one date. We can double. I’ve met Tim, and he’s so nice and sweet.”
The doorbell rings, getting my attention, and I hold up a finger for her to pause so I can answer the door, but Alex runs from the kitchen, laughing and picking on Leigh.
“Oh, my goodness! Your son farted on me,” Leigh shouts and turns to chase him.
“Can you both stop?” I laugh. “Alex.” I tune into my mom’s voice. “Please say sorry to Auntie Leigh. Remember, no farting on anyone.”
“Sorry, Auntie.” He smirks and pokes her in the stomach before running again.
The doorbell rings again.
“Behave. Both of you.”
I reach the door, then unlock and swing it open. My heart stops, and my stomach drops. Everything is on pause. My eyes widen, and I say the only thing I can think of. “No. Fucking. Way.”
“Fucking?”
My head whips, and I see Leigh holding Alex. Her eyes are wide, and Alex tilts his head to the side when he sees Clayton.
“Fucking.”
“Great,” I mutter and slowly shut my eyes. “Leigh, can you take him to camp for me. My keys are on the counter.”
“Yep.”
“Alex?” I turn and see Clayton standing on my porch, his hands shoved in his pockets, and he’s staring at my son. “My son.”
“I have a son.” I pause and step out of the house, shutting the door and crossing my arms over my chest. “You need to leave. This isn’t happening.” I keep my voice calm. “You can’t come here unannounced. I mean, it’s unexpected. You don’t just show up at someone’s door after years of silence. Leave, Clayton.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. All I wanted was to find you, and now that I have, I want to talk to you.”
I lift my hand up for him to stop talking. “I tried reaching out to you, and you never responded.” I hear Alex giggling and Leigh putting him in the car seat.
“How old is he?”
“He turned five in March.” I clear my throat. “Look, there’s a lot you don’t know. Obviously.”
“I want to talk when you get the chance. I’m here now, working at a technology company my brother and I started, so I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. I want a chance if you’ll give that to me.”
“I don’t know. I need to get ready for work. Just text me or something, and we can plan a day to talk.”
“Is your number still the same?”
I nod. I never changed it, hoping Clayton would come back and call me. I waited for months until I realized my phone was never going to get a text or call from him.
“Yes.”
“I’ll text you soon. Thank you for the chance, Ashley.”
“Yep.”
I hurry inside and rush to my bedroom, closing the door and sliding down against it.
This can’t be happening. Clayton Turner isn’t back in Seattle. He didn’t come to my house and see Alex. It’s all in my head.
I cover my face with my hand and pinch my leg, feeling the instant pain and realizing I’m not dreaming and this is reality. For whatever reasons he’s back, I know it’s not a good reason. Something’s going on and I refuse to allow him to come into Alex’s life to take him away or break his heart the way he broke mine.
Chapter 10
Ashley
“Ashley?” Scott’s little voice snaps me into the present.
“Hey, kiddo. What’s up?”
“I’m checking on you. You’re quiet today.”
I look around his small hospital room and see his friends’ pictures and the albums of his family.
A year ago, I transferred from the NICU to the Pediatric Cancer Unit, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. This position is difficult, and I deal with emotionally draining cases but also cases with so much joy and triumph.
“I’m doing okay, buddy. Thank you so much for worrying about me. Now it’s my turn to worry about you. How are you feeling?”
He shrugs. “My mom came by earlier today. It’s Nathan’s tenth birthday. They wanted to bring him by to see me, but I told them no. He’s my big brother, and I want him to have the best day ever. When it was my birthday, Nathan made my day a big deal. I want that for my brother.”
“That’s so sweet. You’re a great kid.” I finish the exam and pull the blanket to his chest. “You sure you’re feeling good?”
“I’m a little tired.” He yawns and sinks deeper into his bed. “Will you come by later?”
“Of course. Get some rest.”
I walk out of the room