Page 90 of Second Shot

“She killed herself?” Ice spreads across my skin. All I can think about isSam.

He gives one smallnod.

I sit back in the chair, pressure building in mychest.

“She was bipolar. I didn’t know when we got married. Not that it would have changed anything. I loved her. Loved her highs. The way she thought she could conquer the world. But her lows…they were brutal. And each time she hit rock bottom, I knew I was only one step closer to losing her forgood.”

Bipolar. I don’t know much about the disorder, other than what I read in my first-year psychology textbook. It’s one of those mental health issues that still has a stigma aroundit.

“I know I was hard on you, Brynne. I tried to make you strong.” He reaches out for me to take his hand, but I sit there, numb, trying to process everything he’s saying. He gives a small, sad smile. “But you always were tougher than I gave you credit for.” He sighs, pulling his hand back. “It was Sam that I should have been worried about. But by the time I realized what was going on with him, it was toolate.”

My head is spinning as I try to make sense of what he’s saying. “You’re saying Sam was…No. I would haveknown.”

“He was diagnosed a year before…” My father swallows hard. “But I knew beforethen.”

“Why didn’t you tellme?”

“He didn’t want me to. He loved you so much, Brynne. He didn’t want you thinking bad ofhim.”

“I wouldn’t have. Maybe I could havehelped.”

“It’s what he wanted. I don’t even know if I should have told you now. But I think there’ve been too many secrets betweenus.”

“Does Kaneknow?”

He nods, making my stomach sink. “He was the one who came to me. Told me there was something going on with Sam. I didn’t want to believe it at first. But the drugs. The wild, reckless behavior. They were just a symptom of the disorder. If I would have been paying closer attention, I might have been able to helphim.”

My stomachtwists.

“I failed you both. And I’msorry.”

I don’t correct him. Maybe I should. But Idon’t.

“The ironic part was I lost you both because I was afraid to lose you.” There’s desperation in his words, and a resignation that stirs a small ounce of sympathy for theman.

I reach across and take his hand. “You haven’t lost me. I’m stillhere.”

His fingers squeeze mine. “I want to be part of your life. Part of Noah’s life. If you’ll let me. Maybe I’ll be a better grandfather thanfather.”

“There’s still time to be my dad. Unless, of course, you have plans to trade Kane,” I joke, making himsmile.

He chuckles. “Trust me, the thought went through my head. But I don’t want him taking you and my grandson to another city. That’s assuming you two aretogether.”

I shake my head at his lack of subtlety. “Weare.”

“Good.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you’d have a problem with him. He’s already a son toyou.”

“He is.” His expression goes serious. “But that’s not why I approve. He cares about you. Always has. I’ve watched that boy with you. I’m just surprised it took him this long to make amove.”

“You might be surprised, but it was actually me who made the firstmove.”

I laugh and he shakes his head. “No, darling. That doesn’t surprise me atall.”

Chapter 30

Kane

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