Free A Face in the Crowd by Christina Kirby Page A

Oliver studied his calloused fingers while he let his mind wander. There was something about Lexie . . . and it was more than simple attraction. Over the course of his life he’d seen and spent time with more than a few beautiful women, but none had captivated him in quite the same way.
    His mom reentered the room, wearing a new long-sleeved T-shirt sporting the hospital’s logo. “I swear.” She sat down next to Bailey and shot a scathing look at the new addition to her wardrobe. “We can’t get out of here soon enough.”
    “Relax, Mom. It was just a shirt.”
    Bailey grinned, “And, you have about a million of them.”
    Oliver suppressed a smile when his brother pretended to faint by placing the back of his hand to his forehead and mock swooning behind their mom’s back.
    “Be that as it may, these people seem borderline incompetent and I will not leave your brother’s health in the hands of a silly fangirl.”
    “Lexie is hardly a fangirl. In fact, she works hard and seems to be pretty damn good at her job.” Surprised by not only the heat in his tone, but also the sudden urge to defend Lexie, Oliver blew out a breath.
    “Dude,” Bailey offered by way of support.
    Cathy cocked one of her eyebrows. “Oliver, this is not the time for you to indulge in some kind of flirtation.”
    He let his head fall back against the chair. “For the love of Christ, Mother. That’s not what’s going on.”
    “Mom, leave the guy alone. He needs to do something other than sit around my room and take up space.” Bailey smirked. “If he wants to hook up with Sexy Lexie, who are we to stop him?”
    “Bailey, please.”
    Oliver raised his head and held his arms up in surrender. “Can we drop this?”
    “Certainly.” Cathy cleared her throat and folded her hands in her lap. “I almost forgot, Michelle called. She was very concerned about you.”
    Ah yes, Michelle. His ex-girlfriend. The latest model in a string of other model-wannabe-actresses who tended to bore him in a matter of weeks.
    “That was nice of her,” he offered as he bit into a croissant.
    “You should call her back. I’m sure she would love to hear from you,” his mom eyed him over the brim of her coffee cup. He made a non-committal noise. “I’m serious, Oliver. She was a sweet girl, and beautiful.”
    “Good riddance, I say,” Bailey shook his head.
    “Why the sudden push for Michelle? I never thought you cared for her one way or the other,” he set his breakfast to the side and met her eyes.
    “I just don’t want to see you going through this alone.” Her eyes turned red with unshed tears and she turned to take Bailey’s hand. “Either of you.”
    “You don’t need to worry,” Bailey cupped his other hand on top of their mother’s. “The guys have been here every day and we have you.”
    “I know, but it’s not the same as having someone to love.” She touched Bailey’s cheek. “I want my boys to be happy.” The first tear slid down her cheek. “I want you both to have the lives you deserve. I never want you to feel lonely, and in this place . . .”
    The dam broke and nearly set off the wave of emotion Oliver had been working to hold back since learning his brother’s diagnosis. The rare display from his mother was difficult to endure, but also a relief. His feelings about his brother’s diagnosis mirrored his mother’s and now he understood why she was acting the way she was. She was ferocious when it came to family, but she wasn’t mean.
    “I’m never alone, Mom.” Bailey smiled. “This is the most peace I’ve had in a decade.”
    “Being alone is not the same as being lonely.” His mom knew that to be true more than most. She had rarely dated anyone when they were growing up and when the band took off, she devoted most of her time to them.
    “I’m fine. We’re fine. And, after we get through this, life will go back to being as hectic as usual.”
    She returned his smile through her tears. “My strong sons.