Page 33 of Drew
My brows raise in disbelief. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No. Of course not.” Mom comes to Dad’s rescue. “We know you have your studies and an important game to get back to… Now that we’re out of the woods, so to speak, there’s no need for you to stay around for us.”
Uh. They’re still in the fucking hospital. I’m not leaving.
As if Dad’s a friggin’ mind-reader, he states, “Drew, we’re not invalids. Now that we’re okay, there’s no need for you to fall behind in your studies or miss any game time.”
Before I can respond, Aunt Kathy interrupts, “I’m off for the next two weeks on vacation. I’ll stay here with them, so you won’t have to worry.”
I look between the three of them, and it’s obvious they’re a united front. They all have determined looks on their faces, to convince me I’m being ridiculous. “You’ve both just had surgery,” I remind them.
“Drew,” Mom says in a softer tone. “We understand you’d rather be here to see for yourself, but it’s foolish to sit here and watch us, when we’re perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. We’re not leaving the hospital, until we’re good and ready—so there’s plenty of people to care for us.” Then she looks to Kathy. “I doubt my sister will leave anytime soon, either. There’s seriouslynoreason for you to sit and do the same.”
“But…” I start to protest.
“No buts, Andrew,” Dad says in finality. “We know you love us and are worried…” He trails off as he takes a breath before continuing, “We’re in perfectly good hands, and your aunt will stick around to make sure we can manage on our own once we’re released. You can stay tomorrow and leave Sunday.”
I glance to Abby, who only shrugs as if to say,this is between you and your parents.
When I look around the rest of the room, I can see I’ve met my match. I let out a deep sigh in defeat. “Okay. But ifanythingchanges, and I meananythingat all, you call me, and I’m coming right back.”
Mom pats my hand in reassurance. “You know we will, son. We love you, too.”
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14
Abby
I spendthe rest of the weekend getting to know Drew’s family. When we weren’t with his parents, Drew and I did our best to catch up on the classes we missed. With a ten-page paper due next week, I made use of my time away from the hospital. I also shopped with Kathy to get a few of the things his parents will need once they return home, while Drew keeps his parents company.
Thankfully, by the time we leave, both are up and slowly moving around in their hospital room. We’re all relieved when we’re told they could go home as early as Monday, should they keep progressing. With Kathy insistent that she’ll call if anything changes, Drew’s stress level lowers about returning to school.
As Drew leisurely drives us back to school, we’ve kept up casual conversation. One thing that’s changed is that he hasn’t touched me or held my hand. I must admit, I miss the way his skin feels against mine as well as the comfort of being in his arms. He must have just been an emotional wreck and trying to hold it together earlier—nothing more.
Not wanting to make things awkward, I’m doing my best to pretend what we shared hasn’t completely changed the way my body reacts when he enters the room. It’s almost as if I now have a super Spidey sense when it comes to Drew. Instinctively, I feel him enter a room without even seeing him. I recognize his scent from afar, and my spine tingles when he brushes against me casually.
Yeah. It’s not awkward at all.
If I just keep telling myself he doesn’t affect me in that way, maybe I’ll eventually believe it.
“Abby?” Hearing my name pulls me out of my head. “So… are you?”
“Wha… I’m sorry. I must’ve spaced out. Can you repeat that?” I risk a glance to Drew and see him shake his head, but his lips tip up into the most perfect smile.
He clears his throat and looks out at the road. “I asked… If you’re coming to the game tomorrow night?”
Crap. He asked me this before the call from the hospital. I didn’t know how to turn him down before and now that I’ve gotten to know the real Drew Jacobs, it’s hard to disappoint him. As much as I’d love to see him play again, I force myself to go with the ugly truth.
“We have that huge exam next week,” I remind him but look anywhere but him. One glimpse of those beautiful eyes will be my kryptonite. Add in a smile on those perfect lips, and I’ll combust on the spot. Not to mention, lose my ground.
Drew remains quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time.
When I can’t take the silence any longer, I sneak a peek.
Yep. I should’ve known better.
With a sly grin, he quietly states, “I have to study, too.”
