Page 71 of Falling for the Unexpected

Chapter 18

Kyle

It had been a week since I’d walked out of Simone’s apartment, leaving a huge part of my heart behind. I was so torn. I knew those pictures were old and I really wanted to believe that she hadn’t touched any drugs since then. But I had grown up with someone lying to me about that very thing and it was hard for me to separate the two situations in my head.

I was also having a hard time dealing with another thing those pictures showed. I knew she’d had sex with Brad, obviously they had a child together, but seeing photos of her in that state had messed with my head. I didn’t peg her as the type of girl who would allow her picture to be taken while practically naked and engaged in those types of activities. I could tell by her eyes that she was high as fuck and I just couldn’t handle seeing her like that. Unfortunately, every time I closed my eyes that’s all I could see. Needless to say, I hadn’t slept much these last few days and it was starting to affect my job.

Additionally, the tension in the office was making it awkward as hell for everybody. I could tell by the disapproving looks from Trent that he didn’t agree with my decision to walk away from Simone. He was, however, smart enough to not confront me about it. We had been friends for so long that he knew when to give me my space. But I knew time was running out before he decided enough was enough and forced me to talk about things or kick my ass.

Avoiding Addie had been more difficult. As soon as she saw me on Monday morning she knew something terrible had happened. She had closed my door and forced me to share what had gone down. I didn’t tell her all the details because I still felt a need to protect Simone. If by some miracle Simone and I worked things out, I didn’t want anyone to look at her differently.

But I told her some things had come up between us, things that I was having a hard time dealing with, and that I just needed some time to think.

“I hope you didn’t screw things up for good, Kyle,” she said.

“Gee thanks,” I replied sarcastically.

“Seriously!” she said, throwing her hands up in disgust. “Simone is so good for you, and you’re good for her and Stella. I hate to see you throw away what could very easily be the best thing in your life.”

I was happy that Addie believed Simone and Stella were good for me, but I wasn’t convinced we were a perfect match. I also feared that my words and actions last weekend had completely ruined my chances with Simone. I knew I still had a ton of shit to work through without so many people in my face about it if I wanted to think about getting back with her.

I sat at my desk reading the text from Simone for probably the hundredth time since I had received it on Sunday.

I missyou.

Three simple words that both brought me joy and broke my heart. She hadn’t sent any more texts since then and I couldn’t blame her. I hadn’t responded to that one so I was sure she thought I didn’t care. It wasn’t that. I still loved her, more than I could ever imagine loving anyone, but I was having a hard time getting my thoughts straight in my head. I planned on going to her once I worked things out. I just hoped I wasn’t too late once I got my shit figured out. A part of me thought that with Simone knowing about my past and having similar experiences, she could help me sort through my own issues. But the shock of seeing those pictures had been a major setback. If she had been honest with me before I found the drugs I think we would have been able to move past it. But I wasn’t completely sure, and now I’d broken her trust by leaving her. Leaving Stella. If I had stayed, and heard her out—would it have solved anything? I didn’t know, and now I never would. After I left that afternoon I’d roamed the city, feeling lost and confused. I still felt that way.

I closed my eyes, leaning back in my seat. Normally, I could dive into my work and forget about everything else for a while, but now all I thought about was Simone. I hated going home and seeing evidence of the time her and Stella spent there. I’d even sat in Stella’s room one night, recalling her playing and laughing in there as Simone and I looked on.

“Kyle!” I heard Trent yell from his office, the panic clear in his voice. I jumped out of my chair and ran to his office. As soon as I saw him I knew something was wrong. The look of complete shock and disbelief was all over his face as he slammed the phone down. “We’ve got to get to the hospital. My parents just called, Brad OD’d. Sounds like he went into cardiac arrest.”

“Fuck!” I yelled, running back to my office to grab my car keys. There was no way I was going to let Trent drive right now.

“What’s going on?” Addie asked from her desk.

“It’s Brad. I’m driving Trent to the hospital. Can you handle things here?” I asked barely waiting for her answer.

“Of course, but call me from the hospital and let me know what’s going on,” she called out as I rushed past her back into Trent’s office.

He was already grabbing his jacket and messenger bag. Once he had everything, we both went running out of the office to my car. I jumped into the driver’s seat and started to pull out before he even had a chance to buckle up.

Trent kept looking at his phone. “I can’t fucking believe this,” he whispered.

“Who found him?” I asked, keeping focused and driving us as fast as possible to the hospital.

“It was my dad. He had a few things Brad wanted dropped off… I guess he went to Tiffany’s apartment since they’re back together and that’s where he found Brad. I don’t know anything else.” He sighed, looking out his window. After a few more minutes he added, “I know he has fucked up a lot the last few years, but he’s still my little brother. I can’t lose him.”

Sadly, I knew all too well what Trent was feeling right now. There was nothing I could say or do to take away his fear. I could just vow to be with him every step of the way. Trent, for all intents and purposes, was my brother and family was always there for each other.

I pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. Not seeing any parking spaces right away I drove to the drop zone and let Trent out. “I’ll meet you in there. Go find your parents,” I told him as I watched him run through the sliding doors and into the building.

I found a parking spot in the parking garage and hurried into the hospital. A sense of déjà vu washed over me but I pushed my own issues aside. This wasn’t about me and I needed to be strong for Trent and his parents. I went directly to the emergency department’s waiting room figuring that’s where they would take Brad if he was, indeed having a heart attack. I saw Jim and Marla huddled in a back corner. Jim was comforting his wife who was crying into his shoulder. Trent was over at the reception desk trying to get any information he could from the woman there.

I went over and sat down on the other side of Jim and placed a hand on his back in an effort to lend any support I could. Trent came back over and sat down next to his mom, placing an arm around her but staring off, still in a daze.

“It sounds like they were able to stabilize him in the ambulance on the way here. We’ll have to wait awhile for any more updates,” Trent informed all of us.

I could hear a small sigh of relief come from Marla. Jim took the opportunity to fill us in on what happened earlier in the day. He had received a phone call from Brad and he said he sounded absolutely frantic about getting a box from the house. Jim had been able to locate the box in the garage and decided to take it over to Tiffany’s house since Brad had made it sound like it was an urgent matter. When Jim got to the apartment, he knocked on the screen door. He could see in since the other door was open but didn’t see anyone moving around. He called out and still didn’t hear anybody. He was just about to return to his car when he heard a scream come from inside. He rushed in and followed the screams back to the bedroom where he saw Tiffany leaning over Brad who had collapsed on the floor. He had Tiffany call 9-1-1 and he started CPR on his son.