Well Played, стр. 26

“Your mother said the same thing,” he said. “But it’s true. She’s got a prescription for an antacid and we’re following up with an ear, nose, and throat guy later this week. It’s got nothing to do with her heart. She’s fine.”

It took a few frantic heartbeats for his words to sink in, and while they did, I’d taken a seat in one of the little chairs in front of Lindsay’s desk, my knees shaking too much to keep me upright. “She’s fine,” I echoed.

“Well, she’s cranky as hell and I’m taking her home for a nap. But otherwise, yes.”

I blew out a long, relieved breath, and my shoulders relaxed for the first time since he’d called that morning. “Thanks, Dad. Just . . . I was so . . .” My throat closed, and I had to cough hard before I could speak again. “It was just so much like last time. When—”

“I know.” His voice was as somber as mine. “I know, Princess. But she’s fine. It’s not like last time at all.”

“Okay.” A few more breaths, and I was breathing normally again. “How about I pick up something for dinner tonight? I can be home about six or so.”

“Oh, that would be great. Thanks, honey.”

I managed to keep it together until we hung up, then the leftover adrenaline coursed through me, making me shake and my breath turn into barely-there sobs. She was okay. Mom was okay. But my mind was full of memories of that first frantic trip to the hospital, finding Dad in the waiting room, seeing Mom hooked up to machines . . .

But that was then. This was now. And she was fine this time.

I pushed to my feet and nudged the office door the rest of the way open. Lunchtime, but I wasn’t sure if I could eat. My emotions had been on a roller coaster this morning, and my stomach felt jumpy from it all. But I got my purse out of its drawer and locked the front door behind me on the way out. Getting out of the office would be good for me, at the very least.

I took my phone out of my pocket and let my feet carry me blindly down the sidewalk to the deli. I had one more text to send.

All good with Mom. Thanks for keeping me company this morning. It helped more than you’ll ever know.

It didn’t take long for him to text back. I’m glad I could be there. Well, not THERE. But you know what I mean.

A smile flickered over my face. It had been a tough morning, but I’d smiled more than I’d expected to. And that was all thanks to the man I was texting. This was the next best thing. This would have been a tough day if I’d been all alone.

You’ll never be alone. Not if I have anything to say about it.

I wanted to hug the phone to my chest, but even I knew that would look a little weird. Instead I went to slide it into my bag when it chimed again. Wait. Did that sound stalkery? I promise I’m not a creep.

I snorted. You’re definitely not a creep. I’ll let it slide.

Thank God. But he was still typing. I have to get back to work now, but I’m glad your mom is doing all right.

Me too, I texted back. I put my phone in my bag and pushed open the door of the deli. I wasn’t hungry now, but I would be later tonight. And so would my parents. I put in an order for three large sandwiches and a vat of chicken soup that I could pick up on my way home from work. By the time I got back to work for the afternoon, it felt more like a regular workday. I’d see my parents tonight, as I did almost every night, and no one would be hooked up to anything. Everything was back to normal. I was relieved.

But I was frustrated too. My brow furrowed at that realization. And at the realization that those texts with Dex this morning, as innocuous as they were, had been the best part of my day. They’d been a glimpse at another life, and now they were gone, and my regular life faded back to gray. I felt the bars of that golden cage closing in on me. Again.

I had no one to blame but myself. Hadn’t I chosen this cage? Willingly walked into it and locked the door behind me? I didn’t know what it would take to finally break out of it.

But that wasn’t worth thinking about now. Not after a day like this. My parents needed me, so golden cage it was. At least for a while.