Just One Moment

by Dena Blake

  Anger bubbled inside. How could Shay have ruined everything we had together?

  Chapter Ten

  Chloe catapulted out of the chair when she read the message from Erica. I’m in the waiting room.

  She quickly typed, Which waiting room?

  The one right down the hall. They wouldn’t let me come to the room.

  I’ll be right there.

  Hospital security was good. There was that at least. She went to her purse on the dresser. “I’m going to get a soda. You want one?”

  “Yeah. Whatever you get.”

  She clenched the five-dollar bill as she glanced back at Shay. “I’ll be right back.” Her heartbeat doubled as she sped out of the room, down the hallway, and into the waiting room.

  Erica was waiting just inside the door and pulled her into her arms. “It’s so good to see your face.”

  “I told you to stay away from here.”

  Erica’s forehead creased as she pulled her eyebrows together. “Then answer my phone calls.”

  “Listen, it’s been really busy here, and I’m totally stressed by this whole situation.” Chloe rubbed the back of her neck.

  “Then come home and relax.” Erica stroked her arm.

  “I can’t. I have to be here with Shay. She needs me.”

  “I need you.” Erica moved closer.

  “Erica, she has no idea what’s going on. She doesn’t remember the past year.” Chloe couldn’t believe she didn’t get it.

  “Then tell her.” Erica was clearly irritated now.

  “I can’t do that. Not now. She’d be devastated.”

  “You have got to be kidding. You’re going to go through this all over again?”

  “If I have to. Yes.” She took Erica by the arm. “Now you have to leave.”

  Erica resisted as she tried to move her to the door. “I’m not leaving until you promise to spend some time with me.”

  It was clear that Erica wouldn’t budge until she agreed. She let out a heavy breath. “Okay. I’ll break away this evening and come see you.” She’d have to tell Shay she was going to check on the gallery or shower or something. She’d figure that out later. Right now, she just needed to get Erica out of there.

  The soda machine clanged as a can dropped to the bottom, and Chloe looked over to see Rachel taking in the show that she and Erica were so recklessly putting on as she plucked the soda from the machine. Fuck. Just one more thing to deal with. She took Erica’s hand and led her out of the waiting room and to the elevator.

  “Who’s that?”

  “No one.” She focused back on Erica. “I’ll walk you out.” She went with her to the elevator and punched the button several times. “I’ll call you when I get free.” At this point, she would promise Erica anything to get rid of her, but she had no plans to call her.

  “Okay.” Erica smiled and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before she boarded the elevator.

  As soon as the doors closed, she spun around and walked back to the waiting room where Rachel was seated in the corner talking to someone. “Do you have a minute?” Chloe asked.

  Rachel held up a finger. “I’m just finishing here. If you’d like to wait in the hall, I’ll be right out.”

  Chloe fed the five-dollar bill into the machine and chose a couple of sodas before she turned, left the room, and leaned up against the wall while she waited. After a few minutes, the door opened, and Rachel came out. She could tell by Rachel’s expression that she’d heard the whole conversation with Erica.

  “What did you need?”

  “I need you to keep that conversation to yourself.”

  “You mean the conversation with the woman you’re apparently seeing on the side?”

  “Yes.” Everything she said was absolutely true, just not in the same context. She wasn’t about to justify or explain her actions to a total stranger who knew nothing about her relationship with Shay.

  “Okay. But only because it might adversely impact Shay’s recovery.” She quirked up an eyebrow. “Can’t say I understand why you’d step out on your wife. From what I’ve seen, she seems to be a wonderful girl all around.”

  “Well, everything’s not always as it seems.” She turned and hurried back down the hall to Shay’s room. Any explanation she would give Rachel at this point would be pointless since she had no idea who or what was in Shay’s future, or hers for that matter.

