Page 38 of Frozen Flames

It takes us forever to even see a nurse before we wait for the doctor. I’m scrolling on my phone when I get a text. My breathing accelerates, and my stomach is swarming with butterflies when I notice it’s from Harvey. I know that Gemma gave him my contact information when I first got the job, though he hasn’t used it before.

I open it.

Harvey:Still feeling a little off?

Suddenly, I’m Audrey’s age again, and I have a massive crush on Harvey. His brother’s words come to mind, but this time, I push them aside.

I’m so happy he messaged me, it’s obvious even to Audrey, who frowns at me when she notices the change in my mood.

I don’t wait long to text him back.

Claire:A little… At the hospital with my sister. :( She hurt her arm in gym class.

I’m full of giddiness when he answers back right away.

Harvey:That sucks. Hope she’ll be okay and that you’ll feel better soon.

“Are you texting your new boyfriend?” Audrey asks me.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Hmm. Didn’t know that patients could make their nurses smile like that.”

I shrug. “It happens sometimes.”

“Be careful, Claire. He has a girlfriend, no? Some guys can absolutely break your heart,” she says, acting as if she’s experienced so much at her age.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” I can taste the lie on my tongue.

My mind can see my own heartbreak coming on in full force, desperately trying, and failing miserably, to get me off this Harvey-is-my-new-crush roller coaster, to save myself from what’s to come.

I’m too happy to stop myself from texting him back, though, so I ask him what he’s doing right now.

Harvey:Not much, gaming.

I sigh, mentally reprimanding myself as I reread our texts, knowing I shouldn’t text back.

My body is tingling thinking about our last movie night, when our hands touched. Yet my mind keeps warning me of the dangerous zone I’m entering. People are right—he’s as unavailable as they come. First, he has a girlfriend, and second, he’s unavailable, even to her, because he hasn’t dealt with his feelings since the accident.

We finally see a doctor, and she tells us that it’s a sprain and it should heal in a few weeks. Audrey can’t do physical activity for the time being.

I tell my mom this when we get home later in the evening.

“Well, you never know, maybe it’s broken. People make mistakes, even doctors,” Audrey declares.

“They did an X-ray, Audrey,” I say, exasperated.

I’m tired, and I need a shower.

We eat the dinner that my mom prepared. I shake my head when Audrey pesters my mom to do everything for her. When she retreats to her bedroom, my mom asks if I’m okay.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry you had to take Audrey again. I should’ve gone.”

“No, Mom, you were busy. She’s just…”

“She’s just what?” She tilts her head, waiting for me to continue.

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