“Hi.” Brad spoke in a soft voice as he blinked his eyes open.
He’d appeared to be sleeping when she’d entered the room and slipped to his bedside on silent feet. She’d watched him breathing for a while and thought to leave and let him sleep. But his eyes opened and he reached out to take her hand, his grasp firmer than she expected for having been sedated.
“Hi back.” She felt heat radiating from her cheeks. Why was she suddenly feeling awkward? “How do you feel?”
“Great, since you’re here.” His forehead wrinkled and he closed his eyes for a moment, drawing a deep breath. “Grace, I’m sorry about Kara.”
“It’s okay. Ben already told me you didn’t sleep with her. And I’d already decided I didn’t care. You can ask Josh.”
“You didn’t care?” He grinned. “So does that mean you’re into open relationships?”
“No, it doesn’t. And you’re not funny.”
“But you’re smiling.”
“No, this is a grimace of distaste.”
The smile dropped off his face. “Seriously Grace, I’m sorry about her. I’m sorry I ever agreed to go to that stupid Yankees game with her.”
“Hey... Don’t insult the Yankees.”
He chuckled. “You’re right. Let me restate that. I’m sorry I was stupid enough to agree to go to a Yankees game with that stupid woman.”
“Much better.” She bobbed her head. “And I’m sorry I ever broke up with you.”
“And I’m sorry I told you I loved you.” His eyes twinkled. “Because it’s too soon to say that. Right?”
“That’s right.” She bit her lips as her cheeks reddened.
“So I won’t say it again. But Grace...” He caressed her hand with his thumb, causing tingles to race up her arm. He spoke in a voice so soft she had to lean in to hear him. “I live you, too.”
*****
Brad had sent Ben, Grace, and the rest of the Marshall clan home, promising someone would call as soon as there was new information. Grace was still acting pretty awkward. He couldn’t tell if she was unsure about her feelings or simply concerned about his injury. That part of his memory was still a blank, but he’d been told the details of his actions leading up to the fall. It sounded like the script in a bad movie, and he couldn’t believe he’d been so reckless.
He was waiting for the pinch in his back, but that wasn’t what worried him. He knew too much. Josh was trying to keep up a cheery banter, but Brad could tell he was uptight, too.
“You don’t have to pretend,” Brad said. “I know it could be bad news.” He tried not to flinch as he felt the needle pierce his skin.
Josh was quiet as he drew the fluid out and handed it to the doctor at his side. When she had departed to the lab with the crucial tubes, he took off his gloves and sank into a chair next to him with a groan. It was one a.m. and the toll of the incredibly long and stressful day showed on his face.
“The fact you know it could be bad news is good news. At least we aren’t seeing any further deterioration in your cognitive abilities.”
“Any further deterioration?”
Josh chuckled. “Sorry. I should have said continuing evidence of deterioration. You were certainly not the brightest crayon in the box yesterday. But your stupidity started before you hit your head.”
Brad wanted to object, but he knew Josh was right. “I don’t know what came over me. I’m usually so sensible—Ben is the impulsive brother.”
“I think you two are more alik
e than you admit.”
“You’re probably right. Maybe that’s why he gets under my skin.”
“Your problem is you have an Achilles’ heel where Grace is concerned. Who was teasing me about acting crazy over Charlie?”
Brad smiled as he thought about Josh’s complete infatuation with Emily’s younger sister, Charlie Best. “Yes, but Charlie changed your entire personality. It’s like you’re a different guy, now.”