"It's in my truck. You want me to go get it?" He stopped by the door.
"No. Just wanted to check in with Brian. I'm sure he was worried."
"He's been by every day." Dad winked and walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
"What about Chloe? Has she even called? Does she know? Does she care?" I mumbled and reached up to rub my hand down my stomach as it growled loudly.
The door opened, and my father came back in. "Alright. He's on his way."
"Dad. What happened with you and Mr. Burke?"
Dad gave me a sad smile, but moved up next to me and sat down on the bed. "We were best friends as kids. We grew up together, spent every holiday together, hell, shared the horror story of losing our virginity the next morning with each other when it happened."
My heart ached in my chest just hearing how this nightmare started.
"In college we fell in love with the same girl. Your mom."
I lifted my hand to my face and closed my eye. "I knew it was something fucked up like that."
"Yeah. We started dating and Jon was so pissed because he'd told me that he had feelings for her. It was my fault. I wanted her over him, and it ruined everything."
"I knew he was bitter the other day when he got in my face, but I honestly thought it was him that was the bastard in the story."
"Oh, he got me back. He got her drunk one night and I came to her dorm room to find them making love." My father closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "I deserved it, but I beat his ass that night until he couldn't walk. We haven't spoken since. It's been thirty-two years and not a word."
"Damn," I mumbled and dropped my hands back on the bed. "Do you miss him?"
"Every day." He stood up and stretched. "Jon and I should have fixed this thing between us a long time ago. He's lost his wife, and I've lost mine. Whatever hate that built up between us is so past over that we're just spiteful to have someone to hate, I guess. I'll go talk to him."
"I think that would be smart." I turned and let out a slow breath. "I'm in love with Chloe. I don't know if she feels anything I do, but I need you to know that I have to work this stuff out with her dad. I can't not try to fix it."
"I know you do, son. She's been here every minute of every day and night since you got hurt." He smiled, and reached for my hand, squeezing it hard.
I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath, trying to hold back tears that I wasn't supposed to have. "I was scared she didn't come."
"Are you kidding? I forced her to go home and take a shower about an hour ago."
"You forced her?" I opened my eyes, and smirked at him.
"Yeah, you need to learn how to make a woman do what you want them to do."
"Teach me, oh wise one." I chuckled, and groaned as pain shot down the back of my head.
"Take it easy, okay?" He moved to sit in the chair beside the bed. "I told her she stunk. Like really bad."
"Dad. Shit."
"Right?" He laughed and slapped his knee. "She didn't, of course, but she high-tailed it out of here fast."
A knock at the door had my attention shifting. I expected the doctor, but it was my beautiful California girl, instead.
"Do I hear two voices in here?" She stuck her head in the door and let out a soft cry before moving up beside me quickly.
I reached for her, and pulled her down with my free arm, kissing her hard and holding her as close to me as I could manage.
"Don't you ever do that shit again! Do you hear me?" She pressed her forehead to mine as tears filled her beautiful eyes.
"Never, baby. I promise."