Justice Falling (Falling #3)(71)

I ruffled Tanner’s hair. “You’re right, sport. No more f-bombs.” I grinned. He smiled and continued hugging his mum.

“That’s insane! I mean…” I shook my head as the doctor entered.

“Ms. Johnston, your x-ray looks good. No damage, just a nice size goose-egg. It will go down with ice and time. Take it easy a few days, take ibuprofen and let me know if you feel any dizziness. You the husband?” the doctor asked me.

“Yes,” I said without a second thought. It wasn’t his business if it was official or not. It would be soon enough.

“Wake her every four hours tonight, just in case. She didn’t incur a concussion but you can never be too careful when it comes to head trauma.”

I saluted the doctor. “Will do. But she’s okay?”

“Yes. Just needs to rest. Says here you have a history of panic attacks?”

Camille nodded. “I used to have them a lot when I was a kid. Hadn’t had one since bringing this guy into the world though.” She hugged Tan Man to her chest and he giggled. “I’ll be fine. Just some really shocking news. I’ll be more careful.”

The doctor handed her discharge papers.

We checked out of the hospital and hailed a cab home. Once I had her back in our flat and cuddled up in bed, I tended to Tanner, putting him down for his afternoon nap. He went out like a light. It blew me away how well the kid slept.

I made tea, put together some chicken salad sandwiches I’d prepared while Camille was out, and took them to the bedroom. I set the tray down on the side of the bed and kissed my girl’s forehead.

“How you doing, love?”

She smiled sleepily. It made my heartbeat quicken. Seeing her cuddled under the covers in our bed was the most beautiful sight. I never wanted her to leave again. Even if it was for the afternoon. Had I told her in advance about the file, she wouldn’t have hurt herself or been alone when she found out this startling information. I could have supported her through it.

“I’m fine. You don’t have to hover. Really. Just processing it all,” she said drowsily.

“Yeah. It is quite a lot to take in. I do want to apologize again. I feel responsible for what happened. If I told you earlier…”

“Stop Nate. We make mistakes. I should have told you right away about Tanner and Gems. But I didn’t. Sometimes we make bad choices. Surviving them together, that’s what makes us stronger.”

God, I loved her.

“I’d do anything to make you happy. You know that right?”

“Oh Nate, I do know that, and baby, you do make me happy. I’ve never been happier in my life. Soon we’ll married and adding to our family. But I still have to figure out how to deal with this information. Especially about Tripp. I mean, he’s our friend.” She put her hand to her forehead and shook her head. “He’s your brother’s best friend. So weird.”

I nodded. “Yeah, it is unusual, but now that I think about it. The two of you look a lot alike. Dark hair, the same exact eyes. Your smiles are different and obviously he’s manlier.” I tickled her knee and she laughed. “But yeah, I can see it clearly now.”

I laid the tray of small sandwiches and tea on her lap then grabbed my own plate and sat cross legged across from her. We ate and sipped our tea in silence, both of us content with our own thoughts.

“What do you think he’ll say when I show him this information?” She worried her lip.

I looked at her nervous face and pondered it. “I can’t say. Only way to find out is to tell him. Want me to invite him over?”

“Yeah, but not right away. Let me process this first. Think about the best way to bring it up.”

I respected her decision to wait. She needed to accept the information and figure out how she wanted to handle it. When we were done with our food, her eyes got heavy and it was hard for her to keep them open.

“Will you hold me?” she asked.

I slipped off my jeans and got into bed in my underwear and t-shirt. She snuggled into my chest. Best feeling ever. Having my woman in my arms, right where she should be. “Whatever you decide to do with this information, I’m here for you. To talk, vent, cry, laugh, whatever it is you need, you can count on me, love.”

“I know I can. Thank you.”

I pulled back and looked at her. “Why are you thanking me?”

“For loving me,” she whispered and snuggled closer into my chest. Her eyes closed, her breath left her lips in a soft puff.

“And I always will, Precious. Always.”





Chapter 18





Secrets sucked. Having them, knowing them, spreading them, and telling them all made for a giant knot of tension swirling and festering in my gut. I’d known Tripp was my brother for the better part of a week and I still hadn’t figured out what to do with the information.

Worse, I’d avoided Collier and London all together for fear I’d accidentally slip and mention the secret I’d been harboring all week.

Nate had been wonderful about it all. He hadn’t pushed, though I knew he worried about me. We agreed it was my problem but he’d be there to get me through whatever I decided. He thought it was best to just schedule a time to meet with Tripp as if it was that easy. I’d gone almost twenty four years not having one soul to call my own besides Tanner. Now to find out I had not one brother but two? What would it do to Marcus? The last thing he probably needed during schooling and sports work was for me to show up unannounced and say, “Hey, I’m your big sister Cami. Want to hang out and get to know one another?” It sounded incredibly lame. I couldn’t bring myself to even call the number the private investigator had supplied for him.