Page 91 of Just One Kiss

Trusting him had been one of her life’s greatest mistakes.

A barrage of visitors began, including her family, her father’s friends, and—thankfully—several members of the high school ski team.

She was so grateful to see so many people there to love on her son, and then Ian Dobson brought up the newspaper article and Carly’s gratitude came to a screeching halt.

“You’ll show that lame Coach Myers, Jay, don’t even worry about it,” Ian said. “We all know you’re gonna make a comeback.”

“What are you talking about?” Jaden asked.

“You know, the article. So dumb. That guy hasn’t even seen you ski yet.”

Jaden frowned, then looked at Carly, who searched her mind for something productive to say.

“I talked to the coach today,” Josh said.

He did?

“Explained a little bit about your condition. He’s hoping you make a full recovery.”

“He was just going off what your doctor said anyway,” Ian said. “Like, that you’re done skiing or whatever.”

“That’s not exactly what the doctor said, Ian—” Josh started to say, but Jaden quickly interrupted.

“My doctor told Coach Myers I can’t ski?” Jaden looked like someone had punched him in the gut. “So now Coach thinks I’m, like, an invalid?”

“Who cares what he thinks?” Ian said, then called the coach a name.

“Language,” Josh said. “He’s still your coach, so give the guy some respect.”

Carly couldn’t help but think it was strange to hear Josh doling out fatherly advice. Even stranger that she agreed with it.

But the damage had been done. It didn’t matter that the doctor hadn’t gone into detail about Jaden. It was enough that he’d made hisexpert opinionabout Long QT very well known.

Jaden’s face had clouded over and his entire mood had changed.

“Hey, Ian, I think maybe we need to let Jaden get some rest,” Carly said kindly.

“Sure thing, Mrs. C.”

She didn’t bother explaining that “Missus” was what you called married women. She was pretty sure Ian didn’t care.

He left, and Carly stole a quick look at Josh, who appeared to be just as worried as she was.

“Look, Jaden,” she said, “the coach doesn’t know much about your condition. Let’s not jump to any conclusions.”

“You read the article, right?” Jaden’s eyes drilled into her.

She nodded.

“They said I’m done?”

“It doesn’t matter, kid,” Carly said. “I know you’ve been reading up on this. And your dad and I have been doing some research on our own too.”

“And?”

She wasn’t planning to tell him anything. False hope and all that. So why did she hear herself say, “I talked to a collegiate swimmer today. Elizabeth Maney. She’s also got Long QT Syndromeandshe has an ICD.” Carly could feel two pairs of eyes on her. “And she’s still competing.”

“Seriously?” Jaden’s eyes brightened.

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