Page 21 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
Chapter Nine
Kate
“Kate?”
“What’s up, Case?” I step into the back hallway of the restaurant to take the call because I can’t hear well with the din of the activity in the service area.
“My dad is in the hospital. I’m driving home.”
Panic grips me. I love Mr. Evans. Casey’s dad is one of the sweetest, kindest men I’ve ever met. He’s what I’d always hoped my own father would be like. I’d bonded with Casey’s parents over the years when they’d come to visit Case and when they’d secretly call me to check on her and make sure she wasn’t pushing herself to hard.
“What’s wrong? Is he okay? Do you need me to come home? I’ll go with you.”
“No! No…it’s okay. I’ll be okay.” But I can tell by her voice that she’s not okay and that she won’tbeokay. Casey cherishes her parents.
“Case, I don’t want you driving clear across the country by yourself.” I’m already grabbing my bag from the staff room and making my way to the back office. Seth, the manager, will just have to deal with it or fire me. It’s not like Ineedthe money the job brings me. I just wanted something that was mine. Something I’d earned myself, not having to rely solely on my parents’ money.
“I can’t exactly fly, Kate.”
“I know, sweetie. Listen, I’m leaving work now, and I’ll ride with you.”
“I’ve already left.”
I stop in my tracks. “Casey!”
“You can’t afford to take time off school right now, Kate. I know how busy you’ve been, and you’ve still got more exams. I knew if I stuck around, you’d try to come with me. I’ll be okay. I’ll break the trip up. I’ll eat well. I promise. I just need to get home to see my dad, and I’ll be okay. Everything will be okay.” I’m not sure who she’s trying to convince—me or herself.
I sag against the wall. My roommate and best friend isthemost stubborn person on the planet. I can’t even believe she’s done this. Actually, yes I can. Because she’s stubborn! Ugh. Her mother would be furious with me for letting her go alone.
“Casey, you know I don’t like this,” I tell her, rubbing my temples with my free hand.
“I know, Mom.”
I give a small laugh. “Be careful. Call me every hour until you get there, and call me every time you stop. Call me before you go to bed at night and when you wake up. Text me the motel information when you stop. I swear I hate that you’re traveling across the country by yourself. This is not smart.”
“Now you really sound like my mom.”
“Hush. Seriously though, call me or text me or something. I’m gonna be worried sick about you until I hear from you. But don’t text me while you’re driving. Dammit, your car doesn’t have Bluetooth. Do you have your headset? I need you to check in, but I don’t want you to be distracted, and I don’t want you to have to constantly stop to check in because that’s not safe either. Shit, Casey. This is sonotokay.”
“Take a breath, Kate,” she laughs. “I will check in with you. I have my headset, it’s how I’m talking to you now.”
“Okay,” I sigh, resigned to the fact that my roommate is traveling cross country solo. “Be careful, please.”
“I will, I promise.”
“I love you.”
“Love you, too. Get back to work and stop freaking out. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I’m sorry about your dad, Case,” I add quietly.
I hear her sniffle before she responds. “I know, thanks.”
We say goodbye, and I return to the staff room to put away the things I’d grabbed. I can’t believe she’s doing this. I look at the time on my phone. At eight o’clock at night, no less. I know how much she loves her dad, though, so I guess I’m not entirely surprised. I just wish she would have let me be there for her. She hasn’t been home to South Carolina in years—a little bit because of a boy and a lot because of her health issues. Yes, she’s from South Carolina, too, but she grew up in Charleston while I grew up in Columbia. It’s kind of funny how we were placed together at Stanford, all things considered.
Distracted, I return to work. For the next four hours of my shift, I can’t stop thinking about Casey and her dad. I hope Mr. Evans is okay. Casey never did say what was wrong. I don’t even know how bad it is. I get one text just before midnight that she’s stopping for gas and snacks near Bakersfield, I write back that she’d better stop for the night while she’s at it. She sends me back an emoticon that’s rolling its eyes, and I shake my head. She’s going to push herself until she drops.
I finish my closing duties, and still distracted, make my way out to the parking lot and my car. The sound of a male voice in the darkness saying my name causes me to scream and drop my keys.
