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She’d never had an MRI before, and her first instinct was to shy away from the unknown. “Can we do it tomorrow?”

The nurse propped her hands on her hips. “Don’t be scared. Doctor Wideman is the best around. He knows what he’s doing, and you’ll be jumping for joy before you know it.”

Thea groaned. She didn’t have much use for joyful jumping, but if she had to do it, maybe it was best to just rip the bandaid off and get it over with. “Okay.”

Brett rested a hand on her shoulder. “Hey.”

She looked up at him and fought back the tears. Her emotions were running high, and the nurse had told her to expect that. Apparently, medical testing was one of those things Thea didn’t know she was afraid of until it was staring her in the face.

Brett leaned in and whispered, “You’re going to be fine. I’ll be right here, praying the whole time. You won’t be alone.”

Thea stretched her mouth into the best smile she could. It was completely fake, but she needed to put on a brave face.

The nurse unlocked the bed and wheeled her toward the door. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring her back as good as new.”

Chapter7

Brett

Brett propped his elbows on his knees and bowed his head. He intended to make good on his promise to pray. Seeing Thea scared like that gutted him. Praying would at least ease the helplessness. After a few minutes of chatting with the Lord, he stood and looked around. His shirt was bloodstained–a reminder of the terrible night.

The door opened, and Gage walked in.

“Where is she?”

“X-rays and an MRI. They just took her back.”

Gage surveyed the room. “She doing okay?”

“She’s emotional.”

“No wonder,” Gage said. “I took the rest of the day off. You need to go home.”

Brett held his ground. “I’m not leaving.”

“I mean you need to go change clothes.” Gage’s jaw twitched. “You look like you just came from a knife fight.”

“I’ll have someone bring clothes later.”

“Just go,” Gage said. “I’ll be here till you get back.”

Brett didn’t move. This was the guy who’d stolen the last five years of happiness from him. He didn’t want to make nice and pretend everything was okay.

“I’m starting to think you really didn’t do it. Okay? Are you happy?” Gage threw his hands out to his sides. “I was trying to protect her.”

“I would have protected her,” Brett said, pushing a finger to his chest.

Gage laughed. “You were under investigation. Barely out of high school. No glorious career waiting for you. You were very unequipped to give her a fairytale life.”

“I never promised a fairytale life, but I would have loved her.”

Gage shook his head. “That’s not enough, man.”

The ringing in Brett’s ears stopped. That was Gage’s truth. None of them grew up with love and safety, so it made sense he didn’t see the value in those things alone.

Brett might not have had anything to offer her except those two things–then and now–but they were big things.

After a few tense seconds, Gage took a seat on the firm couch by the window. “Go get a shower. You smell like garbage.”