Chapter Five
Libby sat at the dining room table staring down into a cup of coffee between her hands. She’d called the clinic and had them reschedule all her appointments today for everything routine, but she would have to go in this afternoon to see about Cole’s border collie. Hopefully there would be nothing major that she needed to handle.
She glanced at her couch. Lee lay sprawled out with his head at one end and his feet hanging over the armrest on the other end, softly snoring. They’d made it through the night.
Water ran in the bathroom. Brock. He’d been her knight in shining armor, her godsend. He’d sat up with her all night, helping Lee battle his demons through the withdrawals, and all the symptoms that came with it. Coming home with her the night before, he’d been such a help. The whole incident with the break in of her house and then Lee showing up on her doorstep, she couldn’t have asked for a better guy. He’d even took a cab to the clinic and picked up her truck during the night while they’d waited.
The water turned off, leaving her to her imagination of a naked Brock climbing out of her shower. Her mouth watered at the picture she created in her mind. His skin would be glistening with water droplets sliding down his chest. The dark hair on his pecs would be curled slightly with dampness. She wanted to taste that on his flesh. He would have a towel in his hands, slowly sliding it down his chest, arms, and rock hard abdomen until he reached the nest of curls at his cock. Impressive even flaccid, she could almost taste the salty pre-cum when he was aroused.
Good grief, she was horny.
“Lib?”
She cleared her throat and glanced up at him standing in the doorway, a white towel riding low on his hips. “Uh, yeah?”
“Do you know where my jeans and spare shirt are?”
“In my room, I think. I threw your sweat pants in the washer when you got into the shower. I figured they probably needed to be washed along with your t-shirt.”
“Yeah. It’s been a few days. Without anywhere really to call home at the moment, washing my clothing isn’t high on my list.”
“No problem.” She climbed to her feet, intending to refill her cup. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
She moved into the kitchen, grabbed a cup, and began to fill it as she heard him shuffle back down the hall to her room. Her stomach returned to normal not having his sexy ass right there in front of her where she wanted to do nothing but jump him, have him throw her over the arm of the chair, and fuck her into next week. Not a good idea with her brother sleeping on the couch nearby.
When he returned a few minutes later, she’d already sat back down at the table and placed his cup across from hers.
The chair scraped the floor as he pulled it out to sit down. He sighed when he brought the cup to his lips to take a sip of the fortifying liquid. “Nectar of the Gods.”
“I know what you mean.”
He looked to his left at her brother still snored on the couch. “I’m glad one of us got some sleep.”
“Yeah. He’ll be strung tight as a bow string later though. The withdrawals from heroin are not fun.”
“I got that impression from last night’s round.”
“That was mild in comparison to some I’ve seen him go through.”
“How long has he been using?”
“Several years.” She looked down at the swirling brown liquid in her cup, trying to formulate an answer that would sound plausible, but not too disturbing. Even though she still blamed her brother’s downfall on his relationship with Melissa, she knew Brock’s leaving had something to do with it too. “He started using heroin right after you went away. It was mild at first. He thought he could control it. It wasn’t that big of a deal. It kept him mellowed out and not stressing, but then it got to be too much.”
“What happened with his girl?”
“He’d been using for a little while when he met her. They got along great. I thought for sure he would quit and make a life for the two of them. It didn’t happen that way. His use got heavier and heavier until she finally said she couldn’t handle it anymore and walked away. That’s when things got really bad. He lost a good job at the factory in Fort Mavis. He had a nice apartment that went to shit. He ended up homeless and stealing to get the money for his heroin.”
“Is that why he said you always turned your back on him?”
“Yeah.” She took another sip of her coffee, grimacing when she realized it had gone cold. “I gave him some money at first, even helped him find a new place to live and a new job at one of the local ranches. It wasn’t much. He was cleaning horse stalls.” She pushed the cup away. “When he got caught stealing from the ranch owner, they kicked him off the place, and even filed charges. He spent a few months in jail. He’s tried getting off of it before, several times in fact, but he’s never been clean for very long. This last time he made it for a month.”
