Page 47 of Just One Kiss

He ignored her. “We’re going to explore all of our options. If there’s a way for you to keep skiing, we’re going to find it.”

Why was he saying these things? Why plant false hope—wasn’t he listening? But then, Josh didn’t know any better because he didn’t have real parenting experience. Frustration bubbled inside her.

“You trust us to do that, right?” Josh asked.

Jaden looked miserable, but he still nodded.

“So listen, we’ll get the surgery scheduled because that’s non-negotiable, but we’ll ask around about this Long QT Syndrome. We’ll exhaust all of our options. Deal?”

“I’m not giving up skiing,” Jaden said, his voice resolute.

Carly looked at Josh, then back at their son.

“And I’m not quitting at the training center,” Jaden said. “I’m not bailing on Grady.”

Jaden wouldn’t have only been training at the indoor facility, he’d agreed to work for Grady and Benji, giving lessons to younger kids, cleaning equipment and doing whatever else his bosses told him to.

“I’m sure you can still work there,” Carly said, even though she wasn’t sure of anything. “You can still do some of what you planned to do.”

“Like what, clean the equipment? That’s not what I signed up for.”

Itwaswhat he’d signed up for, actually, but Carly didn’t say so.

Her heart was so conflicted. Knowing how much Jaden was hurting was killing her, but knowing his heart needed a device to ensure it kept functioning properly was terrifying.

“Jaden, let’s get the surgery scheduled and then we’ll figure the rest of this out,” Carly said. “Okay?”

“Your health is more important right now,” Josh said. “You know that, even though you don’t want to admit it.”

“I know.” Jaden shrugged. “You can schedule the surgery, but tell that old guy I’m not going to give up skiing.”

* * *

Josh stood in the hallway at the hospital, waiting for Rebecca to answer his call.Voicemail. He listened to the outgoing message, then cleared his throat. “Hey, Becks, looks like I’m going to be here a little longer than I thought. I’m going to email you for some files I need you to get off of our server and put into Dropbox. There are a few things I need access to that I don’t have right now.

Let me know how things are going—Dale’s got a pile of work on his desk with that new client—maybe check in on him for me? I’m sorry this is taking longer than I thought, but I don’t really feel like I can leave right now. Call me back when you get this.”

He hung up, turned around and saw Carly standing with Dr. Willette. Jaden had gone off to get a soda, leaving the two of them alone, and they looked to be deep in conversation. His stomach twisted. Being here wouldn’t be easy, especially if she kept seeing that guy. But he wasn’t going to leave them—not with Jaden so fragile and everything so up in the air.

He’d already made that mistake once.

He’d find a rental so he could get out of Cole’s way, though that wouldn’t be easy in the summer in a tourist town. He’d get his work situated, maybe have Rebecca come up for a few days to go through anything that needed to be discussed in person. But most importantly, he’d do whatever Carly and Jaden needed him to. He’d prove to both of them he was someone they could depend on.

He was done walking away from responsibilities. He was done not being there for them.

He knew it wouldn’t be enough—no amount of penance ever would be—but it was a start.

Carly turned toward Josh, who quickly looked away, as if he could hide the fact that he’d been staring. Seconds later, she was walking toward him.

“I think we’re all set. Surgery with Dr. Roby early next week.” Carly pulled her bottom lip in, and he saw it for the first time in years—she wasn’t nearly as strong as she acted—if he had to guess, she didn’t feel strong at all right now.

He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her, to tell her everything was going to be okay. He wanted to promise to never leave again—if she’d let him, he’d stay forever.

But she steeled her jaw and gave him a forced nod. “Lots to do to get ready for this.”

“You trust that guy?” Josh asked.

“Dr. Roby is one of the best.” Carly looked over to where Dr. Roby and Dr. Willette were standing, just outside the exam room they’d vacated only moments before.

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