She didn’t leave. Thank God for small miracles.

But it’s Monday, and I had to report in this morning, working a 7 AM to 7 PM shift. It’s going to be a long ass day. It’s already been a long three hours. How am I supposed to shove them to the back of my mind? Whitney. My daughter. Even Emersyn. It’s impossible. They are the forefront.

It’s still surreal that she named Emersyn after me. Subconsciously of course, but she still did it. That has to mean something.

I got Whitney to drop me off at work this morning so she wouldn’t be without a vehicle. I was adamant. I didn’t want her to go back to her house even for her car, and I can just Uber it home.

I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure she doesn’t go back to Blake’s, even if it means maxing out my credit card or taking out a loan to get her another car since mine is paid for. My parents did a lot for me while I was in medical school and even when I moved here, they helped me a lot. I’m not ungrateful. I know my parents struggled when they were in my shoes because they started their family before they finished medical school.

“Shane?”

Twisting around to Roxanne’s voice, I see her standing in the entryway to our dictation room. Well, it’s not really a room. It’s more of a small, semi-secluded space with three computers tucked away along the hallway for doctors to finish patient charts. I’ve been in here for the last half hour doing dictations on three of the patients I treated this morning.

“Yeah?”

“You finishing up?” She smiles shyly at me. I’m not sure why. She’s not shy with anyone else. Just me, yet she always finds a reason to talk to me. I’m not blind. I knew she had a crush even before my brother pointed it out a few weeks ago. I don’t know why she continues to pursue me. I’ve given her no reason to think there could be anything between us.

“Yep,” I inform her. “All done. What’s up? Any new patients?” I stand after logging off the computer.

“Nothing new on the board. There are still four patients roomed.” She braces her palms on the entrance walls, preventing me from slipping out. “That’s not why I stopped by.” She chuckles.

“Oh, okay. What’s up then?” I ask once again.

“Some of us are going out after our shift tonight to grab a bite to eat and have a few beers. Wanna come?” Her lips tip up.

“Nah. I can’t.” I shake my head.

It has become a weekly ritual that Roxanne or one of the other residents invites me to hang out after our shift, and even though I’ve accepted their invite a few times, it’s just not my thing. Okay, they aren’t my thing. With the exceptions of Gavin, I really haven’t connected with the others to consider them friends. Then again, I really haven’t tried. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to get close to others. Maybe it’s because I have enough friends already. Maybe it’s because you don’t want to replace Trent. Yeah . . . maybe.

“Oh, come on,” she whines. “What do you got going on that you gotta rush home for, huh?”

“A lot,” I breathe out. More than I ever imagined possible. The problem is, I’m not certain I’ll get to keep them. The pain slicing through me at that thought is almost unbearable—which is why I keep trying to shove it to the farthest section of my mind.

“Huh?” she questions, dumbfound. “You don’t even have a dog, Shane.”

“I have a daughter.” It just slipped out. I wasn’t planning on telling anyone besides my boss, but now that it’s out of my mouth it feels good to say it out loud for once. I have a daughter. I have a daughter.

“I’m sorry, what?” She leans closer, making me step backward.

“It’s a long story.” I shrug. “You know the woman that showed up Gavin’s Saturday night? The one I left with?”

“Yeah, what was up with that? That isn’t like you.”

It’s not, but she hasn’t known me long enough to make that call. It’s not like I hit Blake even though I should have been the one to do it.

“Maybe not, but it happened, and again, it’s too long of a story. But I have daughter. My girl . . .” I pause. I’ve always referred to Whitney as my girlfriend. But she’s not. She married someone else. Pain shoots through my chest at that fact. “That woman was a girl I dated a long time ago. Her name is Whitney. Anyway, I have a daughter with her, and they’re at my apartment; staying with me,” I clarify.

Shock crosses her face. One look transforms into another: disappointment and even anger, I think. But maybe this is what she needed to hear to make her understand I’m not interested. It’s always been Whitney. This weekend confirmed it. It’ll always be her.

“I appreciate the invite. Maybe another night, okay?” I gesture for her to step back to allow me to exit.

