Jade: That sounds like a heart attack! He’s only 22!
Rosie: It wasn’t a heart attack. I had to argue with the ER doctor to even treat him, due to his age.
Mia: What was it then?
Rosie: It’s similar to a heart attack, but it’s just a narrowing of the arteries, which occurs without plaque build-up. It’s a side effect I’ve heard about.
Mia: Side effect of what?
Rosie: That’s not my story to tell, sorry.
Mia: Fair enough. Tell him we hope he gets better soon!
Rosie: I will.
“I’ll text Rosie and get a room number, then I’ll call my parents,” Olivia spoke softly. Nadia looked at Jade, who nodded. They were satisfied she was sufficiently chastised.
One of the stations had been playing theStar Warsmovies all day in a marathon. They were halfway throughRogue Onewhen the knock on the door came. It was evening, and Matt had barely touched his dinner. Rosie was a little concerned, but he blamed it on the bland hospital food.
“Can you see who it is?” Matt, who was propped up in the bed, asked her.
“Sure.” She slipped her shoes back on and strode across the room to open the wide door. On the other side stood Matt’s family. “Hi guys.”
“Is he up to company?” Worry lined Anna Lundholm’s face. “We came as soon as we heard.”
“Let me ask him. Just a sec.” Rosie left the door and went back to Matt’s bedside. “Hey, it’s your parents and Olivia. Are you up to seeing them?”
Matt turned the television off and nodded. “Just for a bit, okay?”
“Sure. I’ll let you guys talk for a bit, but I’ll be right back.”
He nodded in response but turned his head away from her when she tried to kiss his cheek. Odd. Maybe he didn’t want to piss Olivia off again. Rosie tamped down the hurt and grabbed her purse. Then she walked back over to the door and waved the Lundholms inside.
“Come on in. I’m going downstairs for some coffee. I’ll be back in a bit.”
As she went to pull the door shut, it was yanked back from her. Olivia attacked her with a hug so fierce, Rosie had no choice but to hug her back.
“Rosie … I’m sorry … thank you. You saved him.” Olivia had tears falling down her cheeks. Rosie’s eyes burned with her own, and the two friends pressed their foreheads together.
“I still love your face. Even if you hate me.”
“I can’t hate you.” Olivia pulled back, wiping her cheeks. There were bags under her eyes. Her friend was working herself too hard. “I’m so, so sorry I let this get between us. And I’m sorry that I didn’t trust you.”
“I could never hurt him. I promise you that.”
“I — I know that. But I was hurting both of you, and that’s not okay.”
“I forgive you. Can we be friends again?”
She got tackled with another hug. “Always. Even if you guys don’t work out.” Olivia squeezed Rosie tight. “It’d be awesome if we became sisters-in-law, though.”
“Now you sound like your mother.” Rosie laughed, then patted her friend on the back. “He’s going to be okay, Olivia.”
“Thanks to you.”
After a promise to keep in touch and to see her at game night, Rosie left them to their family time while she went in search of terrible hospital coffee. Rosie would have to be up half the night so she could sleep tomorrow during the day and make her nighttime shift.
When she returned, the Lundholms had already left.
