not at school today.”
“What? Why not?”
“He had a doctor appointment.”
“Ooo, for what? Something scandalous?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s just a follow up on his ankle.”
“Pretty sure? So, it could actually be that he’s a secret baby daddy or something?”
I laughed at her insane imagination. “I know you have every reason to think the worst when it comes to Wyatt, but he’s actually a pretty nice guy.”
“Okay, what gives?”
“What do you mean?”
“That’s the second time you’ve defended him. I realize he’s your partner for the next few days, but you’re my best friend.”
“I know.” I swallowed, realizing I was about to take the plunge and tell her what I’d done. Lola, I accidentally told Wyatt your secret, and oh yeah, I think I’m falling for him.
I cringed. How was I supposed to do this? I took a deep breath. “I-I guess, it’s just that . . .”
Lola sighed dramatically. “Hold on, Layne. My mom’s yelling at me.”
I heard a muffled argument on Lola’s end of the line. When she came back her voice lacked its usual pep. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ve apparently used up my ten minutes of voice time.”
“What?”
“You know my mom. She follows the letter of the law, which now includes doctors’ orders. I need to rest my voice.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I want you to get better soon, so do what she says.”
Lola huffed. “I never thought I’d say this, but I cannot wait to get back to school. Living vicariously through you isn’t working.”
“Hey!”
“No offense, the whole being top songwriting diva is amazing, but I need more details! I’m dying for juicy gossip over here!”
I heard Lola’s mom call her name again.
“Okay, Mom! Geez. Text me,” Lola said. “Bye.”
“Bye.”
And just like that I was saved by the kissing virus—how ironic!
Chapter Fifty-Two
Wyatt
“I know you’re disappointed,” my mother said as we drove home from my doctor appointment. “We can get a second opinion, but you knew this was a possibility.”
“I’m more than disappointed, Mum,” I grumbled.
That was putting it mildly. I could think of quite a few choice words to describe my current feelings and none of them were as tame as ‘disappointed’.
“Honestly, darling. What did you expect? You’ve been off gallivanting all over with that girl.”
“I’m sorry, weren’t you the one who told me to work with that girl?”
My mother sighed, choosing her next words carefully. “You know I don’t mean anything by it. I’m glad things are going well for you two. I don’t want this diagnosis to get in the way of what you’re doing but—”
I cut my mother off with a glare. “I’m not backing out on Layne because of my stupid ankle!”
“Darling, I’m not saying that. I’m sure there’s a way for you to do both. But I need you to put your health first or you’re going to end up needing surgery.”
I stared out the passenger side window, wishing I could’ve just put this stupid appointment off until after the competition. It was putting a serious damper on my mood.
Just yesterday I’d been envisioning getting my boot off in time for prom and dancing under the fake stars with Layne in my arms.
No chance of that happening now. With my luck, I’d be spending prom in a hospital bed.
Stupid ankle!
Why couldn’t I just have a normal sprain? No, I had to be extra and tear two ligaments. A problem that I’d apparently exacerbated by gallivanting around, as my mother called it. I called it going about my normal life.
I mean, I was still expected to go to school. And she’s the one who told me to join the singing competition. True, I could’ve done all that without my usual flare, but what fun was that? And everything I’d done had paid off. Layne actually had a chance of winning this thing.
Without dragging her to a karaoke bar or to visit my grandparents, she’d still be afraid of her own shadow. But now, now she was on her way to stardom.
I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips when I thought about how far she’d come. My little diva.
Speaking of Layne . . . I pulled out my phone to text her. I wanted to see how everything had gone at school today, and this was the first chance I’d gotten since I’d spent my day getting poked and prodded and scanned.
I opened my screen and felt my heart swell as I saw an unopened message from Layne waiting for me.
Layne: Hi. It’s me. Just wishing you luck today. Text me when