Page 91 of Tumbleweed Temptation
Austin was never so relieved as when they reached the hospital and Mr. McKay was escorted to the lab. Austin felt like he could finally take a deep breath again. He would meet up with Mr. McKay before his MRI, but for now, he had a few minutes to himself. He stepped into the pharmacy and bought a candy bar and a soda, something he didn't usually indulge in, but he couldn't exactly go get a shot of whiskey. He went to sit in the waiting room with his treat and pulled out his phone to check messages.
He lost himself in a game on his phone, let his brain just relax, before he realized he needed to head to the radiology department.
Man, he hoped the diabetes was the cause of the older man’s problems, because Austin was ready to put as much distance as possible between them.
But of course that was too much to ask for. His heart fell as he watched the scan come up on the screen, over the tech’s shoulder. The mass in the torso wasn't huge, but big enough to cause some problems. He needed to get that biopsied right away, but the location of it told Austin it wasn't going to be a positive result.
Geez. He didn't like the man, but he wouldn't wish this on anyone.
And Con. How was Con going to deal with it? It wasn't going to be an easy road, not for any of them.
But he wasn't going to say anything until he had the radiologist’s official result.
“That wasn't as bad as I expected,” Mr. McKay said when he walked out into the waiting room in his street clothes.
“You fell asleep,” Austin said with a shake of his head. “I don't know how you fell asleep. I’ve heard of it happening, but I’ve never seen it.”
“Quiet in there. Nothing to do but drift off.”
Austin grunted, and realized as he did that he sounded just like Mr. McKay.
The older man slapped his shoulder and grinned. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
Oh, no. The last thing Austin wanted to do was to sit across from this man and eat with him, make conversation. Bad enough they had to drive back to town together.
“You want to just take it to go?”
“Son, I don't get to this place too much, so no. I want a good steak. And I don't want to hear any bull about my diabetes. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.” Austin’s own stomach tightened as they walked out into the parking lot. May as well let the man have his happiness while he could, because things were going to get a hell of a lot harder in just a few weeks.
They drove past the Chinese restaurant where he and Ginny had eaten in the other day, and he felt an intense longing to talk to her. He’d wanted to text her like a hundred times today, but he hadn’t wanted to reveal he was here with Mr. McKay and invite questions. But man, he missed her. Missed her just being there.
Mr. McKay parked the truck in front of a steakhouse with the authority of one who’d been here before. What were they going to talk about for an hour, then on the ride home?
He decided he’d start the man on a conversation and let him carry it. Austin would just smile and nod.
Adding to his stress, the restaurant was loud. Loud music, lots of customers, very little to absorb the sound. Maybe the older man wouldn't want to talk as much.
Man, Austin missed Ginny and her easy conversation.
“So what do you think?” Mr. McKay asked, tearing off a piece of the loaf of bread the waiter delivered to the table.
“About what?” Austin wished he could order a beer or something, but he also wanted to remain professional.
“I know you were in the room watching the scan. What do you think?”
Austin did not want to do this here. “I think we should just wait until the results come in and talk about it then.”
“If you hadn’t seen anything to concern you, you’d tell me not to worry. You’re not telling me that.”
Austin held the other man’s gaze for a bit. “No. I’m not telling you that. I think we’ll probably coming back up next week for further tests.”
“What kind of tests?”
He really didn't want to do this, but Mr. McKay was insistent. “Biopsy.”
Mr. McKay sat back and signaled to the waiter. “Can we get a couple of Shiners here?” Then he turned back to Austin. “Where?”
