Page 13 of Just One Kiss

She nodded, frustrated by it all, replaying the last few weeks, racking her brain for any signs she might’ve missed.

“So, those spells and this one led them to think maybe a problem with his heart?”

“Like I said—could be nothing.”Could be something.

Josh seemed to hear the words she wasn’t saying and his mood turned somber, then he grew quiet.

The door to the room opened and a nurse named Alisha wheeled Jaden through. She met Carly’s eyes and smiled, an attempt to reassure her colleague that everything was going to be okay.

But Carly knew smiles weren’t promises and words meant to comfort often had no factual basis.

But she had to be strong. For Jaden. It’s what she did. It’s what she had always done. Even when she didn’t feel like it.

And today, she didn’t feel like it.

“Hey, kid,” she said.

A tired-looking Jaden waved, then turned his full attention to Josh. “Dad, I didn’t know you were coming.”

Carly avoided her ex’s eyes. She hadn’t told Jaden she’d called Josh. She didn’t want to risk upsetting him, despite what Josh had told her on the phone. Truth was, she didn’t believe he’d actually show until he walked through the door.

Alisha wheeled Jaden over to the bed, and Josh moved toward him to help him stand.

“Yeah, I just got here. Had to see what all the fuss was about.”

Jaden laughed. “I guess I fainted or something.”

Again. You fainted again. How could you not tell me you fainted in the first place?

She kept her thoughts to herself, though she desperately wanted to confront her son for his silence.

Josh helped him up into the bed and Carly pulled the blanket over his legs.

“How are you feeling now?” she asked.

“Just tired.”

“He hit his head pretty good when he fell,” Alisha said. “We don’t think he has a concussion, but we want to monitor him to be sure.”

Carly nodded. A concussion she could handle. “What about the other tests?”

Alisha pursed her lips. “The doctor will be in soon to talk through those.”

“Alisha, really?” She never realized how maddening it was to be told to wait longer when you’d already been waiting hours for answers.

“Sorry, Carly. You know I don’t know anything.”

“I know you can’t tell me anything,” she said.

“Thanks so much, Alisha. We’ll wait for the doctor.” Josh had moved to the other side of the bed and now stood at Carly’s side.

She didn’t want to be aware of his body that close to hers, but she was. She found it horribly unfair that he’d only gotten better looking with age while her looks continued to deteriorate like a pear left out too long on the counter.

Not that these were the kinds of things she should be thinking about when her child’s health was in question. She couldn’t care less what she looked like right now.

Alisha turned her attention to Jaden. “Do you need anything else while you wait for the doctor?”

Jaden shook his head. “I’m great, but thanks.”

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