Risky (Adventures in Love 2)

“He hasn’t been living like everything is hunky-dory,” I say, stepping slightly in front of him. “This situation has been eating him up.”

“Right.” Margret stands. “I forgot that he’s been so stressed about our dad that he hasn’t been going to work or dating you or living life like it’s all okay.”

“That’s not fair,” I whisper.

“Babe, it’s okay,” Blake says, grabbing my hip.

“It’s not okay,” I tell him while holding Margret’s gaze. “Your brother has been doing all he can to be there for not just your dad but you, your mom, his friends, and now me. He deserves to have things in life that make him happy just like you do, and I get that you’re upset, you have a reason to be, but don’t put that all on him.” She looks away as Blake’s fingers dig into my hip, making me wonder if I said too much.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Janet asks on a hitched breath, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

“I wanted to.” Blake’s fingers flex, then his hand slides up my waist. “I wanted to tell you every fucking day, but I didn’t know how.”

“You could have done it by opening your mouth and saying the words,” Margret says, crossing her arms over her chest as I hear the back door open. Figuring that Edmond is back, I wonder what I should do, because he doesn’t need to be a witness to this situation, especially when emotions are so high.

“Dad,” Margret breathes, and I turn to see Dave coming around the corner, his face a mask of devastation.

“I figured you two would be here.”

His focus is on Janet; then he looks at his daughter when she whispers, “Why? Why didn’t you tell us before now, Dad?”

“Because I didn’t want this.” He lifts his arms away from his body. “I didn’t want you or your mom crying or upset. I didn’t want to hurt you like you’re hurting now.” He locks his gaze on Janet. “When my mom lost my dad to cancer, I saw how much it ate her up. I saw how much she suffered after losing him. I didn’t want you to go through that. I never want that for you.”

“You’re my husband. You should have told me.”

“I’m your husband, and it’s my job to protect you.” His voice is rough as he looks between his wife and daughter. “I thought I would be able to protect you from this. I was sure you would never have to know.”

“You told Blake.” Margret wipes at the tears on her cheeks.

“I did.” He turns to look at his son. “And I’m sorry about that, so fucking sorry for putting that on you, for putting you in a situation where you had to lie to your mom and your sister. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect you. I just . . . I needed you and knew you could handle everything without cracking.”

“Dad.” Blake’s voice sounds as rough as his father’s, and I cover his hand with mine.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone.” Dave looks around the room. “I didn’t want this; I didn’t want you all upset and worried because of me.”

“Of course we’re going to worry. We love you,” Janet tells him, getting up and walking toward her husband. “I’ve worried every time you’ve had a migraine or been sick, and every time you’ve had a hard time getting out of bed. I’ve worried every day, because every day, I’ve felt helpless to help you and because I knew you weren’t telling me the truth.”

“I’m sorry.” He wraps his arms around her.

“I’m so mad at you.” She sags against his chest, and Margret sobs, watching her parents embrace. With tears filling my eyes, I give Blake’s hand a squeeze, and he lets me go and walks over to his sister, taking her into his arms.

My hands ball into fists as I watch the four of them, and I say a silent prayer that them having each other will make this situation a little more bearable and that they will find enough strength in each other to get through this time. They need each other now more than ever.

I quickly swipe the tears from my cheeks when I hear the back door open again. I go to catch Edmond before he can reach the kitchen, wanting Blake and his family to have some time alone. “Will you help me check on Sam?” I ask when I meet him in the hall, and he nods.

“Is everything okay?” he asks me softly, looking over his shoulder to the kitchen as he follows me.

“Yeah, honey, Blake and his family are just talking,” I tell him as I usher him into the guest room, where I’m surprised to see Sam awake and sitting up quietly in the middle of the crib.