Luke
It was the smell that hit me the hardest. Hit me so hard it knocked me back six years. The night they brought me in after the wreck. That hospital antiseptic smell they tried to hide but just couldn’t.
I would never forget it. I couldn’t. it was burned into my brain.
I had been lying on a table just like this. In fact, it might even be this very one. When mom came in, her eyes twisted in shock. That moment had torn my soul in two. In some ways, it was even worse than laying next to dad as he died. That moment had told me that I was a failure.
Now, six years later, the pain still crushed me.
My stomach turned over as the nurse started asking me questions as she filled out paperwork. Both medical history and financial stuff. Did mom have insurance for this? No way could we afford an ER bill.
Once she was done, she put the papers aside then started washing out the cuts and scrapes on my hands.
She kept glancing up at me with a strange look. Occasionally shaking her head as if I’d violated a princess or something. What was it with these people? We spent a night in the forest. Nothing happened. They needed to get over it.
This was Jenny’s best friend. Besides, she had a broken foot. I might be a jerk, but I wasn’t that big a jerk.
Just as I thought the level of disapproval hanging in the air couldn’t get any worse, Amy’s dad stepped in. The scowl on his face made my stomach drop. The guy probably hated me. I mean, this was Amy we were talking about. She just naturally made a person want to watch over her. I imagined for a father that was about tripled.
Swallowing hard, I waited for the butt chewing about waiting to get her out of there.
Doctor Jenson stepped forward to examine my hands quickly.
“How is Amy?” I asked.
He shook his head, obviously, I wasn’t family and didn’t deserve to know anything about his precious daughter. The less I was involved, the better.
I bit back a snarky reply about what I thought he could do with his rules. But, something deep inside of me told me to hold off. Pissing off fathers of beautiful young girls was never a smart move. Even an idiot locked up for two years knew that.
He had me wiggle my fingers, touching my thumb to pinky. That kind of thing. Then stepped back so the nurse could wrap them up in gauze.
“She’s been taken to X-ray,” he said as he scanned my paperwork. My gut tightened up. How bad was it? Had I screwed up by waiting to get her out?
Once he had finished reading, he ripped the pages of the board and tossed them in the trashcan like last week’s lunch.
The nurse’s eyes opened wide as she looked at him as if he’d just killed a baby seal.
I frowned at him, he stared back then said, “This one is on the house. No need for the insurance companies to get involved.”
My insides relaxed just a little. I hadn’t realized just how nervous I was. I’d caused Mom more than enough problems.
“How long will it take, I mean for the X-rays.”
Doctor Jensen frowned as he shook his head, shooting me a knowing look. “She will be busy for quite a while. You can go home. No need for you to wait.”
My stomach dropped. Not even a thank you for saving his daughter. No, more a get lost and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Fine, I thought. At least now I knew where I stood with this guy. I was scum and didn’t deserve to exist in the same universe as his daughter. The fact that I sort of agreed with him was beside the point.
Nodding, I thanked the nurse. She actually almost looked sympathetic for the briefest of moments before that stern expression returned. I was going to have to ask Amy about that. This nurse was acting like I’d kidnapped her favorite kitten.
I gave Doctor Jensen a quick glance, then left. He didn’t like me and I didn’t like him. Remember, I thought to myself. The universe always provides more than enough enemies.
.o0o.
Amy
Pain medicine has got to be the greatest invention since Pinterest. It was like I was floating down a river. A river that sparkled and shimmered in the sunshine.
I turned around in the wheelchair to smile at my dad. He smiled back and shook his head. I knew he was laughing at me zoning out on happy juice, but I didn’t care. The pain was gone. At least for now. And I wasn’t going to be permanently crippled.
A hairline fracture and two torn ligaments.
Two hours after Luke brought me in, I was in a cast and on my way home. Crutches across my lap.
Luke? I thought as a worrying wave hit me. Where was he? What was he doing? Dad had said his hands were fine. My mind whirled as the happy juice took me to thoughts I shouldn’t be having. But those wide shoulders and that silly smirk just wouldn’t leave my mind.
Okay, I wasn’t trying really hard to forget him. But I should, I realized. This was Jenny’s big brother. The big bad Luke Prescott. He ate girls like me for lunch.
The thought made me giggle for some silly reason. Dad leaned down, frowning at me. I waved him off. No way was I discussing this stuff with him.
No, Amy, I thought. It was but a brief interlude. God, the pain meds were making me sound like an afternoon soap opera on TV.
Nothing happened. I reminded myself with a touch of regret. I was hurt, Luke saved me. No big deal. It was over. Both of us could go on with the rest of our lives.
