“How about we go to the apartment instead?” The apartment sounded good, but what sounded better was going back into the airport and catching the first flight back to Virginia. He didn’t want to be here or deal with this family shit.
“That’s your choice, but we came here to see how your father is doing. If you put it off it’s only going to make you more anxious than you are now.”
“Okay. Let’s get this over with then we’ll find a quiet place to get something to eat.” He opened her door for her before going around the other side of the car and getting behind the wheel. “I hope you’re ready to visit hell on earth, because that’s what it will be like.”
“Maybe your mom will be more concerned about your father and it won’t be so bad.” Her voice held a tone of optimism.
“Not a chance. I’ve already had her spew venom at me on the phone, it will be worse in person.” He wondered again why he felt any obligation to his family; after all, they never felt anything for him. It had been fourteen years since he signed the papers to join the Navy, which was the turning point in his family dynamics. Any anger he received as a child from his parents when he didn’t do what they wanted him to do was nothing compared to what was unleashed the day he told them he joined the military.
She gently caressed his leg, pulling him back to reality. “You’re doing the right thing.”
“I hope so.” He glanced in the side mirror until it was finally clear and he could pull out of the loading zone. The famous line, you can never go home again ran through his mind. Very true in his case, he had made his decision and the consequences be damned.
Wynn left her hand on Boom’s leg, giving him what comfort she had to offer as she stared out the window, taking in Minnesota as he remained silent beside her. The last few hours had been tense and she just kept hoping it wouldn’t be as bad as he thought it would be. Not for her sake, because she didn’t care what they thought of her coming with him, but for his. Despite all his family’s faults, he still cared for them even if they refused to accept his life and career.
She was there to give him the support he needed, to help in any way, and she’d do what she could to keep the family drama at bay. Hopefully then he could focus on his father, instead of flinging venom with the rest of his family. She expected his mother to be an issue, but the wildcard in all of it was his younger brother. In fourteen years they had barely spoken, so neither of them were sure how that would go. Maybe it would be the calming point of this whole mess, or maybe he’d been brainwashed by their parents’ hatred and things would be worse.
Her plan was to be supportive and, not wanting to make things worse for him, she’d try to keep her mouth shut when it came to drama. With that in mind, she also knew there would only be so much she could take. She loved him and that wouldn’t allow her to stand by idly while someone tore him to shreds, no matter who it was. Maybe it was the Diamond family trait coming out in her. None of them could stand by while someone was being hurt. Plus, she understood what it was like to have someone not respect your choices. Things weren’t this bad for her and she never thought it would be the case, but if things were reversed she hoped he’d back her.
“I’m not very good company, but you’re being awful quiet.” He laid his hand over hers.
“It’s fine. I was giving you time to get yourself mentally prepared.”
“I’m as prepared as I’ll be, plus, that’s the hospital.” He tipped his head forward to the large brick building as he pulled into the turn off. “Ready or not…”
She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and nodded. “I’m ready, but I don’t know about you.”
He pulled into a parking spot and shut the car off. “I should have forced you to stay home but my own greed wanted you here by my side.”
“I’m a grown woman and I wanted to come. You couldn’t have forced me to do anything. Now let’s go, you only have forty minutes until visiting hours are over.” She opened her door and stepped out of the car, hoping he’d do the same because she didn’t want to drag him out.
“You’re worse than Ace,” he bitched as he came around the car.
“It’s a Diamond trait.” She slipped her arm around his waist, letting her fingers travel under his shirt for skin contact. “You’re here for your father. Try to ignore everything else, and let their attitudes fall where they may because they don’t change who we are or what’s between us.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“I know.” They made their way across the hospital parking lot, but before they could enter the front door, she tugged on the belt loop of his jeans, bringing them to a halt. “Before we go in…I just wanted to let you know I love you.”
She wasn’t sure those three little words would help, but something inside her told her that he needed to hear it. It would remind him someone was in his corner, watching his back. Just as she had Ace and Lucky to help her when their parents got out of hand, she’d be there to do the same for him. They were a team. One that understood the power words held but wouldn’t let that defeat them from their goals and aspirations.
The awful stench of illness and bleach enveloped Boom as they stepped through the main doors, stealing the breath from his lungs. Hospitals were the one place he always hated. The stench never seemed to disappear, and hidden within the walls were people breathing their last. With his career death was always a possibility, one that he didn’t want to think about, but being in hospitals always brought that to the forefront of his mind. How many brothers and sisters in arms did he see die over the last fourteen years? Too many.
“Thirty-one hours after the accident and you finally have the nerve to show up.” Hatred slashed out like a whip.
“Aunt Cindy.” He laced his fingers through Wynn’s and stepped closer to his aunt, trying to keep their conversation from being overheard by everyone in the lobby. “My mother called me this morning and I boarded the first flight I could. How is he?”
“He’s dying and his eldest son isn’t at his bedside. How do you think he’s doing?”
“I’m here now. Are Mom and Justin with him?”
