Page 73 of Fall at Once

It was Sherry. Once she caught sight of me in the bed, she drew them closed with a dramatic flourish.

“What happened?” She eyed me up and down derisively. “You look fine to me.”

“What are you doing here, Sherry?”

“The hospital called me. I’m still on all the emergency contact forms from the station.”

I heaved out a sigh. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’ll have to take care of it when I return to work.”

“No worries. It’s fine. Where are the kids? Are they withher?”

“Her?If you’re referring to Madi, then no, they’re at my parents’ place. You should know that. They do it every month, remember?”

“Yeah, whatever. Okay, good. I want to talk to her if you decide to get serious. Or are you already serious about her?”

“Good?What is that supposed to mean? We’re not serious.We’re just starting, seeing where things go. What I do and who I do it with is none of your business. Are you out of your mind?”

Her eyebrows raised to her hairline as she studied my face, waiting for my reaction. “She’s a bit on the young side, don’t you think? I don’t know how I feel about them being with her.”

“Howyoufeel? Oh, that’s rich coming from you. You didn’t bother to consult me when you started screwing Todd behind my back, in our bed, for that matter. And neither of you bothered to think about how the kids would feel after you ran off and got married.”

“Please. Give me a break. Todd isn’t some twenty-something little thing like she is. He’s already a father. He knows how to be a parent?—”

“And you’re both doing so well with the whole parenting thing, right? Todd won’t stop putting his kids in front of ours so you can spend some time fixing your relationship with Nat and Ev. How many brunches have you canceled with them? Our kids matter, too, Sherry. They need you.”

“That’s low, Cole. I’m doing my best to try and balance?—”

“No. Stop it. And for the record, Madi is thirty. And don’t worry, with the way my life is going right now, I’ll never get fucking married again. It’s not worth the pain-in-the-ass heartache when it all goes to hell. Can you please leave? This is the last thing I need right now. I’ll get your name off the forms as soon as I’m done here.”

“Now that I know you’re okay, I’ll go. I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to fight with you.”

“And yet that’s all we seem to do?—”

“Cole. How are we feeling tonight?” With perfect timing, Dr. Taylor drew the curtains aside, fixing the hook that had popped off as he stepped through with Madi and Tate directly behind him.

Fucking great.How much had she heard?

“Always a pleasure, Sherry.” Tate beamed at her as she walked around them to leave.

“Whatever you say, Tate,” she muttered.

Madi’s eyes were wide with alarm. “Are you okay?” she mouthed.

I nodded as Dr. Taylor examined my arm.

“I’ll just leave this here.” She passed a can of Coke to Tate. “I’ll, um, get out of your hair so you can talk to the doctor. Text me if you need anything.” I didn’t miss the tears shimmering in her eyes, but there wasn’t anything I could do now. “Bye, Cole.”

“I’ll call you when I’m home.” She didn’t answer. She was already halfway to the exit. “Madi—” I shouted. “I’ll call you.”

She waved over her shoulder, and I couldn’t make out her answer.

Dr. Taylor excused himself to grab some supplies that he needed. I wasn’t paying attention and, at this point, didn’t give a shit about my arm, so I had no idea what he was getting.

“Should I call her now?” I asked Tate.

“She was standing outside the curtain listening to you and Sherry. Dr. Taylor and I got here at the same time. What were you talking about with her? Was it anything that would set Madioff? Or upset her somehow?”

“I said something about not getting married ever again, I think? I don’t remember. Sherry was pushing all the usual buttons. She inferred that Madi was too young for me, and she was worried about the kids being around her.”

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