“No, I have to work early.” She lived in a complex on the way to Ling’s, and I lived closer to Gavin, so it actually made more sense to drop her off first. I didn’t think Lottie thought of me—The Gimp—or even Ling as much of a threat anymore.
When we got to her building, Gavin got out and walked her to her door. When he returned, he quietly drove the rest of the way to Ling’s. She hopped out, shot us a peace sign, and said, “Thanks, G.”
“No problem.”
“Penny, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you,” I said.
Once we were back on the road, Gavin looked over at me and said, “I like her. You were right; she is a good friend.”
“I don’t want to go home, Gavin.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Okay then. You want to stay at my place? Sleep with Jackie Chan?”
“I thought we could spoon. I’m just cold and lonely.”
The honesty wasn’t hard under the influence.
“I’m pretty sure Lance would be willing to solve that.” There was an edge to his voice.
“You can take me home then.”
“No, we’ll go back to my apartment. Mike’s at his girlfriend’s place. But don’t you need meds from home?”
“You have Advil, right?”
“Yeah.”
“That should be fine.”
“Okay.”
We drove the rest of the way in silence. He carried me up the stairs but seemed so far away.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“Nothing at all.”
He laid me on his bed and very carefully took off my shoes. “I’m not going to break,” I said.
“It’s only been a few weeks since your surgery.”
“I know but I’m tough and drunk and I’ll be okay. I just need to call my parents.”
I dialed them from my cell phone, but oddly no one answered. I left a message on the machine saying I was staying at Ling’s. I didn’t want to explain why I was staying at Gavin’s.
Lying down, fully clothed, I turned on my good side and curled up. Gavin left his clothes on, too, and curled up behind me. I dozed off in his arms, with his face nuzzled in my hair. Nothing was awkward and nothing hurt. It felt exactly right to have him there, but he wasn’t mine; he was Lottie’s.
At four in the morning, I woke to the sound of my phone vibrating on the bedside table. I didn’t recognize the number so I didn’t answer. Ten seconds later, I had a voicemail. I pushed the voicemail button and instantly recognized my aunt’s voice—my mother’s sister. My heart started racing. It was unusual for her to call me at all, let alone at four in the morning. As I went to call her back, I noticed that I had several missed calls.
“Penny, sweetie,” she sounded choked up, “you need to come to the hospital downtown as soon as possible.” I was wiping sleep from my eyes, trying to process what I was hearing. That was her entire message. No details whatsoever.
Gavin sat up behind me, rubbing my back. “What is it?” he asked.
