Page 117 of Forgotten Desires

“Asher, it’s good to see you. Brynn tells me you’re a sheriff and that you have the most adorable kids. Congratulations.”

While Asher may despise Howie, and understandably so, he isn’t the same man who wrecked my world all those years ago. He’s thin, his hair is more gray than red, and it’s very clear the alcohol and liver damage are wreaking havoc on his body. Gone is the vibrant man who was larger than life.

“Thank you. Brynn is very loved by everyone in the family.”

My father dips his head. “All three of you were better men than I could ever be.”

I clear my throat, not wanting this to go any further. Either my brother or father is bound to say something hurtful, and I want calm before we go into the operating room. “Did the lawyer say anything about why she was here?”

Asher shakes his head. “She just kept saying she needed him to either answer his phone or come out and that it couldn’t wait. Lawyers are pushy that way.”

I grin at the jab. “We often know things and need to be.”

“Still why I think you’d make a better lawyer than publicist.”

“Leave the thinking to the smart people.”

Asher huffs and plops into the seat next to me.

The nurse enters the room, heading to my father’s bed. “It’s time to head back and get you prepped, Mr. Fisher.”

Howie’s gaze meets mine and he forces a smile. “I’ll see you on the other side, kid.”

I laugh softly. “I’ll see you when we wake up, Dad. Avoid going toward any lights, will you please?”

“You got it.” He winks and then he’s taken out of the room.

Asher takes my hand in his. “You know this world doesn’t deserve you?”

I sigh heavily. “You’re ridiculous.”

“No, I’m not. There aren’t many people in the world like you, Brynn. Fuck, if it were me, I wouldn’t even consider doing this surgery, but I bet you didn’t even think twice.”

I didn’t. As soon as I found out I was a match, I was full steam ahead. Even after Howie relapsed, I didn’t hesitate. “You’d be right here if the roles were reversed. I don’t care what you try to say.”

My brother chuckles once. “Not a chance. If it were you, or Rowan and Grady? Sure. If it was my kid or my wife, absolutely. Anyone else, nope.”

“Asher, you put your life on the line every day for people. You can try to pretend that you’re this tough, grumpy asshole, but we all know better. I used to laugh that Phoebe called you a marshmallow, but she’s right. No matter how charred on the outside you are, the inside is liquid. You love without restraint. You give to others without question. Everything you say that I am, this forgiving and kind person, I got from you. I learned to be the person I am because you were my role model.”

I can’t remember the last time I saw my brother tear up. Probably when Mom died, or when Olivia was born. It’s not a normal thing, but here he is. My big, strong brother standing at my bedside with unshed tears.

He pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly. “You make the world a better place.”

I kiss his cheek. “So do you.”

“I know.”

We both laugh. Now that we’ve gotten all that emotion out of the way, I exhale and look over to where Howie was.

“He’ll be fine, Brynn.”

I look to my brother. “I know, it’s just such a weird thing knowing we’re both going under at the same time. He has no one to worry about him.” Asher swallows hard and I rest my hand on his arm. “I’m not asking you to. I’m just telling you what I’m feeling.”

“We’ll let Crew worry about him, how is that?”

I grin. “I’ll accept that, but I think you’re going to have a hard time getting him to not worry about me.”

“He can suffer having to deal with both.”

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