But Mom and Dad don’t need to know that.
“We just don’t want to see you struggle when you don’t have to,” Mom says, her voice gentle.
I shake my head. “I’m not struggling. Really, I’m fine.”
“Evie, we know how much things cost,” Dad says. His voice is even, but the subtext leaves little room for misinterpretation. Either I don’t know how much things cost or I know and I’m simply in denial about being able to support myself.
“Good thing I have two jobs, Dad. And I have things to do before I go to the first one. Here.” I tug Gemini away from the fence so he’s back on all fours again, and then I brace my knees and scoop him up, one arm around his chest, the other under his rump.
“What are you doing?”
“Evie, my goodness—”
Gem protests in his own way, bucking as his tail spirals, but I hoist him over the fence and into Dad’s arms.
“Good heavens. He weighs a ton.” My dad grunts and sets Gem to the ground in my old yard. I can’t resist.
“Yeah,” I say, panting. “I’m stronger than I look.”
The waiting area in the LGMC ER is crowded and loud. I don’t see Drew anywhere. I didn’t text him to let him know I was here because I don’t want him feeling rushed on my account. I still have more than an hour before I need to be at the studio, and if he can’t leave, I have plenty of time to get a ride.
I scan the room again and spot a cluster of women at the nurse’s station. It’s been years since I’ve seen her up close, but I swear one of them is Annie Moroux. She’s with two women I think I recognize as Drew’s aunts, and they are talking to a nurse.
I make my way to them, and Annie raises her gaze to mine as I approach.
“Evie,” she says with recognition. And is that relief in her eyes? She breaks away from the group of women, but I notice they all turn to look at me. Even the nurse — who is wearing a particularly ugly scowl.
“Hello,” I say, nervously. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I’m looking for Drew—”
Annie grips me by the arm. “Come on.” She spins me around and drags me in the opposite direction.
“Is everything okay?” My gut tightens with worry. “Mrs. Vivian? Is it bad?”
Annie glances back over her shoulder. “That nurse is my mom.”
For an instant I’m just dumbstruck, and then it hits me. Annie’s mom. Drew’s mom. The one person who won’t forgive him.
“Oh… I’m guessing that’s not good.”
Annie looks back at me, shaking her head. “It’s not.” But then she forces a smile. “But it’s good to see you, and I’m glad you’re here.”
She leads me away, and before I know it, we’re walking past the hospital cafe and through the side exit that opens onto Hospital Drive. As soon as we’re out on the elevated walkway, I see him. He’s sitting on the steps with his back to us.
Alone.
“Look who I found?” Annie announces, sounding far too cheery. Drew turns, but before his eyes even land on me, I see his devastation. He’s quick to hide it, wiping his expression clean, but I know he’s hurting, and my guess is Annie knows too.
But she keeps talking, and it’s so over-the-top cheerful, it’s almost grating. “Guess I was right, about you two. Wasn’t I, big brother?”
Drew blinks at Annie and gives her a weak imitation of a smile. “You were right.” He’s so miserable. I just want to hold him.
I give Annie a quick tap on the elbow. “Thanks for helping me find him.” Our eyes meet, and I see the moment she reads myI got thislook.
“Okay, well, I’m going to head back inside and see if there’s any news on Grandma,” she says, brightly. “I’ll text you, Drew, if I hear anything.”
Drew nods and watches his sister disappear inside. I walk over to the steps and drop down on the step above his, but he doesn’t look at me. He’s staring at his shoes, his profile perfectly blank.
“It’s okay.” I lay a hand on his back and rub in a slow circle. “You don’t have to pretend you’re alright with me.”
