THE TENSION WAS palpable in the waiting room as Jason watched Carson glare at Marley. Her eyes were almost as venomous as Finns. Deciding it was time for him and Finn to leave, he stood. “We should go.” Slipping his card from his wallet, he wrote his number on the back. “Here’s my card. If you need anything, please call me. I hope your son pulls through.”

Taking the card from his grasp, Carson snorted a laugh. “What, running away before you can watch my husband’s mistress coddle him?”

Jason stood, shocked. His brain processed what she had just said. His mistress? Turned out Carson knew all about her husband’s proclivities. He glanced towards Phillip, who was now huddled with Marley in the corner. “Um. No, it’s not that…” His gaze flicked to Finn, whose jaw was tight with anger. “I just think it’s best if we both head out.”

“Fuck it. I’m going back upstairs to wait for the doctor to come out of surgery. Thank you for everything you did. Your men, you… I owe you all everything.” She turned, leaving him to watch her retreat.

She stormed through the double doors. The sound of them slapping together brought him back to the present. He turned to see Phillip pressing a kiss to Marley’s head.

As he and Finn were leaving, Phillip called out to him. “Captain.” Jason turned towards him. “I wanted to thank you again. It was an accident. I want you to know I would never put my son in harm’s way.”

The anger he had been suppressing bubbled to the front. “If that were true, you would have fitted him with the appropriate helmet. Then maybe he wouldn’t be fighting so hard to live.”

Phillip bristled under his penetrating gaze. “You don’t know shit.”

“I know enough. I know the helmet Max had on was not made for him. I know you betrayed your marriage. I know you’ll have to live with the guilt of killing your child for the rest of your life.”

Marley spoke up beside him. “You don’t know if he’ll die.”

“Shut up Marley.” Finn, who’d been silent beside him, spoke. “I hope you can live with the man by your side. If I have anything to do with it, he’ll go to jail for his reckless actions.”

She sucked in a breath, her hand tightening around Phillip’s arm.

Jason glanced at Phillip and shoved his finger toward him. “I know he’ll never be the same—you might as well have killed him. His life is ruined… because of what?” He glared at Marley. “Her? You’re an idiot.” Jason turned and stormed out of the ER.

“Hey.” Finn called out, running to catch up. “I meant what I said. I’m going to make sure this accident is handled with kitten gloves.”

“Good. That fucker deserves to pay for what he’s done.” Jason’s eyes panned to the building. “I hate that woman is dealing with her son’s condition and a bastard of a husband.”

He couldn’t believe how everything was turning out. “Call Jenna. You need to hear her voice and calm down, Finn. Congrats on the engagement, by the way.”

He slipped his leg over his motorcycle. He wanted to storm back into the hospital and punch Phillip, but he knew that would only make matters worse for Carson. His heart thumped wildly against his chest as he thought about her. She was beautiful and didn’t deserve to go through this alone. He wondered if she’d called her brother. He had some buddies in the Marines and he knew how hard it was to contact them when they were in country. Shaking his head, he cranked the engine and tugged his helmet on. He needed some distance to gain clarity on how he was feeling. Jason was perplexed by the emotions Carson had invoked inside him. Pulling into his driveway, he dismounted his bike and rolled it into the garage. As he stepped into the foyer, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Glancing at the screen, he pressed talk. “Jonesy, what’s up?”

“Hey, man. Going out to grab some drinks with the guys. Wanted to see if you’d come.”

“Yeah… actually, I could use a few. Where we meeting?”

“Crimson Pub.”

“Alright, be there in twenty.” Glancing at his watch, he realized it was almost nine. He’d been at the hospital for several hours. After changing his clothes, he hurried out and mounted his bike once more, navigating it towards the bar. Pulling into the crowded lot, he found Jonesy’s truck and parked beside it. He needed to drown away the day in beer.

“Hunter.” Jonesy called out from a corner booth. Jonesy was seated across from him, chugging a mug of beer.

“Hey Dawson… Uri.” Jason slid into the booth next to Uri. “Pour me one.” He motioned towards the pitcher in the middle of the table.

“Still having a bad day?” Jonesy smiled. “Oh, wait. You went to the hospital to see that kid, didn’t you?”

Jason sipped the beer in front of him. “Yeah—it’s not good.”

“I’m surprised he even made it to the OR.” Dawson shrugged. “His head took a blow when he hit the pavement.”

Jonesy tapped the table. “He’s lucky we found him when we did, or he might not have had the chance.”

“What kind of mom lets her husband ride around with a kid in the wrong helmet?”

Jason shook his head, refilling his glass. “I don’t think she was on board with him taking the kid out.”

Uri leaned forward. “What do you mean?”

He began filling them in on his hospital experience. He told them how the husband nearly squeezed the life from her arm and then topped it off with his girlfriend showing up. A girlfriend who turned out to be the woman who destroyed their friend’s heart.

“Shit—his girlfriend, who you’re telling me is Marley—Finn’s ex-wife came to the hospital. That’s pretty fucked up.” Stoner swallowed down his drink. “Is this guy, Phillip’s, wife, ugly or something?”

“No. Actually, Carson’s a looker. Phillip’s a moron. I don’t know what their story is, but she doesn’t have any family here. I feel bad for her.”

“Oh, no… Hunter, I know that look.” Jonesy laughed, “You’re going to be her hero, aren’t you? Man.” he slid the pitcher of amber liquid towards Jason.

Dawson spoke up. “You need to steer clear of that trainwreck.”

Just as he was going to reply, the server interrupted them. “You guys want to order something else?”

Jonesy smiled up at her, “Sure thing, sweetheart. How about an order of wings and another round of beer…and maybe you could join us?”

She grinned at his obvious line. “Cute, but my shift isn’t over until one.”

“I got all night.” He smiled bigger, making the server blush as she walked away.

“Damn, you’re such a player.” Dawson laughed.

“You’re just jealous since you have a ball and chain and can’t play anymore.”

“I’m definitely not jealous. In fact,” he glanced at his watch. “She just got off work and is waiting for me at home. So,” Tossing money on the table, he stood. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

They watched as Dawson left. Jonesy was the first to speak. “He’s right, you know.”

“Right about what?”

Jonesy cocked an eyebrow at him. “The woman. You should just forget about her. It sounds messy—that’s too much work.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. You’re probably right.” He downed the remains of his drink and pushed out of the booth. “I’m going to head out. You two coming?”

“Oh, I plan on coming alright—but it’ll be in the morning. That’s when my girl gets here.” Uri smirked. Uri was seeing Davey’s sister, Harley. She still lived in their hometown, but he suspected that would change soon.

“Good luck with that.” Jason smiled, flicking his head toward the waitress at Jonesy as he walked out of the pub.

He knew the guys were probably right about Carson. But Jason wasn’t sure he could just forget about her or her son. He’d call the hospital in the morning and see if there was any update on the boy. Maybe then he could put them out of his mind once he knew how things were going to turn out.

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