Chapter Four
I call Gray’s mom once we’re inside the E.R. She’s at work but says she’ll be right over. I fill out the paperwork the best I can while Ash sits next to me. They brought Gray to an examination room, so we’re left alone to wait.
“She’s going to be okay,” Ash says.
“I know, but she’s going to be livid if she can’t play for a while.” Next year, as a senior, Gray has to make varsity or she’ll be cut from the team.
“Even if she needs six weeks to recover, she’ll have all summer to get ready.” He bumps his shoulder into mine. “And from what I hear, she’ll have a great hitting partner.”
I turn to face him. “And what do you know about tennis, Mr. Never-Picked-Up-A-Racket?”
He smiles. “Oh, it’s like that, is it? Okay, well Miss Tennis Queen, what do you know about football?”
“Enough to understand how the game is played and how to score.” I’ve been to my share of football games and even watched the pros on TV with Dad.
“All right, then I’m sure you know what the most important position is.”
Even though I know he’s kidding I say, “The quarterback, of course.”
“Smart girl.” This time he leans his shoulder against mine and leaves it there.
“What do you call it when you come to the net to hit a ball?” I challenge.
Ash cocks his head like he’s trying to remember the answer. “Scary,” he finally says.
I laugh. “Nice try. It’s a volley.”
“Okay, give me another one.”
I’m a little shocked he wants to learn since he didn’t seem to want to try actually playing. “How about the kind of hit you use to start a new game or even a new point?”
“Ooh, I know this one. That’s a serve, right?” His face lights up, knowing he’s right.
“Impressive.” His hand moves from his leg to mine, resting ever so lightly on my thigh. I look down at it. Now or never. Time to flirt, Meg. You can do this. “Okay, here’s a tough one. What do you call the score when you start a match and no one has any points?”
His brow furrows. “Is that a trick question? There can’t be a score if there aren’t any points. It’s just zero, zero.”
“True, but it’s called something else in tennis.” I press my shoulder into his and slide my hand so it’s resting on top of his.
He smiles. “You got me.” Before I can wonder if there’s a double meaning in that statement, he says, “What’s it called?”
I tilt my head toward his and whisper, “Love all.”
He shakes his head. “Impossible. You can’t love all. You can only love one at a time.”
Something inside me melts at his words. He’s the kind of guy who believes in only being with one girl. Not dating around like most of the guys at Treemont.
“I agree,” I say, leaning in farther.
Ash smiles, and his lips move toward mine. This is it. My heart pounds harder as the distance between us closes.
“Meg!”
I jump at the sound of Grayson’s mother’s voice. Ash pulls his hand from my leg and sits up straight.
“Mrs. Botas.” I stand up and hug her. “Grayson is in the exam room with the doctor now.”
She cups the side of my face. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Meg. Thank you for taking care of her and bringing her here.”
“Well, you should thank Ash too. He helped me get her here.” I motion to Ash, who stands up and shakes Mrs. Botas’s hand.
“Thank you, Ash. It’s great to see that Meg found such a sweet guy.”
I stiffen, but Ash just smiles, unfazed by the comment. “I’m happy I could help.”
Mrs. Botas turns back to me. “Meg, I’m going to bring Grayson home as soon as they release her. You should go home, too.” She looks at Ash. “Would you drive her?”
“Of course.” Ash nods. “Tell Grayson I hope she’s feeling better soon.”
“I will.” Mrs. Botas smiles at Ash and then squeezes my hand before she walks to the receptionist to find out which room Grayson is in.
“So, I guess I should take you home.” Ash motions for the door.
I can’t help remembering that he said the same thing to me after the movie. Was it all happening again? Things were going great. I’m sure he was about to kiss me when Mrs. Botas arrived. So why would he want to take me home now?
“I could still use a run today,” I say, throwing caution anywhere but here.
“Won’t your parents be looking for you?”
My eyes go to the clock on the wall. I missed dinner. “I didn’t realize we’d been here that long.”
“Yeah.” His fingertips brush against mine. “Me either. I’ve never enjoyed a trip to the emergency room before.”
My cheeks get warm, and I turn for the door. “Well, I guess we could always go for that run after school tomorrow instead.”
“Tomorrow or whenever.”
Or whenever? What does that mean? I peer at him out of the corner of my eye as he holds the door open for me, but his expression doesn’t give anything away. “Sure,” I say, because I don’t know how else to respond.
Ash drives back to the school so I can get my car. He pulls into the spot next to it and cuts the engine. That’s different, and I allow myself to get my hopes up that he turned the car off for a reason—like maybe he’s actually going to kiss me good-bye this time. I turn in my seat so I’m facing him.
He pulls his cell from his back pocket and stares at the blank screen. I can tell he’s working up the courage to ask for my number. I never would have pegged Ash to be so shy. “Do you think I could get your number?” he finally manages to say.
I smile.
“You know, so I can check in later and see how Grayson is doing.”
My face falls. “Grayson?”
“Yeah, I want to make sure she’s okay.” His eyes jerk up, finding mine. “If that’s okay.”
“Um, sure.” I reach for his phone and type my number into a new contact. Then I hand the phone back to Ash.
“Thanks.” He presses the screen, and my phone rings in my pocket. “Now you have my number. Call me when you hear anything, okay?”
I nod, totally confused by what just happened. I reach for my door, and he starts to get out. “No, stay. It’s fine.”
He smiles. “Bye, Meg.”
“Bye.” I get out, my head still reeling. I close the door and give Ash a small wave before getting into my car. I thought things were going great. Ash seemed like he wanted to kiss me and like he was interested in me. So why all the concern about Grayson? I mean, he hardly knows her, and last time they talked she threatened him if he hurt me. I may never understand guys or dating at this point.