Page 31 of Second Down Darling

“Because you jumped in my apartment to saveDuke?”

He looks me over, a strange smile forming on his lips. “Among otherthings.”

I’m so confused, but before I can say anything, the door swings open and the doctor enters. “Miss Darling, good to see you’re awake. I’m Dr.Holland.”

He checks my pupils. Looks down my throat. Feels the lymph nodes in my neck. Listens to mychest.

“You’re still a little wheezy. We’ll get you another lung treatment. You’ll want to do them every four hours until you can get in to see the pulmonologist next week. We’ll send you home with akit.”

A respiratory tech sets up everything next to the bed, and then places a mask with a cool mist against myface.

The doctor smiles. “We’re going to keep you one more night to observe you. Let me know if you experience any nausea, vomiting, or severe headaches, but your oxygen levels and labs look pretty good considering everything you’ve been through. Rest is the best medicine, though, and you’ll get more of that at home thanhere.”

When he leaves, I lie there,frozen.

Home. I turn to Jake. “Is myapartment…”

He winces. “It’s gutted from the fire and water damage. I’m not sure there’s much tosalvage.”

“My camera. All of my work.” I rip the nebulizer off my face and try to situp.

“Charlie, take iteasy.”

“Take it easy? Jake, I don’t have the money to replace my equipment or clothes or textbooks. I’m skating on fumes as it is.” I’m out of breath and start to pant. The respiratory tech covers my mouth with the nebulizeragain.

Jake frowns and leans forward. “What about your royalties fromLittle Darlings? I thought those were supposed to last you foryears.”

Sniffling, I shake my head. “My mom was pissed when I left NTU, so she cut meoff.”

“But I thought that was yourmoney?”

I wait until I’m done with my treatment and the respiratory tech leaves before I respond. “It is my money, but because I was a minor when I was onLittle Darlings, she’s the trustee on that account. I don’t know what she did, but I can’t withdraw funds from it anymore. She said if I want that money, I’ll have to take her tocourt.”

“That doesn’t soundlegal.”

“It’s not like I have the funds to contest it, or that there’s a ton in that account these days. But, ugh, I definitely can’t afford to get another camera.” I bite my lower lip to stop it from quivering. Photography is the only thing I have. It’s been my life raft through so many difficulttimes.

“Hey, it’ll be okay.” Jake sits on the edge of the bed, and when he opens his arms to me, I don’t think. I just tuck myself against his chest and close my eyes. His strong arms wrap around me, and I cry until I can’tanymore.

“What am I going to do?” Photography has been my entire plan to support myself after graduation. The small jobs I’ve done so far have built my portfolio, but without the camera gear, I won’t have the income to support myself. The few school loans I took out won’t cutit.

“It’ll be okay.” Jake’s hand runs up and down my back. “We’ll figure out what todo.”

“Well, well, well. Isn’t this cozy?” Billy smirks at us in thedoorway.

“Don’t make this weird, Billy.” I sniffle and wipe my eyes. “I’m told I almost died. That gives me free rein to bawl my eyes out. What are you doinghere?”

Jake stands and backs away. “Thought you’d want to see your boyfriend. Although, dude, you could’ve swung by sooner. She’s only been here two days. Nice of you to rush onover.”

“Hey, asshole, I tried, but they said only family could come up here. Apparently herboyfriendwas already visitingher.”

Jake jams his hands in his pockets. “One of the nurses assumed that early on, and I figured if it allowed me into the ER with her, then it’s not a big deal. I just didn’t want Charlie to bealone.”

“Just giving you shit, man. I don’t care.” Billy chuckles and gives me a look likeI told you sobefore he reaches over to hug me. “Glad you’re okay, Charlie, baby. Would’ve sucked if you’d been burned to a crisp. Good thing Ramirez jumped into a burning building to save your cuteass.”

Jake did what? I turn to him, but he’s gathering his stuff. “Jake? You saved me too? I thought you only rescuedDuke.”

Billy whips out his phone. “It’s all over the news. Your boy’s a hero. He carried you out of the inferno. Even Coach is impressed, and nothing impresses that bastard. Check out the video.” He slides his thumb over his phone, taps, and shows me thescreen.

---