Free Begin Again by Christy Newton Page A

home.”
    â€œI’m sorry, no. Only Claire Jones and you were listed as his emergency contacts.”
    â€œOkay, thanks.” Ryan disconnected and grabbed his keys. He should have told Jacob to be careful. Instead, he let him rush off, knowing how anxious he was to get back to Kate. Tears stung his eyes. Jacob was like a brother to him. He had to be okay.
    â€¢ • •
    Ryan sat beside his friend’s bed and watched him sleep. Between the bandage around his head and the cast on his arm, he looked even worse than Ryan had imagined on the way over to the hospital. The man driving the semi wasn’t harmed, except for a couple of bruises, and claimed Jacob had run the red light. He rubbed his scruffy face and dialed Kate’s number for the twentieth time. Where was she? Didn’t she care that her ex was lying in a hospital bed partly because he was rushing home to meet her?
    Ryan glanced at his phone and let out a sigh of relief to see Kate was finally calling him back.
    â€œKate, it’s Ryan Tucker. Jacob was in an accident. I’m here with him in Indiana at County Hospital.”
    â€œOh my gosh. Is he okay?”
    Ryan looked at his sleeping friend. “He’s got a broken arm, some broken ribs, a sprained ankle, and a concussion, but yeah, he’s going to be okay.”
    Silence.
    Was she crying? Worried? “Are you still there?”
    â€œI’m here. I’m just trying to decide what to do.”
    Her ex, a man she supposedly still loved, was hurt badly. What was there to decide? If Maisie were in an accident, he’d be right by her side. “What do you mean?”
    â€œWell, I can’t come to Indiana. I have work. How is he going to manage with broken ribs and a broken arm?”
    Ryan’s face burned. “He was rushing back to see you. To work on your relationship!”
    â€œI know. I feel bad, but the fact is I can’t take care of him.”
    Ryan got up and walked into the hall. “Kate, you haven’t changed. You are still the same selfish, cold woman you’ve always been and always will be.” Ryan disconnected and walked down the sterile hall to the exit doors. He needed some air. As the cool air hit his face, he took a deep breath. The moon was full and bright. He leaned against the rough brick building. He had never been a fan of Kate’s, but he’d kept his mouth shut when Jacob had married her. Then he’d kept his mouth shut again when Jacob had wanted her back. It was time Jacob heard the truth about what he really thought of Kate.
    As he walked through the circular door, his cell phone buzzed.
    â€œRyan, it’s Maisie. I hope I didn’t reach you at a bad time.”
    Her voice was like chocolate, smooth and sweet. He would never grow tired of the sound. “Well, I’m at the hospital.”
    â€œThe hospital? Why?” He could hear the alarm in her voice. Maybe she did care about him.
    â€œI’m fine. It’s my friend, Jacob. He was driving back to Illinois and was in an accident. I’ve actually been here for the last few hours.”
    â€œIs he okay?”
    Ryan paced. “Yeah, he’s hurt, but he’ll heal.”
    â€œWhat hospital?”
    â€œCounty. He didn’t get far before the crash.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    He licked his dry bottom lip. “Things happen. So is everything okay with you?”
    â€œOh, yeah, I just wanted to know if I should give Lucky anymore vitamins tonight. How about you? Do you need anything?”
    â€œNo, just pray for Jacob. And no, you don’t need to give him more vitamins tonight. Start the dose tomorrow.”
    â€œOkay. I will.”
    â€œTalk to you later.” He disconnected and walked back inside.
    â€¢ • •
    Maisie glanced at the cup holder as she drove to County Hospital. She knew from experience that the hospital’s coffee was nasty and thought Ryan could use something better