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And then he takes off toward the hospital.
I reach into my pocket for my phone so I can let Jolene know I won’t be at the office, and that’s when I realize my fucking phone is still sitting on my goddamn desk.
Fuck.
I finally got a shot to talk to her, and I’m not even going to be there when she shows up.
And I don’t have my phone to let anybody know where I am.
God dammit!
Focus, Lincoln. Focus.
“What happened?” I ask Asher.
“He owes some guys some money, and they beat the shit out of him,” he says, his voice trembling.
“And how is this your fault?” I ask.
“I introduced Dad to them,” he says. “I promised I’d stop making bets, so he did it for me.”
Jesus. “It’s not your fault, bro. He’s a grown man who made his own bets.”
“For me,” he emphasizes.
Okay, maybe it’s a little his fault.
“How bad is it?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I just got the call from the hospital, and I was working out at the gym next to the Complex so I came straight to you. I guess he’s unconscious.”
“How’d they know to call you?” I ask.
“They didn’t. They called Mom first.” His voice is quiet.
My poor mother. She went to New York to get away from him, and his stupid bullshit followed her there anyway. Or Asher’s stupid bullshit did.
I run a hand along my jaw. We arrive at the hospital, and Asher tells the front desk who we are. We already have his room number, so we head up there.
He’s awake when we walk in. He’s got a wrap around his head, two black eyes, and a crooked nose, and he looks old and weak lying there.
“The fuck are you doing here?” he grunts when he sees me.
“Are you okay?” Asher asks.
“A few broken ribs and a broken nose, but I’ve taken worse hits than this. I’ll live to tell about it.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” Asher says, and he’s nearly crying as he says the words.
“Not your fault, kid.”
Once again I realize the very real contrast between the father Asher has and the father I have.
And, as it turns out, I want nothing to do with the father I have.
I’m not even sure why I’m here other than to support my brother.
“It is my fault,” Asher argues. “I introduced you to them. I asked you to place those bets.”
