Page 94 of After We Fall

His face gentles, and he lowers his voice. “I should never have left you that night at Harlan’s birthday party. Three years. Lost.”

“Why did you leave?”

“My grandma had a stroke. Died later that night.”

My heart sinks and I whisper, “Luke.”

“I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight.”

“Luke.”

“I should’ve asked Harlan for your number.”

I swallow.

“And you’d better believe I’m claiming my dance at Harlan and Meredith’s New Year’s shindig.”

He leans back in, and just as he places another sweet kiss on my lips, my phone rings. I jump and pull back, a sinking feeling in my belly. Luke’s searing eyes don’t leave mine.

“That’s Jason’s ringtone. We keep missing each other.” I bite my bottom lip. How ridiculous and apropos that Jason has interrupted our first kiss.

After heaving a giant sigh, Luke says, “You should take his call.”

“Yeah,” I say, but I can’t coax my body to move.

Luke’s face shifts into a half smile. He curls us both to sitting. “Talk to Jason. I’ll go check on the status of dinner. It’s supposed to be delivered soon.”

After Luke leaves the room, I command Alexa to answer the phone. “Hey, Jason.”

“How is the patient?”

“Making progress.”

“Yeah? Are you turning the pastures green? Making the flowers grow?” Jason’s tone is laced with a touch of mockery. The first time I explained the neurofeedback process to him, it was clear he had his doubts about the treatment. As well as my choice to stay in Colorado Springs.

“I understand your skepticism, Jason, but it seems to be working.”

“You are the last person whose brain needs retraining.”

“You aren’t here,” I say, my voice a little heavier than I want it to be. “This injury has been tough.”

“I’m not with you because you didn’t want to come with me.”

“I don’t want to argue about this again. I’m getting good, solid care here.” I sigh. Trying a change of topic, I offer, “Dr. Ridding has an interesting story.”

Silence.

“His dad played for the Broncos for years and suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He died tragically, and Dr. Ridding made it his life’s purpose to work with people who experience traumatic brain injuries.”

Jason’s breathing is the only confirmation he’s still on the call.

“He even consulted on the set of the movie Concussion. Worked with Will Smith.” My tone rises with hope that the explanation will distract Jason from his disapproval of my treatment plan.

“Did you know that health insurance doesn’t even cover neurofeedback?” Jason finally says. “A lot of people don’t think this is the correct medical path to go down for a head injury.”

“Meredith’s from Texas and said the state of Texas requires insurance coverage for neurofeedback in the event of a traumatic brain injury. Not every state legislature has caught up.”

Silence.