“Nathan told me, and I caught a flight late last night. I spent the night in the Denver airport, and flew straight here.”
Oliver groaned. “How did Nathan know? I haven’t called anyone.” He pulled his hand from his face and turned to look back at me.
“I texted Lila,” I offered. “I thought Harrison would want to know. He must have told Nathan.”
Oliver let out a jagged sigh before opening his arms and giving his distraught-looking mother a hug. He still towered over her, but she was tall. Maybe five foot ten.
He held my gaze and I tried to pour every little bit of “I’msorry” into my eyes. He gave me a small smile, and I chose to believe that meant he’d already forgiven me.
“I can’t believe you didn’t call me yourself. My son is in the hospital and I had to hear it secondhand.”
“I didn’t tell anyone because I’m fine,” he insisted. “I’ll be out of here soon. You shouldn’t have wasted your airline miles.”
Hurt splashed across her face and despite what I knew, I felt bad for her. She obviously wasn’t perfect, but it was clear she loved her son.
“I’m going to give you two some privacy,” I said, backing away toward the door.
“Wait,” she called, extending her hand. “I’m Gina.”
“Frankie,” I said, shaking it.
She raised her eyebrows and glanced between Oliver and me.
“I’ll call you later,” Oliver said evenly, before I slid out into the hallway.
I felt guilty as I rushed back to the waiting room to find Mattie and Giles. Oliver would now be forced to spend some unexpected time with his mom because of me. I hadn’t anticipated that result when I’d sent Lila a text about the accident.
A part of me thought this might be for the best. The two of them needed to talk.
Oliver might be an expert at avoiding tough conversations, but it seemed one had finally caught up to him.
THIRTY
Oliver
I letmy mother berate me for not calling her until a doctor thankfully released me a couple of hours after she arrived.
She’d driven me back to Key Ridge in my car, which Frankie and Mattie had dropped off earlier. The ride was quiet after I’d lied and told her I needed to rest. In reality, I’d pressed my face against the cool glass, shut my eyes, and let my thoughts spin.
Thankfully, it was slow season so Bev was able to put my mom up in a room at the lodge. I’d tried to pay, but Bev had insisted that family stayed free.
Now I was back in my apartment, showering the hospital feel off of me that was somehow simultaneously sterile and grimy all at once. My mom was getting settled in her room, and she was insistent that I show her around Key Ridge.
Seeing her show up to my hospital room in a panic had made me feel a little bad. She looked small and alone. We used to be so close. Now I’d put this distance between us. Itwas like I’d thought that the further I pushed her away, the better I’d feel.
But I didn’t feel better. I felt gross. Ashamed. Talking never came easily with my mother. Growing up, activities had been her love language. I used to cherish that time. It made me feel special.
I’d just finished getting dressed when a knock sounded at the door.
“Shit,” I muttered, knowing without checking that it was my mom.
I’d told her I’d meet her in the lobby in an hour but she hadn’t listened. I was positive she’d asked Bev where I was staying and walked straight on over here.
“What happened to meeting in the lobby?” I asked, pulling open the front door.
My mom’s smile fell for a moment before she put it back on. She brushed by me and into my space. “Excuse me for wanting to see where my son has been staying.”
“Not much to see.” I held up my hands and spun around, emphasizing the tininess of the space.
