Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Hey, Cam. How goes it?”
“Tough.” He pressed his lips together and ran a hand over his haggard features. “It’s been hard balancing work and being here. They’re understanding about it, but I had accounts I was handling. I went ahead and resigned. Just seemed easier for everyone.”
“You resigned?”
“Yeah, we have private insurance, and it’s pretty good.” Cam coupled his assurance with a frown. “So if you’re worried about the hospital bill…”
“No, that wasn’t it. I just…it’s your job. I wasn’t expecting you to quit.”
Meredith couldn’t help but feel she wasn’t getting the full story, but the stiff mask of Cam’s face warned her not to press.
“Like I said, it’s been tough,” Cam said. “Thanks for the text, by the way. Breathing on her own, huh? She’ll be home before you know it.”
Meredith touched his arm to stop him before he entered Kerris’s room.
“Cam, are you okay about…about the baby?”
For a moment, Cam’s face, the torture in his eyes, broke Meredith’s heart. Kerris hadn’t revealed many secrets, but Meredith suspected demons chased them both, and Kerris and Cam had been banking on the baby to bring them some measure of peace.
“I can’t do this right now.” Cam’s eyes, already bloodshot, watered. “It’s too much to keep together, and if I talk about the baby…I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry.” She dared to probe just a little bit more, placing her hand on his arm to stop him. “I know you and Walsh have had a hard time, but—”
The change on Cam’s face stopped Meredith. All signs of vulnerability disappeared, like a dark hand had smothered the pain.
“You don’t know shit.” Cam sifted grit into his voice, hostility in the eyes narrowed on her face. “Do you know how it feels to know your best friend loves your wife? Has a connection with her you can’t even touch?”
She stared at him, taken aback by his sudden vehemence.
“And you just couldn’t resist running and telling him everything.” Cam had peeled away the mask, all signs of sorrow gone, anger on full display. “You brought the devil right to my doorstep.”
“Cam, they’re friends.”
“Friends.” Cam shook her hand off, derision shading his voice. “Is that what you call it?”
“I know Kerris has never been unfaithful to you, so don’t even imply that.”
“How would you feel if you walked in on your husband and best friend crawling down each other’s throats? Answer that, then come talk to me about being faithful.”
Meredith couldn’t hide her stunned expression. The bitter hurt darkening Cam’s eyes made a mockery of the small smile crooking his lips.
“Oh, she never told you that’s why Walsh and I are done? Wonder what other secrets she’s got? Not so perfect after all, is she? When your wife doesn’t love you, faithful is overrated.”
* * *
“Awake?” Walsh pressed, making sure he’d heard Meredith correctly. “She’s awake, you said?”
“Um, yeah.” Something in Meredith’s tone was more reserved and less approving than he had ever heard. “I just thought you’d want to know.”
“You thought I’d want to know? That’s an understatement. I’ve been camped out here for a week waiting for this.”
“Yeah, about that. Can I ask you something?”
Walsh paused in packing up his laptop and files.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Cam said something today that kind of threw me for a loop. He asked me how I’d feel if I walked in on my husband and best friend down each other’s throats.”
“Do you have something to ask me, Meredith?”
“I think I just did.”
“Ask me a direct question and I’ll give you a direct answer.”
“Did you and Kerris have an affair?”
“No, we didn’t, but we kissed, and Cam walked in on it. I’m on my way to see her. Any other questions?”
“I wish I hadn’t even called you. This is awful. No wonder Cam is bitter.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say.” Walsh’s words scissored into hers. “I can’t undo what happened.”
“Walsh, maybe you should just—”
“I’ll be back in New York soon, and everyone will be happy.”
Walsh wasn’t sure if either of them believed the words, but that was where he left it.
Once at the hospital, Walsh eased the door open, holding his breath and stepping quietly into the room. Meredith’s warning still rang in his head. It would be best for him and Cam not to run into each other. He just hoped Kerris would wake up before he needed to leave.
He settled down in the hard plastic chair, his eyes never leaving the small, embattled figure so still against the sheets. The facial scratches and scrapes, though still evident, were healing, and the bruising wasn’t as prominent.
“Walsh.” Kerris mumbled his name, twisting her head a little fitfully on the pillow.
Shocked by what he’d just heard, Walsh leaned forward, reaching for her hand, squeezing gently.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He met her dazed eyes with a smile. “I’m here.”
“Walsh?” Kerris’s frown pulled at the scratches on her forehead. “What are you…are you…”