“Hey, listen, buddy…” Immediately Drew recognized that look in Jeffrey’s eyes. He was already three steps ahead of the game. “Can I steal you away for one minute?”
“You bet you can,” Drew nodded, then turned to his brother. “I won’t be long.”
As they’d made their way toward the nurses’ station, Drew pulled him along to a short side hallway, then lowered his voice to speak. “So what happened with his story?”
Jeffrey’s smile filled Drew with relief. “I spoke to the editor, and he said that there was simply no factual evidence to base Randy’s claims upon,” Jeffrey assured him. “Off the record, he went as far as to say that it was all the ramblings of a madman, and he simply dismissed it. They don’t want to harm you or your reputation.”
“Wow—coming from a newspaper that thrives on scandal to sell stories…”
“You could turn around and sue their fucking asses off, Drew,” Jeffrey reminded him. “This isn’t out of the kindness of their little hearts.”
“Well, for whatever reason they chose not to run it, I’m thrilled,” Drew said. “And thank you for handling that.”
“Hey, anything for you and Max,” Jeffrey said. “And you’ll get my bill at the end of the week.”
The two old friends chuckled on their return to the waiting room, and Jillian was quick to rise.
“So, I’m starting to feel the pangs of this eating-for-two thing right now,” Jillian said.
“Be my lunch date!” Jeffrey said. “We can grab a bite to eat from the—ahem—fine dining establishment downstairs.”
“Oh, not all hospital food is bad,” Jillian said. “Okay…so maybe I’m lying a little. But they always have pudding. And I’m craving chocolate…”
While Jillian and Jeffrey continued to babble about food as they made their exit, Adam scuttled a chair across the room to sit next to Drew.
“Look, I know what happened last night,” Adam began, “and I know…you finally found your lost brother…”
Drew hadn’t anticipated having this discussion so soon, and he faltered as he searched for his words. “Adam, I—”
“Drew, he saved your fucking life. He stepped up and took a bullet for you,” Adam continued, cutting him off. “He gave us all a gift—and he gave me a few more years with the brother that I love.”
“So…” Drew wrinkled his forehead. “I’m not sure what you’re saying?”
“What I’m telling you is that I’ve made complete peace with this. He did the most selfless thing a person could do, and it touches me that he’s the one you’ve been searching for all these years,” Adam said, his voice overwrought with emotion. “And I know you were worried about our relationship, but don’t do that, bro. I know you love me. I know you’re here for me. But I also realize that someone else needs you, too.”
“And Adam…?” Drew whispered as he gave his brother’s arm a squeeze. “I think that’s the most selfless thing you’ve ever said.”
“This fatherhood stuff changes you,” Adam shrugged. “I want my kids to have the love for each other like you and I do. Maybe we don’t always show our respect, but we’d never turn our backs on each other in times of need.”
“That’s one thing, Adam, you’ve always been there for me. Even when you shared your anger with the world over my return, you were still the one person I could confide in at the end of the day.”
Adam patted his big brother on the knee. “You know, seeing Jillian with her sister has really made me stop and think, too,” Adam continued. “That weekend we went to Michigan—they just don’t like each other. They’re actually quite cruel to each other—and I don’t mean our petty kind of cruel, Drew. They’re angry and mean.”
“That’s so sad…”
“Well, then I look at you and P.,” Adam stopped to smile, “and you guys have the nursery decorated in a house I don’t even have the keys for yet. We’re lucky we have each other. And that’s why…well, that’s why you’re going to be Godparents to our little Squirt.”
Tenderness filled Drew’s soul. Within the cusp of all the pain they were suffering, there was still so much life and living to look forward to. “Seriously?”
“Yeah…” Adam nodded. “And if something ever happens to Jillian and me—you two get to be responsible for our little hellion.”
“You are such a shit, Cheese Puff,” Drew cursed him. “Don’t ever fucking change.”
“You either, Dr. Drew. Now, go see Trevor, and welcome him into the McKenzie clan. Let him know how much he’s loved.”
