Page 61 of When Sky Breaks
“I’m sorry if my mom upset you. What she said about you being Dannie’s daughter.” I’m tentative as I speak, not wanting to hurt her further but wanting to express my genuine apology.
She breathes out her nose and leans her head back on the seat, her eyes closed, her hand still tight in mine. “It wasn’t your fault. And she’s right; I am Dannie’s daughter, or I was. Not sure where she is and there’s definitely no claim on me from her. It’s not your mom’s fault either. She didn’t know what my mom was going to do, and she’s not in charge of Dannie’s actions.” She turns her head and opens those pretty blue eyes.
My heart ricochets like a pinball machine in my chest.
“But thank you. Your apologies mean something to me. Now, at least.”
I quirk a smile, but it’s quickly snuffed out.
A gruff voice interrupts this quiet interlude, and Sky rips her hand from mine, a chill instantly blanketing the room.
“Babe, what’s going on here?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
sky
When the man you’re supposed to be dating interrupts a moment with the man you’re not supposed to be falling for all over again, it’s time to evaluate your priorities.
“Are you all right?” Johnny asks as I stand.
Heat infuses my cheeks as I straighten my shirt like I did more than just hold August’s hand. “I’m fine. August’s mom hit her head. After I looked it over, we thought it was best to bring her here to get stitches.”
Johnny shifts in his leather shoes, pulling at the collar of his navy blue dress shirt. “Is she okay?”
“Yeah, it didn’t look too deep, but the possibility of glass being embedded was a concern.”
“Did you at least clean it with isopropyl alcohol? Those head wounds can get infected pretty quickly?—”
August stands and sighs, interrupting Johnny. “No offense, but Sky handled it. She’s good at what she does. I’d think someone like you—a doctor such as yourself—would know that about the woman you’re dating.”
Johnny bristles but restrains himself.
I bite back a grin before I chastise myself. This isn’t the place to take sides, but my chest warms at the thought of August defending me and my profession.
August meets my eyes before turning and walking toward the backend of the ER, where there’s a snack machine and coffee bar.
“Your ex. Am I right?” Johnny’s voice is tight, and I wince at his annoyed expression. “The one who hurt you so badly?”
“It’s complicated, but not what you think.”
“What I think is that we need to have a talk about us.” He scoffs and rakes his mahogany hair back with a firm hand. “And soon. You promised you’d explain everything.”
My hands shake as I place a wild hair behind my ears. “August and I have a long history and a lot to work through.”
“I have eyes, Sky, and it’s clear there’s more than just working through some history.”
I stiffen and ball my fists at my sides, but a team of doctors enter the ER doors from the outside, clearly back from lunch as a few sip from to-go cups, and one holds a carryout bag stained with grease.
“Dr. Hawk,” one of them says, coming forward to shake his hand. “How are you? I hear you’ve been wooing our cancer unit here, bringing in some promising treatments.”
Johnny’s charm switches on as he gives them a brilliant smile. “I’ve had a trick or two up my sleeve, or so they say.”
The doctors prattle on, laying on the praise rather thickly. There’s no denying Johnny’s good at his job and I’m grateful for his expertise where it concerns Foster, even as he peacocks.
“And who is this?” one of them asks, a handsome blond with twinkly brown eyes. His badge reads Dr. Decker, Surgical Unit.
Johnny places his hand on the small of my back in a display of ownership, and I let him. There’s no sense in creating a scene, although I’m far from being his piece of property. I don’t, in fact, want him to look bad here, as he’s doing good things for the hospital. I just don’t think he’s doing good things for me.