Page 124 of My Destiny

“Like what?”

“Just stuff.” I don’t want to burden him with any of this. Besides, he already said the moment things get too hard for me, he’ll find somewhere else for John to stay. I’m not sure I want him to leave just yet.

“What kind of stuff?” I can hear the concern in his voice. “Work? John?”

“I’m just tired, that’s all. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.”

“Brooke, do I need to come home?”

“No.” I let out a long breath. “If you must know, it’s a bit of both. Things are full-on at work with all the concert plans, and…”

“And you’re struggling with John being there.” he says, finishing off my sentence.

“Not struggling,per se.”

“Then what? Do you want me to see if Michelle can take him?”

“No, she’s in the middle of renovations on her house, so things are crazy for her right now. I don’t mind him being here, honestly. It’s just… Can we talk about it later? I have a splitting headache.”

“I was going to work late tonight because I had some things to do outside the office today that took longer than planned and put me way behind, but I think I’ll come home. I can try to catch up on everything tomorrow.”

“No don’t,” I say. “I’m okay.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“You’re sweet, but don’t be.” My gaze moves down to the letter sitting beside me. “John gave me some letters, letters he wrote to my mother after she left.”

“I see.”

“I read one today—well, part of one—in the back of the limousine on my way home from work.”

“And the letter upset you?”

“Yes and no.” My voice cracks as I speak. “It’s just…” Tears fill my eyes, so I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. “It just made me sad. I hate that the things he said that day tore them apart. It’s so tragic. It upsets me that they both suffered for so many years because of it.”

“Oh, babe.”

I swipe my finger under my eye, wiping away the stray tear. “I’m going to go and soak in a nice hot bath.”

“You know that’s only going to make me want to come home more.”

His comment makes me laugh. “Stay at work. I’m okay. We can talk more tonight when you get home.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to be home in time for dinner, so eat without me. I’ll get Claire to get me something.” I hear him sigh. I can tell he wants to be here. “All right?”

“All right.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Hot Stuff.” I’m smiling when I end the call. I’m lucky to have him.

Picking up the letter, I head toward the walk-in robe. I reach up to the top shelf and pull down the box John gave me. Opening it, I place the letter inside. One day I’ll be ready to read them in their entirety, but not today.

I pull out the strip of photos of the two of them together, and the smile on my face grows. They’re a handsome couple. I can see why my mum fell for him. My finger skims over the surface, and the sorrow I’ve been feeling for them returns.