“Nah, I’m okay.” He shakes his head.
Hudson did things that are unforgiveable. I’ll never be able to look at him the same way again. If Bram or my father die today—I don’t even know what I’ll do. He’ll wear a crown of shame that is heavier than the agony I’ll feel, but it’s the least he deserves.
I get a coffee from the break room and walk back into the waiting room. Hudson is no longer sitting where I left him. I scan the room, wondering if a doctor came to talk to him, but I don’t see any sign of him. Surely he would have waited for me. I walk to my seat and see a napkin laying in it—a napkin with something scrawled on it.
I have to go. I’m sorry. -H
“Coward…” I ball the napkin up and throw it at the wall. “Fucking coward.”
I told him I didn’t want to see him again, but that was said in the heat of the moment—it was said before I knew I might lose two people I care about.
Hudson took the coward’s way out just like he’s always done.
“Miss Brooks?” A police officer startles me. “I was hoping I could get that statement from you now.”
“I…” I look at him in confusion. “I don’t think I can.”
“Please, Miss Brooks. I know this is a difficult time, but we need some answers.” He leans forward. “Do I need to take you down to the station?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I feel anger surge through my body. “My father is in the ER—the man I love is in surgery. You’re threatening to…”
“Kiana!” My mother’s voice interrupts us before I get a chance to finish.
“Mom…” I stand up and she hugs me so tight I think she’s going to put me in the emergency room if she squeezes any harder.
“Excuse me.” She turns to the officer. “Can you give us some space? I need to talk to my daughter.”
“Ma’am, I need some answers. Your daughter is a witness.” His face shifts to a look of irritation.
“I don’t give a damn what my daughter is to you.” She looks at his badge for a second and then glares at him. “Officer Bartholomew, Badge 192. I’ll remember that when I file a complaint with your Lieutenant.”
“I’m sorry.” He nods. “You’re right—I’ll give you two some space and come back for a statement later.”
I’ve never seen my mom go full-on mother hen, but she sure as hell put the officer in his place. He walks away and my mother hugs me again.
“Kiana, what happened? Hudson said it had something to do with his gambling debts…” She sits down beside me.
Coward. Damn it, Hudson. It’s probably better than he’s gone.
I’m not going to lie to my mother. She needs to know the truth. I just let it all spill out, and keep going, even when I see the most horrified expression ever on her face. As soon as I tell her what Hudson did, tears start to roll down her cheeks. I shouldn’t be the one that shatters her, but Hudson left me to do it, and his lies have caused so much damage.
“The last thing I said to your father was that I wanted a divorce…” The color drains out of her face.
“Our family is all kinds of fucked up, mom.” I squeeze her hand and try to smile.
I don’t know how we’ll pick up the pieces, but two critical pieces are fighting for their lives right now. That’s all I can focus on. My mother and I stay in the waiting room for a couple of hours before I doctor finally walks out and calls my name. I don’t know if it’s because of Bram or my father, but we both rush to where he is standing.
“I’m Kiana Brooks.” I try to prepare myself for the worst. “This is my mother.”
“Ah, excellent. Mr. Brooks is going to be okay. He’s out of surgery and…” The doctor explains it all, but I don’t hear anything after he says he’ll be okay.
“Thank you, doctor.” My mother wipes away a couple of tears. “When can we see him?”
“He’s resting right now, but we should have him set up in a room in a few hours. I’ll have one of the nurses let you know.” He nods.
“There’s another patient that was brought in with my husband. Bram Ward. He’s a family friend. Do you know anything about him?” My mother glances at me and I squeeze her hand in appreciation.
“I’m afraid not.” The doctor grimaces. “I’ll see if his doctor is available.”
“Thank you.” I nod.
One piece of good news. One major lingering concern. I don’t even know if it’s a good sign that they were able to fix my father up and could still be working on Bram—or if we’re going to get the worst news in the world when the doctor finally comes to see us.
“Does Bram have any family we should call?” I look over at my mother once we’re seated again.
“I’m not sure.” She sighs. “Your father would know…”
Another hour of mental agony ensues before a doctor finally walks out and calls my name for the second time. I feel my stomach twist into a knot. I was so anxious for any news at all when the first doctor came out—now I know I’m about to find out if my entire world is going to continue crashing down around me or if the healing process can truly begin.
“Come on, let’s go talk to him.” My mother helps me up.
My legs are so wobbly. Finding out that my father is okay allowed my body to begin cycling out some of the adrenaline. I’m terrified of what the doctor is going to say. I saw Bram’s wound—the bullet he took for me. If I’m the reason he’s gone…
“Are you Kiana Brooks?” The doctor looks to my mother first.
“No, I am.” I take a step forward.
“Mr. Ward said we should let you know that he’s okay.” The doctor smiles.