  * * *

  It had been a grueling week of physical therapy for Shay. Chloe had cried more than once watching her struggle, and that seemed to make her even more determined. Each time Rachel had told her to try harder or take one more step, Chloe had wanted to shove her out of the way, take Shay into her arms, and soothe her. She’d actually bolted across the room at one point and been met by Rachel’s narrowed, piercing eyes, letting her know she was on the verge of being ejected from the room. Shay had waved her off, and she’d returned to her chair against the wall at the side of the room.

  She guessed Shay hadn’t been happy with her interference either. She’d been short with her when they’d gotten back to the room and had told her she needed some alone time. She even suggested she call Jackson and go get something to eat with him, to just do something away from the hospital for a few hours. She’d followed Shay’s advice and was now on her third glass of merlot, wallowing in a pool of self-pity.

  “She pushes her so hard, Jackson. I don’t know if I can take it any longer.”

  “You don’t have to be there, do you? I mean, has Shay asked you to go with her?”

  She shook her head. “Not technically, but I thought I should be there to watch out for her.”

  “Maybe you should skip a few sessions. You know, let her handle it herself. It might be hard for her to see how it impacts you, for you to see her in such a weak state.” Jackson was good about helping her see things clearer.

  “You think?” Chloe could certainly use a break from her anxiety caused by watching her endure so much pain. The vision of her holding on to Rachel flashed through her head. “I don’t like her therapist. She’s a real bitch.”

  He shrugged. “You don’t have to like her as long as she gets Shay on her feet again.”

  “True. And now she thinks I’m cheating on my wife.”

  Wine spilled from his mouth as he choked. “How did that happen?” He quickly blotted the red dots from the tablecloth with a napkin.

  “Erica showed up at the hospital earlier, and Rachel overheard us talking.”

  “And that bothers you?”

  “Hell yes, it bothers me. I may have been absent, but I didn’t cheat.” The words came out louder than expected. A few other people looked her way, so she smiled and relaxed into her chair.

  “What do you care what she thinks? You know the truth.”

  “I’m not that person, Jackson, and I don’t want her saying anything to Shay.” Chloe shook her head and looked at her hands as she smoothed the tablecloth in front of her. “I’m afraid she’ll make her hate me.”

  “You still love her.” It wasn’t a question. He said it with a smile on his face and a tone in his voice as though he could see things in her soul she hadn’t wanted to recognize yet.

  “I’ll always love her. That’ll never change.” She swirled her glass and stared into it, watching the legs of wine move slowly down into the pool at the bottom. “That night we met, at your wedding reception, all I could think was ‘please don’t be in love with someone else.’” She glanced at Jackson, looking for some kind of understanding in his eyes. “I could handle it if she was involved with someone, but love I couldn’t overcome.”

  “Lucky for you, she wasn’t in either.”

  She set her glass on the table and scrubbed her face with her hands. “I don’t know if it was fate, karma, or something else, but she appeared from nowhere and changed my life.”

  “Hell yes, she did. You were on a downward spiral.”

  “I was a fucking mess.” She chuckled. “She was so sweet and naive. Every
time I did anything for her, she was ridiculously embarrassed and acted like it was too much.” She smiled. “She loved me for me, not for things or money. Just me. I was blown away by her innocence. I fell completely in love with all of her without her even trying. I’m not sure I can get back to that place again.”

  “Do you want to try?” Jackson was analytical, just like Shay. He could break everything down and reach the heart of anything. He was her go-to person for sorting things out.

  “I don’t know. So much has happened. Other people are involved now.”

  “I understand. It’s not like you didn’t move on, but you’re not committed to Erica.” He rolled his eyes and gave her a look like that would be the craziest thing in the world.

  “No. I’m not committed, and I can’t put all the blame on Shay. I didn’t know what I had,” she said softly. “Or maybe I did, but I forgot. I neglected her…and then there was the accident.”

  “You have to stop punishing yourself for that, and you have to forgive her if you’re ever going to get past it.”

  “I’m trying, Jackson. But it’s not that easy. When I found her with Lila…in that one moment, I was devastated. The huge crater in my heart hasn’t had time to heal, and when she remembers, I’m afraid it’ll split wide open again.”

