Page 88 of Bad at Love

He gets up, following me out of the bedroom.

“I kind of want pizza,” he says.

I stop short, putting my hand on my chest dramatically.

“What? No way!”

He grins. “I know. Crazy, right?”

Gabriel doesn’t like ordering food because he worries about them preparing it, and he isn’t a fan of grease. But if he’s telling me he wants pizza, we’re getting pizza. This opportunity will not get away from me.

Once it’s here, we settle in at the table, because no matter how much I try, he won’t eat in the living room in front of the TV so we can watch something at the same time. I’ve nearly convinced him to put a TV in the kitchen, but we aren’t there yet. My cell rings and when I see it’s the living facility, I answer it.

“Hello?”

“Storm, hi. It’s Heather. We have a bit of an issue. Is there any way you can come down?”

“Is Mom okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine.”

“How soon do you need me there?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Sure, I can be there in about twenty minutes.”

I end the call and put my phone down.

“Everything okay?” Gabriel asks as he wipes his hands with a napkin.

“I don’t know. I have to go see my mom.” I’m already out of the kitchen and heading toward my room.

“Was it the hospital? I can call my friend,” he says, following me upstairs.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll handle it.”

I change quickly and put on my sneakers as Gabe watches me from the doorway.

“Do you want a ride?”

“No, Gabriel. I don’t want a ride.”

I move around my room, grabbing everything I need. What could they want from me? What could be wrong that doesn’t involve mom being sick or hurt? I pay them on time,always, so it can’t be a billing issue.

“Do you want to take my car?” Gabriel asks, and I snap.

“I don’t want to take the fucking car. Can you just give me some space? Fuck.”

I snatch up my wallet just as I remember my cell is downstairs on the dining table. I push past Gabriel, ignoring the hurt look in his eyes, grab my cell, and run the few blocks to my mother, my heart nearly jumping out of my throat.

I’m panting when I push through the doors and find a nurse at the front desk that I don’t know.

“Hi, I’m here to see Heather.”

“What’s your name, sir?”

“Storm Andrews.”

---