Chapter Twenty-Two
The sharp pain in my head caused me to abruptly come alive with a groan. I shielded my eyes at the bright sun burning my eyes.
“Crap!” I grumbled. It was daytime. I must’ve passed out and spent the whole night here. I reached for my phone to check for messages. It was dead.
I got out of the truck, first looking for a good place to relieve myself from the after-effects of my binge drinking. Afterward, I started crushing all the containers I’d emptied. My head pounded in agony with every single movement I made.
I emptied the remaining cans from the box, and broke it down—shoving it under the seat with the smashed cans until I could dispose of them. Now I needed to figure out what to do with the full cans. I looked around, my eyes settling on the creek. Walking along the edge, I searched until I found a place in the rocks where I could sink the cans into the water, keeping them nice, cold, and hidden for a later date—if the need were to ever arise.
I stumbled back to my vehicle, leaning against it as I fought a wave of nausea which threatened my stomach. I rubbed my face as I tried to collect my thoughts. I needed to get home and shower so I could get back to Nikki.
Fumbling with my keys, I managed to start the engine and head for home. Every bump in the road made my brain feel like it was sloshing against the insides of my skull. This was definitely a plus in the reasons-not–to-drink category. I forgot how fun hangovers could be.
I’d barely placed the truck into park when the front door swung open, and my mom came running from the house. She opened the driver’s side and threw her arms around me.
“You’re okay! Oh my gosh, I’m so relieved.” She embraced me tightly. “You’re in so much trouble, mister. Where have you been? We’ve all been worried sick about you!”
“Sorry, Mom.” I hugged her back. “I went to sit by the creek last night after I left the hospital, and I fell asleep. I didn’t wake up until now, and my phone is dead.”
I turned my head away from her as I spoke, hoping she wouldn’t be able to smell any alcohol on my breath.
“I didn’t think anything was wrong until this morning. I assumed you had spent the night at the hospital. When I couldn’t reach you, I called Justine’s number, and she said you had come home last night. I was terrified you’d been in an accident yourself.”
“No. I’m all right,” I gripped her tighter. “I’m sorry I scared everyone.”
“I better call and tell her we found you. Poor Nikki was beside herself with worry.”
“Nikki’s awake?” I asked, my heart sinking.
Mom followed as I hurried from the truck and up the steps to the house.
“She’s been in and out of it most of the morning according to her mom. She keeps asking for you.”
I actually growled under my breath, wishing I could punch myself for not being there on time. “I need to get back there.”
“I’ll make you some breakfast while you’re getting cleaned up.”
My stomach recoiled at the thought of food. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll pick something up on the way.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I’ll pack you some stuff to go so you have something for the rest of the day as well.”
I sighed before I agreed. I might as well give in because she wasn’t going to relent.
“Chase!” an excited cry reached my ears as Nikki’s little sister, Clara, ran down the hall toward me.
I picked her up and swung her around in a circle, despite how it made my head feel. “How’s my pretty girl?” I asked.
“I’m okay. I missed you.” A small knot formed in my throat.
“I missed you too. I’m glad you’re home.”
“Will you take me to see Nikki today?”
“I wish I could, but I can’t. The hospital won’t let you in right now.”
She looked disappointed. “But I drew her a picture.”
“Well, then go get it, and I’ll take it to her for you. How’s that?”
She grinned widely and nodded. I put her down so she could leave.
“Those kids adore you, you know?” my mom said.
“I feel the same about them.”
“Your dad and I should’ve had more kids. You’d be a good big brother.”
I wasn’t in the mood to correct her and tell her exactly how wrong she was. “I need to get in the shower. Tell Clara to put the picture on my bed, and I’ll take it.” I didn’t wait for her to answer before I headed up the stairs.
Pausing in the doorway, my gaze settled on Turk, and I realized I’d missed one of his feedings. I sat on the bed and dropped some flakes in under the plant roots.
“Sorry, I didn’t feed you yesterday, little buddy. Life’s been on the rough side lately, in case you haven’t heard.”
There was a giggle from the doorway, and I glanced up to see Clara standing there. “Are you talking to your fish?”
I grinned—embarrassed that she’d caught me. “Yep. That’s what grownups do, don’t you know? We talk to stuff, about stuff, with stuff.”
“Nikki talks to fish too.”
“Yeah. I know she does. But that’s because she’s crazy.”
Clara laughed again and came into the room for a closer look at Turk. “She is. I know because I heard her say it herself.”
“Did you? What did she say exactly?”