  “If she remembers.” He raised his eyebrows and gave her a tight smile.

  “It can’t remain a secret forever. Someone’s bound to tell her we’d split up. I’m surprised Lila hasn’t been back to see her.”

  “So, you deal with that when it happens. Lila’s an opportunist. I doubt you’ll see more of her.” He said it like he knew her well.

  “She’s more involved than you think. At least that’s what she told me.”

  “She’s working at a different office now, far enough away to keep her out of your business.” He blew out a quick breath. “And mine.”

  “Really? Where? When did that happen?”

  “Atlanta. I’m not sure exactly when, but it was before the accident.” He tugged on his lip with his teeth and looked at the ceiling. “As soon as Shay was made chief actuary, she made it happen.”

  “Shay made it happen?” Why would she send her away?

  He nodded. “She knew she’d made a mistake. A lot of people were upset by her choice, and I was plenty pissed as well. I would’ve loved to have been offered that opportunity. I followed her there to advance, not to be passed over by a girl she was fucking.” He took in a deep breath. “But I squashed the rumors and kept my mouth shut because I love my sister.”

  “Fuck. How did we get into this mess?”

  “Clean it up. Fix it. The ball’s clearly in your court.” He drank the rest of his wine and poured them both another glass.

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “It is, if that’s what you want.”

  Was it that simple? Could she just forget about the past six months of pain she’d been through? Erase the betrayal she’d felt? God, she wished she could, right here at this moment, but she just wasn’t there yet.

  * * *

  When Chloe got back to the hospital, she didn’t expect to find that Shay had company, and honestly, after the amount of wine she’d had, she wasn’t in the mood for it. Rachel was lounging with her feet up in the recliner where Chloe usually sat, a bowl of popcorn in her lap. They were watching a movie and seemed to be having an awesome time. A wave of heat coursed through her, and she had to physically force herself not to bolt across the room and yank Rachel out of the chair.

  “Hey. We’re watching that new comedy you were talking about,” Shay said.

  “I see that.” She let the bag of clothes she’d picked up while she was out drop to the floor next to the dresser. “If you’d let me know, I could’ve come back sooner.”

  “I didn’t think you’d be gone this long.” Shay waved her closer. “It just started. Come sit down.” Shay’s mood seemed to have lightened, with no sign of the passive-aggressive girl she’d seen earlier today.

  Rachel sprang forward in the recliner. “Shay said you’d be back soon, so I popped some popcorn.” She got up and moved to the couch. “Want some?” She held the bowl out to her.

  “No, thanks. I just ate.” She’d mostly drunk, but even if she’d had an appetite, the cozy sight she’d just walked in on would have killed it. “Do you hang out with all your patients after hours?”

  “Just the ones with super-healing powers.” She smiled at Shay. “She was awesome today, wasn’t she?”

  Shay’s face lit up, and Chloe felt like she might vomit. “Yeah. Awesome.” She set her purse on the table and kissed Shay on the forehead. “You okay?”

  “A little sore, but a good kind of sore.”

  She glanced over at Rachel, who had paused the movie and was watching them intently. She didn’t smile. She didn’t want Rachel thinking she was okay with her hanging out with Shay while she wasn’t there. Therapy was one thing, but after hours was a whole different story. She sat in the recliner, and Rachel started the movie again. For the next two hours, she paid absolutely no attention to the film. Only one thing was jangling around in her head. She was jealous—fucking, crazy, blood-boiling jealous.

  * * *

  “Oh my God. You need to stop pushing her like this.” Chloe rushed to the parallel bars.

  She could see the look in Rachel’s eyes. She was just about to blast her when Shay put her hand up and said, “Just back off, Chloe. I need to do this.”

  Back off? “Fine. I’m out of here,” she said as she rushed to the door.

