The Infamous Ellen James(41)

I can see she's shaking with heartache. I can't believe things have gotten so awful for her and Matt. I'm shocked and honestly a little hurt that she didn't let me in. That she didn't come to me before now. Before everything was at its absolute worst. I gently rub her back and look over at Amy to see what's running through her head. Her expression is purely sympathetic. I can tell she feels as terrible as I do—terrible that my sister has been going through all of this alone.

“Well, I say that you move your ass in here, give yourself some time to think, and work through some things before you make your final decision,” Amy generously offers to Lizzy.

I'm going to be indebted to my best friend forever for being so damn amazing.

“You just took the words right out of my mouth. I agree with Amy. Move in with us for a little while and take time to get your head straight. It'll be nice to have my only sister so close.” I continue to rub her back.

Lizzy looks up at both Amy and me, and it's the first time I've seen her really smile since she made the trip to Charlotte. “Are you guys being serious? You're really okay with me staying here with you for a while?”

“Yes, we're one hundred percent serious. We've got a spare bedroom and you're just the girl to make use of it.” I pull Lizzy in for a tight hug and feel Amy wrap her arms around both of us.

“Lizzy, you have kitchen duty today,” Amy whispers quietly while we're all still wrapped up in each other's arms. Lizzy laughs loudly and my heart smiles at the sound of my sister's happiness. Although, we are complete opposites and have had our fair share of fights in the past, Lizzy is my sister. She's family, and I will always do anything for my family.





Chapter Eighteen



“My 'I give a fuck' actually gives less fucks than your 'I don't give a fuck.'”



Today is Regency's annual golf event, and Trent is waiting patiently downstairs for Amy and me to get our asses in his truck. He volunteered to be our driver for this wonderful Saturday afternoon. Little did he know that Amy and I make a tradition out of taking a few shots before heading out to schmooze it up with Regency's finest physicians and hospital administrators. Yeah, I know. This is quite the dangerous game we play, but this is Amy and me we're talking about here. Our “I give a fuck” actually gives less fucks than most people's “I don't give a fuck.”

Lizzy has been moved in with us for a week now. She seems sad at times, but I'm hoping this period away from her life in Louisville is giving her time to think things over. I know things with Matt haven't been the best over the past several months, but I would just hate for her to throw her marriage of over six years away. There was a point in time when Matt and Lizzy were blissfully happy, and I feel like if they really worked on things, they could find that happiness again.

I've been doing my best to take time to spend with my sister. I begged her to go to this charity event with us, but she was insistent on staying in for the day. She has a phone call planned with Matt later this evening when he's home from work. From what Lizzy's told me, Matt isn't really taking things so well either. He's immersed himself even more than before in his job, which explains his weekend hours. I just hope he can pull his head out of his ass and realize he's about to lose the best thing that ever happened to him.

I urged Lizzy to call me if she needs anything and even encouraged her to stop by the charity event later after she and Matt talk. I know she most likely won't show up, but I just want her to realize that I'm here for her always. No matter what, I will always have her back.

Amy and I are officially four tequila shots down and feeling really good.

A little too good, actually.

Skipping breakfast was probably not the best idea. I grab my purse, straighten my adorable golf skirt, and strut my slightly tipsy butt out the door. Trent is on his Blackberry, finishing up a call as Amy and I hop in the passenger side of his truck. He's all kinds of cute with his bright blue eyes shining like diamonds. The combination of his jet-black hair and white oxford polo seems to make his eyes stand out even more. He's watching me climb into his truck with a gorgeous grin spread across his full, soft lips. I fold the center console up and slide into the middle seat next to my devastatingly handsome...boyfriend?

I guess that's what Trent is to me.

That's what he's been calling himself for the past week. I really want him to be my boyfriend—shit, I want him to be my everything—but I'm well aware that he is not going to be a permanent fixture here in Charlotte. I bet y'all are tired of hearing me say this, but I can't help myself. Crazy does what crazy wants, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I've got a little bit—okay, a lot— of crazy inside of me.