Jax packed up her work for the day. She was leaving the office with more than enough time to stop at the store and make it to Gretchen’s evaluation on time. She couldn’t stop thinking about Gretchen and the note she wrote. If the evaluation didn’t go smoothly, she’d bring it to Dr. Melendez’s attention, but until then she would allow Dr. Melendez to be the one to decide what was and was not normal at this stage of healing. Jax pulled her phone from her pocket and decided to finally respond to the messages from Meredith and Wyatt. Wyatt asked for updates on Gretchen, and Meredith asked if she would see Jax later. She had no clue how to answer either.

She gave Wyatt a brief rundown of Gretchen’s vitals. She opted to share only facts. Gretchen’s memory wasn’t good, but she was healing and appeared to be out of the woods. They’d know more after the evaluation, and she promised to call him later. Easy. Meredith’s message, however, proved to be much more difficult even though it only required a yes or no answer.

Jax loved spending time with Meredith, but the day so far had shaken something within her. Maybe it was the way Gretchen lay broken and desperate in her hospital bed. Maybe it was the reality of almost losing Gretchen finally hitting her. Or maybe it was as simple as her broken heart never getting the chance to mend at all before being shattered again. Whatever it was, Jax had a hard time picturing herself sleeping beside Meredith for another night right now.

She typed, erased, and typed again, multiple responses, but in the end, she sent the one that was closest to the truth. Not tonight. I have to be at the hospital for a while, and I’m beat. Maybe tomorrow? Jax hit Send and took a breath. She couldn’t juggle worrying about her hospitalized wife, obsessing about her annoying boss, and hurting her girlfriend’s feelings. Unfortunately, Meredith fell at the bottom of her priority list.

I understand. I’ll be up late if you change your mind. Do you need me to pick up Caleb?

Yes, please.

Anything for you.

Guilt hit Jax like a punch to the gut. Meredith was too kind to be pushed to the side. She decided then and there that she’d make it up to Meredith in a big way once Gretchen was cleared and released from the hospital. Jax was imagining a weekend away where she and Meredith could just bask in each other’s company and have a chance to really explore where their connection could take them.

“Leaving already?” Jax’s boss said from behind her.

Jax started and faced him. “Yeah. I have to get back to the hospital. I emailed you the details.”