“He’s with my mom and dad finishing up with the doctor,” Colt says quickly, stepping toward me. “He’s going to be okay, Emma. He broke his arm, but the doctor said it was a clean break and should heal in no time. The cast is already on.”
“How did he do with everything? I know how much he hates hospitals,” I say, cringing at the memory of shielding his tiny head as the doctor administered his shots.
“He was very brave. Only cried a little.”
The breath I’ve been holding rushes out in a shaky exhale. My knees want to give out as the tension in my body eases.
“Thank God,” I whisper to myself. The relief only lasts for a moment before the guilt kicks in. “I should’ve been there,” I say, my voice trembling.
“Emma, you can’t predict these things. You’re here now, and that’s what matters,” Colt says. His tone is sharp, but it’s hard to meet his eyes with this weight on my back.
I nod because I can’t argue, but the guilt digs deeper. If I hadn’t been out with Henry, would Milo have been with me instead? Or could I have been here sooner so I could have held and comforted him when they put the cast on? These questions flood my mind, threatening to knock down the dam that’s keeping my emotions at bay.
“Can I see him?” I ask, glancing toward the hallway leading to the treatment rooms.
Colt nods, but his eyes travel past me, and his eyebrows knit together in confusion. I follow his line of sight and remember Henry standing just inside the entrance. He’s quiet, with his hands securely stowed away in his pockets. His posture is stiff, and he looks nervous. Like he’s not sure how he fits into all of this quite yet.
“Head back,” I tell Colt, forcing my voice to sound calm. “I’ll be right behind you.”
He hesitates, glancing between Henry and me before nodding. “Two doors down on the left,” he says, heading toward the treatment rooms.
I cross the space to Henry. I didn’t want him to leave, but I was afraid our relationship had already taken up too much space in my mind for one night. I needed to focus on Milo.
“I should—” Henry begins, gesturing toward the exit.
“Yes,” I agree, my tone harsher than intended. I attempt to soften my voice before speaking again. “Thank you for driving me, but I think I’ve got it from here.”
Henry hesitates, wrinkles forming between his brows. His eyes meet mine, and he looks like he’s deciding if I want him to go.
“What about your car? I can wait in the parking lot if you need me to?”
I start to sweat under the pressure of his gaze. He felt like the only person capable of making me stand still when all I wanted to do was spin out of control. I wanted him here, but it all felt like too much with my ex-husband and ex-in-laws in the other room. I wasn’t capable of worrying over Milo and Henry at the same time. I needed to pick my battles.
“Colt can give me a ride, but thank you. I know this isn’t a great way to end our first date.”
Henry cracks a weak smile and nods reassuringly. “No worries. I’m just glad Milo is okay. If you need anything, call me, okay?”
I nod, and he gives me one last lingering look before doing something unexpected. He steps forward and wraps his arms around me. The movement catches me off guard, and I don’t have any time to react. I don’t have any time to run away.
The mixture of vanilla and sandalwood soothes my pounding heart, and a single tear falls down my cheek. I lean into him and let his arms tighten around me like the shield I didn’t think I needed. I let him be what I need until the guilt starts tapping at my door again.
I want to let it all go in his arms, but I don’t. I can’t walk into the other room with puffy, wet eyes. I needed to stay strong for Mi.
He doesn’t say anything when he pulls away. He just reaches out and wipes away the lone tear on my chin. I don’t say anything, either. I don’t feel the need to. All I manage is a kind smile and a look that begs for more but asks for time to figure out what that looks like.
Once Henry disappears through the hospital entrance, Itake one deep breath and let our moment sink in before spinning on my heels to find Milo.
Colt meets me just outside the treatment room, catching my elbow before I collide with him. “Whoa, slow down,” he says, steadying me.
“Sorry,” I mumble, brushing past him.
“Emma, just wait a second,” Colt says, his brows pinched with concern. “Are you okay?”
I plant my feet at the door and slump my shoulders forward in defeat. Even if Milo is okay, I still feel like I failed as a parent. I’m supposed to be his rock, and today, I was too wrapped up in someone else to be there when he needed me most.
“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. The words feel heavy, like they’re dragging up every ounce of guilt I’ve been carrying since my phone rang.
“I feel like a shitty parent right now. He needed me, and I wasn’t—” My voice cracks, and I look down at the floor to hide the tears in my eyes. I longed for Henry’s arms but settled for Colt’s compassion.
