Crossing Paths (31 page)

“Since Wednesday, the night you came home from the museum, and of course not.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I went on three separate dates with him and flew all the way to Washington on the same plane with you while freaking out about this guy not calling me.” I’m pacing the floor in front of them as I throw my hands in the air every once in a while. “You knew the whole time why he couldn’t call, but you chose not to tell me.”

“It didn’t happen exactly like that.”

“Well, why don’t you tell me how it really happened? Were you planning on never telling me? Were you just going to let me believe that this perfect guy came into my life and then left me for no apparent reason? You didn’t think it was important to tell me that he had an accident? I’ve been thinking horrible thoughts because I thought he just dropped me on my ass. I even texted him last night, and I was pissed that he didn’t respond. They probably don’t even let him have his cell phone in there.”

“There’s more to the story, but I think Cohen should be the one to tell you. He didn’t come home for anything work-related, and he got into the accident on his way to the hospital to see Julie.”

“Oh, that’s right. And who the hell is Julie? Your mom talked about her last night like she’s part of the family. Do you have a sister you would like to tell me about?”

“June, you need to lay off. If Caroline doesn’t think she should tell you, then maybe we should go to the hospital and let Cohen tell you,” Liam says, looking a little annoyed.

“Are you really sticking up for her? I guess that makes sense, considering the two of you have been lying to me about your relationship for God knows how long.”

“Get a grip. We weren’t lying to you. We were trying to get to know each other without interference,” Liam says.

“Without interference? Well, why don’t I afford you that opportunity? I think I’ll catch the next flight back to Texas, and you can let me know how everything goes.”

“Please don’t do that. I know my brother would want to see you. I’m so sorry it all came out this way. I had no idea you were seeing Cohen until the night you told me about your kiss. You seemed so happy, and I didn’t want to ruin your excitement. I texted Cohen that night, and he promised he would talk with you. I talked with him again, and I thought he was going to talk to you about everything sometime this week. Then, I found out about the accident. When you told me you were coming to Washington, I tried to tell you not to come, but you were both so adamant about being with me…and honestly, I needed you. Then I tried to tell you at the airport when we were in the bathroom, but you were so worried about me. It was selfish, and I understand that you’re mad, but at least come to the hospital and talk to Cohen.”

I contemplate saying no, but a part of me wants to know who this Julie person is. I’m curious about why she’s in the hospital and why she matters so much to Cohen and to their family.

“Fine. I’m getting dressed,” I say before turning and stomping up the stairs.

We drive to the hospital in silence. I’m tired of all this awkward space. When we pull into the parking lot, my stomach is already tied in knots.
I feel sick.

“You know, on second thought, maybe you could just have Cohen call me when he feels like talking.”

“I doubt he’ll want to say what he has to say over the phone,” Caroline says with a serious look on her face.

She and Liam get out of the car and stand, waiting for me to follow suit. After a couple of minutes of positive self-talk, I open the car door and walk into the hospital with them. We find out that Cohen has been moved out of the ICU and into a regular room. Caroline’s parents and stepdad are in his new room, but he is nowhere to be found.

They tell us that Cohen went to see Julie. By the looks on their faces, it’s obvious that they’re all very sad. Up until this point, I have successfully avoided coming up with scenarios to explain who Julie might be, but in this moment, I know she is someone special.

“We should go find him and see if he needs anything,” I say without thinking about what’s coming out of my mouth.

“Are you sure?” Caroline asks.

I nod, but I don’t know what else to say. After Vivian tells us Julie’s room number, the three of us take the elevator down one floor, and then walk through several long hallways before we come to another nurses’ station. We approach Julie’s room slowly, and I can see Cohen sitting in a chair with his head lying on the bed. He is talking quietly, and I can barely make out what he’s saying.

“Julie, I’m so sorry. I know that you wanted us to be something others would envy. I wanted that, too. I wanted it all. I love you so much.”

I can see that the woman in the bed is young. Her skin is pale, and she doesn’t move or give any response to Cohen’s words. He continues lying still with his head resting next to her body, and then I notice he is working something small in between his fingers, moving it back and forth. When it catches the light, I realize it’s a ring—a simple gold band. Julie’s arms are folded across her stomach, and I see a similar gold band on her ring finger.

The truth comes crashing down on me.
This can’t be happening. How did I not know? Why didn’t he tell me? Why didn’t Caroline tell me?
They’re married.
Cohen is married.
She is his wife. There’s no doubt in my mind. I don’t need to ask anything. His love for her is obvious. It pours off of him, filling the room, as it suffocates me with guilt.
I can’t break up a marriage. I have to leave.

I turn around to find Liam and Caroline gone. They must have left, thinking Cohen and I would need time to talk. I can’t imagine why Caroline would encourage me to talk with Cohen, knowing he is married.

Before my thoughts can settle on an answer, I walk down several long corridors until I reach the main elevators. When I arrive at the front lobby, I ask for a cab to the airport. Within a few minutes, the cab pulls up. I look back and wonder if I’m making the right decision, but I can’t think of any better option. I take out my phone and send a quick text to Liam.