“You said something about rehab?”
She nodded. “He’s been to an inpatient rehab. I even paid for it. It worked for a few weeks after he got out.” She shook her head as she folded her hands in front of her on the table. “I’m not sure what to do to help him, Brock.”
“Maybe you can’t. He has to want to help himself, Lib. If he doesn’t, then nothing you can do will make this right.”
“I guess I’m not strong enough to be the support person he needs.”
Brock reached across the table and grabbed her hands in his big, strong ones. His palms were so warm, the heat crawled up her arms to break the coldness in her chest. “You are the strongest person I know. You have always been a tough woman, always giving way more than anyone else. You can be everything he needs, but you shouldn’t have to.”
“But he’s my brother.”
“I know, Lib. He knows too. He needs professional help to kick this. I saw guys going through withdrawals all the time in the pen.”
“How did they get drugs in there?”
“Believe me, it’s easy. They pay off guards to bring it in or families help supply it. Some don’t get it regularly enough and go through this kind of thing with the sweats, shakiness, and confusion. In there, they don’t have the ability to get the kind of treatment Lee can get here.”
“He doesn’t have money to pay for it though.”
“No, but I’m sure he can find some way to get it without stealing. What about state assistance?”
“He’s single, no children, so he doesn’t qualify for much if anything.”
“I don’t know then. I’m not good at this kind of thing.”
“I have the money in savings. I can pay for it. I’m afraid he won’t be able to make it through.”
“The big thing is he needs a diversion for afterwards. It sounds like he loses focus when he’s met with something he can’t handle. The stress of life is dragging him back into using. What about a vocational program or something, which would give him a career afterwards?”
“I don’t know.”
“What about the military? Nothing would straighten him out quicker than to be in a situation where he couldn’t get it as easily.”
She blew out a breath and glanced at Lee. “I don’t think he would go for that. I can suggest it though. I’m sure they wouldn’t let him in until he tested negative for drugs.”
“True. He’d have to be clean and stay clean.”
“I want help, Lib, however that comes. I’m done with it, done with heroin. I need to get my life together and quite relying on you to fix things for me.” Lee moved closer.
She wasn’t sure how long he’d been awake and listening to her and Brock discuss his situation. “I’m sorry, Lee. We shouldn’t have been talking about you like you don’t have a brain and can’t make decisions for yourself.” Lee bent down and hugged her around the neck before standing upright again.
“I heard a lot of what you said, you and Brock. I know you have my best interests at heart. You’ve done everything you can for me, and now it’s time I stand on my own two feet. I have to move past not having Melissa. I need to come to grips with my addiction and my future.”
Her eyes burned with unshed tears. Her throat closed as she realized her brother had finally grown up. “I love you, Lee. I will do whatever I need to so you can get the help you need.”
“I love you too, Lib, and all I need is your love, sis. As long as you still love me, I can do this.” He pulled back his shoulders, pushed his hands through his hair, and sighed heavily. “Can I borrow your shower? I don’t have anything clean to put on, but—”
She quickly got to her feet. “You shower. I’ll go buy you some clean clothes to put on, some razors to shave with, and a few other personal items.”
“You don’t need to do that. I can manage.”
“No, you need a new start. I’ll get your things and then we’ll call the rehab center to get you signed up.”
Brock stood up and grabbed his boots and socks from the floor. “Give me his sizes and I’ll go buy what he needs, if you’ll give me some money. You two can work out the details of the rehab while I’m gone.”
When she turned toward Brock, she was impressed by the man who was willing to help others even after his life had been torn up. He wanted to help Lee and that meant the world to her. She nodded as she moved toward the bedroom to find her emergency cash she always kept in the small safe in her closet. “I’ll be right back.”
Taking out two hundred dollars, she closed the safe and spun the dial. She had more, that wasn’t the issue. Over time, she’d managed to save a few thousand dollars in the safe, but this meant something. It meant that she trusted Brock to do what was right. He could take the money and disappear if he wanted to. She knew he wouldn’t, just like she knew she could trust him with her body and soul.
