Jordan gave him a huge, toothless smile. “Better.” He leaned in toward Josh. “They give me all the juice boxes I want.”
Josh smiled as he leaned in and kissed Jordan on the forehead. Jordan settled back against the pillows that were propping him up and continued sipping on the juice box until it was empty.
“I’ll go get him another one,” Beth said.
Josh suddenly realized that she was in the room. He glanced over at her just as she slipped through the curtains. He couldn’t see her face, but from the way her shoulders curved forward, he could tell she was stressed.
He glanced over at Jordan, who was fiddling with the buttons on the railing of his bed. “Hey, bud, I need to go talk to Ms. Beth. Do you think you’ll be okay?” He shifted so that he could pull his phone from his back pocket. “Here, watch a show until I get back.”
Jordan let out a whoop as he grabbed Josh’s phone and selected a superhero cartoon. Surprise, surprise.
Satisfied that his son wasn’t going to just get up and run off, Josh walked over to the opening in the curtains. Glancing out, he saw Beth on the other side of the room. She was crouching down in front of a small fridge. She grabbed a juice box and stood back up, keeping her eyes down as she walked back in his direction.
He didn’t want to have this conversation in front of Jordan, so Josh slipped through the curtains and made his way over to her. Just before he reached her, a nurse walked between them, pausing to address Beth.
He couldn’t quite make out what they were saying—their voices were low—but he could tell from their expressions that the nurse knew her. And when the nurse reached out to touch Beth’s arm, Josh realized that the nurse was comforting her.
Why?
Beth nodded, and her conversation with the nurse ended. Beth gave her a smile and continued walking, this time, meeting Josh’s gaze. A worried expression flashed over Beth’s face as she flicked her gaze from the nurse then back to Josh.
“Hey,” she said as a smile spread across her face.
Josh studied her. That was a quick change of emotions. He couldn’t help but wonder if her sudden smile was more forced than genuine.
He stepped closer to her, only to have her step back. He studied her, wondering what that had been about, but then decided to push that thought from his mind. He was here for Jordan, and Beth’s strange reactions weren’t what he needed to focus on.
“Thanks for doing this,” he said as he shoved his hands into his front pockets.
Her smile faltered as she glanced behind him. She sighed as she fiddled with the juice box in her hands. “I’m so sorry. I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. He wasn’t getting better. I…didn’t know what to do.” The last words left her lips as a whisper.
Josh could see the worry that she was holding onto. It made him both respect and care for her that much more. She worried about his son. Someone like that would always have a place with him.
“Well, you took good care of him, so thanks.”
Beth continued to fiddle with the juice box for a few moments longer before she sighed and nodded toward Jordan. “I should get him this.”
Josh wanted to stop her. He wanted to make sure she realized how grateful he was that she took such great care of his son. Even though he’d been saying the words, he wasn’t sure she’d understood him. She was pulling back, and he wasn’t sure why.
But he was determined to find out.
A doctor distracted him when he got back to Jordan, which helped keep his mind off of Beth, who was sitting in a chair next to Jordan’s bed. The doctor said that Jordan was fighting off a cold, which most likely caused the spike in temperature which led to the dehydration. He said that after the IV bag was empty, Jordan could go home.
Grateful that it wasn’t anything too serious, Josh shook the doctor’s hand and thanked him. After checking a few more vitals, the doctor left them alone.
Jordan was focused in on the show he was watching while sipping the last of the juice, so Josh allowed his gaze to make its way over to Beth. She had her purse on her lap and was studying her phone. Josh wanted to open his mouth, to say something. But things were so strange between them. Ever since last night when he’d wanted to lean down and kiss her, things had changed.
“Excuse me, Mr. Braxton, but there is a Tricia here to see you,” a nurse said as she poked her head between the curtains and glanced down at him.
Josh furrowed his brow, and from the corner of his eye, he saw Beth raise her head to watch them.
“Um, yeah, you can let her back here.” What was he supposed to say? It wasn’t like Beth was speaking to him. Maybe having someone else here would help with the awkwardness between them.
It didn’t take long before Josh could hear Tricia’s voice as she made her way back. She was talking a mile a minute. When the curtains parted, the nurse looked all too happy to dump Tricia on them.
“Josh,” Tricia exclaimed as she made her way over and threw her arms around him.
Josh stood there for a moment, almost shocked by the fact that Tricia was hugging him. Not wanting to be rude, he wrapped his arms around her and patted her back. “Hey, Tricia.”
Tricia pulled back and met his gaze, but didn’t let him go. “How’s Jordan?”
Josh glanced over at his son and, in the process, caught Beth’s eye. He couldn’t quite read her expression. Was she happy? Mad?
Tricia ran her hands down his shoulders to his biceps and let her hands linger there. “I’m just shocked that you left without telling me. I mean, imagine my surprise when suddenly you were gone. You dad told me that you’d been called to the hospital. I left Tanner with the maid and rushed right over.” She threw her arms around him again and hung onto him like he was about to float away. “I just didn’t want you to be alone,” she whispered loudly in his ear.
Josh gave her a quick squeeze and then backed away. “Well, I’m not alone. Beth is here.”
