The Perfect Marriage by Kimberla Lawson Roby Read Free Book Online

upstairs. However, when he walked inside the master bedroom,
     the phone rang. He stepped closer to the nightstand and shook his head. It was Dixon again. Derrek stared at the lighted display
     and decided it was finally time he gave Dixon a piece of his mind.
    He grabbed the phone from its base in a huff. “Look, Dixon!”
    But all Derrek heard was a dial tone. He’d answered too late, and since it was obvious that Dixon wasn’t going to stop calling
     until he spoke to him, he realized setting him straight once and for all was inevitable, and was the only way he wouldn’t
     have to hear from his brother again.
    Derrek removed his tie, unbuttoned his snow-white dress shirt, and slipped off his pants. He went into the bathroom, turned
     on the shower, and tossed a large towel over the top of it. When he stepped inside, the hot, steamy water streamed across
     the front of his body. He savored every second of it and didn’t want it to end. Over the last few days, his muscles had felt
     a bit tired and sore, but he knew it was only because he hadn’t worked out in a couple of weeks. This was so out of the ordinary
     for him, but with his current work schedule, he just hadn’t made time for it.
    He stood still, but when he turned around, the phone rang. He wondered if it was his brother again and just thinking about
     the possibility of it, quickly ruined the peaceful vibe he was experiencing. Now, Derrek was to the point where he wanted
     this to end, and he couldn’t wait to finish his shower, so he could call Dixon back. Enough was enough, and this would be
     the last day he’d ever have to deal with him.
    Minutes later, Derrek dried his body, swiped deodorant under his arms, and got dressed. He had a taste for burgers and fries,
     so he pulled on a pair of jeans and slipped a V-neck cashmere sweater over his head. Denise wasn’t a huge lover of beef, but
     he knew Mackenzie would be thrilled because she loved a great, juicy burger as much as he did. But as he went over to the
     phone, he realized all of this was the least of his worries because the red voicemail indicator light was flashing. Had Dixon
     actually left a message this time? If so, Derrek could only imagine the lame story or apology he’d rattled off, and he almost
     dreaded having to listen to it. Still, he dialed into the system and braced himself.
    “Uh, D, it’s me…your brother,” he said, calling him by the nickname he’d used for Derrek since they were small boys. “I know
     it’s been a long time, man, but I guess I should just begin by saying I’m sorry. I’m sorrier than you could possibly ever
     know, and I was wrong. I also know that no matter how many times I apologize, I’ll never be able to make things up to you,
     but one thing has never changed: I still love you, man. I’ve always loved you, and I’ve missed you. I’ve wanted to call you,
     but whenever I tried to build up the nerve, I lost it. I knew how angry you were, and I just couldn’t take a chance on how
     you might react.”
    Dixon paused for a couple of seconds, and it was then that Derrek realized how weak his brother sounded.
    “The reason I’ve been calling you over the last few days, though, D, is because I’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
     It’s not good, and I’m in the hospital.”
    Derrek dropped down on the edge of the bed. His hand shook uncontrollably. He could barely steady the phone.
    “I was hoping to tell you this before now, but can you call me? I really need to talk to you. I really need to hear your voice.”
    Derrek pressed the End button and held the phone with both hands. Pancreatic cancer? Couldn’t be. Derrek sat holding the phone for a while longer and finally pushed the Caller ID button until he found Dixon’s number.
    “Hello?” Dixon answered shortly thereafter, speaking just above a whisper.
    “Hey, how are you?”
    “Not good, but I’m so glad you called.”
    “I’m sorry to hear the news.”
    Derrek waited