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I should have gone to go find it, along with my keys that I didn’t have with me either. I could have run to the truck and made it back to Max quickly, but he somehow sensed what I was thinking and held onto me even tighter. His little fist was white, squeezing so hard that he started to shake.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I whispered, and took his tiny hand in mine. Just rest.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

JESSE

The frenzyand fear I felt as I pulled into the clinic blinded me from the fact that I had parked right next to Easton’s truck. The rain had also started falling so I kept my head down as I ran toward the door. It wasn’t until I rushed down the hall and skidded into room seven that I even knew he was there.

With my son sleeping soundly on his chest, Easton’s head was turned toward the window. He did turn toward me when my heels clicked across the tile, but it wasn’t until I was next to the bed that I realized he was also asleep.

“They’ve been that way for about fifteen minutes,” the nurse whispered behind me. “Max was clear of a concussion and once Easton got here, he relaxed enough to rest.”

I didn’t know what to do, or what to say. On one hand, I was thankful Easton was there and that Max wasn’t alone, but on the other hand, I wondered why he didn’t answer his phone or call me.

“Maybe we can give them a few more minutes and you can come sign some papers for me,” the nurse whispered again behind me.

Nodding, I started to back up toward the door, my eyes staying on Max. Then I disappeared into the hallway once again and took a deep breath. “Tell me what happened and if he’s okay.”

“Yes ma’am,” the nurse spoke gently, but louder since we were no longer in the room. “According to the teachers and Max himself, he was playing on the playground when a storm started to blow in. The teachers were calling for everyone to hurry inside, and maybe he tried to rush? He told Easton that the wind blew him down. I’m sure the gusts made him a little unsteady and he fell.”

“Is anything broken? Is his head okay?”

“The teachers called 9-1-1 as a precaution and everything checked out, Miss Olsen. Max may have a little headache, but he’s going to be as good as new tomorrow.”

He may be good as new, but he wasn’t going back to school. Not until I had a day alone with him curled in my arms, making sure he was safe. No matter what the nurse and the doctors said, my heart wouldn’t be able to let him go.

“We just need you to sign some papers and then we can wake your two boys up.”

“My…? No, Easton isn’t…”

She smirked and turned around, waving for me to follow her to the desk as I continued to try convincing her that Easton wasn’t a part of “my two boys.” He was just a friend. I had already decided we had to be just friends. Seeing Max in his arms made me feel better, but not because I wanted Easton. It was just knowing Max wasn’t alone.

When the papers were signed and I was told I could take Max home, I slowly walked back into his room and looked at howcontent he was with Easton. It wasn’t the first time Max had slept in Easton’s arms, and since I had also slept in those arms, I couldn’t blame Max for how safe it felt.

“Hey buddy,” I patted Max’s back. “Mommy’s here.”

He shifted a little and turned his head away, his eyes staying shut. But Easton had heard me and his eyes were open, staring at me intently.

“Where were you?” He whispered.

“I had a meeting in Atlanta.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He was upset, and I could reason that his feelings were valid. But I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to ease his concerns.

“I don’t have to report to you, Easton.” I spoke calmly, pointedly. But I knew it still sounded like I was being a bitch.

He blanched and snarled his nose a little, then shook his head until his face was once again passive. Regret seeped into my veins making me feel the need to apologize, but before I did, he grabbed my hand and held it.

“You’re right,” he sighed. “You’re not obligated to tell me anything. But I’m glad Daniel called me from the station and told me. I’m glad I could be here with Max.”

My smile was tight and remorseful, but I didn’t want to make a conversation out of it. I wanted to get Max home, I wanted to feed him, and I wanted to watch his favorite shows together. Easton seemed to understand that just by looking at me and sat up, waking Max up as he did.

“Hey little guy, Mommy’s here.”

Max turned his head back, his eyes trying to open all the way, and he smiled. “Eas told me you coming.”

His tone was happy, and with five words put together in a coherent sentence, I had to bite my bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

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