“So are you, brother. So are you…” With a renewed sense of courage, Drew hugged Adam and held on to him. “I love you, Adam.”
# # #
Once he opened the door, he could see Trevor’s weak smile as he winced upon the bed. His shoulder was bandaged and his face had paled to gray, but he was alive and alert. He did have extensive rehabilitation, and possibly additional surgeries, in his future. But he’d survived.
And now they both had this second chance to explore the true meaning of brotherhood.
“Mack…”
“You can call me Freddie if you like,” Drew said as he took the seat beside Trevor’s bed. “Teej, I don’t even know how to thank you—or what to say right now. You saved my fucking life.”
“You did the same for me, and I didn’t’ realize it until many years later,” Trevor said, his voice raspy and weak. “You busted out that door, and you got us out.”
Drew watched as Trevor’s fingers brushed against the soft blanket covering him. He hoped that his presence wasn’t making him nervous.
“It was too late for Molly,” Drew reminisced. “Wish I would have done something before that day.”
“Wish I could remember her,” Trevor said. “I was so little—I know only the news accounts. And I know about Louise, too, and what she did to that poor kid. Guess it didn’t end with us.”
Reliving that nightmare now with that boy with whom he’d shared those days of dread brought with it a bond of trust between them. He could talk to Trevor. He could admit to just how awful their lives had been under the roof of Fred and Louise. These intimate and ugly memories of their situation was something he could share with no one else except for Maxine.
“Trevor…she…she abused me, too.”
Once the words left his lips, Drew discovered a feeling of liberty exploding within his mind. He finally had the chance to release the last of his demons—and to embrace the calm that began to settle into his soul.
“I…I don’t know what to say, Drew,” Trevor admitted. “And I’m…so sorry. I hate that you were one of her victims. But she’s never coming back. And neither is Randy Mansfield.”
“You’re holding up here better than the rest of us, Teej,” Drew said and took his hand in his. He remembered the previous evening—how chilly Trevor’s skin was to the touch. Again, he thought about how grateful he was to be sitting beside this man right now. “How can you be so optimistic?”
“I spent a lot of time on the streets,” he explained. “I know what it’s like to be completely alone. Now, I have a job…an apartment. I’ve even got some friends in this world. And I’ve got you back in my life, buddy.”
With a nervous energy, Drew stood up and began to pace. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” he asked. “Goodness, I hate to think of all the time we lost.”
“I dunno,” Trevor said. “Sometimes I’d get my courage up. Once I even knocked on your dressing room door, and we chatted for a minute. Then I chickened out. You were in a new place in life, and I wasn’t sure that I would be a welcome surprise.”
“I never forgot about you, and I’ve even tried to find you over the years. You’ve hidden yourself well.”
“I changed my last name,” Trevor explained. “When I grew up, I was a new person. And I felt like that guy needed a fresh new start.”
“You know my parents tried in vain to adopt you,” Drew said, his face tightening with sadness. “The city was so fucking sluggish. They�
��d lost paperwork. They’d lost you!”
“Things were really bad with foster care back then,” Trevor said. “I think the city’s more aware now, though, and kids don’t fall through the cracks so easily. But I remember your mom. What a sweet lady.”
“She’s here,” Drew managed a smile through his tears. “I’m sure she’ll be in for a visit.”
“I’d like that,” Trevor said. “How’s my girl Max doing?”
“She’s…” He couldn’t possibly weight Trevor with his own problems right now. This man needed to rest. He couldn’t sit around playing shrink to Drew. “She’s going to be fine. We’re going to make sure that both of you make full recoveries here.”
And Trevor was quick to cut him off. “They said you’re paying what the insurance won’t cover. I’ll return every cent. I may have to pay it off slowly, but I’ll—”
“I won’t take a penny, Trevor,” Drew said and returned to his side. “I just want you well so that we can reconnect here. And I don’t want you to have to worry.”
“You’re so kind-hearted, Drew—just like I remember your mom was. I still have a couple of the things she bought me as a kid. I couldn’t give them up.”