Just as her stunned silence evaporates, my phone buzzes from my back pocket.

“I can’t . . . I mean . . . but I don’t . . .” She continues not making a full sentence as I reach into my pocket, pulling out my cell phone.

Kylie’s bright smile lights up the screen. It feels like it was just yesterday that I took that photo. But it wasn’t, and too much has happened since she was that happy.

“I gotta take this.” I flash the screen at her, but she’s just staring dumbfounded at me. I guess I get it. It’s still a shock and something I haven’t fully let myself embrace because Everly doesn’t know I’m her father.

Not yet anyway.

But she will.

I turn away from Roxanne—who still hasn’t acknowledged my phone call. I’m being rude, I know, but I’m also not up for explaining further. It’s none of her business anyway.

“Hey, Ky.”

“I got another resident to cover me through Sunday.” She sighs. Her voice sounds almost as broken as I feel. She doesn’t need more heartache this year, or ever. “My flight is Wednesday night after my shift.”

“Okay,” I resign. There’s no talking her, or even Eve, out of coming. They want to see their friend too. I’m being selfish. But shouldn’t I get to be selfish? I’ve missed too much. I’ve lost time I’ll never get back.

No. I can’t deal with all that yet. I close my eyes as I brace my forearm on the white wall at the back of the dictation room.

“Okay? Just like that? You’re fine with me coming?”

My head falls, landing on my heated arm.

“Yeah, Kylie. It’s fine. Come. I could use a friend.” In all honesty, I could. I’m still upset that she won’t ask to get out of her lease. I’m still mad at her for not agreeing to move. If Trent were still alive, he’d be livid that I let her stay in an apartment where another tenant—a girl the same age as Kylie and a girl that looks a lot like Kylie—was murdered. Maybe if they’d caught the person responsible I’d be okay with her decision. But they haven’t, and I’m not fine with her decision. She’s one of my best friends. She is my best friend now that Trent’s gone. And if anything happened to her too . . .

“Okay. Good.” Her spirit perks up. “I love you, Shane. So much, and I’m coming for you too. Not just for Whit. I’m coming for you.”

“Doctor Braden, you’re needed in room two,” the female voice from the intercom filters in from the hallway.

“I heard,” she says. “See ya in a couple of days, Shaney.”

God, I hate when she calls me that.

* * *

“Call in an Ortho consult for me for the upper extremity,” I relay to Roxanne on the other side of the patient’s bed as I look over the x-rays from the computer I have rolled up next to the bedside.

“Got it.” She squeezes the five-year-old boy’s arm. “You’re gonna be okay, little man.”

He has a fracture to his femur from a trampoline accident. They’ve become more common in the last few years with the increased number of trampoline parks opening. Luckily, he isn’t one of the cases that end up with damage to their spinal cord.

“She’s right,” I confirm, turning away from the monitor. “You’ll be in a cast for several weeks, but you’ll be okay soon enough.” I cut my eyes over to the boy’s mother who is chewing on her bottom lip from the chair she’s perched on. “I want one of the Orthopedic Surgeons to reset his bones. Did the nurse ask you what pharmacy you prefer?” I finish with.

“Yes.”

“Good. I’m going to call him in a prescription for pain. If he needs it give it to him, but if he’s fine you don’t have to. So just as needed.” I eye her to make sure she fully understands my instructions.

She nods her head, then stares at her son with pain in her eyes. It makes me think about Everly. Obviously, I like children. I chose Pediatrics because the thought of any child sick, in pain, or even worse, made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to help them. I wanted to do anything in my power to make sure they grew into healthy adults. But now . . . Now I have a child, and I’m seeing things in a different light. Whereas before, I wanted to help, now I need to. The feeling is different. I hate to say it, but it’s more real somehow. It’s a deeper feeling.

My eyes skirt over to the door. Roxanne enters, walking to my side. Calvin Anderson, an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, follows in behind her. He looks directly at my patient, smiling.

