Page 50 of Between the Lines

Eventually, Don lifted his head. “I feel like this is my fault,” he said.

Luca’s heart gave a low warning thrum. “What? Why?”

“We knew—Dr. Mira told Jude to get the tests done, but she...” He shook his head. “She’s a stubborn woman, your mother. But I should have insisted.”

“You knew?” Luca went hot and cold all at once. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Jude wanted us to handle it alone,” Don said thickly. “The doctor said the tests were only precautionary, and Jude thought they were too expensive. If I’d—”

“Mr. Brennan?” An African-American woman in blue scrubs and a surgical cap stood in the doorway.

Don jumped to his feet. “Yes?”

“I’m Dr. Anderson,” she said, looking between them with curiosity. “I’m a cardiologist and I’ve been looking after your wife.”

“How is she?” Luca said. The doctor canted her head and he added, “I’m her son.”

“Alright, then. Well, I’m pleased to tell you Judy’s doing well. The ECG showed that she has suffered a heart attack, but it’s what we call an NSTEMI—which means it’s a less serious type of heart attack. Jude shouldn’t need surgery. If you’d like to see her, you can, although perhaps one at a time. We don’t want too much excitement right now.”

Don didn’t look at Luca, his red puffy eyes accentuated by a flush on his otherwise pallid face. Luca didn’t want to argue about who went first, and, anyway, he needed some time to absorb what Don had told him. He sat down, legs weak with relief and distress. “You go,” he said, aiming the words at Don even though his gaze was fixed on the floor. “Tell her I’m here.”

Don cleared his throat, and after a moment Luca felt a hand on his shoulder, Don’s fingers squeezing. “I will. I’ll tell her you’re waiting to see her,” he said, and followed the doctor out.

Luca’s mind swam, the last couple of weeks—the last five years—playing out in front of him, every decision he’d made called into question. Why hadn’t Jude told him she was so sick? He’d have helped pay for the tests. He’d have done anything for her. Why hadn’t she known that? He shoved his hands into his hair, knotting them there. The silent presence of the room’s other occupants oppressed him and he wished they’d leave, wished he was alone.

No, not alone. He wished he was with Theo.

Luca wanted him with a sudden, visceral urgency he couldn’t ignore. Pushing himself to his feet, he slipped out of the waiting room and headed back to the entrance. The same guy sat behind the desk, but there was no sign of Theo. Luca’s breathing hitched in alarm and he dashed outside into the heat, squinting across the parking lot. But the cab was gone. Theo was gone. Of course he was gone. People always left and he was no—

“Luca?”

Heart hammering, he spun around. Theo stood in the shade of the building, lowering his phone from his ear, and Luca could only stare. “You’re still here.”

“Of course.” He took an uncertain step forward, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Is Jude...?”

“She’s okay.” Luca wiped at his suddenly leaky eyes, embarrassed by the shake in his voice. “They said she’s going to be okay.”

Theo relaxed, puffing out a breath. “Thank God.”

“I—” His voice cracked, emotions slipping free. He ached to be held, terrified by the swell of raw need. “Theo...” And then he was moving, and Theo was moving, and they crashed into each other’s arms in a fierce, rib-crushing embrace.

“Okay,” Theo whispered. “Okay, I’m here.”

Luca had never felt more grateful and terrified in his life.

Chapter Nineteen

Jude was sleeping. The doc said she’d be in the hospital for a couple more days while they ran tests to decide how best to treat her condition, but otherwise she was going to be okay. She’d been given pain relief and either that, or the stress of the day, or the condition itself, had knocked her out.

The relief left Luca drained. He sat next to the bed, eyes unfocused, aware of his mom’s gray face in his peripheral vision and the steady beep of the heart monitor. Theo had taken Don home a couple hours ago, because the Majestic couldn’t be left unattended all day, and Luca had taken over at Jude’s bedside. But Theo had promised to come back. He wasn’t allowed through to see Jude—family only—but Luca knew he’d be outside, waiting. And that meant more to him than he dared think about.

Instead, he held Jude’s hand, her fingers cool and bony, and his eyes filled, throat tightening at the thought she’d kept her illness from him.

“Luca?” His mom blinked open drowsy eyes.

“Hey.” He scooted closer, cupping her hand in both of his. “I’m here.”

She offered a weak smile. “Sorry about all this.”

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