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“Yeah.”

“I only arrived a couple of minutes before you, and I’ve been trying to explain to anyone who would listen about Chris, but I wasn’t getting anywhere.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Well, Jai’s got medical authority, so that should help.” He gazed at me.

“He told me all this, and I promise you that I’ll never say anything. I’ve run up against resistance from the system before. Keegan being gay is tough enough—I can’t imagine how parents of trans and nonbinary kids cope.”

“The best they can in a structure not designed for them.” Cody rubbed his eyes. “I do my best to help them navigate the system, but I’m not a medical professional. Hell, my mentor, Kennedy, has been doing this a lot longer than I have, and she still struggles. Oh hell.” He yanked out his phone. “Max Crawford is a psychiatrist who sees patients at the ranch. He might be able to help. I’ll text Kennedy.”

I glanced at the clock on the wall. Well past ten. I almost suggested he not bother Kennedy.Yeah, but if you could do something to help someone, you’d want to be asked. If you had the ability, you’d do it.

“Damn.” Cody stared at his screen. “Max is at a conference in Toronto. He has privileges with the hospital, but it’s almost two in the morning there. Kennedy asked if I want her to come.” He met my gaze. “I think we’re doing okay.”

“We are. Jai has the paperwork. Kennedy being here…would she be able to influence things?” I wracked my brain to try to remember Kennedy’s connection.

“Not likely. She’s a psychologist, like myself, no MD privileges. Only she’s been at this a lot longer than I have.” His phone pinged. “She’s offered…” He typed furiously. “Okay. I told her we had things under control.” He met my gaze.

“We do. If Jai needs help, he’ll ask. You’ve got Kennedy on speed dial.”

“Right.” He rubbed his eyes again. Then, as if for the first time, he really looked at me.

Yep. Here it comes.

“Nice of you to drive Jai here. At least I’m assuming—”

“I drove him here.”

“Ah.”

Might as well lay things on the line.“We had dinner. Turns out we knew each other back in Vancouver. Well, Jai didn’t remember right away, but I did. As friends, we went out to dinner.”

“Right.”

Like I told Jai…this kid’s pretty swift.

Wait, he’s twenty-six and a psychologist…so not a kid.

“We ate at Stavros’s and then wandered down First Avenue.”

“Lovely walk.”

“Yes. We went into The Owl’s Nest. Do you know Dickens and Spike?”

Cody arched an eyebrow—as if trying to decide whether to let me steer the conversation away from the personal or not. “I know Dickens and I’ve met Spike. He’s a good mechanic. If I ever get a motorcycle, he’ll be the one I see.”

“Are you planning to get a bike?”

“Nope. My mom would kill me before I even had a chance to be in an accident.” He shrugged. “You?”

“I tried. I really did. I struggled to ride a bike as a kid, and the motorcycle was just as frustrating. My brain just isn’t wired that way.”

“Really? I’ll admit I’ve never heard that before.”

“Well, then I married Erlene and figured I needed to be safe. I bought a used minivan and have never looked back. Would I love to ride with the wind in my hair? Sure.”

Cody burst out laughing as I rubbed my nearly shorn head. “Good one.”