That was a sobering thought.
After she returned to the living room and handed him the money, she wrapped her arms around herself as if she needed to hold onto something. He reached out and touched her cheek, running his finger down the surface as if to memorize every line. Their gazes locked, and she could see right into his soul. It wasn’t near as dark as he tried to make it sound when he’d come back. There was a light that showed her the future of the man and it was as bright as the North Star shining in the heavens.
He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll be back in a little while. I might have to go into Fort Mavis to get some of the clothes. They don’t have a huge selection here in Bard.”
“I know.” She grabbed the spare keys to her truck and handed them to Brock. “The truck should be full of gas.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“I know you will,” she whispered as she touched his mouth with her fingertips. His lips were so soft, she couldn’t quite get used to it. “See you in a bit.”
He smiled before walking out and closing the front door behind him.
She inhaled and turned toward the noise Lee made coming back down the hall after his shower. He wore his dirty pants and shirt, wiping at the dirt with his fingers as he walked.
“Sorry. They are all I have to put on.”
“It’s okay. That’s what vacuum’s are for.” She took a seat at the table. “Do you want to find out if you can go back to the rehab you were at before?”
“I suppose. It doesn’t really matter, I don’t think.”
“It worked the last time. I think it’s probably the best place since they know your history.” She reached across the expanse and took his hand in hers. “We’ll get through this, Lee. You’re a strong person, I know you are, you’ve just had a bit of a setback.”
His gaze took on a distant unsure look, clouding his eyes with uncertainty. When he brought his attention back to her, a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being here for me. I wasn’t sure coming here was the right thing to do. I’m glad I did.”
“Me too.” She patted his hand before climbing to her feet. “No time like the present,” she said as she moved toward the desk in the corner. I know the phone number for the clinic is here somewhere. Not that I thought I would need it again. Her heart squeezed. Being there for her brother needed to be her priority. He was everything to her even if she had to slap him with tough love occasionally, hopefully this would be the last time he had to do this.
The middle drawer slid open when she pulled on the round knob. A brochure for the clinic lay on top of some old pictures, distant memories. She took out one of them, glancing down at the smiling faces. It was a picture of her thirteenth birthday. Lee had brought Brock to their house.
The party had been a bust. She’d invited several of her classmates from school to a big bash with barbeque, a huge cake, and lots of balloons everywhere. There had even been a big arch of them out in their garden surrounded by the beautiful blooms her mother loved to have.
Twenty invites went out.
Only two had shown up for the party. Her brother and Brock.
After she’d realized no one was coming, she’d slid down on her butt on the top porch step of her parents’ house and cried. Her makeup made black streaks down her cheeks. She’d been so careful to apply it perfectly for Brock. She’d wanted to be the beautiful, grown up woman of his dreams.
Moments later, Brock sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She pushed her face into his shoulder and cried harder.
“It’s okay, Lib. They aren’t worth your tears.”
“Why does everyone hate me so much?”
“They don’t. They are jealous of how beautiful you are and how smart you are. You’re going to be somebody someday, in this town. You will make them all sit up and take notice.”
She raised her face so she could look into his gorgeous eyes.
He wiped her tear-stained face with his thumb, before cupping her cheek with his palm.
Her gaze went to his lips, so firm looking. She wanted to taste him. Nothing was more important than bringing their lips together.
“Hey!” Her brother popped open the front door, interrupting the moment. “What’s wrong, Lib?”
“She’s upset because no one came, you idiot.”
She pushed away from Brock and climbed to her feet. “I’m fine.” Her fingers came back smeared with her black mascara when she wiped at her face. “I need to go wash my face. Then we’ll have cake, dance, and enjoy the warm evening.” A look at Brock revealed his stormy eyes. The brown had morphed into something dark and foreboding. He looked pissed. “It’ll be okay.”
He nodded slightly before she turned to go into the house. She didn’t like it when he was mad. It made her feel bad.
When she returned fifteen minutes later, she’d changed into her soft, comfortable jeans, boots, and a nice white tank top. By damn, this party would be what she wanted and to hell with the bitches from school.
