Page 86 of Breathe Me In

“I’ll never forget my brother’s face when you left,” he blurted, and I went still. “Just, don’t run off again like that without letting us know. You didn’t just hurt him”—he pointed to my parents’ house—“you hurt everyone.”

I felt shame at the way I’d handled things that day. I’d been hurt, and my head had spun off its axle when I heard he was going to marry Sherry. Something inside me just broke, and it still wasn’t fixed.

“Yeah, I hear you.” I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and he gave me a little shove toward the path. I swung my leg over Toby and slowly began to head up toward the ranch. One of these days I had to concentrate on mending myself.

“You’re slipping.” Patrick laughed from where he stood on the porch.

I flipped him the finger, then jumped when Dad stepped in front of me. “Bree.”

“Dad.” I glared down at the fat little runt in Dad’s arms. “Breakfast?”

“You know, if you were nice to him, he’d be nice back.” Dad rubbed the porker’s head.

I looked over at Patrick, who watched with amusement. “Maybe if he was nice, I’d be nice back.”

“He knows you want to eat him,” Patrick called over his shoulder as he went inside the house.

I grinned down at Kevin. “Good, remember that.” I made a V with my fingers and put them to my eyes, then pointed at him as if to say I’d be watching him.

“Behave.” Dad scowled. “Here.” He held up a set of keys. “She’s old, but her engine works, and she’s got decent tires. It’ll get you from A to B.”

“Poppy’s truck?” I held the keys up like they were for a new Lamborghini.

“Your truck is done, and you need to be able to get around.”

“Dad, thank you, but I know how special his truck is, and honestly, I just haven’t had the time to get a new car, but I can.”

“And until then, Pop would want you to use his. Now, I need to help your mother with a few things, and you need to figure out what’s up with your brother lately.”

“I’m already on it.”

“Good.” He put Kevin down and slapped his thigh as he left, and the little bacon slab followed him.

I squeezed the keys in my hand and knew I had to take her out for a spin.

I started the engine and eased her out of the barn. I grinned happily as I drove down the driveway and headed for the hospital.

The ER seemed quiet, and I was pleased to find Maxine standing in front of the vending machine. She just stared at it as though she were stuck in some kind of trance.

“Max,” I called out, but she didn’t turn. “Max.” I touched her arm, and she finally looked at me.

“Hey, Bree.” She forced a smile, but the bags under her eyes told me she was well past exhausted. “Did we have plans?”

“Nope, but I brought food from Bailey’s Diner.” I swung the bag, and I watched a little life come back to her face.

“You’re a good person, Bree Jaminson. Good people bring hungry people food, and I’m so hungry.” She used her badge to let us into a small, unoccupied room, where we sat on an uncomfortable leather couch.

“I feel like I’m auditioning for a porn shoot,” I joked as the fake leather squeaked beneath us.

“Try sleeping on it.” She yawned and ripped the paper off the barbecue wrap. “Not that I don’t love surprises like this, but is everything okay?”

I popped open the box and started on the salad before my wrap. I stabbed a crouton and decided not to bullshit her. She was clearly exhausted, and mind games weren’t something she needed.

“Truth?” She nodded. “Patrick is scared you’re cheating.” Subtle, Bree.

“What!” Her face fell, and tears flooded her eyes.

I held up a hand. “I laughed when he said it, but I have to ask, are you okay? Because for Patrick to bring up something like that is big.”