As soon as the doctor closed the door, Brandon said, “This is so cool. I’m going to talk to Justin and have him check this out. He may be able to design a better app.”
He rolled his eyes. Just like I thought. Always business. Their brother-in-law, Justin Cartwright, had partnered with Gray Home Safety to market his in-home alert system. The system sent real-time data to a smartphone letting the user know whether a door had been opened, a stove had been left on or if there had been no movement in the house for an extended period. The product gave peace of mind to families whose aging parents wanted to continue living independently. “Did that doctor not just tell you I may not ever get my hearing back? Who cares about that damn app right now? Why does everything have to be about business with you?” Khalil blew out a frustrated breath.
Brandon studied Khalil a long moment, then picked up the phone the doctor had left on the bedside tray. “That’s not what he said at all. He said it could heal in a few weeks. In the meantime, you have the equipment for your new gym to finish designing, as well as overseeing the opening to keep you busy. You know we’ll all help.”
“How in the hell am I supposed to do that? I can’t hear a damn thing! I don’t want to depend on anybody driving me everywhere I go, or have everybody write down whatever they want to say all the time. I can’t live like this,” he gritted out. He sat up abruptly and pain shot through his ribs like a crack of lightning, slapping him back down. Khalil cursed. He clenched his fists and took several shallow breaths. It took several moments for the agony to subside.
Brandon’s calm expression hadn’t changed. “Are you done?” He paused for a beat. “Khalil, you are one of the smartest people I know. You learned Spanish and French when you had those modeling gigs in Spain and France, earned two degrees while traveling around the globe and single-handedly turned a gym that was folding under the previous owners into one of the best around. Your right hand is sprained, not your left. I don’t know anything about the driving laws, but none of us have a problem taking you wherever you need to go, if necessary. As far as communication...” Brandon held up the device. “Done. Now, Mom and Dad are out there and anxious to get back in here. If you don’t want Mom insisting you move in with them after you leave this hospital, I suggest you get yourself together, little brother.”
Khalil wanted to punch something. But he knew his brother was right. Khalil was thirty-three and had been living on his own since age eighteen, but that wouldn’t mean a thing if his mother thought for one moment that he couldn’t manage on his own. “Fine. Give me a second before you let them in.”
Minutes later, his parents rushed in behind Brandon. The frown on her face and the rapid movement of her mouth gave Khalil the impression that she was fussing at Brandon. Brandon gave him a look that said, “I told you.”
Brandon showed their parents how to work the speech app and his mother took it and rushed over to the bed.
“How are you feeling, baby? Do you need me to get you anything? Where does it hurt? Do I need to have the nurse bring you something for the pain? Don’t worry, when you’re released, you can stay with us for a couple of weeks until you’re back on your feet.”
The words flew across the screen so fast there were no spaces between the questions. “Mom...” The questions continued. “Mom.” He reached up and gently pried the thing out of her hand. “Mom.” She glared at him. “I’m okay. I do not need to stay with you and Dad. I’ll be fine in my own home.” Or so he hoped. But, then again, he wouldn’t even know if the phone or doorbell rang, or hear his alarm in the mornings. He sighed inwardly.
Over the next half hour, all his siblings came in and out of the room and his mother continued to hover. He appreciated their love and support, but the only thing he wanted was to be alone and prayed that when he woke up in the morning, he’d be able to hear again.
Thursday morning, Lexia wrapped up her meeting with the contractor hired to repair the broken windows and hurried over to where Brandon stood near the cash register. From the navy tailored suit he wore today, she assumed he was on his way to work. When he stopped by yesterday, he had on sweatpants and a long-sleeved tee. He’d told her that Khalil had a rough first night and hadn’t taken the news about his hearing well. She couldn’t imagine what he felt, but remembered the same thing happening to Elyse. Her friend had cried for weeks, became depressed and withdrew from everyone and everything.
“Hi, Brandon. How is he?”
Brandon shook his head. “Same. He won’t eat and is pretty much ignoring everybody except our parents. He may be pissed off, but not enough to risk Mama’s wrath,” he added with a wry chuckle.
“This is going to be a huge adjustment for him and he just needs a little time.” She wanted to go see him so badly, but held back from asking.
“I guess.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Maybe you should take him a piece of that coffee cake he’s always raving about. I bet he’d eat that.”
Lexia smiled. “If you’re visiting him today, I can put a slice aside for you to pick up on your way out. We close up at three, but I’ll be here until about four thirty or five.”
Brandon angled his head thoughtfully. “I think it would be better if you delivered it yourself.”
“I...um...” True, she wanted to see Khalil, but what would he think about her showing up at the hospital?
He smiled. “Yeah. That would be perfect.” He glanced down at the expensive gold watch on his arm. “I have a couple of meetings this morning, but I can leave around one thirty to make a quick visit. The lunch rush is pretty much over by then, right?”
“For the most part, yes,” she answered slowly.
“Is there a problem with you being gone for an hour or so?”
Her eyes widened when she realized where the conversation was headed. “Well, no, but—”
“Great. I’ll stop by and drive you over. That way you won’t have to worry about figuring out where to go once you reach the hospital.” He took another quick peek at his watch. “I’ll see you around one thirty. And thanks.” He spun on his heel and strode out the door toward the elevator.
Lexia stood there stunned, wondering what just happened.
“So should I go cut that piece for you, Lexi?”
She spun around and met Sam’s smiling face. “I am not talking to you.”
Sam laughed and brought a hand to her heart. “Why? I didn’t do anything.”
“Exactly. Why didn’t you say something?”
“Something like what?”
Lexia threw up her hands. “I don’t know...something. Since you were over here eavesdropping, I’m sure you heard what his brother said about Khalil ignoring everybody. Besides, I can’t just up and leave.”
Sam folded her arms. “Sure you can. You do it all the time to pick up supplies or run some other errand. And, yes, I did hear what he said. But, like Brandon—that is his name, right?”
She nodded.
“Like Brandon, I believe you’re exactly the person Khalil needs to see. One, the man is clearly interested in you. Two, you make the best guilt-free coffee cake anywhere. And, three, you know precisely how to deal with someone who’s lost their hearing.” She smiled and shrugged. “And if you don’t know what to say, I’m sure Elyse will be happy to help you.” She sighed. “Look, I know you’re nervous about starting up with another man, but just think of this as helping a friend for now.”
“I guess,” Lexia mumbled. Sam was right. It was just helping a friend. Although, she wouldn’t really say they were friends since she’d only known him a