Dad turned the corner to the ER exit and my heart jumped. There, at the far end, by the door sat Luke. Obviously waiting. Head back, eyes closed, resting. His arms were folded over his chest, the white bandages around his hands peeking out.
He looked so tired, I thought.
My dad groaned. Luke looked up as his face flashed a quick smile when he saw me. A smile that warmed my heart. He had been concerned about me.
Our eyes locked and I giggled again. I really was going to have to watch this medicine. A girl could grow to love it too much.
Dad sighed heavily behind me and I just knew he was stewing. He had that whole protective father vibe going. But I didn’t care. Luke had waited to find out if I was okay.
A warm, happy, all is right with the world feeling flowed through me.
Luke looked up at my father and his smile dropped. No, I thought. Don’t be unhappy. Don’t be mad at my father. He’s a pussycat.
Dad harrumphed again and pushed me out of the hospital to the side out of the way.
Luke hurriedly stepped up, as he raised an eyebrow. Silently asking me if I was okay. I reached out and grabbed his hand as I smiled up at him.
My Dad coughed, ruining the moment, which I am sure was his plan all along. Luke glanced up at him, Dad looked at me, then back at Luke. An awkwardness fell around us, encapsulating us in a sphere of pure tension.
Finally, I had to break the tension before I giggled again. I asked Dad if he could bring his car around. He’d gotten another doctor to come in and take the rest of his shift. He frowned at me and then again at Luke. Once again, I felt like a sticky fog of awkwardness had swallowed the three of us.
At last, he nodded, shot Luke a final look, then left to go get the car.
Luke watched him leave then turned back to me.
“He doesn’t like me for some reason.”
I shrugged. I couldn’t begin to explain my dad. Especially after mom left. The thought of me growing up and leaving tore him apart. I sometimes wondered if I made it too easy for him. Never any problems.
Well, until now, I thought with a smile. I’d gone from good daughter to stay out all night in the forest with a bad boy daughter.
“How are you?” Luke asked, interrupting my thoughts.
I glanced up, the warm, concerned look in his eyes made my insides melt. The boy was so handsome, so big and strong, and he was worried about me. I could get used to that.
“I’m fine,” I told him. “In fact, help me up so I can show you.”
He held my wheelchair while I wiggled forward then used the crutches to get up into a standing position. I was a little wobbly at first but finally settled down enough to look up and smile at him.
Reaching out, I took his hands in mine while I leaned on the crutches. Running my fingers over the bandages, my stomach clenched up. He had done that for me.
“Thank you, again,” I said.
He shrugged his shoulders. Almost as if he was embarrassed about saving me.
The two of us stood there, our eyes locked with each other’s. My heart began to race and my palms grew all sweaty on the crutch pads. My gaze was drawn to his lips. Rich, full lips, I thought.
“Um …” he began.
There, in his eyes, I saw it again, the same as last night. That hunger, that need. It sent a nervous, delicious feeling through me. Yes, I thought. I hadn’t imagined it.
“Um …” he said again. “I guess I will have Jenny drop off your car tomorrow, after school.”
Jenny? oh crap, My best friend. The one person I could not betray. A sinking sadness filled me. Suddenly, the happy juice wasn’t working anymore.
“Thanks,” I said as I quickly dropped his hand. My cheeks began to burn. All I could do was look down and hope he didn’t see. “The keys are in my purse on the front seat. There’s no rush.” I told him. As I tapped the cast on my leg. “I won’t be driving for six weeks at least.”
He frowned, “If you need anything, let me or Jenny know.”
Jenny again, my soul sank as I nodded to him. It was over, really over. Over before it even really started.
“Um …” I started as I looked up at him. But my mind went blank. I don’t know if it was the pain meds or the fact that I just couldn’t imagine what was going to happen the next time we saw each other. Were we supposed to act like there was nothing between us?
I had seen that look in his eyes. I knew there was interest on his part. And I for sure was super interested. But what now?
Before I could delve into the issue, Dad pulled to a stop.
Luke smiled sadly as he opened my door for me.
Taking a deep breath, I handed him my crutches while I worked my way into the car. Once I was in. Luke leaned in to put the crutches in the back seat. As he came close, I caught a whiff of wood smoke, pine, and hospital antiseptic.
He paused for a moment as he looked at me.
“Take care, Amy,” he said as he gently touched my shoulder. “Remember, if you need anything. Let me know.”
My insides turned over. The things I needed he couldn’t give me. Not without ruining our world.
Sighing, I said, “Thank you again, Luke.”
He smiled sadly as he stepped back and closed my door. I stared at him out the window as dad slowly pulled away.
Jenny’s brother, I reminded myself as my heart sank and a wave of depression flowed through me. He would always be Jenny’s brother.