Her folks had made juicy steaks, baked beans, corn, and potatoes. They sat at the picnic table, eating, laughing, and listening to music playing softly in the background. Without a ton of money to spend, they’d made the best of the day for her.
After they’d eaten, Brock had taken her hand, led her out on the makeshift dirt dance floor, and swayed with her to the music. His arms around her felt perfect. His breath on her cheek gave her goosebumps. His hand on her waist made her want more.
Right then and there, she’d known her feelings for Brock ran deeper than being her brother’s friend.
She wanted him with every beat of her heart.
Her thoughts came back to the present as she ran her fingertip over the photo. Her mother had taken it that evening with the lights in the background, her in the middle, and Brock to her left while her brother had been on her right. They’d been so happy that night. Everything seemed so clear. The future was bright on the horizon.
Her brother had applied to college and been accepted, his plan to go to Fort Mavis in the fall secured.
Brock was going to stay in Bard for a year to work one of the local ranches. He planned to ride broncs in the rodeos around the state to make some money. He wanted to save some up and then go off to college. His mom didn’t have enough to pay for it, so he figured if he stayed home, worked, and saved, he could do it on his own.
No one knew how much their lives would change a short two years later.
Lee started using drugs in college, marijuana to start with. The partying got out of hand. He failed several classes, and they’d put him on academic probation. He didn’t care. Brock tried straightening him out, but it didn’t work. They got into fights and drifted apart. Lee made new friends, friends he could party with. Brock worked day in and day out, saving all his money. He never went anywhere, except to rodeo on weekends when he could.
For her, she’d come to the realization she needed to figure out what to do with her life and what she wanted when she graduated. It was hard to see Lee waste his time and their parent’s money on partying the whole time he was in school. She’d never do that. Without too many friends in high school, she buckled down, got good grades, and made plans.
Those plans included Brock if he’d just open his eyes and see her for the woman she was becoming.
The day she’d given him her virginity had been a special one, one only a few knew about. Her, Brock, and Lee. She’d been sixteen.
It hadn’t been planned. She’d ran into Brock at the local rodeo. He’d ridden earlier in the day and was hanging out near his truck, his saddle in the back. His black hat shaded his face as he looked down at the cell phone in his hand.
“Hey.”
He looked up, his eyes reflecting his delight in seeing her. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Watching everything.”
“Are you enjoying the events?”
“Yep. I saw you ride. You did very well.”
“Thanks. I’m not in first, but I should place in the money.”
“Nice.” She took a seat on his tailgate next to him. “What are you doing after the events?”
“Nothin’.” He shrugged.
“You aren’t hanging out with the riders or something?”
“Nope. All they want to do is hook up with some buckle bunny and get laid.”
A snorted laugh escaped her lips. “And you don’t?”
He glanced down at his hand, turning the phone over in his palm a couple of times. “It’s not that.”
She bumped her shoulder against his. “Then what?”
He jumped down from the tailgate. “Nothin’. Listen, I should get going. I’ve got an early mornin’ tomorrow. Fences need mendin’ and all that kind of stuff.”
“I thought you were off tomorrow.”
“Uh, yeah, well I—”
She frowned and slid to her feet. “Never mind, Brock. If you don’t want to hang with me that’s fine. I don’t want to put you out or anything.” She took two steps away before spinning back around. “You’re a fucking jerk, you know?” A hot tear slid down her cheek before she could stop it. She wouldn’t cry in front of him, she wouldn’t. “All I wanted was to spend time with you, but I realize I’m nothing more than an annoying little sister to you.”
A second later, he was in front of her, shoving his fingers into the hair at the side of her neck so he could hold her head where he wanted it. His whispered words against her mouth were almost tortured. “I wish I could think of you as a sister. It would make things easier.”
His mouth came crashing down on hers, stealing her breath as he rubbed his lips against hers. His tongue drove between her lips to deepen the kiss to mind-blowing, before he tilted her head so they fit together perfectly. She wrapped her hands around his wrists, holding on for dear life.
It had been her first real kiss.