“I hear you took a dive off a trampoline.” His voice is playful as he curls his fingers around the plastic at the end of the hospital bed the boy is lying in. The kid’s face turns from one in pain to looking scared, in a matter of seconds. “It’s okay, little buddy. I’m just messing with you. I’m Dr. Anderson.”

The kid apparently didn’t understand his attempt to lighten the mood.

He cocks his head toward Roxanne and me, his expression turning professional. “Dr. Braden, pull up the x-rays for me.”

“Got ’em on the screen for you already.” I step back, showing the computer screen to my right as I get out of his way to come view them. Roxanne follows my steps, staying a little too close to my side for my liking. Another intern or anyone really and it wouldn’t bother me. But I think she does it purposely.

He takes a few minutes scanning the images before turning his attention over to the boy’s mother.

“Mom,” he greets the boy’s mother. She’s still chomping down on her lip, but she’s now standing by the bedside, clutching her son’s hand. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“He was fine one minute, then an older kid jumped on the section he was on, and he bounced too high I guess. He landed awkwardly.” Her lip trembles like she’s holding back tears, and I suppose she is.

“Yeah,” Calvin comments. “That’s certainly a recipe for disaster, but the break is clean. We’ll get him to surgery to reset it then it’ll be cast, and it should heal fine. What questions do you have?”

“How long will he be in the cast?” she asks.

“Usually it’s six to eight weeks, but sometimes longer. Most patients return to normal activities within twelve to eighteen weeks. I’d like to see him in my clinic in two weeks for a post-operative check-up.” Dr. Anderson looks my way. “Will you put that in the discharge notes so he’ll get scheduled timely?”

“Of course.” I nod.

“Great. Let’s get you to the OR, young man.” He steps away from the boy’s bed, addressing the mother as he walks. “Mom, if you’ll follow me, we’ll head up.”

After the kid is wheeled out of the exam room, I linger to finish up the notes inside his chart on the computer.

“So a kid, huh?”

Roxanne brushes up against me as I hit the acceptance button, saving my notes. With a few more clicks, I quickly sign off.

She’s been quiet all day. Since I told her I couldn’t go out tonight because I have a daughter at home, I’ve been expecting her to say something. I didn’t expect silence. I was thankful for it. It’s not something I want to discuss with people yet. I still don’t know what the future holds.

I won’t let either one of them go without a fight this time.

“Uh-huh,” I affirm.

“How old?”

“Nine. She’ll be ten next month.”

“So what?” Her shoulders rise, then drop. “She never let you know? That’s kinda shitty, Shane. I’m so sorry. If you need—”

“Look, Rox, it’s a long story. One I don’t feel like getting into, but she didn’t keep me from our daughter on purpose. She didn’t know.” She gawks at me, telling me she thinks Whitney must have slept with more than one guy in high school. “It’s not what you’re thinking, but I’m not going to explain. It’s too much, and I need to wrap-up before our shift ends.”

“Okay,” she whispers as she turns to leave the room. I’m momentarily relieved until she halts, pivoting to face me ten feet away. “If you need anyone to talk to, my door is always open. I don’t have kids or anything, but you know I help out with my sister’s kids when she needs me.”

I nod.

“Thanks. Kylie, my best friend, is coming up from Florida in a couple of days so . . .” I trail off just as my phone vibrates through the back pocket of my scrubs. “Excuse me, will ya? There’s something I need to check.” I walk around her and out the exam room door.

Pushing through the Emergency Room door leading out of the ER and into the hospital, I find the stairwell entrance down the hall. I pull open the door, secluding myself inside for privacy before retrieving my cell and then opening the message.

Jacob: Just landed. Once I get my luggage, I’ll be in route.

Me: Thanks. I still have another hour, but Whitney is at my apartment. Feel free to go on over.

Jacob: See you then, Son.

I shoot a message to Whitney, letting her know Taralynn’s dad is on his way.

Me: Jacob’s flight just landed. He’ll head there next. Will you let him in? I’ll be home in about an hour and half.

Love: Sure. I can do that.

Me: Thanks!

Love.

When she texted me earlier letting me know her new number, that’s what I logged her name as. I didn’t do it intentionally. It was after I saved it that I realized I had.

