Page 73 of Rules Of Our Own

“That will give you a few days to get your information in order. See you then,” Gerard says, and then the phone goes dead. I swear that man has a thing against saying goodbye.

The truth is, I’m not any more ready than I’d been the last time we spoke, and suddenly, all the time I’ve wasted curls in my stomach. I take a deep inhale, trying to get my breathing in hand. I need to do something… I can’t meet him…not until I have some kind of way to stall Gerard…until I have an actual plan.

Piper: Still coming?

I rub my palm down my face and shake the feeling of dread off me. There is nothing I can do to fix this right this second.

Me: Yup *smiley face* On my way.

* * *

Piper was quick to inform me that driving isn’t really a thing in downtown Boston. That not only is traffic ridiculous, but it takes a small miracle to find parking. Luckily, the clinic she works at is only a fifteen-minute walk from my place…Alex’s place…River’s place…whatever.

I take a deep pull from my metal cup I’d filled with ice water. It’s early fall, and there’s a cool breeze, but the sun is still pounding down on me.

I follow the directions app on my phone and halt when I turn the corner and spot the clinic. It’s painted Pepto pink with large flower designs in deep greens and purples up the entire brick side. It looks bright and welcoming. The perfect spot for kids to come in the first hard months after surgery. There’s a rack on the side with several bikes lined up, some of which have special modifications that help make them adapted for someone who’s lost a limb.

There’s a chime of a bell as the glass front door opens, and Piper grins at me, her golden-blonde hair wrapping around her shoulders. She’s wearing seafoam-green scrubs and bright pink Crocs. “About time you made it. I thought I might have to send an SOS to one of the guys.”

My mouth pops open. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh yeah I would. Are you forgetting whatjusthappened?”

“You should’ve seen the fuss Alex and River put up when I said I’d be walking here.” They’d stopped by this morning before heading to practice and tried to insist I take an Uber as if that’s not a total waste of money. I heard them murmuring about skipping practice before I pushed them out of the door. Overprotective oafs. Not going to lie though, it was a little cute the way they fussed over it, and they didn’t actually do anything stupid like attempt to forbid me from walking. Probably because they know I’d kill them if they tried.

Piper laughs. “I’m honestly surprised one of them didn’t iTag you.”

“They wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t they?”

Shit. “I’ll talk to them.”

Piper nods. “Oh yeah, definitely have that talk. I suggest Find My Phone as an alternative.”

I cock my head. “Please tell me Lucas stalks you.”

She shrugs. “I like it.”

“Of course you do.” I roll my eyes, ignoring the hum of interest under my skin, wondering what it must feel like to know you’re someone’s entire world. “Alright, enough of that. Show me this place.”

Piper claps her hands and beams. “Oh my God, you’re going to love it.” She leads me into the brightly lit entry with a shiny white desk. There’s a young girl sitting there with a warm smile, and I give her a little wave.

“Reception. We try not to make them wait too long out here, but we’ve got toys and games. Sometimes kids need quiet when they come in, so we also have a sensory area around the corner with headphones and beanbags that swallow them whole.”

“Smart.” I nod, my eyes wide as I take everything in. She’s so connected to all the things that I want to be.

Piper grins and swings the glass door at the back open. “Here’s the good part.”

My mouth drops open when I step in. Unlike the sterile atmosphere of a hospital or normal rehab center, this place is designed with kids in mind. Just like the exterior, the walls are painted in bright colors, but instead of flowers, there is a giant rainbow that arches over the entire back wall.

The beams and equipment are all equally bright. I can’t stop the smile from curling my lips. “This place is amazing.”

“Piper. Is this your friend visiting from Ottawa?” A black woman with twisted back hair wearing bright fuchsia scrubs comes up to stand beside us.

“Yes. Dr. Jones, this is Dr. Mia Brooks, the girl I’ve been telling you about. I thought she’d like seeing this place.”

“Piper here has told me all about your charity. If there’s any way I can help, please let me know.” Her voice is smooth and friendly, and there’s a warm twinkle in her eyes. I’m not surprised she’s chosen to work with kids. She has such an easiness about her.

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