Page 22 of Betrayed

Silence fell. Why was it so hard to talk to his wife? He knew the answer. The weight of the last six years was too heavy.

As AJ exited the x-ray room, Logan fell in step beside her. She still couldn’t believe he was here. They had hardly said anything to each other. Why did she choke on the words I’m sorry?

For one, I’m sorry would never be sufficient. And, of course, she was afraid he wouldn’t listen anyway.

They walked down the hallway following the tech. They turned down another corridor, and Miles came from yet another one. His eyes widened. “Hey, Logan. AJ.”

“Miles.”

AJ nodded at him but the motion made her dizzy, so she grasped Logan’s arm. He wrapped it around her.

Logan asked, “You okay?”

“Moved my head too fast.”

“What happened?” Miles took a step closer to them.

AJ lifted her palms to the ceiling. “I fell at work. I’m fine, just a bump on the noggin.” She relaxed into Logan’s side. It didn’t mean anything, but she appreciated the steadiness he was providing to her body, even if it was leaving her heart in turmoil.

The tech said, “Mrs. Jackson, I need to get you back to your room. I have another patient waiting for me.”

AJ said, “Oh, of course. It was nice to see you, Miles. I trust you’re feeling better.”

“I am. Thanks. I’ll see you guys around.”

AJ and Logan followed the tech back to AJ’s room. By themselves again, silence reigned.

She sat on the edge of the bed, and Logan took the chair.

Was she fooling herself to think things had changed the moment he came running to the hospital? Or was it the concussion?

She didn’t know what to say. It seemed like every time she opened her mouth, it made things worse. Maybe simply sitting in the same room with each other was all they needed right now.

Resting her head against the bed, her eyelids began to feel heavy.

“Stay awake.” Logan’s voice was raspy.

She opened her eyes and looked at him.

The hardness that had been there for the last five years was still there, but was that a tiny little crack?

“I just want to rest my eyes.”

“You know better.”

“Yeah. Any idea how much longer I’m going to have to sit here?”

“Long enough.”

“Are you talking to me again?”

He diverted his eyes and stared at something on the floor. “I don’t know.”

“Then why did you come?”

“I was scared.”

“Why—no, I’m sorry. I won’t push you to talk to me. Thanks for coming.” She watched him carefully.