Page 2 of A Very Grumpy Doctor

She doesn’t need a doctor.

She needs me.

And I’m not giving up on her or us.

1

Alexi

I sneezeand groan as I blow my nose into my last Kleenex.I swear, I’ve been going through a box a day for the last few days.This bug, or allergies, or whatever it is, has been killing me.

I hate being sick, always have, and I know that no oneenjoysbeing sick, but for me, it’s one of my worst fears.I’ve been battling a cold and trying to convince myself I would be better in a few days, but it’s been almost a week, and things are getting worse.

I’m tired all the time.My nose won’t stop running.I can’t take deep breaths without coughing.I need to go to the doctor, but I can’t.Every time I pick up the phone to call and make an appointment, I freeze and end up chickening out.

I sniffle, staring across the room at where my phone is lying on my kitchen counter.I should call.It won’t be that bad,I tell myself.

My front door bangs shut, and I startle, my head whipping around to see who’s here.I relax for a second when I see my best friend, Daisy.Then I realize I’m screwed.Daisy will drag me to the doctor as soon as she realizes I’m sick.

“Hey,” I say, trying to sound normal and not like I’m dying.“What are you doing here?”

“Just thought I’d stop by and see what you’re up to.I know we haven’t seen each other a lot over the last few days since Ledger was in town…” She trails off, frowning at me.

“How is your man?”I ask, trying to distract her.

Unfortunately, my nose chooses that moment to start running.I sniffle, then cough, and when I look over at Daisy, I see her pulling out her phone.I groan, walking toward her, and she shakes her head.

“Get your shoes on,” she orders.

“I’m fine,” I wheeze.

She glares at me.

“Iwillbe fine,” I correct.

She sighs.“Alexi.”

“Please don’t make me go,” I whine.

“Shoes,” she orders me again before she turns and talks into her phone.“Hi, yes, I’d like to make an appointment for Alexi Monroe.Yeah, that Alexi.”

Daisy stifles a laugh when I roll my eyes.“Today?Yeah, that’s perfect.Okay, we’ll see you soon.”

She hangs up and grabs my purse with one hand and my elbow with the other.“They can fit us in before closing.Come on.”

I trudge along beside her out to her car.

She opens the passenger door for me and smiles brightly as I slip inside.“It’s going to be okay, Alexi.We’re the last patients of the day, so we’ll be in and out in a few minutes.A quick exam, and we’ll have some medicine that will make you feel better.”

“We could try over-the-counter stuff first,” I suggest hopefully.

“No, come on.I’ve already made the appointment.”

I press my forehead to the passenger window as Daisy backs out of my driveway and heads through town to the medical clinic.

Daisy and I have lived in Wolf Valley our whole lives.We met in kindergarten and became fast friends.We’ve been through thick and thin together, and now we’re more like sisters.We’re the only family each other has anymore.

When we pull into the parking lot, I tense up.A cold sweat breaks out across my skin—not from the fever.