A look of hurt flashed over Tricia’s face when Josh stepped back, but it was quickly replaced with a huge smile that seemed a little forced. “Beth is here. Of course.” She turned and located Beth. “You were so smart bringing Jordan here. A temperature is nothing to mess with.”
Beth had tucked her phone back into her purse and nodded. “I wanted to make sure he was okay.” She stood and reached over to give Jordan a quick hug and kiss on the top of his head. “I should probably go. I need to get back. Since you’re here, I figured you can take over.”
Josh parted his lips. He wanted to ask her to stay. There was no reason she should go. He liked having her here. But Beth just gave him a quick nod and slipped from the makeshift room.
Once Beth was gone, a new life came over Tricia. She turned and grinned at him.
“Well, you have me now, and I’m not leaving until he’s discharged.” Then she leaned in, brushing her shoulder against his. “And maybe not even then.”
Tricia held to her word for the next hour and a half. Apparently, a few serious cases came in to be treated, halting all the discharges. By the time they walked through the doors that evening, Josh was cranky and so was Jordan.
Tricia didn’t seem fazed at all. She was happy to just talk, even though Josh had stopped responding. There was a moment where Tricia brushed her hand against his and it made him wonder if she wanted him to hold it. Then he dispelled that thought as fast as he could.
Cindy had done a number on him. He used to be a confident guy. In high school, if he wanted a girl, he went after her. Now? He couldn’t read Beth, much less Tricia. Maybe this whole thinking about dating thing had been a colossal mistake.
He was pretty sure he was misreading everything, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d not only end up alone romantically, but he’d ruin all his friendships. So he made sure to move away from Tricia. Maybe she’d get the hint that he just wasn’t interested right now.
His life was a mess. Jordan was sick, and he still hadn’t figured out what he was going to do about his ex. Trying to
involve himself with anyone romantically was a stupid idea.
He just needed to get that through his head before he saw Beth again. Before his resolve completely crumbled down around him.
Chapter Fourteen
Beth studied the road as she drove back home from the hospital. So many emotions were rushing around inside of her as she took a deep breath and pressed on the brake, pausing at an intersection before taking a left.
What an emotionally charged day. First, she’d been worried about Jordan and had to make sure he was okay. Then she’d been worried about what Josh would say when he came. And then there was Tricia—a factor she hadn’t prepared herself for.
They had seemed so intimate when Tricia greeted him, and their hug had thrown Beth off. Was there something there?
She groaned as she pulled in to her driveway and rested her forehead on the steering wheel. Of course there was something there. It was Tricia. Perfect, rich, and incredibly single, Tricia.
Josh would be an idiot not to like her.
Beth sighed as she pulled on her door handle and got out. Right now, she needed a hot shower and her comfy pajamas. She unlocked the front door and made her way into her house. It was eerily quiet.
Sam had texted her to tell her that they were staying an extra night at the hospital but not to worry, that they would be home soon and things could return to normal. But Beth knew how to read between the lines.
This secret was getting ridiculous. Almost detrimental to her mom’s health. Plus, she was exhausted from keeping it to herself. Keeping it from Josh.
She climbed the stairs to her bedroom and set her stuff down on her bed. After a long shower, she emerged from the bathroom with her fluffy robe wrapped around her and her hair pulled up in a towel.
As she walked into her room, she let out a scream.
“Tiffany,” she said, grabbing her chest as her heart pounded.
Tiffany had a confused expression as she turned, holding Beth’s phone up. It took a moment for everything the register for Beth. Tiffany looked worried and was holding her phone. What had she found out?
“What are you doing?” Beth asked, crossing the room and grabbing her phone from Tiffany.
“Why is Sam texting you about how someone has cancer?” Tiffany asked as she collapsed on Beth’s bed.
Beth gave her an annoyed look as she slipped her phone into her robe’s pocket. “The cat.”
Tiffany didn’t look convinced. “Really? Beth, come on. Why are you lying to me?”
Beth sighed as she sat down on the armchair in the corner of the room and cradled her forehead in her hand. “Tiff, I can’t…” Her voice trailed off as all the emotions she’d been trying to suppress came bubbling up. Well, there was no way she could convince Tiffany that there wasn’t anything going on, now. Her dumb emotions were giving her away.
Tiffany’s feet appeared on the carpet in front of her, and then her hand rested on Beth’s shoulder. “Beth, what’s going on? Is it your mom?”
Beth took a deep breath as she nodded into her hand. “She’s sick. Has been for a while.” Beth straightened as she brought her gaze over to the picture hanging on the wall. Anything to avoid the pity that was coming from Tiffany. So this was why her parents wanted to keep it a secret. Now she knew.
“Beth, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Beth brought her gaze over to Tiffany and attempted a small smile. “She made me promise not to say anything, and, you know, I couldn’t break that promise. Not when she’s sick and our relationship is what it is.”
Tiffany sat criss-crossed on the carpet. “Yeah, I get that.”
