Claire, on the other hand, hasn’t given Wyatt any reason to feel threatened. She’s been forthright and told him about me. He’s the one she wanted to call after hurting herself. I was more of a last resort for help.
I’d already agreed to back off due to Vincent’s advice and out of respect for Claire, but now I’m seeing it from Wyatt’s side. I’ve been him, and I don’t want him to ever have to be me.
“I’ll take good care of your girl,” I promise. “I think they’re going to do X-rays, so I’ll have her call you when she gets an update.”
“Great.” He pauses. “I can fly up there if I need to.”
Not sure if that’s a threat or not. Since I’m feeling magnanimous, I’ll choose to just take it as a boyfriend concerned about his girlfriend’s injury.
“I’ll let you two work that out,” I say.
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
We sit there for a moment in silence.
Finally I can’t stand it any longer. “I’ll let you get to your meeting.” “Tell Claire I love her.”
“Sure thing.” I hang up, then blow out a breath and roll my eyes to heaven.
Claire’s hand pats the side of the bed. “Wyatt?”
I consider taking her hand but ultimately decide against it. I’ve already filled in for her boyfriend enough, and I’m not trying to take his place anymore. “He’s gone, but he said he loves you.”
“He loves me.” She smiles again, then her eyes widen and she pointsat me. “But I think he might be jealous of you.” Her eyes close again, and her head falls back.
Did that just happen?
“We looked you up on Instagram, and when I saw a picture of you with Joey, I knew I couldn’t even compare.” Claire’s eyes open a sliver to bless me with a soft smile. “She’s really pretty.”
“You’re pretty too, Claire.” Not sure what else I can say. I’m still thrown by this whole conversation.
“I wish I were that pretty.”
I study her serene profile, pert nose, and lashes fanned against the tops of her cheeks. Her bun slumps over one ear. She may not be glamorous, but she’s cute. Sweet. Innocent. Beautiful.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper. I’m not trying to steal her away or boost her self-esteem. I simply state it as a fact, because she’s beautiful to me.
It doesn’t matter though. She’s fallen asleep.
The doctor appears and orders X-rays. The tech rolls her away. And somewhere in all the waiting, I fall asleep too.
I feel a crick in my neck before opening my eyes. I see Claire lying on her side, looking at me. Her expression is clear.
I shift to sit up and roll my head from side to side to ease the crick. “How ya feeling?”
“I broke my big toe. I’m going to have to wear a walking boot for four weeks. No more Mary Janes.”
I lean forward, forearms on my thighs. “Are you going to be able to work?”
“I think so.”
This moment is too personal. Especially with her sober. Hospital visits are usually reserved for family members or significant others. “Have you called Wyatt to update him yet?”
“Update?” Her eyes rove the ceiling, then look down to the bed for her phone. “Did I talk to him earlier?”
I rub a hand down my face. “You tried. I ended up doing most of the talking.”
