Page 108 of What Should Have Been Ours

“I work here,” he says, raising a brow. “The real question is, what are you doing here?”

I exhale, rubbing the back of my neck. “Had my appointment earlier, just needed to clear my head after. Figured I’d visit some of the kids, check in on you, maybe assess your bedside manner since I haven’t been here to keep you in check.”

Wes snorts. “I’m fantastic with the kids.”

Maya tilts her head. “Ehh…you’re okay.”

I burst out laughing as Wes places a hand over his heart in mock offense. “You wound me.”

“I should get going, superstar,” I tell her, patting her little hand. “But next time…I will win.”

She smirks up at me. “Yeah right.”

I stand and shake my head as Wes and I step into the hall.

He eyes me as soon as it’s just us two. “How’d the appointment go?”

I sigh, taking a sip of my now-cold hot chocolate. “Same as always. Pain management adjustments, more blood work, and still waiting on a match.”

“And physically?”

I hesitate before answering, “Tired. Worn down.”

He studies me for a beat. “And mentally?”

I glance at him, then away. “A little darker than normal.”

Wes doesn’t say anything right away. He just walks with me toward the break room, where we both settle onto the couch.

He rubs his hands together, looking up at me seriously. “Look, man…I know this is hell. I know it’s unfair. But you can’t let your head take you out before your body does. You have to hold on.”

I let out a slow breath, leaning back. “Some days, it feels like I’m losing too much ground.”

He nods, understanding. “That’s a normal part of this road, you know that. But you’re still here. You’re still fighting. And that means you haven’t lost.”

I stare at my cup, feeling the weight of his words.

After a beat, Wes leans back, exhaling. “You know, you could have just texted me if you wanted to hang out. But no, you had to make it dramatic and show up at my job like some needy girlfriend.”

I laugh. “You love me.”

“I tolerate you.”

We sit there for a few minutes, comfortable in the silence.

Finally, Wes checks his watch, standing up. “I gotta get back, but I’ll see you in a couple of days when I’m off, okay?” He levels me with a look. “I need you to keep going. Just a little while longer, Cam.”

I swallow hard, nodding.

As he walks past me, he pats my shoulder. “And for the love of God, stop getting demolished in Uno. You’re starting to embarrass me. I still have to call you my best friend around here.”

I roll my eyes, watching as he disappears down the hall.

I’m thankful that momentarily, the darkness doesn’t feel quite as heavy.

43

Gabrielle