The other nurse chosen—Sharon, from pediatrics—had brought her husband and made it clear she wasn’t up for group outings. That left Beth with the guys. Harmless, she’d told herself at the time.
Now, she could barely look at them without her stomach flipping.
Once inside airport security, Beth left her bag with Bryce and Eric and slipped away to find some peace and quiet to call her mom. While there wasn’t a quiet corner in the Harry Reid International Airport, there was peace in distancing herself from Bryce.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Mama.”
“Hi, honey! Are you home from the medical convention already?”
“Not yet. We just got to the airport and have a bit before our flight leaves. Will you and Daddy be around tonight, or doeshe have a night class?”
“Your dad’s not teaching any night classes at the university this semester, but your sister called. She wants us to meet her new boyfriend.”
“Who is Lynn dating now? Last week when I talked to her, she had sworn off men for the next year—at least.”
“Yes, yes, she told us that too, but you know how she is. Do you want to come with us? We’re meeting them in Castle Rock. It’s halfway so none of us have to drive too far.”
“No, if Lynn wanted me there, she would’ve called. It’s not like she’s shy about telling us what she wants. If it’s not too late, can I come by after you get home?”
“Of course. I’ll call you when we leave the restaurant. Are you okay?”
“I have something I want to talk to you both about... but I want to do it in person. I’m not sure how to explain it, or how you’ll react. I just need to talk it through with you.”
“I’ll have coffee and dessert waiting. You know your father and I are here to help however we can.”
“I know. Thanks, Mama.”
“I’ll be praying you find the words. I love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
Beth ended the call and leaned against the wall, pressing her fingers into the back of her neck. Everything hurt—her head, her heart, her pride. She drew in a shaky breath, her long frame sagging under the weight of it all. At five-foot-ten, she usually carried herself with the posture of a runner—shouldersback, always in motion. But today, even standing still felt like too much.
A few strands of her raven hair slipped forward as she tilted her head, trying to stretch out the tension. Her golden skin tone looked washed out in the hallway light, and the faint circles under her sapphire eyes betrayed the kind of night she wasn’t ready to admit she’d had.
Nothing felt settled. Every movement was too loud, too bright, too fast.
She pressed her palms flat against the cool wall and closed her eyes, trying to breathe through the chaos clawing at her chest.
She hadn’t even told her mom—not yet. But just hearing her voice had nearly cracked something open inside.
How do I explain this? How do I confess to the people who raised me to be steady, faithful, thoughtful—that I tossed all of it aside in one tequila-soaked night?
By the window, Bryce and Eric were talking. They were close enough that she could watch them, but far enough that she couldn’t hear a word. She hugged her arms around herself, fingers digging into her sides. They’d agreed that Bryce would try to gauge how much Eric remembered. Hopefully, not much.
Beth didn’t want to join them. She didn’t want to be here at all. Her muscles ached, her head throbbed, and her body hurt in unfamiliar places. She felt like a guest in her own body, as if her soul hadn’t caught up yet with whatever she had done.
You’re okay. You just need to get through today.
The phrase came on repeat, quiet and mechanical and something to hold onto.
Her mom had said she’d pray. Beth should too. Yet the words felt stuck in her head, like she couldn’t quite reach them. She believed God was in control, but right now, He felt so far away.
Still, she knew if she didn’t hold it together—if she didn’t smile and keep her voice steady—Eric would notice. Questions were not something she could handle. Not today.
With a quiet breath, she pushed off the wall and walked toward them. Bryce glanced at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes before he slipped away, heading toward the restroom. “You looked a little upset over there. Everything okay?” Eric asked, as Beth sat across from him.
