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My heart felt like ice in my chest. “Is he alert?”

“Yes, but he’s exhibiting some of the common signs—dizziness and nausea especially.”

“Oh my gosh. I will be at the hospital in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll let him know.”

We hung up, and I pressed my foot to the gas pedal, weaving through traffic to get to my baby quickly. I couldn’t imagine what pain he must be in, and I hated that I wasn’t there for him right now.

I punched in Gage’s number first, and as soon as he answered, I said, “I’m so sorry, but I won’t be in the office today. Andrew was hurt on the playground and is going to the emergency room.”

“Shit, Farrah, is there anything I can do? Which hospital?”

“I don’t think so. He’s going to Golden Valley Memorial. It’s a good one, as far as I know.”

“Keep me updated?”

“I will,” I said.

As soon as we got off the call, I dialed my mom’s number to let her know what happened. She said she’d meet me at the hospital and keep Dad in the loop while he worked at the coffee shop.

I was almost to the hospital when I realized I hadn’t yet called Caleb. Guilt swept through me at the fact that I’d called Gage before him. But then I reminded myself that Gage was my boss. He needed to know when I would and wouldn’t be at work. At least that’s what I told myself.

Caleb answered after a few rings, and when I filled him in, he offered to drive to Dallas. All past hurts aside, it was good to know that when push came to shove, he’d be there for the kids.

“Let me get a feel for things at the hospital before you head this way, but I think we have it handled here. Plus, you’ll see him at the end of the week for Cabo. I’ll have him video call you as soon as we can, though, okay?”

“I trust you, Farrah,” Caleb said. It was the first nice thing he’d said to me since the split.

“Thank you,” I replied. “I’m in the parking lot now. I’ll text you as soon as I know anything.”

Once I walked into the hospital, the nurse up front directed me to emergency room eight, and it took all I had not to sprint to Andrew. When I reached the room, he was lying back on the bed, blood seeping through the bandage on his lip. A woman I guessed was Nurse Palmer sat next to him.

“Mommy?” Andrew rasped and then winced.

Tears filled my eyes. “Oh, honey, I’m here. I’m here.”

I dropped my purse in the chair and sat next to him on the bed, pulling him into my arms.

The woman next to him stood. “Ms. Elkins, I’m Nurse Palmer. The doctor’s already been in, and they’re planning to stitch his bottom lip. He thinks it will take ten to twelve stitches. The concussion seems mild, but they’ll want him to rest for the next couple days.”

“Absolutely,” I said. “Thank you so much for staying with him.”

She smiled at me. “Of course.” Then she squeezed Drew’s hand and said, “You get to feeling better soon, okay, buddy?”

He nodded, his blue eyes wide.

“Hopefully I’ll see you before school lets out, but if not, have a great summer,” she said with a smile and left the room.

With just me and Drew there, I said, “I called Grammy and Grandpa. Grammy’s on her way, and Dad said he’d come if you wanted him to, but you can just call him if you want.”

“Call,” Andrew said, limiting his words.

I got out my phone and called Caleb, filling him in on what Nurse Palmer said and letting him know Andrew wouldn’t be one for conversation.

“Video call me?” Caleb asked.

“Of course.” I pressed the button and soon Caleb appeared on the screen, dressed sharply in a black suit, backdropped by his office. I turned the phone so he could see Drew more than me.