Page 81 of The Grizzly Situation

“It hurts,” he whispered, his voice fractured. “I feel like there’s a hole in my chest. I can’t find you anywhere.”

And that told me why the boys were so scared about me leaving. They probably hurt too.

“Let me come home,” I said. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“No, you need to see Jamie and Deb. Find out about Wyatt, and….” He gasped. “Uly? It hurts so much and I can’t breathe. How could anyone stand this?”

Amelia came back on the line and I could hear Brent sobbing in the background. “I’m sorry to ask this, but please, come back,” she pleaded, then disconnected.

I turned to find Deb staring at me, her concern obvious. I went to her and put a hand on her arm. “Tell Jamie I’m sorry, but I have to get home.”

“What? But you just got here,” she protested.

“I know, but Brent and the kids need me, and it’s not something I can walk away from. I’m sorry.” I kissed her cheek. “Give another one of those to Jamie. In fact, give him a blow job or something and tell him how sorry I was. Oh, shit. Please tell me you have skills sucking dick.”

She scowled at me. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I do.” She leaned in close. “I know just what Jamie likes.”

“Then use every skill in your arsenal. Don’t let him be angry with me, but I have to go. I’m sorry.”

Then I turned, grabbed my bag, and raced for the door while I called Cullin’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“Is something wrong, Uly?”

“I need to get back home right away. Something is wrong with Brent.”

“Understood. I’ll pick you up in five minutes and take you to the plane.”

“Thank you.”

I’ll be honest. I don’t remember getting on the plane or being in the air at all. I vaguely recall the flight attendant offering me a beverage, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t take one. My mind was focused on Brent, on the pain he seemed to be in, and on my boys. I was angry with myself for not realizing this wouldhappen. That I would cause my family problems simply by leaving.

“Uly, we’ll be landing in a few minutes,” Cullin said over the PA system. “I’ve already got them bringing the car to the airstrip so we can get moving right away.”

I called Amelia to let her know we’d landed and were on our way back. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’m very sorry for calling you. He shut himself away in the bedroom, and we can hear him sobbing. It’s breaking my heart, Uly. I’ve never seen him like this, not even after Jenna died. Then he was all stoic, trying to put on a brave face for everyone. Now? He’s breaking down and we all know it.”

“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. I swear, I’ll make it right.”

I disconnected, then stared out the window.

“Is he okay?” Cullin asked.

“He will be,” I promised.

I went into the contacts on my phone and dialed Chaim.

“Uly? Something wrong?”

I explained to him that I had gone to see Jamie and what happened afterward. I apologized for not listening to him.

“This isn’t on you,” he promised. “As the leader, Brent has a lot of responsibility. You being there makes it easier for him to focus. You aren’t going to be there all the time, and he has to work on getting through the periods when you’re not around.”

“Then I’ll just stay,” I said resolutely.

“That’s beyond ridiculous. You have a family too, and they need to see you. Brent will have to learn some coping techniques, but you’ll have to call him too. He will need to hear your voice to ensure you’re safe and well.”

“This is about Jenna, isn’t it?”