AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You could have gone septic. I told Elaine we should bring you to the hospital when you first…” She trails off, shaking her head. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how to take care of you. You’re the one who takes care of me.”
I laugh at that, because it couldn’t be further from the truth. I am a mess. I have been my whole life. I’m not capable of being anybody’s caretaker… not even my own. I’m going to change that, though.
“Shut up,” I tease. “Or I’m going to get sappy and start crying.”
“Well, we don’t want that. I don’t know about you, but I’m all cried out.”
Me too. I’m fucking tired of crying… giving my tears to others. It took everything out of me, and I’m finally getting back to something like normal. But her words sober me further.
“I’m so sorry I missed the funeral.” I tell her honestly. It’s not like I was looking forward to it or anything, but I did come all the way to this country with her specifically because she’d asked me to be by her side for her father’s funeral. And in the end, I hadn’t been there.
I know it’s irrational to feel guilty, but that doesn’t stop it from creeping in. Rhea is the person who saved me from myself all those years ago when we ended up as roommates. I’d do anything for her, even now.
“Stop.” She shakes her head, cutting me off abruptly. “Seriously, Claire, don’t apologize. I’m fine. I actually feel better now that it’s over. It’s like…” She presses her lips together while she tries to summon the word she wants. “I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest… especially now that you look better.”
“I’m sure I look like death.” I cringe, hoping I’ll have a chance to shower before running into Remy again.
I probably shouldn’t care what I look like. I probably shouldn’t give a damn what he thinks about me. But I can’t stop the flutter that rises up in me when I think of him.
“No, you looked like death yesterday. That doctor is a miracle worker. I’m going to have to bake her cookies or something.”
I laugh at the thought of her donning Elaine’s apron and mixing dough in the kitchen. The most baking I’ve ever seen her do involved dropping little misshapen squares from the package onto a baking sheet. “Maybe show your appreciation by not poisoning the doctor.”
It doesn’t occur to me what exactly I’m saying until the words are already said. But if Rhea notices, she doesn’t let on.
Of course, she didn’t notice. Because she didn’t poison you. She’s your best friend.
Rhea laughs, raising her hands in surrender. She seems to have forgotten about the cup in her hand, because when her eyes glance down at it, she holds it out to me. “I’m sorry, I forgot all about this. Elaine made you a pineapple blueberry smoothie. I know it sounds weird, but it’s actually delicious. It’s supposed to help with cellular healing or something like that.”
I stare at the tumbler between us; my hesitation doesn’t go unnoticed. “You okay?” Rhea’s voice oozes with concern, like she’s ready to spring into action to see what’s bothering me.
“I’m fine.” I promise again. “It’s just the thought of pineapple right now is making me nauseous.”
Rhea’s eyes narrow on me the slightest bit. “You love pineapple. I have to fight you if I don’t want it on my pizza.”
“I do.” I nod. “I just think the antibiotics are upsetting my stomach or something.” I take the cup from her and pop the lid open to sniff it.
The pineapple scent is overwhelming, but it actually makes my mouth water. I lost track of the last time I ate real food. I mean, the hospital food was actually pretty gourmet for a hospital. I suppose that has something to do with the fancy little suite I am in, but our talk of pineapple pizza has me craving something good.
As enticing as it is, though, I’m finally starting to feel human again for the first time since before everything unraveled; I’m not about to risk it.
“Okay, well I’ll set it here in case you change your mind,” Rhea sets it down on the table beside my bed and then turns back to appraise me. “Also, this is from Remy.”
She hands me a box, and my confusion must be obvious because she starts explaining before I even realize what I’m looking at.
“Since your phone got lost. We figured you’d need a new one while you’re here because I doubt that any of the channels on that TV are English.” She chuckles. “I told him I’m not leaving you here anyway, but you needed a new one anyway.”
I lift the lid and see that the phone is a few models newer than mine. It’s sleek and shiny and obviously brand new. It feels like an odd gift. Is it an apology for fucking me? Is it an apology for turning me into a killer?
“Tell him thanks, I guess.” I laugh.
“Tell him when you see him.” She rolls her eyes. “He drove me here but didn’t come in because he said he’s busy. He’s been weird since yesterday. Oh!” She covers her mouth with her hand, like she’s made a wild mistake. “You’ll never guess who was at the funeral!”
I grin in spite of myself. It feels good to get a little bit of our normalcy back, to just watch her launch straight into the theatrics. “Who?” I ask, because experience has taught me by now that she doesn’t want me to ruin her fun by guessing. Which is just as well, because I would never guess the name that falls off her tongue.
“Wes!”
Chapter thirteen
