Page 14 of Nineteen Letters

“Oh, Jem.”

Instinctively I pull her into my arms. This is the first time she has allowed me to hold her since the accident, and I’m so grateful she doesn’t pull away. I need this just as much as she does. I feel like we’re both drowning and neither of us knows how to come up for air.

“What time does your flight leave tomorrow?” I ask Rachel as we take a seat in the hospital cafeteria.

I’m thankful to have her and Jemma’s parents here to lean on. They’ve been a godsend. This is where we usually hang out while Jemma undergoes physiotherapy. The food isn’t great, and the coffee is mediocre at best, but that’s all they have on offer. I’m not leaving the hospital just to find something better. Being near Jemma is far more important, so for the interim, this home away from home is our reality.

I spend my entire day here, from sun up to sun down. I’d be here twenty-four-seven if Jemma would allow it. I vowed to loveher during sickness and health, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.

“The flight leaves at three,” Rachel replies as her gaze moves down to the table.

She falls silent and I watch as she nervously picks at the napkin in front of her. I know that leaving isn’t easy for her, she’s also hurting that Jemma doesn’t remember their friendship. Reaching across the table, I place my hand on hers.

“Don’t feel guilty for leaving, Rach. You know I’ll take care of her. You have a life in New York; Jemma knows how much your career means to you.” I pause briefly. Well, the old Jemma did. “She wouldn’t want you to stay and risk losing everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

“She needs me, she needs you … she needs all of us,” Rachel says as she covers her face and starts to cry. “She may not know it, but she needs us, Brax.” I stand quickly and move around to her side of the table, pulling her off the chair and into my arms. “If it was me lying in that hospital bed, she’d be right by my side.”

“Go,” I say firmly. “Everything will work itself out in the end.”

It has to.

I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince more, her or me. Rachel wraps her arms tightly around my waist but doesn’t reply.

We are jolted apart when we hear a loud cough from beside us. I’m shocked by the intense glare I see in Lucas’s eyes as his gaze moves between me and Rachel.

“Am I interrupting something?” His attention locks on Rachel as he speaks.

Her hands drop by her sides, and she glances down at the floor. I don’t know what is going on with these two, but something has happened. They used to be close, to the point that Jemma and I hoped one day they’d end up as a couple. They’reour best friends, and the four of us have done so much together over the years, including trips away, both here and abroad. The animosity that has become ever-present when these two are in the same room makes little sense.

Rachel doesn’t make eye contact with either of us as she reaches for her handbag. “I’m going to see if Jemma is back in the room.”

“Don’t leave on my account,” Lucas snaps as she walks around us, heading for the exit.

“What in the hell was that all about?” I ask Lucas when Rachel is out of hearing range.

“You need to watch her,” he says, flicking his head in her direction. The hate, or maybe just the anger he’s feeling towards her, is rolling off him. These two were tight, right up until our wedding. They seemed fine on the day; they even danced together.

“Watch Rachel? Why?”

“Just be careful,” he replies, undoing the buttons on his suit jacket and taking a seat at the table.

“What happened with you two? Seriously, man, talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he answers, brushing me off and signalling the waitress over to the table.

There’s a lot more to this than either of them is letting on, but I give him the reprieve he so clearly needs. “How’s business?” I ask. “I feel bad I’ve lumped you with all of it.”

“Don’t even think about it. The contracts are being drawn up as we speak.”

“Great,” I say, smiling. Even if my heart’s not completely in it, I’m truly happy for us; we’ve worked hard to get to where we are … to signing this big deal. If things were different we’d be out celebrating—the three of us: me, Jem and Lucas. “I’m sorry you’re left to deal with it all on your own.”

“Stop saying that. You’re where you need to be. I’m pretty much the brains of our company, anyway.” He says it with a straight face, but I know he’s just trying to rile me up like he always does.

“Whatever, arsehole,” I snap.

He barks out a laugh because I always bite.Always.

Chapter 7