Page 11 of Jesse's Girl

I hum a sound of agreement. “Yeah, I am.”

“Where are you staying?”

“With Marcus. Crashing on his couch.”

She nods, looking vaguely amused. “Sounds… comfy?”

I laugh again but try to keep it down. Stretching back in my chair, I let out a sigh. “Yeah, well. We’ll see.”

“It’s good you won’t be alone. But uh… you should go get some rest.” Katie tilts her head at Mom. “Obviously, I can promise nothing, but I don’t think she’s going anywhere. And she needs her sleep too.”

“You sure? I told Claire I’d stay…”

Katie nods. “If you leave your number at the front desk, I’ll call you right away if anything changes. And they’ll give you the direct line for the ICU. You can call anytime day or night to check in.”

“Okay.” I plant a soft kiss on Mom’s forehead before leaving the ward, making sure they have my number on the way out.

Pushing into the fresh night air, I know I need to move my body. But I can’t bring myself to walk over to Marcus and Renee’s place—not yet. I slump down on a metal bench outside the door and drop my head into my hands. I try to fight the burning behind my eyes but, when I pull my hands away from my face, they’re wet.

3

ADA

Ilet out a long sigh, holding the phone to my ear, and stare at the keys in my hand. “Sure, yeah, I can probably come in,” I say to Ros.

Katie lets out a disappointed-sounding breath behind me.

I turn and mouth a silent apology, then whisper, “That okay?”

She waves me off with a nod and slumps down at the kitchen table, pulling out her earrings. She knows I need the extra shift.

“I’ll need to change,” I tell Ros. “But I can head over soon.”

“Thanks. I owe you one, Ada.” The clatter of glassware and voices in the background fills the pauses between Ros’ words. “I know it’s last minute, so I really appreciate it.” Apparently, Kyle had gone home with a “bad headache”. I’d put money on him being hungover after the Fourth of July parties last night, but I keep that to myself.

Ros lets me know it’ll just be the two of us tonight, and I mentally steel myself. Friday nights are always busy.

We say our goodbyes and I hang up, cursing Ros’ timing.

Katie gathers her long black hair up into a messy bun and rummages in her purse.

“Fucking timing. Sorry,” I offer. “You wanna come? Hang out at the bar?”

“Nah, it’s okay.” She grins. “You know canceled plans are one of my love languages. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I would have gone to that restaurant with you. But this”—she pulls out her Kindle, gesturing toward me with it—“is a beautiful consolation prize.”

“I should go change,” I mutter. “Did you wanna just hang here? Or are you gonna head to Dimitri’s—or your place, I guess.”

“Here for a bit, if that’s okay. I still have my key. I’ll just get it to you some other time.” Apparently noticing my uncertain expression, she adds, “Honest, I could use a quiet night alone.”

So much for our last official night as roommates. Katie had moved the last of her things a few days ago, but she’d been holding onto her key until we had the chance to go out and toast the end of an era. This change of plans is… anticlimactic.

“Okay. Breakfast tomorrow instead?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” she says.

I nod and head to my room, trying not to frown at the now-empty bedroom beside mine. Still no bites on the ad I put online. I’m about to chuck my phone onto my dresser when a text from my brother lights it up.

Marcus

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