I found her in the break room talking to one of the nurses, who suddenly had to run when I walked up and said hi.
“What are you doing here?” She glanced around, and I felt strange for not calling her.
“I wanted to come and see if you wanted to go to dinner. I remember you said your shifts usually end around six when you work days, so I thought I’d pick you up.”
“I wish you’d have called first.” She gave me a curt glance and then looked away.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a crazy day. I really needed to see you.” I reached for her hand, and she stepped away and raked her hand through her hair.
“I’m working late tonight. I’m going to cover half of my friend’s shift so she can go home to her sick son.” She pointed out in the direction of the other nurse who had made herself busy across the hall.
“Could I bring you something? Are you going to get time to eat?” I wanted to kiss her so bad, but she would barely look at me. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“You can’t just drop in here. My schedule is crazy, and we’re always covering for one another.”
“I understand that. I just thought that you might have a minute, and I wanted to see you.”
“Well, I don’t have a minute. If you can’t understand that about my career, then maybe I’m not the girl for you.” She crossed her arms and stared at the floor, but I wasn’t going to settle for that. I pulled her into my arms and held her.
“Don’t say that, Lexa.” Tears sprang to her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away. Before I could ask her what was wrong, she broke from my hold and ran out. My gut twisted as I stood there, not sure what to do. I couldn’t go after her. The best I could do was to go home and hope for the best.
Chapter Thirty
Lexa
I kept busy all weekend, but it wasn’t enough to keep Aiden away. He’d apologized through a text message since I’d avoided all his calls and I had finally sent reassurance to him that I was dealing with a family issue on Sunday. I couldn’t say I was surprised Monday morning when he called just as I was pouring my morning coffee.
“I’m sorry to bother you so early.” His voice was very quiet, and I knew his mood was off because the trial was today. It was only seven in the morning, and he had to be there at nine. My parents were expecting me there, as well.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry I have been so crazy lately.”
“Hey, it’s cool. Whatever you’re going through, I know things get nuts in life sometimes. You can talk to me if you need to.” His offer to comfort me made the guilt burn hotter in my gut.
“Thanks. I know you’ve got a rough day ahead, but remember I’m on your side. I wish there were something I could do. I care about you so much, Aiden.” I wanted to tell him I loved him, but it didn’t seem fair. If he gave me that opportunity after, I’d never hesitate again to say it.
“I know. I care about you, too. When this is all over, maybe you can take a couple of days off. I know it’s a crazy job, and it keeps you busy, but you know if you get some time off, I’d like us to go away together. We could both use a vacation.”
Tears stung my eyes, and I sniffled. “Yeah, that sounds nice.” I was such a coward. “Good luck today, Aiden.”
“I’ll call you after.”
I nodded, but let the phone go dead without another word. I put the phone down on the bar and threw my coffee into the sink, the cup crashing so loud I could have sworn it broke.
Before I could fall apart, my father called. “Yes, Dad?” I sniffled and wiped my eyes.
“Good morning, sweetheart. This is my final plea to get you to show up today.” His voice was so much like Shawn’s, especially on the phone.
“I still don’t agree with any of this. You’re ruining his life. You’re ruining mine, and you don’t even know it. Please drop this suit, Daddy.”
“It’s too late to stop it now. Things are in motion, and we’ve come too far. Our family has already lost so much, and the last thing I want to do is lose you, too. Your mother has been beside herself with grief all weekend, and you’d think that she’d lost Shawn all over again. You really disappointed her. Please show up — even if you don’t support us, come let her know you still love her.”
“Of course, I do.” I didn’t want my mother to suffer any more pain, but I didn’t want that for Aiden, either. I had resigned my fate that I wouldn’t go and I’d slowly break away from Aiden.
But with my dad’s final plea, I knew I had to go. I had to stand with my stupid family and be the child that my brother would have been. He’d always stood beside my mom and dad, no matter how idiotic their schemes were, so now it was my turn.
Not only that, but I knew it was time that Aiden learned the truth. Might as well deliver my blow swiftly and get it all over with. I only prayed that he loved me enough that he could see the spot I was in.
But I knew it was no use. My day of reckoning had come.