Page 99 of The Way Home

“Sorry about him,” Jamie said quickly. “Caleb gets… emotional when he’s here. He’s not normally like that.”

The corner of her mouth lifted in understanding. “Oh, I know. Trust me, he’s not the first husband of a patient who hates me.”

“What? Oh—no, you misunderstand. He doesn’t hate you.”

She gave him a knowing look. “He does. And I don’t blame him. Most people aren’t particularly fond of the person tasked with delivering the worst news of their lives.”

Jamie blinked, digesting the words. His heart sank, the way it always did when thinking about what he’d put Caleb through over the last few months.

He fiddled with the cuff of his robe, unsure what to say. He settled on, “Your job sounds hard.”

A soft chuckle escaped her. “Sometimes.”

She excused herself quietly, giving him privacy to change. Jamie dressed quickly, glancing at the door. Caleb had a late game tonight, and he was going out for Ellie’s birthday. He wouldn’t want either of them to be late.

After he finished dressing, Jamie pulled out his phone to check his messages.

Pippa

What did the doc say?

Ellie

You better not bail tonight. I’m making you dance.

JB

Clarence knocked over your plinth.

Jamie gasped. What the bloody hell was that old toad doing anywhere near his exhibit? He started typing a furious response, but another message popped up before he could hit send.

JB

Relax. I fixed it. And kicked Clarence in the shins. How’s your hot American? Still hot?

Rolling his eyes, Jamie stuffed his phone back into his pocket and went to meet Caleb in the lobby. The smile returned to his face as he replayed Doctor Wilson’s words in his mind.You’re ready to be cleared for physical activity.

That swell of excitement warmed his chest again. He couldn’t bloody wait to get back on his bike.

Chapter 26

“Why are yousmiling at your phone?”

The high, squeaky voice came from behind Caleb. He glanced left and right before looking down and locking eyes with a miniature version of Angie, arms crossed and scowling up at him.

He crouched and booped her nose. “Sup, Freya?”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Mum said you’re the sports trainer,” she replied curtly. “Shouldn’t you be doingsportsthings? Not looking at your phone?”

“Well, the game’s over. And… I was texting Mister Jamie.” The second he said Jamie’s name, her scowl softened. Caleb grinned and bounced on his toes. “How could I not smile when talking to MisterJamie?”

Freya fucking loved Jamie.

Around them, the players on the field were shaking hands, and he could hear Dillion’s cocky voice sayinggood game, good game, good game. It was Kids’ Day at the stadium, which meant small humans were scattered across the sidelines like confetti. Caleb had long since given up trying to corral them all.

Freya seemed to remember she was supposed to be unimpressed and resumed her scowl. “What does MisterJamiewant?”

Caleb pretended to think. He definitely couldn’t tell her Jamie was tipsy at a bar with Ellie and sending him drunken nonsense. “He wants to know if the team won. What should I tell him?”