Page 20 of Scooter's Endgame
“Hey, little man. Mind if I steal your mama for a minute?” Beckett asks of Luke.
“No, it’s okay, Uncle Beckett. I don’t mind.” Bless this child.
Beckett ushers me from the room, guiding me down to the small waiting area at the end of the hall. Stepping into the room, he closes the door behind us. I open my mouth to speak, but before I can get a word out, he silences me. “I’ve known you for seven years. We’ve been friends from the very beginning.
“I’ve watched how Gonzo has treated you like shit for years, and how it’s grown worse since Luke’s birth. But I know he’s the only support structure, such as it was, that you had. We may not be in a romantic relationship, but I’d like to think our friendship goes deep enough that you’d be willing to letmesupport you in this difficult time.”
For what feels like the millionth time tonight, tears I’m unable to hold back flow down my cheeks. He pulls me in for a hug, rubbing soothing circles on my back.
“There’s so much more I want to say to you on the topic, but it’s definitely a conversation for another time. Just know that I’m here for you. No matter what you need. Okay? And while we’ve got a minute to ourselves, I want to talk to you about finances.”
I step back, straining against his hold to peer up into his face. “What – do you mean?”
“I know you’re worried about how you’re going to pay for all of this, now that your idiot ex has taken you off his health insurance. But I want you to know – I should have told you during the interview, but it slipped my mind – the job comes with health insurance and a 401K.”
“Beckett.” My tone comes out far harsher than I intended, due to shock.
“Don’t Beckett me. That’s the deal. You take the job, you get the perks. If the health insurance declines to pay for this because I only registered you earlier today, then I’ll cover the cost.”
I shake my head vehemently, and keep shaking it. I’m back to feeling like I’m living in an alternate universe. Nothing feels real, and definitely not like it’s my own life. Good things such as thisneverhappen to me.
“Now is not the time for us to argue over this. Your son needs you right now. We can pick this up some other time if you want. For now, let’s get back.”
“We’ll pick this up another time for sure.”
The crazy man simply grins at me, bows at the waist, then opens the door for me to precede him.
10
SCOOTER
It’s been a long day, and it promises to be an even longer night. With all the high emotion Kay’s been through today, she’s sure to be exhausted. Even I’m running on fumes now as the clock hits two a.m.
As the night wears on and Luke's condition continues to remain stabilized, I can see her finally allow herself to breathe a sigh of relief. The boy is going to be okay, but it's going to be a long road ahead. One where she’ll need to be strong for him, to be his rock as they navigate this new, albeit temporary, reality.
And I intend to be by her side every step of the way. She just doesn’t know it yet. I may have stood down when she was someone else’s woman. Now? All bets are off. I’m done watching and wanting from the sidelines. I never thought I’d get this opportunity, but now that Iambeing given the chance, I plan on taking it.
The guys would probably laugh their asses off if they knew how much time I’ve spent thinking about what it would be like, the three of us as a small family. Who’d have thought the guy whose parents barely knew he existed, who never truly knew the value of family, would yearn for a family of his own?
By change of shift, I’m so tired I need a serious caffeine boost to keep me going. I’m about to head out to the cafeteria when the door swings open and Indigo walks in, carrying two cups of coffee.
“Good morning. I come bearing gifts.”
“It’s like you read my mind – I was literally about to do a coffee run.”
“I wanted to pop in and see how Luke’s doing before I leave, so I figured I’d bring you some. I know what those all-nighters are like.” She hands a cup to Kathleen and then to me.
“Thanks so much, Indigo. That’s so sweet of you – not just for popping in, but bringing much-needed coffee.”
“Thanks, Indie, you’re a life saver,” I say.
“Doc been by to see him this morning?”
“No, not yet,” Kathleen replies.
Indigo checks her watch. “She’ll probably be here soon then. With such a full roster, Dr. Murray likes to get her rounds done early.”
We chat for a few minutes and, as predicted, the woman enters the room, a nurse close on her heels.
