Beautiful Bridges (Bridges Brothers Book 3)

by Lia Fairchild

  Still, we scored a table right up against the window with another breathtaking view of the ocean. Speaking of breathtaking, Kaylee has competed with any and every visual today and won hands down.

  She’s been drilling me with questions about my business since we sat down, which is why I finally told her about going back to school. I admitted I didn’t finish my sports medicine degree, dropping out just a few classes short.

  “That’s amazing, Justice. I’m really proud of you.”

  “Thanks.” I have to admit it does feel good to hear that, especially since I haven’t told my family, not wanting to get their hopes up. If I was being honest with myself that wasn’t the only reason. I needed to make sure I wasn’t going to quit…again.

  “So you’re doing okay balancing work and school?”

  “Yeah, it’s just a couple classes and they’re online. My client load isn’t to full capacity yet.”

  When she asks for more about how I started, I tell her about Curtis being my first unofficial client and how it spiraled from there. “But I’m not sure I want to be a personal trainer long term. Don’t get me wrong—I love it. I love sports, and I miss football. The dream, though, is athletic trainer for a team.”

  “That sounds amazing. I know you can do it.”

  I don’t want to keep talking about me, but the interest in her expression, the twinkle in her eye, those gorgeous lips that keep turning up are fueling me on, filling me up with pride I haven’t felt in years. “Thanks. For now, I’m enjoying all the different kinds of people I’m meeting and working with.”

  She picks up her ice tea and takes a drink. “And what about you? Do you work out a lot on your own? I mean, you’re certainly in great shape.”

  I can’t help but smile. Not because I’m proud of how well I keep in shape, but because Kaylee notices and actually says something. We’ve come a long way… “These days I don’t do a lot of solo work outs. Some of my clients want my full focus on them and feel like if I’m working out, I’m not giving them enough attention. That’s usually the women.”

  She grimaces and rolls her eyes.

  “Sorry, but it’s true. The men…lots of times I’ll be doing everything with them side-by-side. They like it that way, it motivates them, and I fucking love it.” I inwardly flinch at my last comment, but Kaylee’s smile tells me it didn’t bother her.

  “I think it’s awesome how passionate you are. You’re doing what you love and getting paid for it. Not a lot of people get that.” She pushes the plate that’s between us, obviously offering me the last piece of calamari.

  I push the plate right back her way, and we both grin. “Seems like you do too.”

  “I do, but right now I’m not getting the equivalent of full-time work. Having Koko with me feels like a side job, though. Don’t get me wrong—she’s sweet. But it wasn’t my choice.”

  “It’s temporary, though, right?”

  “Well it should be, but who knows what will happen. Everyone involved seems to be on a different timeline. Koko, her mom, my mom. I’m just taking it day by day. I do get published regularly in many of the top magazines, print and online, but I want more.”

  More? Knowing she doesn’t mean the food, I take her statement and run with it anyway. I grab the last piece of calamari, dip it in the sauce and present it next to her lips. “Like what?” I say, waiting for her to open her mouth.

  “Something more personal.” She opens and when I press the food inside, I let my finger linger there, brush it along her lips, our eyes dancing at each other the whole time she’s chewing. “Maybe another op-ed piece or a book. Something important to women, though. Not just a frivolous piece,” she finally says, as if we aren’t screwing each other with our gazes. “I’ve done a few more serious pieces like that, and those have had the most impact on me.”

  She picks up the napkin from her lap and wipes her mouth, breaking the spell. The server checks on us, refills my water and her tea, but we wait to order. My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I don’t check it. I want her to know she’s my priority.

  “That would be awesome.”

  “Yeah…someday. So where do you see yourself…someday?”

  I laugh and reach for her hand, rubbing my thumb over the top. “You’re pretty good at that, but it’s not going to work you know.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you keep trying to switch the focus back to me so I’ll want to talk about myself. I’m not that vain, and we’re supposed to be getting to know each other. So you’re going to have to tell me something more…personal.”

