Page 90 of Storm Bound
Maybe I just had to accept that I’d have to spend my life with him, unhappy and unloved, and get it over with.
But I couldn’t. Not now that I’d met Charlie and known what it was like being cared for and loved.
Although what good was that if Charlie had moved on?
Maybe he never cared for me. Maybe he never loved me. Or maybe my apparent betrayal had pushed him over the edge.
Whatever it was, Charlie was no longer mine, and he’d never be mine ever again, and the sooner I accepted that, the better for everyone involved.
Except for me, of course.
Whatever happened next, I was most definitely doomed.
Twenty-Five
Charlie
“But I can get us in New Harlow in no time, Yaya,” I said, racing through the streets.
“No,” she groaned. “You want me to die in this car? Dr. Becker’s nephew will know what to do.”
The hand stayed flat on her chest. How quickly Adam had gone back to being Dr. Becker’s nephew! The only reason I was driving to his practice now was because I was worried about Yaya. If there was anyone else I trusted, I’d be on my way to them now instead of that liar.
Yaya groaned again when I took a turn, and I apologized.
What had happened to her? She’d been doing so well all these months. Taking it slow. Especially since I’d come back. And her diet had been altered in a big way. Andy and Luke had made it their personal task to get all the sugar and fats out of the house. I was sure some of it had ended up in their rooms, but as long as Yaya didn’t get her hands on those, that didn’t matter.
“Yaya Marina, do you mind if I try to listen to your chest again?” Benji said on the backseat with the stethoscope on the ready.
“What’s that gizmo going to do for the heartburn? I’m burning up, I’m telling you. My heart’s going to explode,” she howled.
Benji attempted to put the stethoscope on her chest, but she flicked his hand away.
I was about to open my mouth and tell her off for being so dismissive of both Benji’s and my expertise, but the practice was right in front of me now, so I stepped on the gas until I came to a screeching halt in the parking lot entrance, blocking anyone else who wanted to get in, but there was no time to fix that.
I rushed out and took Yaya’s hand, leading her inside, Benji on the other side of her.
And here I thought Monday morning was going to be easy and chill. That I’d have time to go out with Benji and forget about my work. And most importantly, Adam.
We burst through the door, and Ava jumped out of her chair.
“Charlie! You’re here! What’s going on? Why is Adam in such a huff? Oh my God. Mrs. Karagiannis. Are you okay?”
“Ava, her heart’s not well. Adam needs to see her now,” I shouted without meaning to, but I didn’t have the time to care about that right this moment.
She nodded and ran off to the examination room, and Benji and I carried Yaya to the waiting room.
There were two patients waiting to be seen, but it was still early, so I was sure there’d be more coming later. And I wouldn’t be here to help out. Had he already put out an ad for a new nurse? Or did he expect me to be back at work after a few days? I had yet to give my official resignation, and I didn’t know what his expectations were.
Why did I even care about his expectations after everything he’d done?
The doors of the examination room slid open, and Ava came out with a younger patient. Adam was right behind her, looking tense. His gaze landed on me for a second and then he turned to Yaya.
“Marina, are you okay? Bring her in,” he said.
Benji and I got up and walked with Yaya toward the room. Adam froze at the door, staring at Benji for a moment until we reached him.
Then, Yaya straightened her back, pulled her hands away from our grasp, and pushed Benji away.
