Kevin glanced around the empty hospital room. Only the white rumpled sheets evidenced that Max had been there at all. “And you let him?”
The nurse who was assigned to Max’s room shrugged. “He’s an adult. We couldn’t keep him if he didn’t want to stay. Once the pain subsided, he wanted out.”
Kevin groaned. He’d rearranged his schedule to meet with the doctor and Max, to make sure his father followed orders when he was released. The man needed to take care of himself and to cut out his drinking. Not a prayer of either one of those things happening, without...
“How is he?” Nikki’s soft voice interrupted his train of thought.
Kevin turned to find her standing beside him. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail and wore a baggy striped shirt over black leggings. Ever since leaving the bar, she looked more like the girl he’d known, more like the woman he’d come to care too much about.
She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Where’s Max?” she asked, glancing over his shoulder to the empty bed.
For the first time since he’d entered the patientless room, he was grateful Max had taken a hike. “Good question. Now I have one. What are you doing here? I thought you were home.”
She opened her eyes wide, radiating innocence where he’d bet there was none.
“I was. I didn’t know I needed your permission to leave the house.”
“You don’t. Unless you’re coming here. And I specifically told you that you didn’t need to concern yourself with my alcoholic father.”
She nodded. “I know what you said. I never promised I’d stay away.” She smiled, a wide grin that would have fooled anyone who didn’t know her as well as Kevin.
Behind the bright smile lurked a hidden pain. He should have given in to her offer and let her come along with him, but he’d wanted Nikki protected from the likes of Max, his foul mouth and nasty temper. Drunk he was mean enough—in pain and going through withdrawal, he was even worse. “I appreciate the thought but you don’t have to be here.”
“Families stick together,” she said. “You might not realize that now but in time you will.” She turned to the nurse. “Excuse me. What time did Mr. Manning leave?” she asked.
“As soon as the doctor came by and signed the discharge papers.”
“Where is the doctor? I’d like to speak to him.”
“He got called away on an emergency. Leave a message and he’ll get back to you later.”
“And Max?” Nikki asked again.
The nurse shrugged. “I assume you can find him at home. He said he had Jack waiting for him.”
Kevin muttered a curse. Jack Daniels was his father’s favorite weakness. “I need to find him.” Kevin knew, even if his father didn’t want to face it, that continued alcohol abuse could kill him.
“So let’s go.”
“I don’t want you there,” Kevin told her again.
She flinched as if he’d slapped her. Although he had no desire to hint her, he had no choice. Not only didn’t he want her exposed to Max, but he didn’t want her to see where he’d grown up. The old apartment, the revolting smells, the seedy neighborhood.
She straightened her shoulders. “Why? Why shouldn’t I be with you when you’re going through a rough time? Why shouldn’t I help you take care of your father?”
“Because it’s my job to do it. Alone. Just like it’s my job to protect you from my family. Such as it is,” he muttered.
“Funny but I thought I was part of your family. Or is this...” She waved her ring in front of his face... “Is this a lie?”
“Of course it isn’t. But there are parts of my family I intend to keep separate.”
She let out a frustrated groan. “You know, life doesn’t work that way. Family’s family. You’re lucky you have a father to take care of. I know he wasn’t much of a parent growing up, but he’s all you’ve got left now. Him and me. You don’t seem too thrilled with him, so tell me. Are you trying to drive me away?” She shifted her bag onto her shoulder. “If so, you’re doing a darn good job.”
“Nikki, just back off and give me some space.”
She shook her head sadly. “I’ve spent some time at the library recently and I did some research.” She handed him a stack of papers and what appeared to be pamphlets.
He flipped through them, then turned the pamphlets face forward. “Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon?”
“I thought Max might benefit from looking through the literature. You too.” Without another word, she turned and headed for the door.