  “I did. Remember I talked about my brother earlier. Plus, you already know my mom.”

  “Yeah, your mom is great.”

  “Well, she certainly loves you. It’s a bit annoying, actually.”

  “Hey, what did I do? I can’t help it if I’m a lovable guy. You should probably just give into it right now.” I lace my fingers with hers, ensuring I don’t lose her touch.

  “I don’t know. I’m thinking I could resist…” she says, looking at our hands.

  “But why? It would be so much more fun not to. You like to have fun, Kaylee.”

  “So what were we talking about?”

  “Your cheeks are rosy.”

  “That’s from the sun.” Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she holds back a grin.

  “Okay. What about your dad? I’m sorry I never got to meet him. What was he like?”

  “He was the best. The reason I became a writer. College was important to him, and he made me promise I’d go no matter what happened with modeling. You would’ve loved him.” This time she lets her smile show, and the way she’s looking at me strikes me to ask.

  “What?”

  “You actually remind me of him.”

  “No kidding?”

  “Really. He was very social and so handsome, but he only had eyes for my mom. He would’ve done anything for her. He didn’t even care about opening up a modeling agency. He just wanted to make her happy.”

  “I can understand wanting to keep your woman happy. But I can tell he did the same for you.”

  “How do you know that?” she says with bright eyes.

  “I don’t know. Just a feeling based on your personality and how you talk about him. You miss him.”

  “I do.”

  “How old were you when he died?”

  “I was sixteen. How about you?”

  “Sixteen.”

  My heart stutters. For her pain and mine but also for our shared experience. The connection we both realize as we lock gazes.

  “Wow.” Her hand holds mine tighter.

  “I know.”

  “I’m sure you miss her too.”

  My phone vibrates again, but I won’t ruin this moment. “I do,” I tell her. “I have such great memories of her, but they’re harder to access the older I get, and that’s tough.”

  “Yeah, I totally know what you mean. We just have to talk about them, especially with people who knew them, to keep that alive. You’re lucky you have options there.”

  I hate the expression taking over her face in regards to her situation. “I’m sure it’s tough for you, especially not getting along with Archie.”

  Her mouth tightens and I realize my mistake. “Sorry, I—”

  “It’s okay… I’d just rather talk about something else.”

  Again, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I’m tempted to look. I’m not that guy who’s tied to my cell; I don’t do social media, except for an Instagram page for my business. Most of my clients have signed off on letting me post pictures of them during our workouts.

  I’m about to change the subject to the fundraiser when my phone vibrates again. I’m guessing it’s Kevin, an actor whose strict—and sometimes unpredictable—shooting schedule forces me to be flexible and patient. I want Kaylee to know she has me one hundred percent, but I also don’t want to risk losing a client when I’m in this important growth stage.

  She
must sense my unease. “Is something wrong?”

  “I haven’t looked at my phone once since I picked you up, but someone keeps blowing it up, so do you mind if I see what it’s about and shut it down?”

  A grin spreads wide on her face. “Hey, I get it. I have deadlines and impatient editors who won’t wait. Go ahead.”

  I pull the cell from my pocket, and the first thing I see is a list of several texts from Logan and Mason. There’s also missed calls. My pulse picks up as an anxious feeling settles over me, even as I tell myself it could be nothing. Hell, the two of them could be ganging up on me for some sort of intervention to get me into Bridges Construction. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  I pop open the one from Mason first, and my heart hiccups in my chest as I read.

  Dad’s in the hospital. They think it’s a heart attack. Call me…

  “What’s wrong?” I barely hear Kaylee say.

  I read a similar text from Logan, another from Mason. I don’t listen to the voicemails yet. Lifting my head to look at Kaylee’s concerned face, I say, “It’s my dad. He’s in the hospital.”

