Chapter 28

Emilie

My Dad leads us to his car that’s parked by the curb. It’s a cute red little thing, and I glance up at Brandon, wondering if his 6’6 frame is going to fit.

He gives me an amused smirk. “Don’t worry, I will manage.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, there’s a guy on the football team with a worse car than this.”

My Dad clears his throat as if offended, and Brandon grimaces. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

There is no response, and Brandon silently folds himself into the back seat. I slide in beside him, feeling a small measure of comfort in his presence before my Dad starts the car.

The drive to St. Mary’s Hospital is tense and too damn long. At some point, I fall asleep only to wake up when my Dad drives over a bump in the road.

“Hello, sleepyhead,” Brandon says, and that’s when I notice I’m leaning my head against his bicep. “Did you sleep well?”

“Not really…”

Brandon doesn’t try to make more conversation. His large hand finds mine, his fingers lacing with mine in a silent show of su