“Faithless,” Caleb added, stepping back and suddenly appearing bored. “I’m done with this. I’ll stay until your dad gets back then I’m out of here.” He went back inside Chance’s room, leaving me in the hallway.
I didn’t want the guy I loved to think I was a cheat and a lying bitch, but how else was I to keep him at a distance? He was Caleb. He’d pushed his way into my life once before, forcing me to open my mind and heart. I was afraid of him attempting the same thing again. Even if he’d never left my heart, the dark parts of my mind couldn’t accept him.
It was agony to picture him with another girl, but I couldn’t give him what he needed. I walked slowly into the room, where Caleb stared down at his phone.
Sitting down, taking a deep breath, I came to a decision. I couldn’t be with Caleb, I’d make that clear, but it hurt too much for him to think badly of me.
“I lied.”
His eyes casually rolled up to mine. “No shit.”
“About Gage.”
That had him snapping to attention, the phone in his hand forgotten.
“About having sex with him.”
“What?” Hazel eyes darkened with turbulent feeling.
“About loving him.”
“You don’t?” His previously indolent frame now thrummed with energy.
“About not loving you.” My voice trembled and I gripped the arms of my chair for support.
“Then why are you with him?” he asked.
“I’m not,” I finished.
“I don’t understand,” he said, standing but not moving to me.
Good, he needed to stay away.
“Why then?” he asked.
“Because I don’t want to be with you anymore.”
“Don’t want to be with me?” he asked, his face changing into something I couldn’t decipher.
“Can’t,” I amended, getting ready to dodge him if he reached for me.
“You love me?” he asked. I should have known he’d zero in on that.
“Won’t be with you,” I emphasized, ignoring his question. Thankfully, my dad returned, halting the conversation I considered over.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“The heart is forever inexperienced.”
-Henry David Thoreau
GIANNA
“You’re mom is going to be fine,” my dad said as he entered the room. Seeing Caleb standing over where I sat, he stopped. “Everything all right?”
Caleb returned to his seat by the window. “All good.”
Not until I added, “Fine,” did my dad approach where Chance slept, placing a hand on his little chest.
“I’m going to spend the night with him. Why don’t you go down to see your mom and head on home, Gianna?”
“I can stay the night in mom’s room,” I told him, wanting to be near my family.
“No, Scott is staying overnight with her. I’d feel better if you went home, or better yet, slept over at Cece’s house.”
“I’ll call her. Can I take your car?” I asked, figuring it was that or I’d have to call Cece to pick me up at the hospital.
“I can drop her off,” Caleb offered casually. My eyes shot to him where he seemed unaffected by our earlier discussion. Not that I was fooled. His body thrummed with barely leashed energy.
“That sounds good,” my dad said, sounding distracted by what he was reading. He’d pulled Chance’s chart and I figured, being a doctor, it was habit.
I wasn’t about to start an argument with Caleb in front of my dad. After I checked on my mom I’d call Cece to come get me. I stood, giving my dad a hug goodbye. We’d had a scare, but were lucky not to lose either my mom or Chance in the crash.
“Have you heard anything about the other people involved in the accident?” I asked, the images of other mothers and children popping into my head.
My dad kissed my forehead. “One person is in critical condition, but they think he’ll make it. Everyone else will be fine.”
“Good,” I told him, glancing at where Caleb waited in the doorway.
“I’ll be back tomorrow morning.” They’d definitely discharge Chance sometime in the morning and possibly my mom. I’d be sure to get here early enough to help out.
“Okay, sweetie,” my dad said as his phone rang.
I left as he answered it, pretending not to see Caleb’s outstretched hand when we were in the hallway. “Cece or Jared can pick me up,” I told Caleb as we made our way past the nurse’s triage. “Thank you,” I told the nurse still sitting there.
“You’re welcome. Have a good night!” she chirped. The lady down in ER hadn’t been friendly, but this cheery nurse was perfect for the children’s ward. The kids probably loved her.