Page 107 of Strictly Pretend

Myles: We love you. We want the best for you. Thank you for letting us help.

That last one hits hard. Because I know I’ve been pushing them away for way too long. Maybe I needed the time, to work out what it is I want from life. But now I know.

I want Emma. I want her smile every morning. I want her to talk about books as I kiss my way down her neck. I don’t want to be alone anymore. Not because I’ve been lonely, but because I’ve finally found my better. My best.

I lean forward and hit the button that brings down the screen between me and the driver.

“How long until we get there?” I ask, aware that I could pull up Google Maps on my phone and find out myself. But I want to hear another voice that isn’t my own.

“Another ten minutes, sir.”

I nod and sit back in the seat, pulling my phone up and sending Emma another message, even though I have no idea if she’s getting them.

I’m on my way to be with you at the hospital. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Is there anything you need? – Brooks.

But like the last god knows how many times I’ve messaged and called, there’s no reply.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-EIGHT

BROOKS

My father’s phone call lights my screen up right as I’m walking through the sliding doors into the hospital. For a moment I consider rejecting it, but old habits run deep even if my anger with him hasn’t disappeared.

I know he was only doing what he always does. Running a business, even if he’s supposed to be retired. The truth is, if I hadn’t fallen for Emma I would have organized for the letter to be served myself.

And I don’t like that thought. Not at all. It’s not who I want to be. I want to be better. For her.

“Hello?” I say, backing out of the doors because if I’m talking on the phone I’m going to do it outside. There are upset people in the waiting rooms.

“Brooks.” Dad clears his throat. “I’ve been talking with Julia and your moms. And your brothers’ wives.”

I let out a breath. “Okay. Can this wait? I’ve just arrived at the hospital.”

“Yes it can wait. But I wanted to apologize.”

Okay, this is a new one. Rupert Salinger never apologizes for anything or to anybody. “What?” I say, in case I misheard.

“I’m not sorry for sending the letter. That’s business. It’s what anybody in my position would have done. But… ah… the things I said about…”

“Emma.”

“Yes, Emma,” he says. “I was wrong.”

“You implied she was a gold digger.”

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t being used.”

“Do you trust my judgment that little?” I ask him. “Of course I’m not being used. If anything she probably thinks I used her. That I sweet talked her while behind her back I was arranging for this eviction letter to be sent and blindside them both.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust your judgement, son. I’ve been burned myself. Your brothers have been burned. We’re a family of substantial means, we have to be careful.”

That’s when I realize how far I’ve come. “I don’t want to be careful,” I tell him. “Careful has made me miserable as sin. I’m in love with Emma. And if she’ll forgive me for what’s happened, then I intend to be with her for the rest of my life. And if you can’t treat her with respect then you won’t see either of us.”

He lets out a sigh. “Of course I’ll treat her with respect. I’d like to meet her. Firstly, to apologize face to face.”

Two apologies from this man? I think the world might stop turning. “Dad, I need to go,” I tell him, because I’ve spent long enough on this mess. I get that he’s feeling guilty but that’s his problem for now. My only concern is Emma.

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