Pls come home. I’m sick.
Oh no. What did that mean?
He showed Ashley which house was his and jumped out as soon as she pulled to the curb. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She leaned over. “What’s wrong?”
“Probably nothing.” He rushed up to the front door, but looked back, just in time to see Ashley shut her car off and get out.
“Ash, I’ll be fine.”
Her shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry. If you want me to go, I’ll go.” She shifted in place, looking uncertain as to what she should do.
Instinct told him to get her to leave so he could handle things on his own, but he had to stop doing that. This was Ashley. Regardless of what was behind that door, was it worth shutting her out again? She hadn’t even mentioned his stupid girlfriend lie or questioned him on the absurdity of it.
“Come on.” He held out his hand, and she rushed forward to grip it. He hoped she wouldn’t run away screaming after tonight.
He unlocked the door and looked around inside. “Beth?”
“She’s back here,” Gabby called. “Her side hurts. She wouldn’t let me call 9-1-1.”
Chase followed her voice down the hall to the bathroom, where Beth was sitting hunched over on the floor. “Bethy, are you okay?”
“No, genius,” she huffed out. “I feel like someone’s repeatedly punching me in the kidney.”
“Where’s Tyler?”
Gabby took Chase’s hand, looking scared. “I sent him next door to Mike’s house. Will Beth be okay?”
“She’ll be fine.” He patted Gabby’s hand, and then let go so he could lean down and gather up Beth. She cried out in pain when he touched her side. “Let’s head to the E.R. and figure this out. It could be your appendix, or kidney stones, or … um … do you think it’s a period thing?”
Beth gave him a feeble whack in the arm. “I’m glad you’re here, but shut up.”
Ashley was waiting for them in the living room, and he felt Beth shift in his arms when she saw her.
“Who are you?” Gabby asked.
Like a doofus, he’d left her standing there. “This is my friend from work. Gabby and Beth, this is Ashley.”
“Can we skip the … introductions?” Beth’s hand suddenly gripped his arm so hard he thought he might drop her. She whimpered in pain.
Ashley got the front door and held it open. Chase eased Beth through before realizing he didn’t have his car out front. “Beth, where are your keys?”
“I’ll drive,” Ashley volunteered. She rushed to her car and opened the back door for them.
Chase turned to Gabby. “Why don’t you go to Mike’s house too? I’ll text his mom on the way to the hospital.”
She looked like she wanted to protest, but ran to the neighbors’ house anyway. Chase put Beth in the backseat and then ran around to get in on the other side. His debt to Ashley had just increased exponentially.
***
Chase’s little sister was a feisty thing. She didn’t want the I.V. they put in, but thankfully the nurse was meaner than Beth and told her she could choose between feeling a small pinch from the needle or sticking with the continuous pain, because the I.V. was the only way Beth would be getting any pain medicine. After that, Beth held still and within minutes it was obvious the meds had made their way through her system. She relaxed back on the bed and gripped Chase’s hand. Her smudged eyeliner and limp hair made her look like she’d partied a little too hard or something. For Chase’s sake, Ashley hoped this wasn’t about overindulging in anything. The two obviously had a close bond.
“I’m sorry I’m such a butthead, Chase.”
“It’s okay. Just feel better.”
Beth’s head lolled to the side as she peered at Ashley. “I’m usually nicer, I promise.” Ashley tried not to squirm as Beth studied her. “Did I ruin your plans? You two weren’t like on a date or anything were you?”