When he lifted his head and stared down in her eyes, she saw the battle he fought deep in his soul. He wanted her that much was clear. What that meant, she didn’t know until much later that night after he’d skillfully taken her to the heights of need, pushed her over into an orgasm she thought she’d never recover from, and then wrapped her in his arms to wait for morning.
Chapter Six
Brock eyed the center of Fort Mavis as he tried to find a store to buy clothes for Lee. The stoplight turned red as he eased the truck to a halt.
Things with Libby were in a weird spot for him. He wanted her, of that there was no doubt, but he wasn’t good for her. His past would haunt him forever. He was a felon. He had a record. Nothing would make that go away, or at least nothing he could think of outside of finding the real killer.
The sheriff in the town of Bard was no help. Anyone with money could buy the man easily. He’d proven that during the investigation into the woman’s death. Evidence had been scarce against him, but since the attorney who’d represented him was state appointed, they didn’t give a shit.
Finding someone who did care would be important. He needed an ally, someone he could trust with details.
When the light turned green, he stepped on the gas and turned right into the small strip mall’s parking lot. A western clothing store stood off in the corner and seemed like the best place for him to find something Lee could wear. Jeans, a long-sleeved shirt or two, and a pair of boots were probably the best bet.
As he opened the door to the truck, he noticed flashing lights behind him. He rolled his eyes when he realized it was the local police for Fort Mavis. Fucking great. I do not need a hassle from the cops. He tipped his hat as the officer came closer. “Officer. What can I do for you?”
“This your truck?”
“No, sir. It belongs to a friend of mine, Libby Reynold’s. She let me borrow it to come into town to get some clothes for her brother.”
“Dr. Libby Reynold’s out of Bard?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you are?”
“Brock Callahan.”
The officer took off his glasses, peering at him closely as he stepped within a couple of feet of him. “Brock Callahan, huh? Aren’t you the kid who went to jail for murder some years back?”
Brock swallowed, hard. “Yes, sir.”
“Got out recently?”
“Yes, sir.” Sweat dribbled down his cheek from where it escaped at his temple. He didn’t like this one bit.
The officer tapped the earpiece of his sunglasses against his lips. “I remember that.”
Brock didn’t think the officer was much older than he was. “Oh?”
“Yeah.” The guy’s eyes narrowed. “I read everything about that investigation I could get my hands on.”
“You probably aren’t much older than I am.”
“Nope, but I was interested in it from the investigation standpoint.” The officer put his glasses back on. “Just for the record, I think you were framed.”
Brock’s heart beat double time in his chest. “Well, you know everyone in prison is innocent.”
The guy scoffed as he held out his hand. “Dean Carlton. I’m the sheriff in Fort Mavis.”
The warmth of Dean’s palm in his made Brock feel a little better. Dean seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. “Nice to meet you.”
“Listen, the reason I stopped behind you was to tell you there is a brake light out on the passenger side of the truck. You’ll need to let Libby know so she can get it fixed.”
“I certainly will, as soon as I get back.”
“How’s her brother doing? I heard he got in bad with some drugs.”
“He did. Had a bit of a relapse, so we are trying to get him back in rehab.”
“Good, good. Nothing worse than drugs on a body. They get you into a lot of trouble.”
“They sure do.”
“Are you, uh, staying with Libby?”
“Temporarily, yeah. We’ve been friends a long time, her and I. I used to hang with Lee in high school.”
“I see.”
“I’m out beating the bushes looking for work. A lot of people won’t look twice at me since I have a record.”
“Must be tough.”
“Sure is.” Brock shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “If someone would give me a chance, it would be great.”
“Do you have experience doing anything specific?”
“Wranglin’. I used to work on one of the ranches in Bard before I went to prison.”
“Hmm. Well, if I hear anything, I’ll give Libby a call so she can get in touch with you. I’m sure there is someone around these parts willing to give you a chance.”
“I hope so.”
“I better get going. I’m supposed to meet someone for lunch.” He tipped his hat and said, “See you around, Brock. Take care and stay out of trouble.”