That was a touching sentiment that Drew completely understood. Gifts were nonexistent for both of them in their early lives. “Likewise, Trevor. I wouldn’t be here now without you.”
Drew stayed only a few more minutes. They had plenty of time to share together therein. Trevor needed rest, and Drew had to return to Maxine.
“Just promise me, Teej,” Drew took his hand, “that we’ll be there for each other from now on. I don’t want to lose you again.”
Ever so frail, Trevor did his best to manage a squeeze, and that single moment left an imprint upon Drew’s heart.
“You’re not gonna lose me, Drew,” Trevor promised. “I’ll fight to the bitter end for both of us—but you’re not gonna lose me.”
Slowly, Drew made his way toward the door, minding Trevor all the while. Yet again, he had to remind himself of the hope that existed in this often twisted and wicked world. For the sake of everyone around them, they all had to fight.
Down the hall, he found Maxine napping like a newborn, flanked by her father and Ben at her bedside.
“Guess we put her to sleep,” Tom joked, but Drew could still sense the worry that claimed him over his baby girl.
Caressing his hand near her cheek without touching her face, Drew couldn’t take his eyes off his wife. “So glad she’s finally resting. It was such a long night—and into the morning.”
“Listen, I am going to go see what Jeffrey’s up to right now,” Ben began, “but we’ll be back. And if you need to go home tonight, we’ll stay with her. You need a break, too, Drew.”
“Like I said, Ben, you’re a Godsend.”
He then found himself alone with her father, and Drew found the silence unnerving. For once, both men found themselves at a loss for words as they watched Maxine in slumber, two hearts aching for the tiny little lady they loved most.
“She’s all I have, Drew.”
“I know, Tom,” Drew draped his arm around Tom’s shoulders. “But she’s…”
“She’s a mess, Drew, let’s face it. What he fucking did to her…I could go dig up his grave and shoot that fucker all over again.”
Body stiffening like stone, Drew couldn’t move as he thought back to the nightmare in his dressing room not even twenty-four hours ago.
“I…almost choked him,” Drew admitted. “I took his neck in my hands, and…and I wouldn’t stop.”
“You were only defending what you love, Drew—defending her for all of us,” he said. “You kept…you kept your promise to me.”
In Drew’s embrace, Tom began to tremble, and an uncontrollable wave of sobs flushed through him. Overwhelmed with angst and anger, he collapsed in his own lap.
“Coulda lost her—my little Princess…” Tom gasped, hoping he wouldn’t wake his daughter from the sleep she desperately needed. “You got there in time, Drew…”
“Hey…” Drew pulled his father-in-law closer. He remembered a time not so long ago when he feared this man like none other. Now, they’d found their greatest support in each other. “Hey, Tom…it’s…it fucking sucks. And I hate this, too. And I wish there was some magical pill that I could give to her to erase the last twenty-four hours. And I fucking hate myself because I’m the one who told her to come down last night. But none of this is doing Maxine one bit of good.”
“I haven’t cried like this since Judy died,” Tom admitted, wiping away his tears with the hem of his t-shirt. “Just to think…how she…oh, Drew…”
And there was no stopping that current of emotion that poured forth from Tom’s heart. Nothing could be said to console him, but Drew held on…and just listened.
“Never thought I’d lose Judy…maybe I take Maxie for granted…” he rambled on. “They were my world. My entire adult lifetime was all about them…and I don’t have Judes now…but Maxie…oh, my Maxie…”
“Daddy…?”
However, Tom was too lost in his own upset to hear her call.
“Daddy…please don’t cry…”
“Shh, Tom…” Drew soothed, and reached out toward Maxine.
“No tears, Daddy…”
“Aw…Maxie!”
Shoving his chair aside, Tom stood above her right next to the bed. Seeing her in that hospital gown stirred memories of when she went to the rehabilitation center for her eating disorders. He remembered that fear of losing her at that time, too; however, he felt as if he’d had some grip of control over the situation back then.
