“This isn't a ‘girl.’ This is THE girl.”
I stood in his face, ready to do what I had to do. “Let’s get out of here and have this conversation somewhere else.”
I had no intention of leaving anywhere with him. I just wanted him out of my station, my work. He had always done something to embarrass me.
“I like the way you think.” Sarcastic piece of work he had always been.
I rolled my eyes, straightened my posture as we walked, wanting to stretch my arms out for the fight I was about to start.
Cash continued to try to talk to me as we walked the stairs down to the level floor. “Seriously, Wyatt, I hated to have to tell you about Breigh. I just didn't want to see you get hurt by another…”
“Another what?” I moved closer to his face. My brother was always taller and stouter than I was until the last couple years. He had always bullied me in any way he could. He and Dad both did.
“Like April.”
“You slept with her. You came on to her.”
“But it takes two to tango.”
“Not with Breigh. She’s different.”
“Is she? Then why would she kiss another guy in the parking lot of that dump dance hall?”
I pulled my arm back and swung. I had wanted to hit him for weeks and this was pure satisfaction. He was completely off guard and fell back to the ground.
My fist hit his nose and the bone crushed. “Damn, Wyatt. What the hell, man?”
“Get the hell out of here and stay away from Breigh. Stay away from her and Emma. They are both too good for you.”
“They are too good for you too then,” Cash muttered, holding his nose.
I pulled back and hit him again, in the exact same spot, feeling the blood gush.
“DAMN IT!” Cash screamed.
“That was for trying to blackmail Breigh, and you kissing her.”
“That bi…” He paused and tried to wipe some of the blood off. “She came on to me. Like they all do. Just like April…”
I stood with anger filling my veins. I wanted to hit him until he wasn’t moving, but that would make me no better than him. And I was better than him.
“The only thing we have in common is our blood, Cash. We are nothing alike and I thank God for that.”
“Blood is pretty thick, Brother,” Cash muttered holding his nose.
“Screw off.” I turned my back to him, willing him to try to hit me when I wasn't looking.
It would make my day. I had wanted to hit him many times, and had a few. But nothing like this. I’d hit him wanting to injure him. I wanted him to feel the pain he caused me.
He almost cost me Breigh.
But then again, I had to admit it was me too.
And that was what cut me to the core.
28
BREIGH
“Hello?” I muttered, not sure if I was dreaming or awake, but my heart was beating as
rapid as a racehorse.
“Ms. Foster?”
I sat up in my bed and reached for my lamp. “This is she.”
“Sorry to wake you at this ungodly hour. I’m Laura at Texas South. Mrs. Bryant was brought into the emergency room and is here. She drove herself in, which is not a shock considering her stubbornness.” She emphasized the last word clearly for Rhonda to hear.
“I know her from church and didn't want her to be alone. She had you listed under emergency contacts after Wyatt, but he isn't answering his phone”.
“That isn't like him.”
“Well, it is 2:00 a.m. so it is possible he’s just a hard sleeper. We get that a lot. Or people have their ringers off. I’m sure he’ll call as soon as he gets my message.”
“Tell Rhonda I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“I’m just going to let you show up. You know how stubborn she is. She’ll have a fit if I tell her you are coming to sit with her. She is determined to fight this by herself.”
“I know the type. Thank you.”
I called Wyatt and got his voice mail and then shot him a quick text, asking him to call him ASAP, before dragging myself out of bed.
Rhonda was sitting, tapping her foot to a beat in her head. She was looking around at other people who were coming in and out of the hallway, not at all embarrassed that she was being nosy.
She saw me as soon as I rounded the corner and her face lit up with a smile before she started shaking her head, not believing I was here.
“Hi, Breigh! Did they call you? I told them not to call you. It is too damn early for me to need a sitter, for God’s sake.” Before I could answer she was pushing the button to get a
nurse.
“I’m going to let her have it. I told her I was fine.”
I took a seat on the rolling chair and scooted over to her. “Don’t be mad, she was just doing her job. Plus, she cares about you. Apparently y'all have been going to James Baptist together for…”
“Twenty-five years, which is why she should have known I was fine.” She continued to press the button for the nurse.
“It was out of kindness. Here, hand me that remote.” I put my hand out and she moved it my way reluctantly.
“This actually is a perfect chance for me to talk to you alone.” I smiled, trying to take her attention off the situation.
“While I’m in the ER?” she smarted off.
I pulled the curtain closed around us, and resumed my spot on the chair.
“I didn't know if you heard but…”
“Yes, that my nephew and you are in love, and you have forgiven him for his stupid nonsense.”
My face probably turned every tone of red.
“Can you imagine how beautiful your babies are going to be?” She continued.
“Babies?” My eyes had grown to the size of silver dollars.
“Isn’t that what you were going