“I plan to.”
Brock watched Dean get back into his cruiser, shut the lights off, and then pull back out into the miniscule traffic that rolled down main street in Fort Mavis. That was kind of weird. He shook his head, shut the door on the truck, and headed for the door of the western store. Let’s get this over with.
* * * *
Libby slid the pictures back into the drawer, slamming it shut with a click. Brock’s prophecies had come true. She was someone in the town of Bard now. She took care of the ranch animals, everything from cattle to exotic pets. They all came to her to fix them.
It made her smile to see the women she’d went to school with. They were friendly now, not that she cared, but it felt good to think of them needing her. She still didn’t have a lot of friends, but she had a few close ones. One of her best friends was Sarah Carlton. She’d married Tony Carlton our of Fort Mavis where they now run a place together and he trains horses. She met Sarah when she went out on a call to Tony’s place. They became fast friends although they didn’t get to spend as much time hanging out as she would like. It was terribly hard to be the third wheel when your friend was happily married.
She sighed as she tapped the brochure for the rehab facility on her right hand. Lee had taken a seat on the chair by the door, his hands dangling between his parted thighs, and his head down. He looked defeated. “It’ll be okay, Lee. You’ll see.”
When he lifted his head, she could see the pain in his soul. He was lost. “I’ll do my best, Lib, for you.”
She moved to his side and went down on her knees next to him. “Not for me, for you. This is to help you.”
His fingertips brushed her cheek. “You’re the best sister a guy could ask for.”
She reached up and gave him a big hug before climbing to her feet. “I’ll call the clinic. We need to get you in there as soon as possible.”
The doorbell gave a bong, earning a frown from her. Who could that be? The door gave way under her hand as she opened it. The last person on earth she expected stood on her doorstep. “Melissa?”
“Hi, Libby.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see if you’d seen Lee. I need to see him, talk to him.”
Lee appeared at her shoulder. “What do you want, Melissa?”
The screen door stayed closed between them. Libby wasn’t sure she wanted the woman in her home, much less near her brother. The breakup between the two had spiraled him into addiction or pushed him toward where he was now. Didn’t he say the run in with her yesterday had pushed him into shooting up again?
“Can we talk?”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Please, Lee?” Melissa wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “There are a couple of things you need to know.”
Libby felt Lee stiffen behind her. She wanted to protect him, but he needed to learn to stand on his own. If he wanted to talk to Melissa, she would be nearby.
“Okay. For a minute. Libby was about to make a call for me.”
Libby turned around as the screen door squeaked open and Melissa stepped inside. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Unsure of whether to leave her brother alone with the woman, she glanced over her shoulder as she walked down the hall toward her bedroom to use the phone. Trust came hard for her when it came to her brother’s welfare, but he could decide on his own. He was a big boy and a grown adult, even if he didn’t act like it sometimes.
Libby sat down on the bed and reached for the receiver to call the rehab facility.
“Mission Valley Treatment Center, how can I help you?”
“Hi. Uh, I need to see about getting a family member in for treatment.”
“Has your family member been here before?”
“Yes, ma’am. His name is Lee Reynold’s.”
She heard a few clicking noises on the other end of the line before the woman came back and said, “Yes. I have his file open.”
“When can he be admitted for treatment?”
“Well, we need to talk to him personally. Is he available?”
She glanced out her doorway, listening to the sounds of voices coming from the living room. “Not right this moment.”
“Is he under the influence right now?”
“No. He was yesterday when he arrived at my house. I’m his sister. He was having withdrawal symptoms last night, but he’s doing okay today. He’s in the middle of a conversation at the moment though and can’t come to the phone.”
“I see.”
“Can I have him call you back?”
“It would probably be better if you brought him to the facility. He can talk to the counselor then, and between the two of them, they can decide if inpatient or outpatient is right for him.”
“Oh, he definitely needs inpatient.”
The woman on the other end sighed. “I understand you wanting to get help for your brother, ma’am, but he has to decide, not you.”
Frustration made her hands shake. She knew what he needed. She’d seen it before. “Fine. I’ll bring him there as soon as I can.”