She is my love. She’ll always be my love. I just have to get her to remember. And if not . . . I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing the stinging sensation back. If she doesn’t, then I’ll make this Whitney fall in love with me.

Because I can’t go another day without her in my life. I won’t.

* * *

Pushing open the unlocked door of my apartment, I enter to the smell of something that makes my stomach growl. It also has me wondering if Taralynn is here. That girl can cook as good as my mother, and anytime I’m rewarded with one of her meals it makes me wish for what my brother has.

If his stupid ass can keep her, that is. But I can’t worry with their relationship now. I have my own worries with all that’s fallen into my lap in the last few days.

“Love,” I call out as I close the door behind me. Everly looks up from the couch where she and her sister are watching television. There’s a cartoon playing. I remember me at Everly’s age, and baby cartoons weren’t on any list of fun activities I wanted to do. She’s a good big sister. I can see it just in the couple of days I’ve been watching her.

“We’re in here,” Whitney calls out from the kitchen off to the right of the living room.

“Everly.” I greet my daughter who hasn’t taken her eyes off me since I walked through the door. She’s been looking at me strangely since we left my brother’s house Sunday night. I guess I’d be looking at me that way too if I were in her shoes. A man she’s never met in her life is now not only a part of it, but she’s living with him. Yeah, I think I’d be weirded out.

“Hi,” she finally whispers when I’m walking past the couch toward the kitchen.

“Hiiiii!” I chuckle as Emersyn copies her sister because it makes me remember when Shawn did it. It annoyed me. I’m glad it doesn’t seem to do the same with Everly.

“Hey, Em,” I tell her, looking over my shoulder.

Entering the kitchen, I see Whitney and Jacob sitting at the small, round table in the corner. My kitchen is small, but for an apartment, it’s not that small. I have enough room for the small table and a tiny island in the center of the space.

“Shane,” Jacob greets. “How are you, Son?” I eye him as I walk over to the granite counter next to my refrigerator, dropping my keys and wallet down followed by hooking my cell phone up to the charger that’s already in the outlet. “Scratch that, don’t answer.”

“Thanks for coming.” I walk over to where they’re sitting, taking a seat in one of the two remaining empty chairs. “I appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem. It’s not like I have anything besides an empty condo to return to.”

“How are things with you and Taralynn?”

I know she’s trying to forgive her dad. He kept so much from her. Since Shawn told me, I’ve had a tough time deciding if I should tell her I suspect Trent knew the truth. He was extreme when it came to watching out for her. He argued with his mother at least once a week over his sister. He didn’t like the way Katherine treated them differently. In fact, he hated it. And something about it got to him. After I had learned the truth, I remembered something he said once when he was pissed off at his mom. She’s never accepted Taralynn as hers. Now I know what he meant. I didn’t back then, but now it makes sense.

She may be the only one that understands what I’m dealing with and here I am keeping something else from her. The only difference is Trent is dead. Whitney and our daughter aren’t. What purpose would it serve to soil the way Taralynn remembers her brother?

“I need to check on dinner. It should be ready soon.” Whitney rises from her seat.

“You cooked?” I ask, surprised.

“Yeah.” She smiles. “Who else would have done it?” A laugh breaks through her lips as she passes behind Jacob’s chair to walk to the stove.

He smirks as he looks at me, knowing I thought it was his daughter. I shrug. We all benefit from her skills.

“I hope you’re both hungry. And haven’t eaten yet.” She looks over her shoulder. “I guess I should have told you I was cooking. Sorry. I didn’t think to do that.”

“It’s fine, Love. Anything you need help with?”

“Uh-uh.” Her head shakes.

“Ahem.” Jacob clears his throat, getting my attention. “Whitney has filled me in on a few things my daughter didn’t tell me. I am sorry, Shane. I know this has to be tough.”

I look behind me, making sure Everly isn’t in earshot. I want her to know I’m her father. I want that more than anything, but I don’t want her to find out because she overheard someone say it. I want Whitney and me to tell her together—and soon.

After turning back to face him, I nod.

