Page 47 of Wild

"That's exactly what I said, but she launched into her usual speech—told me I'm selfish, that I don't understand her, that I don't try to put myself in her shoes."

Another noise from Nell, louder this time.

"Please tell me you didn't give her the money, Doctor."

Erin looks at her and shrugs.

"More like I gave it to her as a gift, since she never pays me back."

"You need to learn to tell her no, Erin." Nell tries to be gentle about it, because what she really wants to ask is how long Erin plans to let her sister take advantage of her like this.

"I know, but it's hard. I'm all she has, and—"

"And instead of taking care of you, she takes advantage of you. I'm sorry to be so blunt, Dooley, but you need to open your eyes."

Erin nods in agreement, but she doesn't need to open anything—she did that a long time ago. What she needs is the courage to put her foot down with her sister. To tell her she's there for her whenever it really matters, not to fund every whim.

"Let's change the subject," Nell suggests, turning toward her.

Erin narrows her eyes at the woman's sideways smile.

"Word around here is you had some company the other night. The journalist, right?"

The doctor goes rigid.

"What is wrong with the people on this tour?" she asks, stunned. "Do you all share information with each other?"

Nell lets out a loud laugh that makes her shoulders shake and her glasses slide down her nose.

"Honey, get used to it. Everyone here knows everything. If you fart too loud, someone will hear it and know it was you."

Erin can't hold back the deep, unguarded laugh that bursts out of her, and the two of them end up in tears.

"Duly noted. No farting."

"So," Nell says, giving her a gentle nudge with her elbow, "is it true? Are you hooking up with Lexie?"

Erin's eyes go wide.

"I'm not hooking up with anyone, Nell. We spent the night together, that's it. I don't think I need to explain to you that sex doesn't have to come with strings attached."

Nell's laugh rings through the bus again.

"Of course not. I just wanted to see your reaction."

Erin wrinkles her brow.

"Don't you like her? Lexie's cute, and she's a good person. Maybe she'd be good for you—"

"Drop it, Nell. I don't know if the other night will happen again or not, but what I do know is that I'm not looking for anything serious."

Nell goes quiet, and Erin fidgets while she waits.

"Just to clarify—you don't want anything serious with anyone, or you don't want anything serious with Lexie?"

The question catches Erin off guard.

"What? You don't know the answer?" Nell prods, clearly enjoying herself.