26. Bridget

TWENTY-SIX

Bridget

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. Mason has needed help but has been reluctant to accept it on all fronts.

I've also been there nearly every day and night, assisting in his recovery, along with a few other things.

I feel like I haven't been around as much for Mom, and the guilt that's cooked up hasn't gone unnoticed. Since Mason is doing much better—practically one hundred percent—I've taken the day to go with Hudson to Mom's doctor's appointment.

It's a little weird being around my brother like this because neither Mason nor I have decided it's the right time to tell him about the fact that we're dating.

As per usual, the waiting room in the clinic is freezing, and Hudson and I are chatting casually about what needs to get done today as we wait.

"We'll need to refill the prescriptions soon. Might as well do it while we're out, and I think stocking up on tea bags should happen."

Mom puts a hand on Hudson's cheek, smiling at him.

"Such a good son. And yes. More tea is necessary, or there'll be hell to pay."

We laugh, and my heart feels lighter, seeing my mom's energy so perked up. The medications from last time seem to be helping a lot, and her blood levels were still moving in the right direction the last time we heard from the lab.

"I think we'll need stuff to make that soup, too. I still want to do that. Bridget, can you help?"

I look over at her with a grin. "Sure. I'm not sure how much you trust me with your secret recipe, but I'm on board for chopping veggies."

"That's perfect. I'll keep the tiny yellow cookbook safely tucked away until then."

We all laugh, remembering that book from when Hudson and I were both too young to read. It's been in the family forever, passed down from my grandmother.

I smirk, eyeing my mom in a playful challenge. "Maybe one day I will earn the book? But I'm more than happy to wait."

"Hmm," she drags out, eyeing me right back. "We'll see."

"Mrs. Monroe. You can come on back."

The three of us look up at the nurse waiting at the door and follow her back to the designated exam room. We wait a few more minutes, like always, and then the doctor comes in.

"Hey, Bev. How's it going?"

Mom smiles at Dr. Anderson, and Hudson and I offer nods. We've seen the woman a lot at this point, and she's starting to feel like a co-worker or something—our partner in monitoring Mom's heath.

"You tell me, Dr. Anderson. I'm ready to get back home and start making this soup."

Mom has never been a particularly good patient. And despite the fact that I know I'll be doing a fair amount of the heavy lifting this afternoon, I can't wait.

"Your levels look great. The medications are working. Those elevated levels we were concerned with haven't just gone down; they're back to normal, and even your cholesterol has dropped several points."

Neither Hudson nor I can contain the cry of celebration. I'm so damn happy to hear she's responding to the treatment that tears spring to my eyes, and I wrap my arms around her for a tight hug.

Hudson is right there on the other side, and after enjoying it for a moment, Mom pats us each on the arm and clears her throat.

"See. You had nothing to worry over."

"Well, you'll still need to continue doing everything you are and continue to take the medications as directed. And the dietary restrictions are still in place, so don't go too crazy."

We all look at Dr. Anderson, and I have to admit that I actually forgot she was there. I nod back at her, though, squeezing Mom's hand.

"Of course, doctor. We'll be sure to keep her on track. Thank you so much."

The doctor smiles, that professional nod of hers offered as a way of saying, "Of course."

"I'm glad that she's responding to this round of medications. Not having to try a third set of options is good. Hopefully, when you come back again, Bev, I'll have even better news."

"I look forward to it."

Mom raises her brows, patting my leg before she gets up off the little exam table that's been raised into a chair shape. She looks between Hudson and me.

"How about we celebrate with some lunch?"

"That sounds like a great idea, Mom. My treat."

Hudson puts his hand on his chest as he offers, knowing full well that neither our mother nor myself could afford to treat the three of us to lunch.

"Of course it is, but thanks." I smile, patting him on the shoulder as we exit the exam room and go back out front. "You're the one raking in the dough, after all."

He laughs through a scoff, shaking his head as he holds the door open for me and Mom.

"It worries me that our dear friend Mason isn't paying you enough. Should I get all big-brother on his ass?"

My stomach clenches, but I manage to keep my expression neutral. "I'm paying for a new car, Hudson. I just don't have the money to spare is all."

With that we leave the doctor's office and go to the local place we all enjoy so much. The summer day is warm with a light breeze, and sitting on the patio sounds like a great plan to all of us.