“What do we need to do first? She’s my daughter. I want her last name changed. I don’t want Blake to have any rights to her.”

A dish clatters, making me look over at Whitney. Her back is to us, but her body is still. She knew I had to want all of this. I’m not sorry either. She doesn’t fully understand what her parents did to us—did to me. Or what Blake Lane’s part was in keeping us apart. I lost the first ten years of our daughter’s life. Everly isn’t the only thing I lost either. If I hadn’t wrecked that night, she would have never lost her memory. We’d be married, raising our daughter together. We’d be together and maybe even have another child by now instead of her having one with someone else.

I can’t change the past. If I could, I’d go back to do things differently. But I can make damn sure the future is one that we both want. I just hope I’m what she wants when this is all said and done.

I turn my focus back on Jacob. She needs to hear everything. She doesn’t have to agree to all, and I won’t push her, but I will be a part of Everly’s life even if Whitney chooses not to be a part of mine.

“If Whitney wants one”—I curl my palm around the edge of the seat I’m sitting on—“what’s the quickest way to start a divorce? And can one be rushed?” I want everything out in the open, so I continue, letting not just Jacob, but Whitney know what I’d like to happen. “Can both girls be kept from Blake?”

I don’t want the man ever around Whitney or the girls again—Emersyn included. I don’t trust what he’ll do now that the truth is out. If he’s capable of lying to a woman to get her to marry him, then what else is he capable of? I don’t want to find out.

“Well,” Jacob starts. “I can have a judge order a paternity test tomorrow. Then you can contest the birth certificate. I have a good friend that’s a judge here in Memphis. That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll call him tonight. Since Whitney has the girls in her custody now, he can’t just come take them nor can the law remove them without just cause. I can try to get an emergency hearing later this week or early next week to get a court-ordered custody arrangement, if that’s what Whitney wants. It sounds like we have a justified cause for it. Plus, that’ll keep him from leaving the state legally if his daughter is ever in his custody.”

He looks at Whitney—who’s still standing on the other side of the room. She is facing us now.

“You and I talked. Am I correct; you pretty much want the same things Shane stated?”

Her eyes glide over at me but she just stares without saying anything. Her chest rises high, but then falls just as quickly. Finally, she walks over without losing eye contact. My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat waiting for her to speak.

“I want a divorce.” She sits, still looking at me. “I don’t want to stay married to him any longer than I absolutely have to. And I don’t want him anywhere near either of my girls. I want full custody of both of them.” I keep my emotions in check the best I can. For the most part, she’s saying what I wanted her to. But whether she realizes it or not, Everly is half mine, and I’m going to have joint custody of her if she and I aren’t together. I will not spend another second that I don’t have to without my little girl. “Whatever we need to do”—she turns to Jacob—“let’s get it started as soon as possible.”

“Okay. I’m going to clear my schedule tomorrow and remain in Memphis tonight in case I need to file anything with the county. Did you get married in Tennessee?”

“Yes,” she tells him.

“Okay, then. I need to make that call and find a hotel.” He pushes the chair back before standing.

“Can’t you stay for dinner? I made plenty, and I promise, I’m not a horrible cook.”

“Thanks, Whitney. I know by the smell alone it’s incredible, but I won’t stay. This is time-sensitive, and I’d like to get started.”

“I’ll walk you out, Jacob.” I stand as well, following him to the door.

Everly looks up from the TV as he passes, looking bored.

“Night, girls. It was a pleasure meeting you both,” he tells them, pulling the door open.

“Niiight!” Emersyn shouts.

Closing the door after I exit, I cross my arms, and then lean against it.

“I really do appreciate all of this. Thanks, Jacob.” He turns to face me with his palm reached out in my direction—which I uncross my arms to shake.

“No thanks are needed.”

“What do think? Is all of this going to be easy or a long process?”

“Son, it isn’t going to be easy. I doubt that man will go down without some kind of fight.”

“Yeah,” I sigh.

I doubt he will either. He hasn’t stopped blowing up my phone since Sunday night. I finally had to block his number to get it to stop.