Wrecked(7)

I looked down.

“Exactly. Now get out.”

“We’re not there yet.”

“I don’t care. You need some fresh air to clear that head of yours.”

“Gee, thanks.” I got out, this time slamming the door. He was right, and I knew it. That just made it worse.

I was ready to pass out by the time I got home. You’d think recovering from a collapsed lung would get you a break, but not in my dad’s book. I sunk down on the couch and turned on the TV. I went right to ESPN, but it was just some interview special featuring has-been players. I shut it off.

I needed a distraction. What I wanted was a drink—but I couldn’t. Even if I wasn’t on meds, my mom had cleared out my entire supply while I was in the hospital. There was also the whole conversation with Dad. Didn’t being an alcoholic mean never drinking at all? That just seemed dumb. I could control my drinking if I wanted to. There were plenty of times when I just had a beer or two. It didn’t matter though. Without a car, it wasn’t an option.

The only thing that sounded better than a drink was that nurse. If she looked that hot in scrubs and a cardigan—I was ready to see her in something else. I’d rummaged through my wallet and found her number as soon as I’d gotten home. I’d already programmed her into my phone. I couldn’t recall her ever giving me her last name, or if she did I forgot it, so she was just under Emily. I liked the name. I’d only known one Emily and she’d been an all right girl.

I was never nervous about calling girls, but this time was different. She’d seen me at my absolute worst. The only upside is that even at my worst, she gave me her number. I could only improve from there.

I decided to stop stalling. My excuse for waiting was making sure I wasn’t doing time. Now that it was off the table, I could finally call. I figured she probably knew about the DUI, but I wasn’t excited about telling her she’d have to pick me up if we went out. Whether a girl was traditional or not, she expected the guy to drive. I hit call and listened to a few rings.

“Hello?” She answered hesitantly, like she was nervous.

“Emily?”

“Yes. Who is this?”

I leaned back against the couch. “It’s your favorite patient.”

“That’s impossible. I don’t have favorites.” Her words were playful.

“Does that mean you give out your number a lot?”

“No—not too often.” She laughed. “How’re you doing, Jake?”

A thrill ran through me when she said my name. I assumed she remembered me, but it was nice to hear it. “I’m doing all right.”

“Feeling better?”

“Much. I get tired a lot though.”

“That’s pretty normal.” Her voice was soft, just like I imagined her skin feeling.

“How’re you doing?”

“All right. I’ve just been working.”

“Any chance you want to do something else? Maybe get dinner sometime?” I was ready to break my cardinal rule. You always do coffee on the first date in case it’s a disaster. But this wouldn’t be a disaster, and coffee wouldn’t be long enough.

“I’m working most of this week. This is my only night off.”

“Then how about tonight?” I knew it was a long shot, but she’d just admitted she didn’t have much going on.

“Won’t I seem desperate if I say yes?”

“I already sound desperate. Why not join the club?”

“Do you want me to come to you? If you can’t drive or anything…”

She was fishing for information.

“Unfortunately, you’re right. I can try to get a ride.” I cringed at the thought of asking. Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered calling her.

“That’s okay. I’ve heard a lot about Clayton Falls.”

“Yeah? So you want to meet here?”

“Sure. But how about we make it early, so I get home at a decent time?”

I wouldn’t have argued about anything. “It’s only eleven…want to make it lunch?”

“Oh. That would be great.” She sounded relieved.

“Okay, cool. Is noon too soon?”

“No. Not at all. Do you want me to pick you up?” There were muffled sounds like she was moving around. Maybe she was getting ready.

“If you don’t mind…” Man, it felt weird for a girl to be asking that.

“It’s fine. I just need your address.”

I gave it to her. “Call if you get lost or anything, but it’s really just a straight shot.”

“It’ll be fine. See you soon.”

“Great. See ya.”





Chapter Seven


Emily





“You’ll never guess where I’m going right now.” I had Mel on speakerphone as I drove.

“Where?”

“You’re not even going to try?”

“You told me I wouldn’t guess, so why bother?”

You had to love Mel’s attitude. “Clayton Falls.”

“Are you seeing Jake?”

“It’s good we never actually made a bet. He called me.” I’d been smiling so much since he called that my face was starting to hurt.

“When? You’ve been holding out on me.”

“Forty-five minutes ago. And don’t start. This is my only day off this week.” I checked my blind spot before changing lanes. You knew someone was driving slow when I had to pass them.

“I wasn’t going to say anything. Any date is a good thing for you. But he’s making you go to him?”

“He lost his license. He got a DUI, remember?”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” I heard a ding. She must have been in the elevator.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m just grabbing lunch. I was going to bring you over a sandwich, but obviously you don’t need one.”

“This isn’t crazy, is it?” I gripped the wheel tighter.

“Maybe a little, but who cares?”

“It’s not like it’s ever going to become anything. It’s just one lunch.”

“Tell yourself whatever it takes.” She made that clicking sound with her tongue she always makes when she doesn’t believe someone.

“Come on, he’ll be gone the second he hears about Noah.”

“You don’t know that.” A horn wailed.

“Messing with traffic again?”

“Don’t change the subject. You can’t spend your whole life on the sidelines because of Noah—he doesn’t want you to.”

“He doesn’t know what he wants.”

“Still, you can’t.”

“I don’t need this speech again. I’m on my way to a date, remember?” I saw the first sign for the exit to Clayton Falls.

“You’re nervous, huh?”

“Very. It’s been forever since I’ve been on one.”

“You’ll do fine. But what are you wearing? Please tell me you dressed cute.”

“That yellow sundress and strappy sandals.”

“Perfect. It shows a little cleavage but not too much, and yellow looks awesome on you.”

“It doesn’t show cleavage.” I looked down self-consciously.

“You’re checking out your girls, aren’t you?”

I laughed. “Are you sure you don’t have a camera in my car?”

“No, not yet. Tell Jake I said hi, and call on your way back.”

“I will. Have a good lunch.”

“I’d prefer the lunch you’re having, but what can you do?”

I moved into the right lane so I could exit. “I don’t even know where we’re eating.”

“Em, I meant Jake. I’d prefer lunch with Jake.”

“Oh. You don’t actually like him, do you?”

She laughed. “He’s all yours, Em. Enjoy.”

“I can do this.”

“Yes, you can. Go get him, girl.”

“So funny. All right, I’m about to turn off.”

“Woo hoo, you’re almost to the Falls.”

“Do people call it that?”

“No. It just sounded cool.”

“Bye, Mel.”

I double checked the house number twice before pulling into the driveway. I took a deep breath. This wasn’t a big deal. It was just lunch. I suddenly understood how guys felt on dates… it was even worse when you were picking your date up. I smoothed out my dress one last time before knocking on the white door.

Jake pulled the door open as soon as I knocked. “Wow, you look amazing.” He checked me out appreciatively, and I liked it. Everyone needs a confidence booster in moments like those.

“Thanks.” He looked pretty amazing himself in a light green, collared shirt and khaki shorts.

“Aren’t you supposed to tell me I look good too?”

I felt the blood rushing to my face. “Yeah, you look good too.”

“I’m kidding.”

“Oh, okay.”

“So I know I told you to pick me up, but if you like seafood we can actually walk to the place I was thinking of.”

“That sounds nice.” It was a gorgeous day, and I didn’t mind walking. Maybe the fresh air would calm my nerves.

“Great.” He locked the door. “It’s right off the beach.”

I followed him down his driveway and walked alongside him when we reached the street. “I’m really glad you came. I know it’s a little bit of a drive.”