“Let’s go to my office so you can give me the details.” Shaun shoots me a look, solidarity in that stern expression. I haven’t had to deal with security often, thankfully, but of all the guys on the team, Shaun’s the best at defusing volatile situations.

“Don’t you ever come around asking me favors again,” Shasta shouts to Isaiah as she follows Shaun out of the room. “Don’t you dare bring trouble to my door.”

I count to twenty after Shaun leaves and then excuse myself, so Isaiah and Carter can speak in private.

Carter

“I hate my mom,” Isaiah says. “I hate her so much.”

My gut twists. Isaiah has never bothered to hide how he feels about his mother, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say it so directly. Maybe I should scold him for saying something so awful, but I won’t. Not when he’s already lost so much this year. Not when I have to live with the role I played in that loss. “I don’t blame you.”

He sighs and shifts in bed, grimacing. “Is that hot nurse really your girl?”

Get used to the lie now. “Haven’t you read the papers? Our picture was on the front page of the Jackson Harbor Gazette yesterday.”

He grunts. “No one under the age of sixty reads the newspaper, C. Sorry.”

I laugh. “I guess you’re right.”

“Did she grow up here like you? The nurse?”

“She moved here a few years ago. Her family’s from Virginia, and she went to college with Ethan’s wife, Nic, in Alabama.” I take the cup from his bedside table, refilling the ice as an excuse to stand closer. “You said Jess broke up with you?”

“I’m not talking about it.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

He scowls at me then sighs. “She said she cares about me, but it felt like it was getting serious too fast. Then she was all over Hayden Traelle at the party on Saturday, so obviously she doesn’t care that much.”

Suddenly, Isaiah’s very uncharacteristic decision to drink and drive makes more sense. Nothing excuses it, but I understand a little better now that I know. “That blows. I’m sorry.”

He lifts his chin. “Why? It’s not your fault.”

“I’m still sorry. Broken hearts suck.”

“Preach.” He snags his phone off the bed next to him and starts scrolling.

“I work tonight and tomorrow. You need anything before I go in?” I work twenty-four-hour shifts every three days; he knows how it works.

He shakes his head. “I’m good.”

“Text if you change your mind. Otherwise, I’ll see you Wednesday.”

“Got it,” he says, but his attention is already off me and on his phone.

I head out to the nurse’s station to find Teagan.

When I find her sitting right next to Bethany, I freeze. I planned on talking to Beth this morning, but damn if I don’t feel awkward about it seeing her next to Teagan.