Page 71 of Shameless With Him

“He is, but he still needs meds, and if his doctors don’t order the right scripts, and if the insurance doesn’t cover them like it should, things get stirred up.”

“I know. Hence why I really need your help today.”

“Well, I’m here for you.” He paused, frowning. “Though I’m actually wondering why you didn’t ask Zoey.”

I looked down at my feet before we made our way out.

“Are you kidding me? You haven’t fucking told her that you’re sick?”

“I didn’t want to worry her. She has so much to do with the wedding and shit.”

“No, that’s just a cop-out. Why the hell are you scared to tell her that you’re sick?”

I let out a sigh, not knowing what the right answer was since I didn’t even have one for myself. “I don’t know. Maybe because I need to figure this out on my own first. I wasn’t expecting Zoey. We’re just casual. You know? Nothing serious.”

“Are you telling me that or yourself?”

“Fuck you.” I already hated myself enough, and probably would even more by the time things were over. I didn’t need Devin on my ass about it, too.

“No, fuck you if you hurt her.”

“Come on, let’s go to the doctor,” I grumbled.

“What are you going to do about Zoey?” Devin asked.

“I don’t know. I think it’s time to cool things off, though, you know?”

“No, I really don’t.”

“I don’t want anything serious. Especially when I’m trying to figure things out with myself. With the wedding and everything, things just got too deep, too quick.”

“You fucking hurt her, you’re going to have to deal with us.”

“I thought you were my brother, not hers.”

“I am your brother, and that’s why I’ll kick your ass once you’re healthier. Because I love you, you dumb shit. Don’t do anything stupid.”

I pulled up my phone and looked down at it, knowing I was going to be even dumber in a moment. I could tell her, but I didn’t want her to worry. I didn’t want her to look at me like I was different. I had known deep down that she had always had a little thing for me, even if it was a little crush. If she looked at me differently, I wouldn’t be able to stand it. Because I didn’t want to be different. I wanted to be fine. But I wasn’t going to be okay if I didn’t find the answers. And that meant I needed some space from Zoey. Even if it was the worst possible time. And to do that, I needed to make sure that she had an easy way out.

I knew exactly what I needed to do to make sure she got her space.

Me:Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?

Christy: I was planning on cleaning my house. Why? You have something better in mind?

Me:What do you say about going with me to a wedding?

As I waited for her answer, my stomach roiled, and I wanted to throw up again. But this time, it had nothing to do with the migraine.

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