  “Chloe, wait,” Shay said, and Chloe froze with her hand on the doorknob. “I’m sorry. Why don’t you go get some of my shorts, so I don’t feel like such a goofball wearing these hospital scrubs when I get up again.”

  A mixture of hurt and anger bubbled inside her. She didn’t turn around, just nodded, opened the door, and left. Even though she’d brought a bag of new clothes last night, she’d totally forgotten about them after finding Rachel in Shay’s room. She had to get out of there before she said something she’d regret—to both of them.

  Chloe went home and brewed a pot of coffee before she sat down at Shay’s desk and turned on the laptop. She typed Rachel Taylor, Largo Medical Center into the Google search. Several hits came up immediately, including a video and a number of very flattering pictures. The woman knew how to work a camera. Halfway through the video, she paused it, not able to tolerate Rachel’s know-it-all attitude even if her words made sense. She clicked on the first one listed from the hospital and started reading. She had a very impressive bio, which included a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She’d graduated with honors from the University of South Florida in Tampa, had done several research studies on gait modification and mobility recovery after trauma, and was currently working on her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. To top it all off, she’d also earned a Foundation for Physical Therapy Service Award.

  She slapped the laptop closed. Jesus. As if she didn’t have enough to deal with already, now she had a superstar helping Shay regain her mobility. She flopped back into the chair, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She wanted Shay to have the very best because she would recover faster and stronger, so why did this woman bother her so much?

  The vision of Shay smiling at Rachel after she’d completed her exercises for the day invaded her thoughts. If not just grateful, Shay seemed completely enamored with her. The woman was worming her way into Shay’s heart, and Chloe couldn’t do anything about it. Plus, Rachel had overheard her talking to Erica. Who knew what she would do with that information.

  She shook her head. Why should she care? Shay’s heart wasn’t her concern anymore. They weren’t really together. They’d separated. She’d moved most of her belongings to the beach house. Divorce hadn’t been put on the table yet, but it was imminent. Or was it?

  The Shay she’d experienced over the past few days was different, not the driven, work-obsessed Shay she’d been living with for the past six months. She w
asn’t the Shay who had fucked someone else. Her stomach churned, threatening to spew what little she’d eaten today. If Shay didn’t remember, was she really the same person? God, this situation was too much for her brain to process right now.

  * * *

  When Chloe got back to the hospital, Shay was in the middle of receiving a deep-tissue leg massage compliments of her physical therapist extraordinaire. Only Rachel wasn’t massaging her injured leg. She was working on the perfectly good one.

  “Aren’t you massaging the wrong leg?”

  “Already done with that one. Since Shay did so well in therapy earlier, I thought I’d treat her to the full package today.” Her smile was tentative, as though she knew she was crossing a boundary. And she was.

  I bet you did. “About earlier, I think I’ll skip the sessions from now on.” She needed some distance. Jealousy over the attention Shay was getting from her physical therapist wasn’t doing either of them any good.

  Shay’s eyebrows rose. “What? Why? I want you there.”

  She shrugged. “Didn’t seem like it earlier.”

  “I’m sorry. I was just frustrated.”

  “I’ve got things to take care of at the gallery, and Rachel seems to be taking good care of you.” She glanced over at Rachel. “I’m sure she’ll keep me updated on your progress, won’t you?”

  The way Rachel’s jaw dropped open in surprise was amusing, if not downright comical. “Of course.”

  “Okay, then that’s settled.” She took the clothes she’d brought the night before out of the bag and started placing them in one of the dresser drawers. “I didn’t think any of your Bermuda shorts would work for therapy, so I bought you some new Nike training shorts.” She’d chosen several pairs in black, charcoal gray, light gray, and navy. “They all seem to be stretchy enough and have a large enough leg opening to get over your incisions without irritation. I also got you shirts to match. Thought you might need some color.” She took out the moisture-wicking T-shirts she’d picked out to match and held up the neon-green and pink ones before she placed them with the others alongside the shorts. “You should be all set now.”