Page 195 of Choosing You

“Did they move Frank to his new room yet?” I ask him.

“No, but he should be there within the hour.” Ryan’s in a much better mood. I don’t think he ever expected his dad to leave the ICU. I was kind of thinking the same thing after I saw how bad Frank looked. “Let’s go somewhere else to eat. I can’t take any more hospital food.”

Ryan drives us to the restaurant in his old, beat-up car that barely works. I glance over at Garret and he gives me a look, reminding me of our conversation. He’s not judging Ryan’s car, so I need to stop assuming that he is.

We go to a pizza place not far from the hospital. It has a buffet that you pay for as you walk in. Ryan pays for all of us, which breaks my heart because I know that he’s completely broke. But I don’t say anything because it’s his way of being the big brother, a role I know he misses since I left.

“This morning the doctor said Dad will probably be in the hospital for at least another week,” Ryan tells me as we’re eating. “Probably more than a week. So he won’t be home for Christmas.”

“That’s okay. We’ll just hang out in his room for Christmas.”

“Well, I kind of made plans to be with Chloe’s family for part of the day.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m just saying that it’s not going to be much of a Christmas this year. Dad will probably be asleep for most of the day and I’ll be at Chloe’s. You might be stuck alone at the house unless you want to go to Chloe’s with me.”

“She won’t be alone,” Garret says. “I’ll be here.”

Ryan seems surprised. “You’re staying here? And your family’s okay with that?”

“They’ve had plenty of holidays with me. Besides, I’m there all the time.”

“So you’re leaving after Christmas?”

Garret looks at me. “I thought I’d just stay here until Jade goes back.”

I can tell Ryan’s concerned. Now he thinks Garret’s being some clingy boyfriend who won’t leave my side. And I can’t tell Ryan the real reason why Garret’s sticking around.

When Garret goes to the restroom, Ryan lectures me. “That guy is being way too possessive, Jade. I don’t like it. It’s one thing to spend Christmas with you, but then to hang around for another couple weeks before school starts again?”

“It wasn’t Garret’s idea. He wanted to go back, but I asked him to stay.”

“Why? That’s not like you at all. You always say you want your space.”

“I know. But I thought it would be nice to have someone to do stuff with. You’re busy with work and Chloe, and Frank is in the hospital.”

“Are you telling me the truth? Did you really tell him to stay?”

“Yes.” It’s a lie, but just a little one. If I wasn’t so stubborn about being independent, I would’ve asked Garret to stay.

Garret returns to the table. Ryan keeps a close eye on him like he doesn’t trust him.

* * *

Back at the hospital,my stomach is in knots as I prepare to see Frank. My lunch isn’t sitting too well and I regret eating anything at all.

“Could I see him alone?” I ask Ryan. I give Garret a look to stay with Ryan and keep him occupied.

“Um, sure.” Ryan seems confused by my request but doesn’t question me.

I go into Frank’s room. He looks a little bit better, but he’s still hooked up to a bunch of machines with tubes everywhere. I try not to focus on it.

“Hi, Frank. I hear you’re getting better.”

“Jade, it’s so good having you home. I’d give you a hug but I can’t really do it with all these tubes in me. Ryan says you’re quite the hugger now. They teach you that in college?”

He’s making jokes, a sign that he’s much more alert than the last time I saw him.

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