Blaze (Steel Brothers Saga 21)

I drop my mouth open to speak but then close it.

“Don’t forget that I know what you’ve been through. Don’t forget that I’ve been through it too. You’re different from your brother, and I don’t pretend to understand everything about you. But you are my son, and I know when something isn’t right.”

“It’s nothing, Dad. Really. I just haven’t heard from Monarch or Drew yet, and it’s got me on edge.”

He nods. “I’m sorry I haven’t asked before now. Those meds keep me kind of groggy.”

“You concentrate on healing,” I say. “That’s your only job right now. Please don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“I know it wasn’t easy for you to leave Denver and come back here to work with your mother.”

“Turns out I’m not going to work with her at all. She’s leaving.”

“That surprised me as much as it did you, believe me,” Dad says. “But I support her decision. When you look your mortality in the eye, you realize what’s important.”

“Dad, you looked your mortality in the eye a long time ago.”

“I did. But I was a boy then, like you were.”

“No, you weren’t. What about the military?”

Dad’s eyes go narrow. “Okay. You got me. I didn’t give a shit about my mortality until I met your mother.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“But you have always given a shit about your mortality, Donny. Your brother, not so much. But you? You live in the present, not the past. Which is why I know something’s bothering you. Something’s bothering you right in the here and now.”

You’ve always given a shit about your mortality.

Not that one time. I erase the images from my mind. Why, when the present sucks, do I dredge up the past, which also sucked?

I shake my head. “I’m fine.”

Megan, Darla’s temporary replacement, whisks into the kitchen then. “Good morning.” She nods to me. “What would you like for breakfast?”

“Just some toast, Megan. Thanks.”

Dad eyes me solemnly. Dead giveaway. Good job. I usually eat a lot for breakfast, and Dad knows that.

He won’t badger me, though. Not while Megan’s here.

“Could I have some more coffee?” he asks.

“Sure thing, Mr. Steel.” Megan pours Dad another cup.

“I’d get it myself but…” Dad smiles.

“You stay off your feet as much as possible,” Megan says. “Mrs. Steel’s orders.”

“Yes, Jade’s orders, when she’s throwing a huge party for me tonight where I will be expected to talk to everyone. Interesting how I’m going to have to stay off my feet.” Dad laughs.

Even I, in my current state, can’t help a slight chuckle. “That’s Mom, but she’ll probably set up a throne for you on the deck so you can hold court.”

Dad rolls his eyes. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

My phone buzzes then, and I grab it.

It’s a text. From Dale.