Page 62 of When Sky Breaks

“This is Sky Winters. She’s my girl from Purdue. Mercy North.”

My forced smile must be convincing, as they all shake my hands with enthusiasm.

“A doctor, too?”

He shakes his head before kissing my temple. “Nurse. Pediatrics.”

“Right on,” Dr. Decker says, slurping from his drink. “Nice to meet you. Bet you feel real lucky to have snagged a catch like this one here.”

“Mmhmm,” is all I reply.

Since when did the patriarchy smell up the room this bad?

Soon, they realize there are places they need to be and issue goodbyes, continuing their swagger through the ER doors in the opposite direction from where they came.

Johnny removes his hand from my back and I welcome the space he gives me. His warm tone from earlier disappears. Those dark brows arch and I repress the urge to just walk out of here and face the consequences later.

“I’m booked for the next three days, but after that, we’re having dinner to discuss what happens next.”

What can I do other than agree? Now is not the time or place to hash it out with him. Not with August returning, a rather volatile expression on his face he quickly erases when he looks at me. His eyes soften, and his mouth twitches into a smile.

Damn. I’ve missed that smile.

Johnny clears his throat and glances at his watch. “I’ve got to head in for a meeting, but we’ll talk later. August,” he says with a brisk nod before striding around us and through the ER doors like the others who went before him.

I stare after him, my brows pinched. Somehow, he’s made me feel like this is all my fault. Maybe it is; maybe I should’ve been more vocal about the status of the relationship from the start. He still doesn’t have to be a jerk about it, right?

“Here,” August says, nudging me with his arm. “For all your trouble.”

In his hand is a package of candy. Sour Patch Kids. Just like the ones Trek gifted me in large quantities.

“My favorite,” I murmur, ripping into the package, selecting a red one, and shoving it into my mouth, the sourness overriding some of the sourness in my stomach. I have to take care of this Johnny situation and soon.

“I know,” August says softly, munching on his own bag of candy.

I flick my gaze to his and nearly lose it, my candy getting stuck in my throat. There’s so much tenderness I could cry. He said he’d never forget the things that make me happy. Guess that also includes my sweet tooth.

“I better check on my mom.”

I bob my head, trying to keep it all together as I clear my throat. “Good idea. I’m sure she’s looking for you.”

He steps in close and, after a beat of hesitation, reaches out to brush a lock of my hair behind my ear like he always did. He lingers a beat before dropping his hand. A second longer, and I would’ve curled into him. “Thank you again. I’m sorry my surprise got ruined, but I’ll take you soon. It’s important you see this.” He glances at his phone. “I ordered you a ride back to the firehouse. They should be here soon.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that.”

August shakes his head. “When will you realize I’ll do anything for you, even to my detriment? A ride is nothing, Sky, but if you let me, I’ll do a lot more.” He turns and leaves me an emotional mess in my head.

Stunned, I walk outside the ER doors and wait for the ride to take me to my car at the firehouse, where I’ll apologize to the Chief for leaving our painting supplies.

Once I’m home and tucked in my bed for the night, I let my thoughts wander back to today and what it all means for my future. Despite the turmoil and the confusion, it at last feels like there’s a semblance of one after all.

* * *

My phone buzzes with a text the next morning.

Unknown number

Hey it’s me. August. Just in case you deleted my number, which I’m absolutely certain you did.

---