Le Petite Arrêt still offers that sun-dappled back patio, and we sit at a table near the one we used last time but big enough for the three of us.

After the waiter takes our drink orders—a round of iced teas—we begin to chat casually, all of us so relieved that Mom is doing better.

"So, Bridget," Mom asks, that lilt in her tone insinuating and mischievous, "you haven't been at the house as much lately. Is there perhaps a reason for that?"

My stomach drops, and I nearly choke on my tea. I'm in no way ready to have this conversation with my mother, especially not with Hudson right here.

"Yeah, you haven't been, huh?"

Hudson seems like he's genuinely putting all this together right now, but I know my mom too well. She's been waiting for the chance to talk about this.

My cheeks heat, and I know I'm blushing. And my damn fair skin isn't going to do me any favors when it comes to hiding it.

"You're seeing someone, aren't you?" My mother cuts in, and both Hudson and I stare at her with our mouths hanging open.

"Mother, I…I just got to town. I'm not…"

But the words drift away, and for some reason, I'm not able to keep up with the lie.

"Maybe."

It's all I can bring myself to offer, but apparently, it's enough because both my mother and my brother stare incredulously at me, their eyebrows up to their hairlines.

"Well, holy shit." Mom swats Hudson as the words tumble out of his mouth. "What? It's just a surprise that my baby sister has already found someone to date. Got to hand it to you. You work fast."

I roll my eyes at him, but nervousness clings to me, and I pray that he won't ask me any other questions.

"So, when do I get to meet El Mystery Man. I want to put him through the gauntlet of big brother approval."

Shaking my head, I wave him off, sipping at my drink. "It's not that serious. We're not at the point where we're introducing each other to our families. Maybe a few months from now, but definitely not soon."

My guts churn. I know I'm going to have to tell Hudson at some point. I mean, of course, I am. I'm dating his best friend.

Still, I don't relish the thought of breaking that news because I just don't know how he's going to take it.

I don't want to keep this from him, and it's not like I'm trying to date Mason behind Hudson's back. Though, I guess that's precisely what I'm doing.

Nausea pulls at me. I don't like keeping more secrets from either of them. The Jai nonsense is more than enough for one lifetime.

"Oh sure, you're just hitting it for now. He's not past booty call status."

"Hudson Monroe," Mother chastises, and I give them both a laugh.

"Yup, just a booty call." I roll my eyes at Hudson, then sip more tea as I meet his gaze. "So don't try to arrange some drop-in visit and expect to see him, all right? I don't exactly ‘take him back to my place' since I don't have one. You know?"

"Fine. Fine. But you're introducing us one day."

Hudson points at me, and I just nod.

The waiter arrives with our food, and we all have a moment of collective refocusing, our deep conversation interrupted by the server.

Once they leave, I clear my throat and hold up my glass. "Besides, we're not here to talk about me. We're here to celebrate Mom's good news. So cheers!"

"Cheers!" Mom calls out, and I can't stop the laugh as all our glasses clink together.

Relief isn't a strong enough word to describe how good it feels to know that she'll be okay, and coming home like this has actually been excellent.

Aside from Mason, connecting with my mother and brother again and seeing his son live and in person, it's all been fantastic.

Out of the corner of my eye, something moves by the tree that sits by the left corner of the patio. It's gone so quickly, but my heart stutters because I think I saw a blonde man.

I swallow hard, staring at that corner intensely to see if he pokes out again. Has Jai found me? Has he been watching this entire time?

Familiar dread drips over me, and when I hear clinking behind me, I can't stop myself from shooting around in my chair toward the noise.

It was just a server balancing dishes, but the feeling of someone out there watching me hasn't disappeared.

My eyes find that tree again, and I could swear that the branches are in a different position now.

"Are you okay, hun?" Mom asks.

Flicking my attention back to the table, I swallow hard and nod, even as panic gnaws at my insides.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just…thought I saw something. Not a big deal."

"They put vodka in your iced tea, sis?" Hudson jokes, nudging me with his elbow. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I shake my head, putting on my usual cheery smile. "Nope. No ghosts. Just my annoying big brother."

"Haha," he drawls, going back to his burger.

As I pick up mine, positioning it so that I won't leak the topping everywhere, I try to let go of the thoughts about Jai.

He's not here, Bridget. You're fine.

I'm sure that I'm just being paranoid. And a bacon-bleu burger is just the thing I need to take my mind off it.