"Yeah," Mr. Carnevale said, sounding defeated. He sighed again. "Listen, Heath. You didn't deserve what I said to you yesterday. I was in a rage, I was panicked. I had gotten some anonymous call telling me you leaked the story to the press, about Drew, and I just lost it –"
Heath's calm expression didn't change, but Drew didn't miss the way his jaw clenched in anger. "Sir, can I ask who called you?"
"I don't know," Mr. Carnevale said. "Just some guy. He didn't give me his name. Why, you think you know who it was?"
"I have an idea, sir," Heath said quietly. "And it was nothing against Drew. It was done to hurt me, sir. Drew was just an innocent bystander, if you will. I'm really sorry she got mixed up in it. The network is getting fined for the airing the information and the commentators are getting suspended from working for a while. There was a reporter and then the manager I fired who were involved as well. I think they're the ones responsible for digging up the information and giving it to the commentators."
"You fired your manager?" Mr. Carnevale asked, confused. "Why would you do that?"
"He didn't take care of Drew, like I told him I needed him to when I was working," Heath said simply. "I believed he'd look out for her, and he didn't. So I fired him."
"Dad," Drew said gently. "I told you he was a good man. You don't need to worry about me with him. I'm always going to be okay."
Mr. Carnevale cleared his throat and extended his hand. "You are a good man, Heath," he said quietly. "Again, I'm really sorry for the things I said."
Heath immediately reached out to clasp his hand and shook his head. "No worries, sir. I'd have done the same thing."
Drew smiled at both men, her heart filling with a sweet emotion she didn't have a name for. Mr. Carnevale cleared his throat again and Drew realized he was fighting tears. Who knew John was really a teddy bear? she thought, patting his arm.
"Well, you have to rush off, Heath?" Mr. Carnevale was saying. "We're going to visit some family while we're up here, have Sunday dinner on a Monday before we head home. Would you like to come?"
"Oh, thank you, sir, but I have my brother waiting for me," Heath said. "He drove me here as a favor. He's got to get home to his wife and kids."
"Heath needs to rest, too," Drew said, concerned about his ribs.
Mr. Carnevale nodded. "I understand. You get some rest, kid." He pulled open the door to the waiting room and gave Heath a half-smile. "You're all right with me, Heath." He disappeared inside, leaving Drew and Heath alone.
Heath smiled at the look of happiness on her face. "Your pops is a good man."
"Yes, he is," Drew said, gingerly hugging his waist again. "So are you. Thank you for being here."
"You're welcome." He kissed her forehead. "I better get going. Connor is waiting."
"Tell him hi," she said softly. "And don't forget to thank him for me." She tilted her face and pressed up on her toes and swept her lips over his. His hands massaged at her shoulders as he kissed her back. Finally, she sighed and pulled away from him, her hand trailing in his.
"Enjoy your family," Heath said. He smirked a little. "Feel free to bring me back some of that homemade food."
Drew chuckled. "There will be plenty of that, I'm sure. I will."
She moved toward the door of the waiting room and glanced over her shoulder. For a brief moment, the hallway receded and she only saw him—strong, quiet, thoughtful. Possibly the most beautiful man she'd ever seen, and not just on the outside. He constantly went out of his way to prove himself to her, to prove himself worthy of her, all the time. She was beginning to wonder if she were worthy of him. She bit her lip and her cheeks grew hot with the color that was rushing into them. She felt the urge to tell him something suddenly, something urgent, something she really needed him to know. It was on the tip of her tongue, and it wouldn't go away.
He looked back at her, cocking his head curiously. "What?" he asked.
She looked down, pulling the door open to stall while she worked up her courage. Her fingers gripped the edge of the door until they turned white and she bit her lip so hard she tasted copper on her tongue.
"I just –" She faltered as nerves overtook her. She thought about copping out then, saying something else. She didn't know how the game was played when it came to stuff like this; she was afraid she was about to fuck up big time.
"You just what?" his voice was quiet, calm, and Drew forced herself to look him in the eye again. She found her courage in his eyes in that moment and remembered when he'd told her he didn't like playing games.