“Yeah. I see you brought your flag chaser with you as well.” If the look his aunt gave Wynn could have killed, she’d have been dead before he could stop it.
“Wynn is kind enough to accompany me home and I won’t stand for comments like that.” He glared at his aunt, unwilling to let her intimidate him. “Come along, sweetie, time is short.”
With their hands still laced together, he led the way to the elevator, ignoring the people that stared after overhearing the conversation. “I’m sorry.”
“If that’s as bad as it will be, then this will be a piece of cake.” She tried to make light of the situation as the elevator doors closed and he wrapped his arms around her.
“Oh sweet cheeks, that’s just the beginning. Aunt Cindy is my father’s sister, but she’s not nearly as bad as my father or even my mother.” The elevator crept to a stop and he laid a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “I’m sorry for what she said.”
“Flag chaser? Who cares? I love you, not the uniform you wear, you know that and that’s what matters.”
He nodded. “I remember that uniform is what almost scared you off.” The doors opened, revealing the ICU wing, and he let his hands fall away from her. “Here we go.”
As they stepped off, she slid her hand back into his. “Within an hour, we’ll be at the apartment downtown with a cold beer in hand.”
“You make it sound like it’s all worth it because there’s a beer with our names on it.” He tipped his head to smirk at her when he saw his mother step out of a room halfway down the hall. “Here goes nothing.”
Drop him in the middle of a gunfight without any weapons and he wouldn’t have been as terrified as he was now. Seeing his mother after all these years made him feel like the young kid of only eighteen who had just left home. He hated that she still had that effect on him.
“Jared.” S
he nodded as they neared, eyeing Wynn.
“It’s good to see you, Mom. How is he?”
Ignoring the question, she stared at Wynn. “You’re not going to introduce us?”
“This is Wynn. Wynn, my mother Karen.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Taylor; however, I wish it was under better circumstances.”
“I’d have preferred never to meet whatever whore he’s with now.” She glared at him, hatred in her eyes.
“She’s my fiancée, and you’ll have respect for her or we’ll leave.” He let her hand go and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’ve put up with the insults when they’re directed at me, but I will not allow you to berate her.”
“Then you shouldn’t have brought her here.”
“Mom, I’ll only ask you once.” He stared at her, hoping that she understood that he was serious. He’d leave instead of put Wynn through the torments he had to deal with. “How is Dad?”
“It’s bad. They will be taking him in for another surgery within the hour. It’s dangerous to do it, but if they don’t he won’t make it through the night.”
“What are the risks with the surgery?”
“It’s a seventy-five percent chance he’ll die on the table.” Tears welled in his mother’s eyes, the first sign of weakness he ever saw from her. “He’s in and out of consciousness but if you want to see him, go ahead. I’m going to get some coffee at the end of the hall.”
“I feel like all I’m doing is apologizing,” he whispered once they were alone.
“Fiancée?”
“I’m sorry, it just…I hoped she’d lay off of you then.” He rubbed her arm. “I’ll tell her the truth.”
She shook her head, her hair brushing against his arm. “It will only make things worse. Let’s see how he’s doing.”
They stepped into the room and the sickly copper scent of blood filled the air. His father lay in the middle of the bed, tubes rubbing here and there, and all he felt was regret. Regret that his father couldn’t accept who he was or what he wanted to do. For most families, having a child join the military was a sense of pride, there was fear of what might happen mixed in, but never hatred. His parents didn’t believe in violence unless it was coming from them. His father had a mean right hook and a worse backhand, and more times than he cared to remember was he on the receiving side of those.
He looked down at his father. The strong man had never been sick as long as Boom had known him and now he lay in the middle of the hospital bed as white as the sheet that covered him. Black and blue marks covered his face and arms, one eye was completely shut from the swelling, and his left arm was in a full cast. Seeing the injuries and knowing that most of the damage was done internally, he was surprised his father was still alive.
“I don’t want you here!” His father’s angry words cut through his thoughts, and he looked up to find the man glaring at him.
“Mom called.”
“I don’t care. Don’t come crawling back now. You’ve made it clear over the years that the military is more important than your family.”
“Damn it, Dad.” He bit his tongue to keep from rehashing the same thing with his father. “I came because of the accident. We’re family. This is no time for this childish hatred.”
“We’re not family. You deserted your family fourteen years ago.” A cough racked his body until he spit blood into the spit pan. “I only have one son and Justin is on duty.”
Duty? He had a brief moment to wonder what career they forced his younger brother into before his mother walked into the room.
“Get out! Take your flag-chasing whore with you. I don’t want you here. You’re dead to me!” his father raged.
“What’s going on here, Mr. Taylor?” A woman in pale blue scrubs stepped into the room. “You know you can’t get upset in your condition.”
“Get him out of here!” Another coughing fit took control of his father. “He’s no son of mine! I want him gone!”
“Sir…” The nurse glanced between them. He suspected she’d ask him to leave but his mother cut her off.