  “Oh, no. I’m sorry, Justice.” She reaches over and touches my free hand, and I instantly feel calmer. “We should go,” she adds, glancing around for the server.

  “I should call one of my brothers to find out what’s going on.”

  The server approaches and Kaylee explains we have an emergency as I get my card out. She briefly tries to offer to pay, but thankfully doesn’t argue, probably realizing now isn’t the time.

  Once we settle up and begin walking back down the pier, I jump on my cell and try to reach my brothers. Mason doesn’t answer, so I try Logan, who does. “Lo, what’s going on with Dad?”

  “He’s stable, but they’re doing some tests now. Pretty fucking scary.”

  “So stable? That means he’s not going to die, right?”

  “Look, I don’t know anything, but Mollie said the way he’s acting right now and what his vitals are that it was probably mild. We’ll know for sure soon.”

  “Has anyone called Ryder?”

  “We tried… Haven’t heard back yet.”

  “I’ll try too.” I haven’t talked to Ryder in a few weeks and even then it was brief; he was at some race car event when I called and couldn’t talk long.

  “Thanks, and I’ll call with an update when—”

  “Screw that, Lo. I’m coming home.”

  Again, Kaylee grabs my free hand when she hears the strain in my voice.

  We reach the car and once inside, I turn to her. “I’m sorry I have to cut our date short, but I really need to get home, see my dad.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I think of Kaylee’s father, and my heart hurts for any pain and memory this whole ordeal is causing her.

  “Don’t worry about it. You need to think about your family. It’s a long drive, though, especially when you’re upset. Can I go with you?”

  “Oh… Thanks for offering, but—”

  “Justice, I want to. In fact, I’ve decided. I’m going.”

  I don’t argue because I don’t just want her there; I need her. I know what even a moment alone with my thoughts will do, where it will take me, the memories it’ll bring. I can’t afford that. Losing my mother at a young age is something that will stay with me forever. It showed me bad things happen in this world, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

  Kaylee spends some time as we drive, texting Koko and her mom, letting them both know what’s happening and that she’ll be home late if at all. My family home is an hour away and at this late in the afternoon. traffic shouldn’t be too horrific, but it won’t be clear.

  When I see she’s done, I glance at her. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s fine. How are you holding up?” Reaching over, she lays her hand on my thigh, her touch comforting instead of setting me on fire.

  “I don’t know. My brain is just…” I shake my head, for the first time in years that helpless feeling creeping up on me, a sting behind my eyes. Even when I hit what some would call rock bottom, I wasn’t emotional about it. But this… “I’m just trying to not think about anything until I get there and get some damn answers.”

  “I get it.”

  Three words, which are not insignificant because I know she does. It’s so hard to know the right words in this situation; I’m sure she’s thinking the same thing. “Thank you for going with me. You’ve really helped me just being here.”

  “I’m glad. We both know how tough it is to lose a parent. I think it just always leaves you in this limbo where you’re waiting for the inevitable.”

  “Yeah, that’s totally it for me.”

  “As someone who’s grandma has been in and out of the hospital for most of my life, I can tell you, humans can endure a lot.”

  “Is she still alive?”

  “Yep. She lives in a retirement community and loves it. Even got a new boyfriend.”

  “That’s awesome. My gramps has had a girlfriend for about…seven years, I think.”

  “Awe, that’s great…and cute.”

  “Could you look at my phone, make sure I didn’t miss any calls or texts from my family?”

  “Sure,” she says, picking it up. “But what if I see something from another girl?” She flashes her eyes over to me, then back to my phone.

  “There’s nothing to see. I mean, it’s adorable thinking of you jealous, but you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  “There’s nothing from your family.” She sets it down and twists her body toward me. “And I never said I’d be jealous…or worried.”

  “Then why’d you ask?”

  “I don’t know. Just making conversation, trying to distract you.”

  “So you don’t care if I’m communicating with other women?”

  I hear a burst of air come from her and I glance over. “You’re maddening sometimes.”

