Page 48 of The Candle Palace (Jamison Valley 6)
“That’s a lie.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Don’t you dare pin this on him when he’s not here to call you on your bullshit.”
Dad wasn’t here to defend himself.
So I’d do it.
“This is not my fault.”
“Yeah? Who’s giving Denny money these days? Who’s paying him? Because unless something’s changed, drugs and booze aren’t free. Last I checked, Denny still hasn’t gotten a job.”
Mom’s face paled.
“That’s what I thought.” I picked up the bowl from the floor, leaving the lettuce for Mom to deal with. Then I marched right out the front door like my brother had, slamming it behind me.
The cool air was welcomed against the overheated, bare skin on my arms. I hadn’t brought my coat inside the house because I hadn’t wanted it to smell like smoke. But even the winter air couldn’t cool my temper as I drove away.
Mom had been so bold and determined when we’d met to discuss this intervention. The approach, the timing, it had all been her idea. She’d even practiced her speech with me. How could she clam up? When Denny needed her most, how could she chicken out?
I pitied my brother. He hadn’t had a parent, not like he should have.
Maybe Mom was right. Maybe this was all Dad’s fault.
I hated blaming him for anything. He was perfect in my memory and that image was precious.
But Dad should have fought harder to get Denny.
Both of our parents had let Denny down.
The anger faded and tears flooded my eyes as I navigated the dark streets toward home. My hands wouldn’t turn the steering wheel onto my street. Instead, my car steered itself to the hospital, finding a spot in the visitors’ parking lot close to the front entrance.
I hurried inside, cold now and shivering as I hurried through the deserted first-floor lobby to the elevators.
I rarely took this way into the hospital. Employees parked in a reserved lot, where I’d park on the rare occasion I drove in. Normally, when I walked, I used the rear entrances. But tonight, I didn’t have my badge.
Tonight, I wasn’t a nurse.
Tonight, I was only a woman who needed the man who’d become infinitely important in her life.
The elevator ride wasn’t long and when I stepped out, the unit was quiet. Both evening-shift nurses were at the station. The clock above them showed nearly eight o’clock. They said hello and exchanged a worried glance. I waved but didn’t stop moving, taking a fast and straight line to Milo’s door.
I didn’t bother knocking.
He hadn’t been expecting me. His eyes jumped from the TV to the door and did a double take. “Hey.”
Milo must have realized the only reason I’d come here and risk a reprimand was because the dinner had gone so terribly wrong. Shock softened to concern as his arms lifted from his sides.
“Come here, babe.”
The hold on my tears broke as I hurried to the side of his bed. I sat on the edge, then bent forward to rest my head on his shoulder. “My brother hates me.”
There was a lot to be upset about tonight. But that . . . suddenly, that rose to the top of the list.
I’d hoped that with Denny moving here, we could build a relationship. That even though we hadn’t been close as kids, maybe we’d be close as adults.
“He doesn’t hate you.” Milo’s hand cupped the back of my head. “In time, he’ll see that you only want what’s best.”
“What if he doesn’t get help?”
“That’s not on you.”
