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“You’re the one she wants,” her mother murmurs. “So, I’m glad you’re the one who’s here.”
Her smile is weak, and I try to smile back, but my lips are too heavy.
“Well, she was asking for you, so she’ll be stoked you made the trip.”
“Of course we did.” Her dad’s still glaring at me. “We’re her parents. What I’m trying to figure out is who you are and what you’re going to be once she comes through this.”
My mouth goes dry.
And his voice drops a few more degrees. “There’s no baby anymore. Not that you necessarily had any responsibility, but you definitely have none now.”
“I—”
“You gonna break my girl’s heart?”
“No, sir.” The words pop out of me fast and sure. In fact, I only just swallow the ones that want to naturally follow—I love her.
Wow. I’ve never thought that about a girl before.
I mean, I did after my first time—that Japanese goddess made me kinda ga-ga—and there have been a couple girls who have piqued my interest. I’ve got the tattoos to prove it. But this… whatever the fuck is happening in my chest right now… this is different.
Oh fuck.
I’m in love with Caroline Mason. Like legit.
My lips part, and I’m struggling to put words in my mouth when a doctor strides into the room.
It’s the one from before!
The one who took Caroline!
I dart around her parents, rushing up to her and looking around her head, as if Caroline is going to magically appear behind her.
“She’s fine.” The doctor smiles at me. “It was a quick procedure. Everything has been cleared, and she’s resting now.”
“Can I see her?” My voice pitches with urgency.
“Yes, but she’s exhausted, and I don’t want her crowded out.” She raises her eyebrows, and I glance behind me and spot all my support plus Caroline’s parents anxiously looking at the doctor. “Only one or two people at a time, okay?”
As much as I want that one to be me, I fight my selfish desperation and glance at her parents. Taking a small step back, I raise my chin toward the doctor. “It should be you two. She wants to see you.”
They don’t fight me on it, too distracted by the thought of checking on their daughter to give me a second glance.
I stay rooted to the spot, watching them walk away and shaking my head at what just happened. I gave up what I wanted. I put Caroline’s needs above my own.
It kinda sucks, but it also solidifies this whole revelation.
I love her.
I fucking love her.
* * *
Caroline’s parents take forever with their visit. I pace the waiting room like a caged animal. The afternoon turns into evening, and I tell everyone to get going. With hockey season over, we don’t have any practices until next week, though we’re still expected to keep up on our skills and workouts during this short break.
Even so, there are assignments to be done. The summer’s not here just yet, but finals will be happening before we know it. I won’t let them hang out in this torturous waiting room longer than they need to. After some whispered arguments, they finally leave, but Asher insists on coming back with takeout. I try to eat the burger he bought me, but it sits like a rock in my stomach, and I end up throwing half of it away.
Finally, Caroline’s parents return.