“I shouldn’t have called you. It was against his wishes but if…” She paused and it was clear she was going to say if he died.
“It’s okay, Mom. He hasn’t wanted me around for years. Why should it change when he’s dying?” With one last glance at his father, he turned to Wynn. “Let’s go.”
It sickened him to know that was it, the last tie to his family. No longer would he come somewhere that he wasn’t wanted. He made the trip because even after everything they were family, but to be shut out and have Wynn degraded was enough for him to cut any remaining ties. People could think what they wanted, but he could only take so much, and this last bit had been enough.
Boom stepped into the hall, a mixture of fury and grief pouring through him. The choice he made to join the military was one he never regretted, even with all it cost him over the years: the newest being all family ties. Sure, he hadn’t had much family connection since he left for boot camp, but there was still a shimmer of hope that someday things might change. Today proved that would never happen and he grieved for the lost chance.
“Wait, love.” Wynn tugged him against the wall, out of the way of the nursing staff going to and from the rooms.
“What?” he snapped before he could rein in his temper. “I’m sorry.” He leaned down, pressing their foreheads together.
“We’ve come all this way. Do you want to find a waiting room and wait to see how the surgery goes?”
“Excuse me…” The nurse from his father’s room came toward them. “Mr. Taylor’s condition is too grave for any type of excitement. I’m going to have to ask you to leave, if he’s willing to see you, then you may try another visit tomorrow.”
“We weren’t planning on going back in and you won’t have to worry about me upsetting him again. I won’t be back. I was just hoping to catch my brother before I left.”
“You don’t mean Mr. Taylor’s son, Doctor Taylor?”
Doctor Taylor? He tried to keep the surprise hidden, not to let the nurse know how disconnected he was from his family. “Ummm…I guess I do. Have you seen him?”
The nurse shook her head. “He’s on duty in the emergency department, but he was here earlier. If you take the elevator to the first floor and instead of making a right to go back to the main entrance, take a left and at the end of the hall you’ll see the sign for the ER.”
“Thank you.” He glanced down the hall toward his father’s room. “Could you see that Mrs. Taylor doesn’t forget about her own needs? Make sure she eats something at least.”
“I’ll do my best, but she hasn’t left her husband’s side except to get coffee.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty. “She won’t take it from me, but on your break could you grab her a sandwich?”
“Sure.” She pocketed the money and stepped away.
“Doctor?” Wynn whispered as they made their way to the elevator.
“It would seem that my father got his way. He pressed me to go to college and become a doctor, but a job like that never held any appeal to me. I don’t want to be cooped up indoors, and I never could stand hospitals.”
Only thirty and his brother was a doctor. He couldn’t believe it. So much had changed over the years, but good or bad he needed to see where things stood between Justin and him before he returned to Virginia. “Looks like we can catch a flight home in the morning and we’ll still have a little time together.”
“Maybe things will change once they have time to think about it.” She squeezed his hand.
“No.” The elevator doors closed, giving them a moment alone as they traveled to the first floor. “Those doors have closed. It’s time for me to grieve for my family and move on with our life.”
“You know you’ll always be a part of the Diamond family.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him.
“I know, and your family is amazing, but I want you.
” The doors opened before she could say anything else. “Let’s see about my brother and then get something to eat.”
She opened her mouth as to say something but stopped as a tall lanky man neared them in a white doctor’s coat. “Is that…”
“Justin?” It was more of a question to the man than to her.
“Excuse me, do I know you?
“Are you Justin Taylor?” He wanted to make sure, because after fourteen years Justin would have changed.
“Yes. Now who are you?” Justin looked between them, confusion knitting the lines of his face.
“It’s me, Jared.” He watched his brother carefully, trying to use his training to detect the slightest change in his brother’s features.
“Jared.” His eyes widened his mouth slack with surprise. “Holy shit, it’s been too long. You heard about Dad then?”
“Too long and yeah. I was just up there, but he doesn’t want to see me.”
“I suspected he wouldn’t. What made you come?” Justin stepped to the side to allow others to get on the elevator.
“Mom called.” When Justin’s gaze traveled to Wynn, he made the same introductions as before. “Justin, this is my fiancée, Wynn.”
He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. I just wish it was under better circumstances.” She took his hand, giving it a solid shake.
“I get that Mom called but why come home after all these years?” Justin’s gaze left Wynn’s and moved to size up Boom.
“Dad’s dying; how could I stay away?”
“You’ve managed to do so up until now.”
“When I first left for boot camp I used to call home, write letters, and even try to visit on leave, but every way I tried, I was rejected. They hung up whenever I called, my letters were returned to sender unopened, and they refused to allow me in when I would come back to town. How long did you really think I’d put up with that treatment before I quit trying?” Boom was disappointed that the hatred their parents felt toward him had infected his brother.
“Now that he doesn’t want to see you, you’ll what? Return home?” Justin shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat and glared at Boom.
Explosive Passion Page 5