Headed home. Need to be at work tomorrow morning. Tell Caroline I’m sorry. —June

I shut off my phone and stare blankly out the window as the buildings rush by.
Soon, I’ll be home, and I can move on with my life. I refuse to fall for a married man who is clearly in love with his wife. I can’t believe Caroline would keep that from me.

Sunday

We left June outside Julie’s hospital room, hoping she and Cohen would find a way to talk about what’s happening. I know the talk they are about to have will be hard and awful, but I can’t be the one to tell her. Maybe I’m just being a coward, but I have no clue what to tell her. I haven’t had the chance to talk with my brother about his feelings for June. I don’t know if he’s willing to pursue a relationship or if he thought he found someone who could help him forget things for a moment. I can’t tell June that my brother might have been using her.
What if he wasn’t using her? What if he’s really interested in her?

Liam and I are sitting side by side on the uncomfortable sofa in my brother’s room. My parents were gone when we got back, and I’m beginning to wonder if we should call them. Then, Liam’s phone vibrates in his lap. He picks it up, reads a message, and hangs his head.

“What? Who is it?”

After a few moments of silence, he says, “June.”

“Well, what did she say? Have they already talked? That was quick.”

“No, I don’t think they talked. She’s heading home, and she says to tell you that she’s sorry.”

“Are you kidding? Call her. She couldn’t be too far yet.”

He pushes a couple of buttons and then puts the phone to his ear. As quickly as he lifts the phone, he brings it back down to his lap, shaking his head. “She must have turned it off. It’s going straight to voice mail.”

I stand quickly.
She can’t leave. They have to work this out.
“We have to go find her. We can’t let her go. What about my brother? I know he’s going to want to talk to her.”

Still sitting in the exact same spot on the sofa, Liam rests his hand lightly on my arm. “Just let her go, Caroline. Don’t push her. If they’re meant to talk and work this out, then they will. Just leave her be.”

“Leave who be?”

We both look up to see my brother walking of his own accord into the room.

“Cohen! I am so glad to see you!” I run to my brother and hug him tightly.

“Whoa. Be careful, sis. I’m still a little sore.”

“Sorry.” I scrunch my nose in apology, hoping I didn’t cause him too much pain.

“That’s alright. Who were you talking about?”

“Um, no one. We were talking about a friend, a friend of Liam’s.” I look to Liam who is faking a grin unsuccessfully. “Did you see any visitors while you were up in Julie’s room?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent.

“Her parents were there for a little bit, but no visitors. They’re trying to keep it pretty quiet, and I think they wanted to give me some more time.” Cohen turns his attention toward the sofa. “Hey, I’m guessing you must be Liam,” he says, offering his hand.

“Hi. Glad to see you’re up and around, man.”

“You’re telling me. I hate that you all came up here, and I wasn’t really hurt too badly. Mom and Dad sort of exaggerated from what I’ve heard. They meant well.”

I nod in agreement and give him a light punch in the arm. “I think you just scared the crap out of them, and with Julie being in the hospital, they weren’t sure what to do.”

“Uh-huh.” Cohen sits on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor.

“Liam knows,” I say, trying to ease his discomfort.

“Oh,” he says, looking up with concern in his eyes. “Does she know, too?”

“No, I didn’t tell her. She was here, but I think she’s leaving.”

“She was here? Like in the hospital, here? Why didn’t you come find me?”

“We took her up to Julie’s room to wait for you, but she must have decided that she didn’t want to know. I don’t know, Cohen. She was standing right outside the door.”

Cohen stands up from the side of the bed. The look on his face is a mixture of disbelief and frustration. “Are you kidding me, Caroline? There’s no telling what she could have heard me say. You should have gotten my attention before you left her there. She probably thinks I’m a total creep.”

He walks to the bedside table and retrieves his phone. As he dials a number, his footsteps trace a path back and forth across the worn floor in front of his hospital bed. Just as Liam discovered, his call to June must go straight to voice mail. Rearing back, he throws his phone with full force onto the unmade bed. It bounces, falls to the floor, and slides under the sofa. No one makes a move to find it.

“Has she been in town this whole time?” Cohen asks, still pacing with quick steps as he links his fingers together behind his neck.

“Yes, she came with us on Saturday. You need to calm down,” I say.

“Are you serious? Why didn’t you tell me or bring her to me earlier?”

“You could only have family in the ICU, and I didn’t want to be the one to tell her. She must have seen a picture of you or something at the house this morning. She came barreling down the stairs before she started shouting at me. I didn’t tell her anything about Julie, but you should consider explaining everything to her. It’s obvious you care for her. She’ll understand.”

We are all silent for a few minutes. I’m not sure what Liam and Cohen are thinking, but I know my mind is racing, trying to figure out a way to make sure June doesn’t stay mad at me for life. I lied to her about Liam. I lied to her about Cohen. I let her travel all the way to Washington without coming clean. She was right to be upset, and I can’t blame her for leaving.

I think back to fights we had in college, but nothing this serious comes to mind. The biggest fights we had were about leaving dishes in the sink or eating each other’s groceries. She might have more difficulty in the forgiveness department on this one.

“I’m going to the restroom, and then I’m getting a snack. You guys want anything?” I ask.

They both shake their heads without saying anything. I get up and leave the boys to their silence. This whole situation is driving me crazy.