Triplets for The Millionaire - K.C. Crowne Page 0,78

since he’d been brought in and sat down to take his hand.

I was going to do whatever I could for him.

The man I loved.

Chapter 25

PATRICK

I opened my eyes from my rest to Finn seated in the chair near the window. I was getting pretty damn good at being able to make out people by their bodies, or by holding their faces in my peripheral vision.

“You got a stain on your shirt, brother,” I said. My eyes were focused on his face, the now-familiar black dots there. Below, a little under the focus on my eyes, I could make out a greasy smudge.

“Huh?” he asked, setting down his book and putting hands on his shirt. “Ah, hell. Sam peppered me with a handful of cereal this morning. Thought I’d been quick enough to duck it.” He let go of his shirt and turned his attention to me. “How you feelin’, lad?”

I grumbled a response. “Just wanna get this damn thing over with.”

“I understand. No fun in hurryin’ up and waitin’.”

“My head doesn’t even hurt anymore. Why the hell can’t they do the surgery now?”

He sighed.

“And what’s that all about?” I grouched. “Why are you huffin’ and puffin’ at me?”

“Brother, I love you more than just about anyone on this earth, but you haven’t been makin’ it easy.”

“Well, fuckin’ pardon me for wantin’ to find out whether or not my life is over.”

He let his hands drop to his knees. “I get it, I really do. But you can’t be lashin’ out at everyone while you wait. It’s not good for you, Patrick.”

I knew there was something to his words, knew that I was letting my worst instincts get the better of me. But I was scared, and being scared wasn’t a feeling I was used to. I had no idea how to handle it.

A knock sounded at the open door to the room, and I recognized the body – Lola.

“Hey,” she said, stepping closer. “How’s it going in here?”

“Just wonderin’ when I can get my surgery and get back to normal.”

Neither of them said anything, and I didn’t even need to see to know they were sharing a pointed look.

“I swear, you two must be developin’ a language here with those glances. Just say what’s on your damn minds.”

“Patrick, calm it down,” Finn warned. “We’re here to help – we’re not your damn enemies.”

Some choice words came to mind, but I managed to keep them at bay. I rolled over where I lay, dull pain radiating through my body from the broken ribs.

“Just wanted to come in and let you know the surgery’s scheduled for the day after tomorrow,” Lola told me. “I’m going to get you in bright and early in the morning, so you’re really only going to be waiting a day and a half.”

“Well, that’s some damn good news!” Finn spoke cheerily. “Hear that, Patrick?”

“I’ll keep the celebratin’ until after.”

“Fair enough,” my brother acquiesced.

Then a silence followed.

“Lola, mind givin’ my brother and me a moment alone?”

“Of course. I’ll be around.”

I wasn’t facing her, but I felt her hand on my leg. She gave it a soft squeeze before leaving the room.

“Lad, you need to get your head out of your arse, and you need to do it right now.”

“My head’s not in my arse,” I defended. “I’m just in the middle of some shit right now and I want to get it over with.”

“I understand that, but you can’t treat everyone who gives a damn about you like shite in the process. You know who’d get a bug up his arse and take it out on everyone, includin’ people who had not a damn thing to do with whatever he was chaffed about?”

I knew the answer. “I don’t wanna hear it.”

“You’re gonna hear it – Da. The way you’re actin’ now…it’s like he’s possesin’ you from across the pond,” he accused. “Now, you’re my brother and I’m here for you ‘til doomsday. But her?” He pointed to the door where Lola had been only a few moments ago. “She’s not obligated to extend you that same courtesy. In fact, every time you go off on her like that, I’m more surprised she doesn’t just throw her damn hands up and leave you to fend for yourself.”

“You done?” I asked.

He sighed as his phone vibrated on the table next to him. “It’s Aunt Roxie. You wanna do a little FaceTime?”

“What’s the damn point? Not like I can see her anyway.”

“Well, it’s happenin’. Lord willin’ she’ll tear you a new