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I close my eyes and sit on the edge of the sofa.

“You called at a really bad time.”

Her tone changes immediately.

“What happened?”

“Ross was here earlier,” I say.

“His brother kept calling him, and when Ross finally called back, he found out his father had a heart attack.”

“Oh my God,” Chloe says. “Is he okay?”

“I don’t know. Ross left for the hospital about five hours ago, and I haven’t heard anything since.”

Chloe is quiet for a moment.

“Have you called him?”

“No,” I say. “I keep thinking about it, but I don’t know what’s happening there. I don’t want his phone ringing in the middle of something awful just because I’m anxious.”

“That makes sense,” Chloe says.

“Send him a message instead. Something simple. Let him know you’re there, and let him decide when he can answer.”

I look toward the phone charger on the table even though the phone is already in my hand.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say much,” she tells me.

“You love him. Just let him know he isn’t alone.”

The words catch me for a second, but this isn’t the moment to examine them.

“I’ll text him,” I say.

“Good,” Chloe replies.

“Then leave the phone alone for a little while if you can.”

“I’ll try.”

“You don’t need to fix anything, Blaire. You can’t. Just be available if he reaches for you.”

I nod even though she can’t see me.

“Okay.”

“Call me when you know something.”

“I will.”

“I love you,” Chloe says.

“I love you too.”

We hang up, and I sit there for another few minutes before opening my messages.