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I didn’t for the life of me know why she thought Stetson was a long-term guy. He was a couple of years older than me and still single. His parents were equal parts revered and feared around town. They were my aunt and uncle, and I could see why Stetson didn’t want to risk a tumultuous marriage like theirs.
“Hi.” She looked from me to the computer the registration guy was planted in front of. “Are you here to be seen?”
“Ah, no. I’m helping a friend.” Did that come off as clumsy as it felt? I didn’t want to make small talk with her, but I didn’t know what else to do. “You’re back in town.”
She pulled her attention away. “Yeah. But they already filled my position, so I’m working part-time.” Her gaze strayed to the exam rooms, and I filled in the blanks. Krystal had abruptly quit a couple of months ago. The job had probably been advertised. It would’ve taken a couple more weeks for interviews, and the new hire was in an exam room.
Emery had gotten Krystal’s old job.
Awkward.
“Who’s your friend?” Krystal was still scrutinizing the computer screen. “We only have one patient in the back.”
I’d never liked her nosiness. She’d pried into Stetson’s life until I joked that he should check his pickup and phone for trackers. “I’m here with Emery.” As Krystal’s brow ticked up, I rushed to add, “Landon is on Stetson’s—my—football team.” Ah, fuck. I didn’t mean to mention Stetson.
Krystal’s attention zeroed in on me. The avid interest in her eyes left me nauseated. “How’s he doing?”
“Good, I hope. Emery thinks he just sprained his arm.”
Krystal shook her head with a wry smile. “No. Stetson. How is he?”
Didn’t she care about the kid at all? Or did her disinterest mean Landon was fine?
“Good.” Jaded as hell about relationships, as if he hadn’t been before Krystal.
Emery opened the door to the waiting room, herding Landon out. His arm was in a sling. ACE bandages circled his wrist, but no cast that I could see. I was more thrilled to see he hadn’t broken a bone than I was to have my conversation with Krystal interrupted.
“Thanks, Krystal,” Emery said.
“You bet.” Krystal’s reply was generically automatic, like she’d already forgotten they existed. “Tell Stetson hi for me, okay, Holden?”
I’d warn him. “Sure.”
Emery was already gathering her kids. My little drama of how to avoid getting between Stetson and his ex was way off her radar.
I waited at the end of the row of chairs while she packed the sippy cup and the snack dish. The two older girls were folding their coloring pages to bring with them. Landon looked as dejected as he had when he walked off the field.
I was all about distracting oneself from the shittier feelings inside. “How’s the arm?” I asked him.
He lifted his good shoulder and blinked like he was fighting tears.
“Not broken, but bruised.” Emery sounded relieved as she picked Goldfish crackers off the floor and tossed them into the trash.
Landon sighed, looking like the doctor took his puppy and all his action figures away from him. “I have to miss a week of football.”
“Sorry, kid. That stinks.”
Emery stood and handed the monster diaper bag to Avery. She picked up Riley and glanced around like she was counting her duckies. Being a mom was built into everything she did. The night we’d had together was her getting away from the minutiae of her day, which clearly revolved around everyone but herself. I held the doors open for them as they trailed out of the clinic.
The temperature had caught up with the blazing sun. It was going to be a hot afternoon, but my mom wanted to fix fence. Working with my mom was more like doing a job with a cranky uncle. Only, my uncle Bruce wasn’t as cranky as Mom.
At the Traverse, Avery waited for Landon to get in. “Get in the back,” she ordered.
Landon didn’t budge. “Mom said I could sit in the middle.”
“You’re fine,” Avery snapped. “It’s not broken.”
I watched the exchange, unsure how to help, until Emery’s flustered tone broke through. “Avery, can Landon just sit in the middle so he doesn’t wrench his arm?”
