Page 115 of Prove You Wrong

Jamie rubs at his neck. ‘Fine. Bit achy.’

The ring of the unanswered call sounds in my ear. ‘You here to see Chloe or have you got a check-up?’

‘Ummm —’ His eyes shift around but, before he answers, the call connects.

‘Hey, you okay?’ Josie’s voice sounds in my ear.

‘Sorry,’ I interrupt him with a whisper, ‘it’s your sis. Catch you later.’ I give him a wave before answering Josie. ‘Hey, I’ve just bumped into Jamie. Small world.’

‘Even smaller. I’m sitting in the car park waiting for him.’ I watch Jamie as he heads towards Chloe’s room but then carries on walking past it.

‘Is everything okay with Jamie?’ My feet lead the way across the beige vinyl floor towards the main corridor of the hospital.

‘Yeah, I’m being his taxi. His car’s written off.’

I grimace. ‘I’m glad I didn’t see the wreckage. My nightmares don’t need any more detail.’

‘How come you were calling? Everything okay with Chloe?’

‘I think so.’ My relief echoes along the corridor.‘She’s got to have a final review by the doctor and the paperwork sorting, then we can bring her home tomorrow. But,’ I glance around to see if I’m alone, ‘there’s something I need to ask you … something silly and selfish and … ’

‘You want to keep me company while I wait for my bro?’

‘Yes,’ I breathe. It’ll be easier in person. ‘Actually, are you dropping Jamie home after this?’

‘Uh huh.’

‘Please, can you give me a lift home? Mum drove here and I need to pick up my car.’ Heading past several sets of double doors, I turn a corner and bounce down the stairs.

‘Sure, but this has to go down in history as the first time you have ever wanted me to drive you anywhere.’

I laugh as I head through a side exit that takes me to the car park.

Bright yellow, it’s easy to spot Josie’s car. Hanging up, I climb into the passenger side, greeting her with a quick hug.

‘Everything okay?’ Josie asks. ‘What’s up?’

‘Everything’s horrible.’ I grimace with a sigh.

‘I thought you said Chloe was okay?’ Josie gasps, grabbing my hand.

‘No, she’s faring up pretty well. It’s me … I need your permission for something.’

‘You’re nuts sometimes.’ She chuckles. ‘Is this about Nate?’ She mock whispers, ‘You don’t need my permission for anal.’

I bat her arm as I blush at the thought.

Raking my hands through my hair I say, ‘I messed up. I was so awful.’

‘What happened?’

I explain about my rash decision to call things off. That I’d thought it was my fault Chloe had been in the accident. That being distracted by him meant I couldn’t look after her properly.

Josie listens to the horrible things I’d said without interruption, an empathetic look on her face.

Twisting around in the seat to face her, I finish saying, ‘I need to make it up to him. Show him I trust him. And show him he can trust me.’

‘Anal?’ She quirks an eyebrow and laughs, breaking the tension. ‘I get it, you need a grand gesture. Romcom-stylee.’

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