“She was on the phone with Tana. Nikki said, “I’m crazy in love with Chase.” She had this big goofy smile on her face like she always does when she talks about you. Do you love her too?” she asked innocently.
I paused, letting her words sink in for a moment. “I do. She’s a great girl.”
Clara’s face grew somber. “Is she going to die?”
“No,” I said a little too sharply, and she backed away. “No,” I amended, softer this time. “But she’s badly hurt, and she’s going to need all of us to help her get better.”
We sat there for a few moments in silence until I cleared my throat. “I need to go take a shower now. I’ve got to get back to the hospital.”
“Here’s the picture for Nikki.” She handed me a piece of paper.
I looked down at the image, a drawing of a happy family standing together under the word love, with everyone’s names labeled underneath—Justine, Clara, Timmy, Nikki, and Chase.
My heart clenched inside me. “Thank you, Clara. I’ll be sure she gets this. She’ll love it.”
She gave me another quick hug and turned to skip out. My eyes drifted back to her gift, warmness infusing at the thought of her including me in their family portrait.
I walked into the hospital room, finding Nikki there asleep by herself, and a moment of anger hit me. I didn’t like her being left alone. I pulled a chair up close to her bedside, setting the vase of roses I bought on the phone stand and propping Clara’s photo up next to it before I slipped my hand into hers.
“Chase,” she whispered, opening her eyes to look at me with a tired glance.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up.”
“My mom explained where you were. It’s alright.”
I lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “I missed you.”
She stared at me. “Are you going to tell me where you were?”
I sighed and leaned into the chair, not wanting to answer the question.
“Did you use again?”
I shook my head, closing my eyes because I didn’t want her to see through me.
“Did you get drunk?”
“Look, Nikki. Let’s just say last night wasn’t good, and I’m not too proud of my actions. I certainly didn’t mean to disappoint you. I was having a hard time.”
“Who’d you party with?”
“You really think I would go to a party while you’re stuck here in this bed?” I could feel myself growing upset.
“Sorry. I thought if you were drinking it would be with some of your friends.”
I fidgeted restlessly. “I wasn’t with anyone. I went to our place at the c
reek by myself and wallowed in self-pity. Not exactly the highlight of my existence, I know, but certainly what people have probably come to expect from me. You did.”
“I wasn’t trying to assume. I knew you’d been under a lot of pressure lately. I’m not blaming you for it. Heck, I’d probably join you right now if I could.”
I felt like the biggest jerk, going on this way. “Nikki, I’m sorry I’m so touchy this morning. It’s my guilty conscience talking. Don’t worry about me. I’ll get my head on straight eventually. Let’s get you taken care of first.”
“Worrying about you is what I do. I love you.”
I kissed her again. “Then let me worry about you for a change. You’ve done enough for me. I owe you so much more.”
“You don’t owe me anything. You’re here, and that’s all I need.”
“I plan on being here every second. I’m going to talk to coach about quitting the team. I’m sure he will understand.”
“No!” she said sharply. “You won’t quit.”
“You need me more.”
“Chase, I don’t want you to quit the team. You know college scouts are looking at you.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re more important.”
“I disagree. You need to be focused on your future.”
“I can’t think about my future when you’re here like this. I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything but you.” I was getting more frustrated by the second.
“Chase. I’ll make you a deal. You stay on the team, and I will do everything in my power to hit my physical therapy just as hard. I’ll match your workouts hour for hour and try to get better. But I’m only going to do it if you stay on. If you give up, then I give up too.”
“You aren’t playing fair,” I complained.
“I’m playing very fair. Now are you going to agree or what? I’m too tired to continue this conversation.”
I rubbed my thumb over her hand. “You know I’ll do anything you ask if it will help you get better.”
“Good, then we’re in agreement. You play football, I play therapy. Let’s see who makes it to the end first, shall we? You to the state game or me walking. The loser has to take the other out for a fancy dinner.”
“Doesn’t that make us both winners?” I asked with a grin.
“No. I can’t afford a fancy dinner like you can, so I’m going to have to beat you.”
I laughed, feeling some of the pressure lift off my shoulders. “You’re on, baby.”
“Just remember, I’ll know if you are cheating or trying to throw things in my favor. I won’t have any of that.”
“Go to sleep already,” I teased. “What’s a guy got to do to get some peace around here?”
She smiled and closed her eyes, squeezing my fingers tighter.
I watched her in silence, unable to drink in my fill of her with my gaze. She was so strong, and I loved her for it.
“Chase,” she whispered.
“Yes?”
“I really am sorry I messed up our date.”
My heart sank again. “I love you. Go to sleep.”