Page 131 of Tell Me Something

“Because you’re wasting away. What’s going on with you?”

I rolled my eyes. “First I’m too fat to be a model at a size six. Now I’m down a size, and I’m suddenly too thin. I can’t fucking win.”

His eyes softened, and he studied my face. “Did something happen?”

I shrugged. “Josh gave me what I wanted. Space and the knowledge that the best way for me to keep from feeling abandoned by someone I love was to fuck it up before they have the opportunity.”

“Shit. I’m sorry, Haylee girl. Let’s get something to eat, and you can fill me in.”

A half hour later we had a pizza in front of us, and I’d caught him up on most of the details.

“So you haven’t reached out to him or told him that you’re miserable without him?”

I looked at Will in surprise. “Why would I reach out? He said he was letting me go.”

Will shook his head and sighed. “Yeah, until you were ready. He thinks he’s giving you the space you need to figure things out. Why the hell haven’t you told him you have?”

“So you think I should go there tonight?” I was suddenly hopeful.

“Uh, maybe you should call him first.”

I knew instantly that he was thinking the same thing I had. There was a possibility Josh could be with someone else. The thought made me sick to my stomach. “I think I’ll just take the train back to New Haven instead. I’m sorry to bag on the rest of our lunch, but I’m not feeling good.”

He reached out and took my hand. “You’re worrying me. You need to eat.”

“I’m fine, Will, but thank you. I’m going to catch a cab and then a train home. Thanks for thinking of me for the shoot. We’ll be in touch.” I was suddenly too warm and too emotional to sit for one more moment. I threw down a twenty and got up too fast. The room spun, and I felt the blood leave my head.

“Fuck, Haylee. I’ve got you.” His voice sounded like it was in a tunnel.

“I’m all right,” I whispered and felt a cup lifted to my lips.

“Drink slow,” he coaxed. “I’m going to sit you up. Easy, now.”

I realized my upper body was being supported by Will while my butt and legs were on the floor.

He lifted me back up to the chair.

My face flushed with embarrassment at the fact that I had the waiter and half the restaurant staring at me. “I think I just stood up too quickly.”

“I think you haven’t been taking very good care of yourself,” he chided, typing something into his phone.

I sighed. “I’ll be fine. I just need to get home.”

He glared at me, and I had to sit back in astonishment. I’d never seen Will mad before. “Don’t test me, Haylee. Sit there and sip your soda a few minutes.”

I felt like a petulant child but didn’t trust myself to be able to get up without falling flat on my face.

He was totally engrossed in his phone, and I wasn’t sure how long he intended to keep me here. My question was answered when I saw Josh step through the door fifteen minutes later. My eyes met Will’s. I was a mixture of confused and hurt.

“Come on. We’re heading to the hospital.”

JOSH DIDN’T SAY A WORD, but the hard line to his mouth and the intense look in his eyes spoke volumes.

I knew better than to protest the fact that both men insisted on seeing me to the hospital. I was in the middle of the sedan’s back seat with Will on one side and Josh on the other.

I wondered what kind of pull Josh had when I was shown to a private room upon arrival at the hospital. A nice nurse drew blood and took my vitals, and a doctor came in shortly after.

“Now then, Ms. Holloway, I’m Doctor Butler. I’m told you have lost some weight and had a dizzy spell today?”