Always(Time for Love Book 4)(38)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Brenna arrived at the hospital, telling herself not to think of the worst. She’d tried to call Darren back, but all she got was his voicemail.

The messages she received from him didn’t say much—only that Patty was experiencing complications, so he and Sally had rushed her to the hospital, and for Brenna to come as soon as she could.

The lady at reception gave her instructions on how to get to the wing Patty was in. At least Patty wasn’t in surgery or an intensive care unit, so that was probably a good thing. She allowed herself to relax for the first time since getting those messages.

Reaching Patty’s room, she spotted Darren sitting on a chair next to Patty’s bed. He was reading a magazine while Patty seemed to be asleep.

“Hi,” she said softly.

Darren looked up. “Hey,” he said, getting up and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming.”

“What happened?”

Darren told her in hushed tones, his demeanour betraying his concern. “She was asking for you when we drove here.”

“How are you, Darren?” she asked, placing a hand on his arm.

He smiled. “Trying to cope as well as I can.”

She nodded her sympathy.

Sally came into the room. “Hello, Brenna. Glad you were able to make it. Why don’t you and Darren go to the cafeteria and get something to eat while Patty’s asleep?”

“Great idea, Auntie,” Darren said. “Let’s go, Bren. I haven’t had lunch yet.”

“Me neither,” she answered.

*****

“Mum asked me if we’re having relationship troubles again,” Darren said as he took a bite of his sandwich.

Brenna sighed. “That’s the problem with this, isn’t it? I’ve noticed your mum watching us like a hawk every time we’re around her. I’m sure she’s looking for proof that things are alright between us.”

“Yeah. She got really worried yesterday when I told her you won’t be visiting today because you have something else on. She wanted to know what, so I told her you’re attending a friend’s birthday. Then she wondered why I wasn’t going with you.”

“Darren, maybe we should come clean,” she said softly.

“No! Bren, I thought you understood. She’s happy because we’re together again.”

“I know, but let’s think this through,” she said patiently. “Your mum told me before that she was concerned about how you’re coping. She said she was happy I’m around again for you. But you see, her attitude about us is really because of you. I think if she sees you’re coping well with her situation, and that us not being together is okay with you, then she’d be fine with it. We need to show her that even though we’re just friends, things are still well and good.”

Darren shook his head stubbornly. “And what? Tell her we’ve been lying to her all along? I don’t think she’ll be happy with that at all.”

“Maybe we could have a pretend breakup. We could say we’ve realised we’re better off being just friends. If she sees us happy together being friends, then I’m sure that would alleviate her worries.”

Darren buried his face in his hands, then looked at her pleadingly. “I’m sorry, Bren, but I don’t think I want to take that risk at this point in time. She’s not very well at the moment. Can we talk about this another time?”

She smiled. “Of course.”

“Is Ash telling you not to continue with this?” Darren asked softly, although she heard the hard edge in his tone.

“No. He’s fine with this, Darren.”

Darren smirked.

“He really is,” she assured him.

“You know, it still surprises me how someone can stand aside for years if he really loves someone.”

“Darren,” she said with warning in her voice.

“I’m just saying,” Darren said with a shrug. “We might not be together anymore, Bren, but I still care about you. I don’t want you wasting your time on a man who won’t fight for you when the going gets tough. What does that say about the depths of his feelings?”

“It was me who didn’t notice his feelings before,” she said heatedly. “What did you expect him to do? Carry me over his shoulder and lock me in his room until I gave in to him? Or for him to have a fistfight to ‘win’ me from my then-boyfriend—who happened to be you? That’s ridiculous. There are other ways to show you care about someone, including being selfless and doing what you think is best for the other person.”

“Hey,” Darren said, holding his arms up in surrender. “I’m just saying it how I see it. You know me, Bren. I fight for what I want.”

Yes, Brenna thought with irritation. Sometimes without caring about other people’s feelings.

Darren reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. Let’s not fight. I don’t know why I’m testy. I think I’m feeling the pressure.”

She relented. She knew times were truly tough for Darren.

“You’ll stick around to help me, right, Bren? It would be hell if Mum thinks we’ve broken up again. I could just imagine how that would negatively affect her moods.”