Free Explosive Passion by Marissa Dobson

would bring Justin here in that condition. He stepped aside, letting his brother in.
    “I programmed the coffee pot before we went to bed. It should be ready.” Wynn rushed off to the kitchen.
    “Have a seat, Justin.” He nodded to the small living area.
    “He’s…” Justin started, but stopped when Wynn returned with the coffee.
    “Here, drink this.” She handed him a mug before going to perch on the arm of the chair next to Boom.
    Justin took a sip of the coffee before setting it aside. “Dad never made it off the table and died early this morning.”
    The announcement did nothing for Boom. He had expected loss to set in but there was nothing. No sadness, no loss, just nothing. Years ago, he had grieved for the loss of his family, so this didn’t change anything. You couldn’t grieve again for someone who had been out of your life for fourteen years.
    “You have nothing to say?”
    “What would you like me to say, Justin? Dad, Mom and you have been out of my life for too long. I don’t know the man who died today. By all means, he was a complete stranger. Do you grieve for someone who came into the emergency room? No, because you didn’t know them. You do your job and try to save them, but you don’t grieve for each person.”
    “He’s your father, not a stranger.”
    “Justin, I really don’t want to get into this with you.” Wynn rubbed a small circle on his back to keep him in his chair instead of pacing the floor.
    “It doesn’t matter.” Justin rubbed his eyes, looking back at him. “Mom wishes to respect Dad’s final wishes and doesn’t want you at the funeral.”
    “Fine. We’ll be leaving soon, so there’s nothing to worry about.” He swallowed fury. “If that’s the only reason you’ve come then you can leave.”
    “I just wanted to inform you of our father’s demise.” Justin stood and walked to the door. “You joined the military and that was the end of things for you, while I had to stay home and deal with our parents. You got off easy.”
    “You only had a year and a half until you were eighteen and then you could have done whatever you wanted.” Boom didn’t turn around; he didn’t need to see any of the hatred on his brother’s face.
    “I didn’t have the courage you did. All your life you went against the grain, doing things your way instead of Dad’s, while I worked twice as hard to make it up to him. It’s why I went into medicine. I thought it would please him, but nothing was ever good enough for Dad.”
    “If you don’t enjoy medicine, get out of it.” Boom turned in his chair to look behind him. “It’s your life and when it comes down to it, you have to make sure you’re happy. You have to live with your life choices, not Mom and Dad.”
    “Yeah we do, and look where yours got you.”
    “Yes, look at where mine got me.” He stood up and pulled Wynn into his embrace. “I’ve got a career I enjoy and I woman I love more than life itself. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”
    Justin glared at them for a moment, but there wasn’t just hatred reflecting in his eyes, there was also jealousy. Before Boom could comment, Justin left without another word, slamming the door behind him.
    “Oh Jared, I’m sorry.”
    “Marry me.”
    She leaned away from their embrace to look at him. “What?”
    “Marry me.” He cupped her hand into his, bought it to his lips, and laid a kiss on her knuckle. “What I said to Justin just now is true. You are my rock. You’ve put up with the shit my family flung and didn’t even bat an eye. I love you more than I ever thought possible and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
    “Do you realize this is crazy?”
    “Yes, but we’ve both always done the crazy stuff. I’m not asking that you marry me tomorrow, but I want you as my wife.”
    “Jared Taylor, you’re all I think about from the time I wake up until I go to sleep. Even in my dreams, you play a constant part. I couldn’t imagine