Beth pinched her lips together. Her life was a complete mess. What was she doing? Either with Josh or with trying to attempt to have a normal life. It was ridiculous. That was never going to happen.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Tiffany asked. “I came over, hoping we could go out. It is a Friday night. But…” Tiffany raised her eyebrows.
Beth shook her head. Honestly, she was exhausted. “I just want to be alone if that’s okay.”
Tiffany furrowed her brow but then nodded. “Of course.” She stood and straightened her clothes. “Tomorrow? Let’s do something.”
Beth nodded as she wrapped her arms around her chest. She wasn’t going to think that far into the future. Right now, she just needed to get through the night. Tiffany gave her a hug and left, the click of the door marking her departure. Beth lingered in the chair until she gathered the strength to stand.
After slipping into her pajamas, she pulled the towel off and began running a comb through her hair. Just as she finished the braid, her phone rang.
She got up and made her way over to her purse.
Josh.
Worry rushed through her as she clicked the phone on and raised it to her ear. “Hello?”
There was a pause. “Beth? It’s Josh.”
She nodded. She already knew that. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
Silence.
This was a strange phone call.
“I just wanted to thank you again for what you did for Jordan. He hasn’t stopped talking about you since we left the hospital.”
Beth’s heart swelled. She really was falling for that kid. “I’m just happy he’s safe.”
“Yeah. Had a hard time going down for bed, but I finally got him asleep.”
Beth glanced out her window toward the Braxton’s garage. She could only imagine which window Josh was standing behind. Was he thinking about her like she was thinking about him?
No. That was a stupid thought. He should be thinking about Tricia. She was much less complicated than Beth.
“How did things go with Tricia?” Then she pinched her lips together. Why did she ask that? Did she really want to know his answer?
There was a pause. Beth could literally hear her heart beating in her ears from the anticipation of what he was going to say.
“She stayed a bit longer once you left but then had to get back to Tanner.”
So she wasn’t over at his apartment. That was good news.
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say.
“I’m not only calling to thank you. I was wondering if you wanted to come over. I just…” He let out his breath as his voice deepened.
He sounded stressed. And beaten down. Like he needed a friend. She could be that friend. “Sure. I can come over. I’ll be there in a few.” If anything, that would probably be better for Beth. Staying alone in a house full of memories was the last thing she wanted to do. And after her conversation with Tiffany, the reality of her future never felt more certain.
Josh mumbled a thank you, and Beth hung up the phone. After slipping into some shorts and a t-shirt, she grabbed her sandals, slipped her phone into her back pocket, and left.
She tried to slow her gait as she crossed the driveway and climbed the stairs to the apartment. After one knock, the door sung open and Josh’s weak smile greeted her.
“Hey,” he said, backing away from the door to let her in.
She tried to ignore how close he remained as she stood in the entryway to take off her sandals. She tried to ignore how good he smelled or the burning desire she had to wrap her arms around him and take away all the hurt that was written on his face.
Once she straightened, she met his gaze. He held it for a moment longer than a friend would, and suddenly, Beth’s heart took off in a gallop. She wasn’t just seeing things. Or hoping.
Josh was treating her differently, and it wasn’t just her imagination.
Taking a chance, she reached out and touched his elbow. Too nervous to find out how he felt about her attempt to comfort him, she studied her hand.
“What’s going on?” she asked. She glanced up to see that he was staring down at her. There was an intensity to his gaze that caused her breath to hitch in her throat.
He stepped forward, and everything around Beth seemed to fade away. All that mattered in this moment was the
two of them. Her feelings for him crashed through her body like waves against the shore. It made her lightheaded and woozy.
He lingered for a moment longer before he turned toward the kitchen. “Chocolate milk?” he asked.
Just as he moved away, reality fell down around her. This was his moment to show her how he felt. To open up to her, and yet, he wasn’t. What did that mean?
Feeling like an idiot, she wrapped an arm around her stomach and held onto her other arm. She needed the protection that brought. How could she have allowed herself to think that Josh would see her as anything other than the little girl from across the street who confessed her love for him?
“Um, sure.” She followed after him, keeping her distance. There was no way she wanted to get into a situation like that again. She didn’t want to allow herself to feel vulnerable around a guy just to have him back away.
Josh nodded as he got two glasses down from the cupboard and set them on the counter. Then he grabbed the milk from the fridge and poured it.
“Can you grab the chocolate powder?” he asked, motioning toward the cupboard just behind her.
Beth nodded and stepped back, pulling the door open and glancing inside. After locating the powder, she set it on the counter. Josh grabbed a spoon and Beth opened the lid. After scooping the powder into the milk, Josh handed her the spoon. Just as she grabbed it, her fingers grazed his.
Zaps of electricity rushed up her arm. Beth scolded herself for reacting that way. What was the matter with her?
Josh didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he reached into the drawer and grabbed another spoon. After stirring his milk a few times, he drank half of it.
Not sure what to do, Beth did the same. Why weren’t they talking? Did he literally just invite her over for chocolate milk? That seemed strange.
After finishing off his drink, he made his way to the sink and set his glass inside of it. Beth held hers in her hand, feeling awkward. Where was this night going?
Her Boss: Braxton Brothers Series Book One Page 11
