Page 67 of Lies You Told
“I’m your brother,” he says as our eyes meet.
What! I guess this is the definition of speechless. I was so convinced he was my dad, my brain never even… wow. So my mom must have…
“Your mom was my dad’s, our dad’s, secretary for a long time. She was there before I even started at the company. He was lonely. His marriage to my Mom was, let’s just say, they no longer loved each other, if they ever did. She gave him an heir for the company to grow after him.”
“Did he know about me?”
He winces at my question. I have my answer there.
“Ironically, I found out about a week before you turned up at my office.” He presses a button on the drip attached to him. He must be in a lot of pain. I should let him rest.
“My Dad’s lawyer dropped off a letter. I’d not seen him in years. Dad’s lawyer gave me the letter, and I knew instantly I was going to do everything I could to help you. I remember you as a kid when you’d come and sit at your Mom’s desk when you were younger. But Dad was still married at the time. Divorce wasn’t an option, and your Mom respected that. But he loved your Mom. They were finally going to be together when her accident happened.”
“Have you never realized this before?”
A door opens, and I smell Jax without needing to turn around and see him.
“They were in the same car crash. They were together at the time.” Greyson’s voice takes over the room. I didn’t realize until this very moment that I’d been waiting for Jax to come back. Everything feels better when Jax is in the vicinity.
He squeezes my shoulder, and I love the reassuring way he non-verbally checks in with me. I rest my chin on his hand, closing my eyes, needing him close.
“We don’t have to get into everything now,” Greyson says, giving me a look that I know screams that he’s worried about me.
37
JAX
Ilook through the window of Greyson’s hospital room. I can't help but see the similarities between the pair. I guess that’s why people presumed they were father and daughter over the years. Chloe looks completely out of it, and I know I should have taken her home hours ago. She’s hardly eaten all day, and what little food she orders, she leaves half of it.
Mike, and by Mike, I mean Kate, has been blowing up my phone all day. She’s worried about Chloe, I know.
Bryan’s name flashes on my screen again, and I silence my call. I’m not ready to get into all of this with him yet. I look at Chloe one more time before opening the door and walking in–she looks like she’s just going through the motions at this point.
I squeeze her shoulder, and she instantly moves toward me. I was worried she would push me away after everything that had happened. Pushing me away seems to be the last thing she wants.
“I’m going to take Chloe home. Do you need anything before we leave?”
“No,” he whispers, shaking his head. Concern etched over his face.
“Chlo,” I whisper, reaching for her. “Let’s get you home.”
“I’ll come by tomorrow,” she says, hugging Greyson, who winces in pain. “Thanks for finally telling me the truth.”
“I’m just,” she points to the bathroom. I don’t want to let her out of my sight again, but even I’m not that possessive, I need to follow her into the bathroom.
“I’m worried about her,” Greyson says. Careful not to raise his voice so Chloe can’t hear.
“She’s been through a lot the last twenty-four hours with no sleep.” I need to show Greyson that he may be ‘family,’ but Chloe is my whole fucking world. I will prove to her that I’ll always have her back. She’s my number one priority.
It dawns on me in that second that Chloe and I, I guess, are the closest thing he has to family. “You going to be okay?” I rein in some of my feelings from a moment ago.
He smiles and tries to sit up, even though I can see it hurts like a bitch. “I’ll be fine. Look after Chloe. I’m glad you two finally kissed and made up. You shouldn’t have been apart all this time.”
“Thanks. We’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.”
Chloe comes out of the bathroom, and she looks shattered.
“Let’s get you home.”
