Love Irresistibly (FBI/US Attorney #4)(88)

“I remember that game.”

“I’m sure you do. You were up against the number-one team in the Big Ten, it was your first year as starting QB, and nobody expected you to pull out a win. But you showed them all.”

Cade stared at him stoically. It was a little late for fatherly pride.

“I hung around the parking lot after the game,” Noah said. “You came out of the stadium, and there was this moment when I got to see you for the first time in years.” His voice grew thick with emotion. “I remember hoping so badly that you’d see me standing there. That maybe . . . I don’t know, we could talk or something. But then everyone swarmed you. Friends, fans, your mother, and your grandparents—even reporters. They were all cheering for you, and you looked so proud.” He paused, clearing his throat. “I realized then that I had no place there. You were grown up, a man with a very bright future ahead of you, and I had lost my chance to be a part of that.”

The room went quiet after that.

Finally, Noah mustered a smile. “Wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall when Zach somehow convinced you to see me.”

The mention of his brother, at least, helped to ease the tension. “Zach is quite persuasive. The kid could be a lawyer someday.”

Immediately, Cade realized that was the wrong thing to say.

“Maybe he will be,” Noah said softly. “I’m sure, whatever he does, that he’ll grow up to be a really good man. Like his brother.”

Cade watched as his father struggled to maintain his composure.

He might not be able to forgive, but there was, at least, one thing he could do for him.

“I’ll take care of him, Noah. Whatever he needs. Zach . . . will be okay.”

Noah closed his eyes. His bent his head, going quiet for several moments before he pulled himself together and wiped his eyes. “Thank you.”

Cade felt the stinging in his own eyes. The hospital room suddenly felt too small, the air too thick and heavy. “I need to get going.”

Noah stood up. “Cade, wait. Please. You have no idea how much it means to me that you came here. I know I have no right to ask, but I’d still like that second chance.” He reached out tentatively and put a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “At least think about it, Son.”

The hopefulness on Noah’s face brought Cade back to that moment, so many years ago, when he’d wanted nothing more than to be this man’s son. But he’d shut that door long ago, and he didn’t think he could open it again.

Not when that would mean losing his father all over again.

Cade felt the tightness in his throat, his voice coming out hoarse.

“Good-bye, Noah.”

* * *

CADE PUSHED THROUGH the hospital doors and kept walking. He spotted an alley up ahead and turned into it.

Once alone, he pressed his hands against the brick wall of the hospital and closed his eyes.

So much f**king time wasted.

He hit the wall hard with the side of his fist, the pain a welcome distraction from the ache in his chest. He felt angry and lost and so goddamn raw he wanted to climb out of his own skin. No amount of charm or jokes or quips could protect him now—this was real and it was hard and it was rough. His estranged father was dying, and he was furious about that, at Noah for being a dickhead for so much of his life, and for laying all this on him now. But he couldn’t just feel anger, because he’d seen the genuine look of regret in Noah’s eyes, and also the desire to make things right.

Cade did not want to be that man.

If he took one thing from this screwed-up experience, it was that he didn’t want to look back on his life at the end of his days and regret the actions he’d never taken and the words he’d never said.

The hell with his hang-ups. The hell with holding back. He was going for the win on this one.

He was going to find Brooke.

His decision made, he turned away from the wall, not caring if she was at home, at work, or in goddamn Charlotte. As soon as he pulled himself together, he was going to—

He stopped in his tracks.

Brooke stood there, at the end of the alley.

“Hi,” she said softly.

Cade wiped his eyes, not understanding how her being there was possible. “Why—how—are you here?”

“I went to your place and ran into Zach. He told me you were here.” She gestured in the direction he’d just come from. “I was waiting in the lobby, and when I saw you walk out, I thought maybe you—” She stopped, shifting hesitantly, and then walked over to him. “When I heard about Noah, I wanted to be here. With you.”

Cade was trying to process this, wondering what that might mean, when she pointed to his hand.

“You’re bleeding.” She reached out and took his hand in hers, tenderly turning it over.

He looked down and saw that he’d split one of his knuckles. “I punched a wall.”

“I caught that part.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue.

Cade watched as she gently dabbed at the cut, blotting the blood. He felt no pain anymore, just the warmth of her hand around his.

So much he wanted to say to her. But really, it came down to one thing.

“I love you.”

Brooke paused with the tissue and looked up at him with surprise in her eyes. “Cade. You’re obviously having a very intense day. I totally under—”