Page 57 of Triple Protection

Amy sits back down. "You really love her, don't you?"

"She's it for me. She's the one. I think she's always been the one. You know I started following back in Iraq, right?" The boys knew by Amy didn't. I'm always too embarrassed to tell her.

"No way!" she whispers, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"I think I've been in love with that girl for the last ten years, and I'm not letting her go." Amy and Dad exchange a warm look. They're happy for me. Surprised, but happy. I can tell after everything I've been through, they're so goddamn happy I'm finally getting something good in life.

"So what's going on? Why did you call me and tell me to get home ASAP?" I ask, leaning in so we can keep our voices low.

Amy and Dad share another look, though this one is uneasy. Amy's eyes brim with tears while my dad looks like he's swallowed needles.

"Dad's got stage 3 kidney cancer."

I look at my dad and finally see it. He is still large, still strong, but his skin is pale and tinged yellow. He has large bags under his eyes, and his eyes are dull. I swallow the lump in my throat.

My dad takes Amy's hand in his but remains silent.

"Look, Brick, we hate to do this to you, but we need help. Dad's still working two shifts, which he really doesn't have the energy for with the cancer treatments, and I can't pick up enough hours at the salon to make ends meet. We really didn't want to burden you, but we need help." I shift uncomfortably in my chair.

"When were you diagnosed?"

"About a month ago."

"And you're just telling me now?!" I shout. I know I'm acting unreasonable, but the feeling of overwhelming shame and guiltand anger are too much. I could have been sending them money this entire time, or could have flown in sooner to take the burden off my sister.

"We knew you were on assignment and we didn't want to distract you. And we didn't want to tell you everything over the phone. I'm sorry Brick."

We sit in uncomfortable silence as I process the news. It's just stage three, so there's still a chance. But it's as serious as any cancer is. They need so much more than just money. My dad needs to retire so he can focus on healing. My sister needs a stable income. They both need help with the house and Andy. I run my hands through my hair, running through everything they really need from me. And my inability to give it to them.

A few minutes later, Angela comes back with Andy. She takes a look around the room, noticing the tension, before dropping Andy back off on the floor with his toy truck.

"Hey baby," Angela leans over the back of the couch to whisper softly in my ear. My shoulders drop as I release my tension. She runs her hand along the back of my neck and scratches her nails gently down my scalp, the way she knows I like. "Can I speak to you in the kitchen?"

My dad and sister's eyes shoot to where Babygirl's touching me, eyes wide in surprise. I shoot my dad and sister one last admonishing glare before I follow Angela into the kitchen.

"What's going on, baby? You look like you want to murder them."

I fill her in, whispering because I wasn't sure how much they had shared with Andy and I didn't want him to overhear. Her face falls, and she wraps her tiny arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. "Oh Brick, I'm so sorry." I bury my face into her shoulder and breathe her in. She is my safe space, she is my home.

She pulls away and looks me in the eye. "How do you feel about them moving in with us?"

I stare at her blankly, my brain not quite comprehending.

"I could hire Amy as an assistant, and your dad as a house manager. Amy's been following me forever, so I know she knows my voice and brand. They could live in the pool house for free and not have to worry about salon work or working double shifts. Plus, both Dan and Amy would be able to spend more time with Andy and we've got great cancer doctors in LA. Probably better than in West Virginia."

I shake my head. "I can't ask you to do that. This is my responsibility to fix, not yours."

Her hand comes to rest on my cheek as she brings my gaze to hers. "You're not asking me, I'm offering. And Brick, where do you see this going?" She asks motioning between me and her?

I purse my lips into a thin line. I see forever in her. I see my wife, my future, maybe my future children. I see waking up next to her every morning and falling asleep next to her every night. I see Christmases and Easters and birthdays and if I'm honest, I see them with the other two as well. But how can I tell her that?

She smiles. "You don't have to answer. I know. Which makes you my family, right? Which makes them my family? Soweare going to take care ofourfamily, and selfishly, I wantourfamily as close to us as possible." Her words stun me. The macho part of me wants to argue that it's the man's responsibility to provide for his family. But she's right. Everything she's saying is right.

I see images of Amy and Andy playing in the pool in the backyard, of dropping him off at school and picking him up in the afternoons. Of movie nights and popcorn and sleepovers. I've missed out on four years of this kid's life. I don't want to miss out on another single second. I imagine him playing with our kids, cousins living next door, and my heart pounds a little harder.

Overcome, I press Babygirl back against the wall and cage her in. One hand grips a fistful of her hair to angle her mouth to mine while the other grabs her waist fiercely.

"Why are you so fucking perfect?" I growl, rolling my hard cock against her soft curves.