now, he simply reached forward and wrapped his hand around Caleb’s bicep.

“Brianna?” Derrick croaked, turning his head slightly.

“Yeah, Dad. It’s me. Mike is here, and… Caleb. Caleb is also here.”

His forehead wrinkled as his eyes slowly turned toward Caleb and Jamie.

“Caleb?”

Jamie heard a puff of air escape Caleb’s throat, like an exhale forced its way out.

“And Jamie, Dad,” Bri added quickly. “Caleb’s, erm…” Her eyes flicked uncertainly between them.

“Partner,” Jamie supplied. She flashed him a weak smile.

Jamie liked her. It seemed like she was really trying.

“Caleb and Jamie are here, Dad. From London.”

“Mm.” A noncommittal grunt came from the man in the bed as his gaze flicked from Caleb to Jamie and back again. His eyes were glazed over and distant, as though he were looking at a dull painting.

Straightening his spine, Jamie stepped forward.

“Hello, Mr. Reed. It is a pleasure to meet you.” The words echoed harshly off the white walls of the room and fizzled into nothing as Derrick continued staring. Bri moved to the bed, pulling the blanket higher around her father’s shoulders before filling the plastic cup with water and setting it beside him.