  “I’m not the one who brought this up, but I’ll make you a deal. If you really want to distract me, I’ll think of something.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you will. But since you’re driving, why don’t we just talk some more?”

  The one thing I want to know most, I’ve been afraid to ask—about Archie and that fight she had with him, plus all the stuff she said in bed that night. I know she was drunk and probably rambling, but the whole thing left me unsettled, like she could use someone to talk to. At dinner she couldn’t even hear his name, though, so I better not upset her. She might think it’s emotional blackmail to get her to share. I decide to wait until things calm down. Hopefully that happens soon.

  When we get to the hospital, we hold hands as we walk through the doors. I texted my brothers when we parked so they’d know I was coming and watch out for me. I’ve been to this hospital many times, thankfully not when my mother died, or I don’t know how I’d set foot in the place.

  As we make our way to where my father is, Kaylee tugs on my arm, stopping me. “Hey, maybe I should wait there.” She gestures to one of the waiting rooms off to the side.

  I glance over, and not for a second do I consider it. I shake my head and pull her closer by the hand. “If you’re comfortable with it, I’d like you to stay with me”—she’s already nodding—”no matter what. I don’t know if I can do this without you, Kay.”

  Chapter 16

  Kaylee

  There was no way I could deny Justice’s request to stay with him, even if it will be hard to see his father—for the first time—in the hospital. I visited my father in the hospital when he was sick, but he didn’t die there, preferring to spend his final days at home on hospice care. One of the hardest things in the world for a child is to see their parent, whom they think is the strongest person in the world, looking weak and vulnerable. Makes you grow up faster than you ever wanted to.

  As we walk, I say a silent prayer that his dad will make it through this, and Justice won’t have to know the sorrow of being parentless.

  A familiar-looking nurse comes toward
us, and her face brightens when she sees us. Then it hits me it’s his sister-in-law Mollie, whom I met at the house-warming party that day.

  She hugs Justice and gives him a reassuring smile. “Listen, your dad’s doing great, so don’t worry,” she says, obviously reading his thoughts. He thanks her, two breathy words that have a hint of relief in them. Then, she turns to me. “Kaylee, good to see you again.”

  “You too.”

  Mollie takes us to a room, and when we walk in, Justice doesn’t let me slip my hand away. I was going to hang back but he’s determined. I let out a sigh of relief when the man sitting up in bed smiles. Thank God at least he looks well.

  Justice goes to the side of his bed and leans over him, his dad’s hand patting his shoulder. “Hey, Dad.”

  “I told your damn brothers not to go calling in the cavalry. This room’s only so big.”

  “Like I wasn’t going to come.”

  When his dad looks my way, Justice tugs me closer. “Dad, this is Kaylee.”

  The tone of his voice—maybe pride or…something deeper—hits me right in the chest, but I can’t think about that at a moment like this. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bridges,” I say, reaching my free hand out to him.

  “Call me Ed.” He looks down at his blue hospital gown. “Sorry we couldn’t have met…well, pretty much any other way.” He chuckles, and I do too.

  An older gentleman rises from a chair in the corner, smooths the top of his thin hair, and approaches us. He’s tall and lanky, and I immediately smile at how much he reminds me of Justice. “Good to see you, kid,” he says as the two hug and exchange pats on the back.

  “You look good, Gramps. How’re you doing?”

  His grandfather gives me a squinty smile over Justice’s shoulder. “Apparently, not as well as you.” He nudges past his grandson in the small space of the room and stops in front of me. “It certainly is a pleasure to meet you, little lady. I’m Bud.”

  I shake his hand and feel my cheeks warm a bit. Not because of all the attention I’m getting when I shouldn’t be but because these two men seem to know more about me and my relationship with Justice than I figured they would. Like word is traveling through the family, as if Justice never dated anyone before. Is that what we’re doing? “It’s so wonderful to meet you too.”