Page 229 of Fighting Chance

I hope so

that would be a cooler job than the one I have

what’s wrong?

can you call me?

LAYLA

I’ll call you when I’m done seeing Dr. Montary

My mom’s name flashes across my phone screen.

I knew I couldn’t mention Dr. Montary, the woman who diagnosed me and has been my specialist ever since, withoutmy mom freaking out. To be fair, if the roles were reversed, I’d be the same.

Sending Kieran an apologetic smile, I show him my screen, but he just waves me off. “God no, please answer. Otherwise she’ll be going out of her mind.”

Sagging with relief, I lift the phone to my ear, only to wince, my elbow aching.

Goddamnit.

“Hi Mom, you’re on speaker. Kieran is in the car with me.”

“Hi, sweetie! Hi, Kieran!”

“Hey, Momma Bear Carson.”

Her sigh is mixed with equal measures of panic and sadness. Perhaps this is why I’ve put off calling her all morning. Tears spring into my eyes and I turn my head to look out the window, trying to hide my pain from the man beside me that can read me like a book.

His warm hand lands on my leg, comforting me.

“How bad is it?” my mom asks warily. “I take it bad if you can’t hold the phone up.”

Wincing at how well my mom knows me and my illness, I clear my throat—twice. “It’s…it’s bad. I woke up this morning and couldn’t move.”

My mom sucks in a sharp intake of air. “Layla…”

“I know.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Her words taper off, and I doubt I’m the only one crying right now. “Do you want me to meet you there? Or are you okay with Kieran?”

Kieran tries to hide it, tries to hide the way his body tenses, but I swear he stops breathing.

“I’m okay with Kieran. If it’s not good I’ll have him call you, okay?”

“Okay sweetie, but please don’t hesitate. I can be there in a heartbeat if you need me.” She raises her voice, as if shouting to get her words across despite Kieran hearing her perfectly fine before. “Kieran, don’t let them gaslight her! Dr. Montary is amazing but just in case, make sure you speak up for my baby and demand the care she needs.”

“I’ll be her best spokesperson, Momma Bear, I swear on it.”

“Thank you. Keep me updated?” she asks as if I didn’t just promise her that.

She knows me well.

“Absolutely, hand to heart, I’ll keep you informed on everything.”

“Thank you, sweetie. Layla, I love you, and I promise we’ll figure this out.”

“Love you, Mom.”