Page 48 of Heal Me

“No alma mater. Although I’m a huge Ole Miss football fan. Who’s your team?”

“Wolverines.”

I snort. “Big Ten can’t hold a candle to the SEC.”

He snorts back. “What about Wisconsin versus LSU? Remember that spectacular SEC loss?”

“I’ll give you that. And that’s all you’ll get. Let’s look at who has the best quarterbacks. The best skill players. The best offensive and defensive linemen. Let’s look at who has the tougher schedule every single year. The SEC. I rest my case.”

Dr. Patel tents his fingers. “So to sum up your case, it’s Alabama and everyone else. Your team is just riding coattails.”

Our server interrupts our debate, announcing tonight’s menu, and Charlotte orders first.

“Dr. Patel?” I defer to him.

“I’ll have the steak, medium rare.”

“A man after my own heart. I’ll have the same,” I say. I glance over to Charlotte, who looks shocked, and I wink at her.

* * *

Charlotte

I close my mouth, or else I’m gonna catch flies, as my sweet grandmother Opal used to say. I cannot believe what I’m seeing here! Gabe hasn’t used his power, and yet he and Dad are now best buds. Our food is presented and the two of them are still going back and forth.

Finally, I’ve had enough. “Excuse me, Dad, but you didn’t fly cross-country to talk football with my boyfriend.” Although to hear the two of them go on and on, maybe he did? I press on. “You’re upset I’m not going to medical school.” I’ve geared up to have it out with him, so let’s have it out.

“What do you think about Charlotte’s decision?” My dad turns to Gabe.

“I think your daughter is resilient, strong, and incredibly smart. I support whatever decision makes her happy.” I grab my angel’s hand under the table and give it a squeeze. He’s getting extra worship later.

“And you would be happy with her moving to the East Coast? Say if she changed her mind? Mississippi to Massachusetts is a long haul.”

Gabe shrugs. “I have wings, and so the distance wouldn’t be a factor,” he says and I nearly choke on my wine.

Both he and my dad turn their attention to me. “I’m fine,” I wave them off. “Went down the wrong pipe.”

“I always wanted to get my pilot’s license, but just never made the time. How’d you get into flying?” Dad asks Gabe, returning to their conversation.

“My dad.” Okay, the wings comment makes more sense now. Of course I know Gabe has wings, but I didn’t know he could actually fly. As in fly a plane. What else don’t I know about my boyfriend?

“What about your mom? What does she do for a living?” Dad asks.

“She’s a teacher.”

“Any brothers or sisters?”

“No.”

“Really? I thought you had a sister named Gabriella,” my dad says, looking quite pleased with himself.

It’s as if all the air is sucked out of the room; I can literally feel Gabe’s rage. “Don’t ever mention my sister again,” he hisses and I jerk, taken aback. I’ve never seen him lose his cool.

“Dad, did you run a background check on my boyfriend?”

“I had someone look into his history,” he says unapologetically.

“Why on earth would you do that?” I demand. This is the first I’ve heard about Gabe having a sister, but now’s not the time to ask.

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