Abruption by Riley Mackenzie Read Free Book Online Page B

Until today. Finn supposedly wasn’t “cooperating.”
    It was blatantly obvious from across the bay that Finn was in the throes of a good old-fashioned meltdown. There was flailing; there was screaming. He looked like a mini-possessed lunatic, and if he wasn’t flinging his body around on the bed, he would have gone boneless. Actually, Finn looked like he perfected that phenomenon lying down.
    “Hey, buddy. Whatcha throwing a temper tantrum for?” I approached the little screamer with caution.
    Guy glared at my question. “Something must be wrong. Finn doesn’t have temper tantrums.”
    “I hate to break it to you, Dad … he’s three. He’s not special. And he’s having a temper tantrum. One of the best I’ve ever seen.” And he might look like an angel, but no, your child doesn’t walk on water. I didn’t say that last part, but I was tempted. For a surgeon, he wasn’t the brightest and needed to pull his head out of his ass. I dismissed the two nurses handling Finn like Venetian glass and took over. Their collective sighs after Guy approved made me chuckle a little.
    “Hey, handsome, I heard you were asking for me.” Finn kept screaming. “And I heard your dad offered you your favorite pizza if you’re a big boy and let me take a tiny bit of blood. You know I’ll use that special gel, doesn’t hurt at all.” More screaming. “Okay. I’m going to count to five then I’m leaving. No blood work, but also no yummy pizza for your belly. Your choice. One, two—” The screaming morphed into swallowed gulps. “Three—” Hiccups. “Four—”
    “Yemon yi- (hiccup) ices, too (hiccup), JuJu?”
    He seriously was as delicious as a lemon ice itself. And to top it off, JuJu, my nickname melted my heart. I lifted his glasses from his face, careful not to snag the Power Ranger sports band tucked between his curly locks, and wiped his tears with the sleeve of his thermal shirt.
    “Absolutely.” I tapped the tip of his nose—family habit, I couldn’t help myself—and replaced his lenses. “That reminds me, I think this boy deserves some of Alonzo’s famous water ice. To this day, he insists my mom only married him because it’s the best ever!” I winked at my little friend and caught Guy staring sans the glare this time.
    “My mommy’s in heaven. You know heaven?”
    Caught so utterly off guard, my heart sank to the pit of my stomach, and I had to take a moment to catch my breath before answering. “I do know heaven, sweet boy. Heaven is home for all the beautiful angels. I bet your mommy is looking down on you right now.”
    “Maxie says Mommy’s a real angel. She flies super fast like Tink.” He whipped his little arms above his head, imitating the tiny sparkly fairy. A small smile tugged at my lips, appreciating his precious reference.
    Your heart will fly on wings forever.
    “Well, you’re one lucky little brother because you have one smart big sister. Angels are definitely real … beautifully real.”
    The stifling climate finally abated when Finn’s smile reached his eyes. Somewhere during our conversation, Guy’s gaze drifted to his phone and remained statue-still, as if his screen saver held magical answers. Unfortunately, magical answers didn’t exist. I could not believe Finn and his sister lost their mother, and Guy lost his wife. Overcome with a myriad of feelings—curiosity, sadness, empathy—I said … nothing. Yep, I said absolutely nothing.
    Awkward.
    Finn tugged my arm. “JuJu, I hungry, I hungry.”
    “Right, handsome.” Right . I swallowed the platitudes that were stuck between my brain and lips and focused on what I could actually fix. I’d yet to find words of sympathy that held any healing power, so I pushed up Finn’s sleeve and went to work.
    “See, nice and quick. All done. You were a rock star.” I disposed of the sharp and sticker-labeled the vials. “And boy, do I have the perfect Band-Aid for you.” I rummaged through the bin and covered his barely