Best Dating Rules, Tamie Dearen [literature books to read txt] 📗

“Pregnant—oh, that’s crazy. She’s kind of old for that, isn’t she? I mean, I’m happy for her and all. She was brave to even go on the hike. Listen, Spencer. I didn’t take that picture. I hope you believe me.”

“Sure, Candace. Thanks for calling me back.”

“You’re welcome. I really am sorry it happened. And the Gherrings were so nice to give us a ride to the hike. By the way, are you going on the overnight hike this weekend?”

“I’m not sure. I was planning to, but I’m awfully tired.”

“Same here. I only got back from Mexico a few minutes ago. Do you know if Landon’s going?”

“I don’t know, but I think so. Look Candace, I need to get back to work.”

“Okay. See ya.”

Spencer hung up the phone. He wasn’t sure whom to believe. But he was beginning to think it really might be Becca. At this point, it didn’t seem to matter. He planned to have nothing to do with Becca anymore. In fact, he could take care of that problem right now. He pulled out his phone and blocked her number. Feeling a sense of relief, he started concentrating on his work. Despite his fatigue, he poured himself into his project, enjoying the respite from his painful memories. Perhaps there was life after Emily Best.*****

“Hey, Sister.” Charlie’s gold eyes studied Emily from a close perspective. “I’ve been waiting hours for you to wake up.” She smiled. “Well, maybe only about five minutes. But, you slept right through some really loud humming and several throat clearings. Eh-hem!”

“What time is it?” Emily croaked.

“Almost two o’clock. How do you feel?”

“Better than before. My head feels a little better, and I’m not dizzy. But I still feel nauseated.”

“We’ll give you something for that,” said the nurse who entered the room to take vital signs.

“No, I don’t want anything. I really don’t like taking any medicines. They mess with my head.”

“Okay, but the medication would make you feel less nauseous. And I’m also authorized to give you something for pain.”

“I’m not hurting anywhere,” Emily lied, anxious to avoid taking pain medication. “And I don’t really feel that queasy, either.”

The nurse tsked behind her teeth. “Okay. I won’t give you any meds. Let me know if you change your mind.”

“Can I go home?”

“You want to leave already?” asked the nurse. “You just woke up at five a.m. The doctor hasn’t seen you yet, has he?”

“Maybe he came while I was sleeping.”

The nurse shook her head as she checked the patient notes. “Nope. He hasn’t come. But your vitals are fine. It’s possible you could get dismissed today.”

“Can you ask the doctor to come? As soon as he can?”

She chuckled. “I’m betting you’ll see the doctor pretty quickly. You’ve been designated a priority one. Everyone likes to keep Steven Gherring happy around here. He was evidently on a rampage last night.” Then she leaned in as if to tell a secret. “But I’ve seen him come up here and visit with the kids on the cancer wing he built. He’s really a sweet man even though he sometimes looks really stern.”

“Yeah. We’ve seen that side of him more often than not,” agreed Charlie.

“Well, I’ll send a message to the doc and see if he’ll get up here to see you.”

“Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

When the nurse left the room, Charlie said, “So... Let me make sure I have the story straight. My smart, sensible, conservative sister decided to go on a date with an older guy she hardly knew. And she ended up drinking something with drugs in it and almost killed herself. Does that about sum it up?”

“Please, Charlie. I was technically dead less than twenty-four hours ago. Can’t you cut me some slack?”

“Hmmm.” She held her chin, tapping a finger on her lip. “Let me think. What would my dear sister do if the circumstances were reversed? Hmmm... No, I don’t think I can cut you any slack.”

“I would too cut you slack.”

“When I tried that ski jump and broke my wrist, you lectured me on the slope before they even strapped me onto the sled.”

“That was one time—”

“When I wrecked the car, you yelled at me before you even asked if I was hurt.”

“But you weren’t hurt.”

“I could’ve been. You didn’t know.”

“Fine. You might as well yell at me. I’m so angry with myself I can’t stand it. I admit it—I was really stupid.”

Charlie leaned over and hugged her fiercely, blinking back tears. “I’m mad, too. And I’m mad at myself I didn’t hear your phone call. I could’ve lost you. What would I do without my sister?”

“I don’t know, I think you’d be better off.”

“First of all, the drink. Don’t you know—”

“Yes, I know. I know I should never drink something that was left on the table. But, Asher was there. I would’ve thought he’d watch it.”

“For all you know, he did it. You don’t even know him.”

“The police don’t think he did it. But you’re right—I didn’t know him. I was... I don’t know... I was flattered, I guess. All the girls liked him, and he picked me. At the time, it seemed really great. I was blinded by his petty star status. I can’t believe it, now.”

“So, tell me about Spencer. I know he was there. I know he saw you. Steven told me, despite everything, Spencer ended up giving you CPR and saving your life. So, what’s the deal? After all that, you don’t like him? You still want to be friends—nothing more?”

“No... I... That is, yes. I like him. I really do. But, it’s too late. I finally realized it, but it’s too late. I was so awful. I lied to him, and I hurt him.” She turned her head away. “I don’t even think we can be friends, now. And I’ve probably lost Grace as well.”

“You haven’t lost me yet,” said a voice from the doorway. Grace’s face appeared around the door. “I was eavesdropping. I could apologize and say I’m sorry, but