Page 86 of Just One Kiss

“He’s not the only doctor with an opinion.”

“I understand,” Ted said. “In that case, I hope Jaden makes a full recovery.”

“He will.”

But even as he said it, his resolve wavered and an unwanted thought filtered through his mind.What if he doesn’t?

“We’ll keep him in our prayers, Josh,” JR said, his words meant to dismiss Josh.

“And keep him out of the newspapers.” Josh shot a pointed look at Ted.

Cole clapped a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “I’ll walk Josh out and be right back, fellas.”

Josh reluctantly left the office.

“What was that?” Cole asked when they were in the hallway.

“What was what?”

“You’re losing it, man.”

Josh pushed his hands over his face and into his hair. “I hate this. I can’t fix it. I can’t do anything to help.”

Cole stood in front of him. “Go back to the hospital and be there for your kid. That’s what you can do.”

Josh looked away. “He’s gonna be okay, right?”

Emotion registered on Cole’s face. It was stupid to ask. His friend had even less information than Josh did.

“I hope so, man,” Cole said.

Yeah, but right now Josh needed more than empty wishes. He needed to offer Carly and Jaden more than that.

He pushed through the front doors of the high school and out into the parking lot, wondering why God allowed bad things to happen to kids like Jaden—kids who believed so strongly that he was good.

And wondering if he’d ever get used to feeling as helpless as he felt right now.

22

Carly’s phone rang, disrupting the quiet of the hospital waiting room.

She saw a number registered to East Lansing.

Michigan State.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Collins?” A female voice on the other side. “It’s Elizabeth Maney. You emailed me.”

“Yes, hi, Elizabeth. Thank you for calling.”

“Is this an okay time?”

“I’m in the waiting room. Jaden’s in surgery now.”

“Oh,” she said. “I can call back.”

“No,” Carly said, strolling out into the hallway. “I need the distraction.”

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