Turning to Drew, Tom found himself at a loss. He didn’t know what to do—what to say—to his own daughter. He just wanted to hide her away from the world and keep her in a precious cocoon for all of eternity, but that wasn’t possible. She had a wonderful husband now, and she had a life to live.
“Daddy…Drew…?” she whispered again. “Please…listen…”
“Oh, Princess, I’m listening, my baby girl. I’m listening…”
“I’m…” her sleepy voice broke off for just a moment, and she slowly inched her way closer to the bed rails to take the hands of her husband and father into her own. “I’m gonna be alright. I promise you both. I have you two here, and you never fail me. Things are going to turn out okay…”
“Maxie, I love you so much,” Tom wailed. He hoped she was right.
“And Daddy…with all my heart…I love you…” she said. “And I’m gonna make it my mission…to be okay…”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Hiya, little one…”
It was the happiest Monday of Maxine Kirk-McKenzie’s life to date. On her first day back to work, she met with a celebration of flowers, balloons, and breakfast at the office. Everyone was delighted to see her return, with both colleagues and clients cheering her on for her bravery.
Although she’d promised Drew and her dad that she’d take things gently for the first few days, Maxine couldn’t wait to return to her accounts, booking interviews and preparing her clients for their upcoming appearances. Work took her mind away from that night just three weeks before when Randy Mansfield took her hostage in Drew’s dressing room.
Physically, she’d healed quickly, but with her emotional scars still fresh, Drew insisted she take some time away from work. He’d kept the security team in place, just for their collective peace of mind, and they were never short on friends and family to keep her company during the evenings while he was at the theater.
Naturally, the story made headlines for days, but the outpouring of support for Drew and Maxine was abundant in the theater community and beyond. On Drew’s first night in his return to the show, a mere week after the backstage melee, the audience offered him the standing ovation of a lifetime. In fact, they’d carried on so long that the orchestra had to restart the opening number. And no one cheered louder than Maxine and Maggie from the front row.
On the home front
, Drew did his very best to keep her occupied without a single suggestion of making love. He wanted her to understand that she could take as much time as she needed—that they didn’t need to spend all of their spare time satisfying each other sexually just to remain happily married newlyweds.
Instead, Drew focused on sharing quality time together. On a particularly warm June day, he’d turned the air conditioning to a low temperature to send a chill throughout the penthouse. He then lit the fireplace so that they could snuggle up before the roaring flames and read to each other. He made up silly fetch games with the cats, encouraging Maxine to play along. One night, Adam and Jillian brought over their Scrabble board, and Drew sat down with them for a death match once he arrived home from the theater. Hell, he’d even joined Maxine and Ben for a mini-marathon of Real Housewives.
On a few evenings, they did venture out to visit Trevor—both in the hospital and back at his studio apartment as he recuperated. Those nights were so important to Maxine. All of them were healing, and she found strength in their abilities to help each other.
Usually, Maxine held herself together during the day. It was at night, as she slipped into one of Drew’s old t-shirts and crawled into bed beside him, that the memories took hold. All of the dark thoughts she’d repressed over that night with Randy pushed forth to the forefront of her mind.
Sometimes, she even felt unsafe in their own home, knowing that the lobby attendant had worked in consort with Randy. Even though he’d actually been arrested—he’d been sitting on a pile of crack when the cops came to his door to discuss the matter with Randy—she still couldn’t shake her own fears that someone else in that building might know something, too.
Most of the time, Drew simply held her until she exhausted herself, crying into sleep. However, she often woke up to excruciating nightmares that left her struggling for her breath. Three days every week, he took her to therapy, often sitting in the sessions with her, just to get a handle on what he could be doing better to help her.
Rather than push him away, Maxine appreciated that he took such an intimate concern in her discussions with her psychiatrist. She’d already told him everything—she had nothing to hide from Drew. Allowing herself to open up in front of him with the help of a medical professional, she gained a better insight into her own suffering. Drew couldn’t help her if he didn’t understand fully what was happening inside her mind.
KNOTTED: The Manhattan Bound Series, Book Three Page 53