“We’ll look forward to seeing him this afternoon then.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The phone clicked in her ear before she could lay the receiver down on the hook. Libby took several deep breaths to calm her nerves before she faced her brother with the news they would be making a trip to the clinic as soon as Brock came back with his clothes.
With a plan in mind, Libby got to her feet to head back into the living room. As she came to the end of the hall, the next words from Melissa mouth stopped her in her tracks.
“Yes, she’s yours, Lee, your daughter. Her name is Andrea.”
Libby stepped into the doorway. Lee was pacing the living room, running his hands through his hair. Agitation was apparent in his steps. Melissa sat on the couch watching him move.
“I have a daughter?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before now? How old is she?”
“I didn’t tell you before because of the drugs. You were using pretty heavily. She is the most important thing in my life, and I won’t let her be raised by a drug addict.” Melissa glanced down at her hands before bringing her gaze back up to him. “She’s ten.”
“Holy fuck. Ten?”
“Yes,” Melissa whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Libby’s stomach knotted. Lee had a daughter. She had a niece she didn’t know. Her parents had a grandchild they’d never seen. It wasn’t fair, none of it. The girl had a family, one who would love her no matter the circumstances of her birth, but they had never been given a chance with her. Libby wanted to scream at Melissa for keeping the girl a secret all these years. She knew she wouldn’t though.
“You have to understand, Lee. You were pretty messed up when I found out I was pregnant.”
He let out a huge sigh. “I know and I’m sorry, but I’m getting help. Libby is calling the rehab center right now so I can go back in and get clean.”
“You used again?”
His face flushed red as he slid his hands down the legs of his sweat pants. “Yeah. After I ran into you yesterday. I couldn’t handle seeing you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not you, Lissa, it’s me. I have to figure out how to deal with stress. My relief is heroin, but I need to find something better to take care of it rather than using.”
“I wish I could help you. I wish we would have been able to deal with this together. I wish Andrea could have had the father she’s always talked about.”
“She doesn’t know about me?”
“No, not really. I’ve told her a few things, but nothing to connect you to her.”
“When I get out this next time, I want to meet her.” He sat down next to Melissa and took her hands in his. “I promise I will get clean. We can be a family.”
Melissa shook her head. “I don’t think that will be possible. I’ve moved on, Lee. I have a life now.”
“Is there someone else?”
“Yes.”
Enough of this shit. “I think you need to leave, Melissa,” she said as she stepped into the room. “Haven’t you caused enough heartache?” Her hands trembled from the anger rushing through her. “You should have kept this to yourself. Lee is trying yet you throw it in his face he has a daughter he doesn’t know and you won’t let him get to know.”
Lee climbed to his feet. “Lib, it’s okay.”
“No it isn’t. She only came over here to torture you with this. She never had any intention of letting you see your daughter.”
“I’m sorry. Seeing you earlier sent me into a tailspin. When I went home and saw Andrea, I couldn’t get you out of my head. She looks so much like you.” Melissa grabbed her purse and stood. “I’ll go.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. “Here is my phone number. When you get out of rehab call me. I don’t know if I’ll be okay letting her meet you or not, but we’ll see.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll always love you. That will never change,” she whispered before she turned and walked out the front door, letting the screen bang shut behind her.
“That went over well.”
“You should have stayed out of it, Lib. It was between me and Melissa.”
“To hell with that! You are my brother. She’s been keeping a secret from you for over ten years, and you are going to let her get away with it?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is my daughter. I want to be a part of her life and to do that, I have to get clean, get a job, and make myself dad material. Maybe this is what I need to make me take responsibility for my life, Libby. I don’t know, but I do know she has to come first.”
At this point Libby didn’t know what to do. She wanted to support her brother in his decisions, but it felt wrong to let Melissa keep his daughter from him. I just need to stay out of it and worry about my own life. “Are you hungry? I’ll make some lunch while we wait for Brock to get back with your new clothes.”
“Sounds good and, Lib…?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Lee.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Ham or Turkey?”