“It’s all the stress from me being on the team. I should probably just wait another few years and see if they’ll have me back in training.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What if I lose her?”
“We won’t.” I wasn’t going to let him worry himself sick, and I knew that Clara would be upset if he said a word about wanting to quit. “You didn’t tell her that you were thinking of quitting, did you?”
“No, it just occurred to me that I should.”
“You can’t quit. Clara will be upset, and that’s the last thing she needs right now.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“So, what happened?”
“She was fine. We were watching TV and got ready for bed. She had said she felt weird earlier but didn’t actually describe what she meant. I know she’s had a lot on her mind.” He shook his head. “I should have questioned her more.”
All I could do was hug him to comfort him. Dillon slumped against me as if he needed me to hold him up. “It’s going to be okay.”
And no sooner than I said that, a doctor came out from the back and called us over. “I’m Dr. Ford. I just wanted to let you know that Clara is fine. She’s had a small panic attack, and I’ve given her something safe that will calm her nerves a bit. She’s going to be prone to this for a while, and it’s actually quite normal.”
“Oh man,” said Dillon. “Thank you. That’s a relief.”
“Yeah, and you did the right thing bringing her in. She’s still a bit underweight, and a small panic attack could worsen her condition if it causes her so much stress.”
The concern in Dillon’s eyes made my heart hurt. He really loved my sister with all of his heart. And that was the way I wanted Seth to love me. “Did she say what caused it?” he asked. “She was fine one minute and not the next.”
“Anything can bring them on, especially with her going through all she has. I’ll have her stay another hour for evaluation, and you can take her home.”
“Thanks.” I let out a sigh of relief as Dillon thanked Dr. Ford and shook his hand.
A few minutes later, we were called back and brought to a room where we found Clara looking fragile in a wheelchair.
“Hey,” she said. “I guess I overreacted.”
“Nonsense,” said Dillon. “Don’t ever feel that way. If you need a doctor, we come down, okay?”
She nodded and accepted his forehead kiss before glancing over at me. “Hey, Avery. Sorry you had to come all the way down here.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll always come when you need me.”
“I just want to go home now,” she said with a shrug. “I feel perfectly fine. I’m just tired and want my own bed.”
“They aren’t keeping you. Just a few hours, and we get to go home. We can handle that, right?” Dillon gave her a wink and went to kneel beside her and hold her hand.
“Could you get me something to drink?” she asked.
“Sure, do you want anything else?” he asked as he got up and fished in his pocket for some cash. “Avery, do you want something?”
“No, I’m good.”
Clara shook her head. “Just a drink. I’ll eat later. I promise.”
“Okay,” he said. He didn’t want to argue with her. He walked out, leaving me to sit with her.
I found a chair across the small room and sat down. “You had me worried.”
“Well, that makes two of us. I heard you were out with Seth.”
“Boy, news travels fast. Is that what put you in the hospital tonight?”
“Funny.”
“I don’t think you’re in any condition to have this conversation with me tonight. Why don’t we wait until you are home and give it a few days?” Or months? Maybe never?
“I heard about you and Seth making out in his Jeep. And how you’ve been seen all around campus. I guess things are heating up?”
“You really want to go there?” I shook my head. My sister was so stubborn at times. She didn’t know what was good for her.
“Do you really like him?” Clara asked as if it was the most impossible thing in the world.
“Yeah, I do. It’s different with him and me. He’s opened up to me and explained his side of things, and if I could tell you those truths, which I can’t because it’s not my story to tell, you’d like him too.”
“I doubt it.” She shook her head. “Are you sleeping with him?”
“Really? You’re in the hospital from a panic attack, and you want to ask me that?”
“You are. I can’t believe you, Avery.” She looked away from me.
“I didn’t say that.” I didn’t want to explain anything, knowing she wouldn’t even accept it.
“So you’re not?” she asked, giving me a pointed look.
“I didn’t say that, either. It’s not your business, and it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“You’re my sister, and he’s already hurt one of my friends.”
“He cheated, yes, but the rest of it never happened!” I let my voice get a little louder than I wanted it to, and Dillon came in and slammed the door behind him. “What the hell is going on here? This isn’t the time for a fight, Avery.”
He was blaming me.
“I’m not fighting.” I held up my hands.
“Maybe you should go.”
“It’s not her fault,” said Clara. “But she’s making a huge mistake. She’s sleeping with Seth Mills.”
Dillon’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “Did you really think it was the right time to confide that to your sister?”
“I didn’t. She brought him up, and yes, I think it’s time I go home. I’ll call you when you’re not hospitalized and insane.” I left the room, upset that Clara was so against us. I had been happy for her when she found Dillon and supported them, even though she was in her condition. But my sister would never accept Seth, no matter how much I loved him and cared about him.
I realized what just happened as I got behind the wheel. I turned the mirror down and looked myself in the eye. “You just admitted to yourself that you love him.”
It had happened so fast I didn’t even realize I’d been falling.
Chapter 16
Seth
The following day of me getting my ass kicked at pool by the hottest girl at Pro-U, I found myself getting roughed up on the field. Coach Carr had us running some hard plays and making some tough passes, but I held my own.
Knowing I’d almost fucked up by stopping at Omega House made me feel a bit tied down. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be with Avery in an official capacity because I did, but I didn’t want every single move I made policed either.
When I saw that car coming down the road, I thought she had been suspicious and that I had done something to upset her. Thinking I could lose her over something so innocent and that wasn’t even a big deal made my stomach hurt.
I hadn’t even had those feelings before mixed up with my caring for someone else. Although I’d never really cared for anyone the way I cared for Avery.