Backup Plan - Emily Goodwin Page 0,61
it’s not like he’s a surgeon,” Mason says with his mouth full.
“Next time you’re not breathing and need a tube inserted down your throat, remember it’s not that important if I have steady hands or not.”
“I bet you use that as a pick-up line, don’t you?” Mason leans back. “I would.”
“Gross,” Rory says under her breath.
I take a seat at the island counter, still holding Adam. “Where’s Dean?”
“Helping Dad fix the fence out back. They should be done soon. But now I’m curious…where were you?”
“With Chloe,” I say, knowing those two words are going to raise a lot of questions. Rory freezes, hand midway in the air to turn on the microwave, and gets a big smile on her face. “Calm down. We just had drinks and caught up a bit.”
And then I don’t know what happened. I thought we were on the same wavelength. I thought I had read her right. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Chloe doesn’t want to be more than friends…if we can even be that at all after what happened.
“You should date her,” Rory says.
“We’re just friends,” I press and hold Adam up so he can see out the window. “Friends who haven’t seen each other in a while.”
“Sure you are,” Mason and Rory say at the same time.
“We are.”
“Don’t you want to be more?” Rory presses, and I want her to stop. I don’t want to snap at my sister, but I don’t want to be asked questions that make me uncomfortable either. Of fucking course I want to be more than friends with Chloe. And I thought Chloe wanted more too. Fuck. Am I that off my game? Or am I just that pathetic when it comes to Chloe, clinging desperately to anything she throws my way, hoping and praying she might feel the same.
I’ve changed, and I want her to know that. I’m not the same lost young adult who didn’t know his place in the world. I’ve grown up a lot since the night of the party, and that was my sobering moment that made me realize how much responsibility for my life I hadn’t yet taken. I was in med school, on my way to becoming a doctor, yet still coasting along carefree, living for me and me alone.
Losing her hurt more than anything I’ve ever experienced, and knowing I hurt her in the process just about killed me.
“We’re friends,” I say, giving Rory a please stop look. “Don’t make her feel uncomfortable when she’s here tonight.”
“I won’t say anything to her,” Rory promises. “But how cool would that be if you dated Chloe and then I got to go to premieres of Nightfall.”
“That’s the real reason you want me to date her, isn’t it?”
“Of course not, but it would be cool, wouldn’t it? I like Chloe, and I like how she never took shit from you—from any of you. She was a huge influence on me when I was younger, and without her, I wouldn’t be the nerd I am today. And you don’t have to worry about her being a gold-digging whore like your last girlfriend. Chloe makes a lot more money than you. If anything, you’d be the gold-digger whore.”
“Way to be subtle, sis,” Mason chuckles. “But if Sam wants to be a trophy husband, he needs to get in better shape.”
“Fuck you,” I say, narrowing my eyes as if I’m actually angry. I’m in the best shape of my life right now. “I didn’t go through twelve years of schooling just to be a trophy husband.”
“Your loss. I’d take Chloe up on that offer any day.”
“Adam and I are glad you chose the path you did instead of being a trophy husband,” Rory says. “I wouldn’t have met Dean if you hadn’t gotten me a job in Eastwood.”
“You got that job because you’re a good nurse,” I say, and Rory smiles. “All I did was let you know of the opportunity.”
The microwave beeps and Rory takes her food out and comes over. Adam reaches for his mom and starts fussing.
“I just want to eat one meal in peace,” she sighs.
I stand up, rocking Adam to help calm him down. “I’ll distract him.”
“Thank you. I think he needs a diaper change too—kay, bye!” She turns and I shake my head but take Adam into the living room to change his diaper. I lay him down on the blanket spread out on the floor.
“You and Chloe are really just friends?” Mason comes in and sits on the couch.