After All (Cape Harbor #1)(67)

He excused himself to go outside to check his phone. He glanced at the display and saw a barrage of missed calls and text messages. Word traveled fast about Carly, and everyone wanted to know what was happening.

“Graham,” he said into the receiver after his friend picked up.

“What’s going on?”

“Carly collapsed out on the beach. She’s in the ER now. I don’t know much, but Simone says she’s been sick.”

Graham muttered a few choice words. “What can we do?”

“Can you head over to Carly’s and make sure Luke’s in the house? He may need to go out.”

“I’m on it. Call me or Roe if you need anything.”

“Oh, maybe you can call Rennie. I think Brooklyn’s going to need her.”

“Yeah, of course.” After Bowie hung up, he inhaled deeply. Today was not going as planned. When he had awoken in the inn, he had thought he’d have a new start with Brooklyn, that they’d spend the day together. He was happy to be with her now, though, and he was going to take what time with her he could get.

He walked back into the hospital and went to the waiting room and found Brooklyn sitting by herself. “Where’re Brystol and Simone?” he asked. He didn’t even hesitate and sat right next to Brooklyn, putting his arm back where it had been. The only thing he couldn’t bring himself to do was reach for her hand. It was almost as if the comforting moments had passed.

“They went to the nursery to look at the babies.” Brooklyn sighed. She rubbed her hands down her legs and leaned forward, staring at the double doors. “What’s taking so long?”

“I don’t know, B. I’m sure in her fragile state they’re running all sorts of tests. Did anyone tell the doctor what Simone said?”

She nodded. “She’s dying, Bowie. How am I going to tell Brystol?” She covered her face and started to weep. Without hesitation he pulled her into his arms. He fought back his own wave of tears while she poured out her own. He cradled her head, feeling the smooth chocolate strands of her hair. A flood of memories came rushing back.

“What do you think?” Brooklyn asked as she pushed up the ends of her hair. Bowie smiled because it was the right thing to do, but she had cut her hair, chopping off her long locks. Gone was the ponytail he loved to tug to get her attention.

“You look so much older,” he said. It was something his mother always said each time he, Austin, or the twins cut their hair.

“That’s good, right? Like in my early twenties? Not thirties?”

“Definitely not.” He stepped forward and rubbed a strand of hair between his thumb and index finger. It was soft and silky and had a little curl to it. He was going to love it because he was in love with her. “What did Austin say?”

“I haven’t shown him yet.”

“Am I the first?” Bowie wanted to be her first everything. That ship had sailed after Austin told him about their first time together. He knew Brooklyn had cried and that Austin had just sat on the edge of the bed. Bowie wasn’t sure what he would’ve done but knew in his heart he would’ve held her and maybe cried with her. He liked to think that he would’ve cared for her and told her how much he loved her, how he saw them having a future together. He knew he wouldn’t have been like Austin and handed Brooklyn her clothes. If he had, he would’ve dressed her just so he could feel her skin against his flesh.

She smiled. “I figured you’d tell me the truth. Austin will tell me I look good, but he won’t really see me. You, though, you always tell me when my butt looks too big in jeans.”

Never, because you’re perfect. He couldn’t say those words out loud, but he wanted to. He wanted to tell her that she should dump Austin because he didn’t deserve someone like her. He couldn’t, though. Austin was his best friend; dicks before chicks and all that stupid shit he was forced to follow. He would stay in the friend lane, being there when she needed him. He hated it, though, because he was madly in love with her and knew he’d never have the chance to show her.

“I can be there with you, if you want. Or make sure Luke is there. She’s grown very attached to my dog. I’m afraid that when you leave, he’ll want to go with her.” He was opening the door for her to tell him that she wasn’t leaving, that they were staying. But she remained silent except for a small chuckle. Brooklyn pulled away and wiped her eyes. He wanted her back in his arms; it was where she belonged, at least in his mind.

“Brystol wants a dog.”

“Sort of need a house for a dog.”

She eyed him. “You pump my daughter for too much information.”

He smiled. “It’s the only way to find out where you’ve been for the last fifteen years.”

Brooklyn rolled her eyes and looked away. “I don’t want to talk about the past right now.”

“Brooklyn Hewett?”

Both Brooklyn and Bowie stood as her name was called. Bowie honestly thought he would see Jason again or he’d at least come out with the doctor, but he was nowhere in sight.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Briggs. I wanted to talk to you about your mother.” Brooklyn hadn’t bothered to correct the woman. “As you know, she’s battling stage four breast cancer, and the scans show it’s spread. I’m sorry, but your mother doesn’t have much time. We are moving her to a room now; you’ll be able to see her in a little bit.” The doctor put a reassuring hand on Brooklyn’s arm, smiled softly, and left.