My eyes flick to those plush pink lips. I know it’s the last place I should ever be fixated on her mouth, but fuck if my mind isn’t dragged in a hundred senseless directions.
“You’re nice every day,” Nick says firmly.
I flash him a dirty look. Why would he say that shit?
If he plans on making her his flavor of the week, smitten with her caring touch, he has another thing coming. She works with us and it’s totally inappropriate.
Also, I met her first, so he’s got no damn claim to—
Like I said. Inappropriate.
End of story.
She smiles at Nick but doesn’t say anything more. I get the sense she’s trying to fight back some sarcastic barb meant for me.
She smooths her skirt out as she sits down beside Nick, tucking one creamy leg behind the other.
There’s something regal about the way she moves.
She covers her mouth to let out a yawn and pulls out her hair tie. Threaded gold cascades down her back and shoulders, framing her like a halo sent from a better place.
It’s every bit a sucker punch to my chest and my badly behaved dick.
Yes, I know what a piece of crap I am, thank you very much.
I called this girl a drunk, a reckless idiot, and then she went and saved my grandmother’s life.
Sighing, I put the cup she gave me to my lips and suck in bitter black nirvana, wishing it could wash away my guilt.
You need to make this right, jackass.
A woman in blue scrubs comes up to us. “Brandt party?”
Nick and I stand at the same time.
“That’s us,” I say.
“Is she okay?” Nick sputters, coughing into his hand.
“She’s in recovery right now. She’ll be getting moved soon. I’m afraid she won’t be going home tonight. Room three forty-five will be hers, if you find it more comfortable, you can wait there.”
Nick nods and looks at me. “We should be there when she arrives. I don’t want her waking in a hospital room alone.”
“She’s probably going to be a little out of it. Not sure it’ll matter.”
Nick’s eyes narrow, never leaving my face. “We’ll wait there.”
“Okay, come on.” I slap a hand on his shoulder.
We find room three forty-five all the way down the hall on the left. I open the door, and Nick follows me in.
It’s an ordinary hospital room. The bed looks silver and sterile. Tubes tumble out of the wall like tentacles. A stand to hang IVs on sits beside the bed.
Nick pulls up the one chair in the corner of the room. I stand in front of the door, surveying my brother.
Grandma has to survive. Has to.
If she doesn’t, it’s not just me I’m worried about. I’ll be responsible for keeping Nick’s shit together, too.
“She’s so tough. I never thought I’d see her like this.” His voice is low, quiet, pained. Not like my normally boisterous brother who pretends he’s never met a care in the world.
“She’s seventy-two. We’ve been lucky so far.” My chest aches saying it, but it’s reality.
Someone taps on the door.
“She must be here.” I open the door.
A tall doctor with wire-framed glasses stands on the other side. “Mr. Brandt? I’m Doctor Than.”
I nod.
Nick stands.
“Ward Brandt has POA,” the doctor says.
Shit. First I’m hearing about it, but it makes sense.
“P-O-A?” Nick asks.
“Power of Attorney. It’s when—”
“I know what Power of Attorney means. I’m not that clueless,” Nick snaps, his face tightening.
I don’t say anything.
“Is she all right?” I ask the doctor.
“Why would she make you her POA?” Nick asks jealously.
I sigh.
Does he even have to ask?
“Who knows. Can I talk to the doctor first, and then we can discuss it like civilized men?”
“Yes, we will talk to the doctor. Then you and I can talk about why Grandma would make only you her POA.”
“Sorry.” I look at the doctor with a rough smile.
He laughs. “No problem, I have three daughters...”
Ouch. Nick and I don’t really fight.
He just hates being the youngest with the most baggage. Truth be told, sometimes I wish I didn’t have all the responsibility crushed on my shoulders.
“Is she okay, doctor?” I ask again.
Than nods. “Yes. Mrs. Brandt had a minor surgery tonight. From what I can tell, she’s had a genetic heart defect—probably since birth. She’s been quite fortunate she’s never had an issue before. But she’s going to be staying in the hospital until we have her well on the way to recovery. She’ll be here tonight for observation, and likely at least a few more.”