AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I just called your boyfriend a—”
Before he can say it again, my fist meets his mouth.
Donovan and I cool our heels in the courtyard outside Lighthouse Medical.
Being the kid of the CEO of the hospital has perks. For example, when security escorts you out, you know that you’re not going to lose your job in the morning.
Probably.
The cold is bitter. The grass has iced over, and it crackles under my boots. We sit side by side on the landing, just taking a moment to breathe after everything that went down.
“You didn’t have to stand up for me,” Donovan finally says. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know. But it felt good.”
Donovan lets out a half laugh. “So much for meditation.”
I shrug. In the summer, the courtyard is filled with people—people in wheelchairs sitting under the trees, patients recovering from physical therapy doing loops around the center, and doctors and nurses sipping on coffee between shifts. But in January, no one’s outside.
It’s just the two of us. And I’m feeling close to Donovan now, so maybe that’s why the next words slip out. “Hey. I’m going to dinner at my parents’ house on Friday. You want to come?”
Donovan turns to me, eyebrows lifted. “You’re inviting me to family dinner?”
“Yeah.”
He thinks about it. “What about Kenzi?”
“Yeah, of course. I’m inviting her, too. But I’m asking you first.”
Donovan stares at me for a long time, then he turns away. “Yeah. Okay.”
“Cool.” I keep my voice cool, but my heart is hammering and my nerves are all bundled up in my throat. I’m freezing my balls off, but instead of complaining, I shove my hands into my armpits.
Donovan glances at me, then knocks his hand against my shoulder and stands. “I’m starving. Let’s go get something to eat.”
65
Jason
I call it “taking the day off.”
Ignore the fact that you got escorted out of your place of work twenty-four hours ago.
Ignore the fact that your dad texted you to tell you that you’re not allowed back in the hospital until you, and I quote, “grow up.”
I’m taking the day off.
I put on a wet suit and go for a long swim on the bayside. I cook. I meditate. I catch up on emails and try to ignore the nagging feeling of dread.
And, about halfway through the day, I decide to pay Kenzi a visit.
She’s hard to catch on the phone. Takes her forever to respond to texts, and forget about calling, she won’t pick up. So I decide to play it old-school. I show up on her front door and knock.
Lucky me, she opens the door. And, fuck. She looks cute. She’s messy-cute, which just so happens to be my favorite kind of cute. She’s wearing an oversized green patterned Christmas sweater and a pair of sweatpants. Her dark hair is pulled back in this messy pigtail, small tuffs poking out at odd angles.
When she sees me, her jaw falls. “I thought you were UPS.”
“Disappointed?” I ask.
