Playing the Game (Providence University #6) - Ali Parker Page 0,44
minute. When I saw you driving by, I thought you were checking up on me.”
“Nope, I thought you had gone home. But I guess I know now why you didn’t want to stay with me.”
“I did want to stay with you, but I didn’t want to be that guy. I hoped you’d make the first move again. And if you’re this upset, you should have called me, and I could have taken you to the hospital myself.”
“I got upset when I saw you at Omega House. I thought you went to the party. It wouldn’t be my business if you did, I guess.”
“It is, Avery. Babe, don’t make more of this than it is. I’m about to leave and go home. I could come there if you want me to.”
“No. I don’t want to upset Clara. She wouldn’t want you there.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m sorry I upset you.” I could tell by the sound of his voice that he meant it.
I felt terrible for thinking the worst, but things were just going so well, it had to be too good to be true. “I’m sorry I got upset.”
“Will you call me when you get home? I’m worried about you out so late. You were already yawning earlier on the way home.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll drink some strong hospital coffee, and it will wake me up. Plus, Dillon is there. If I get too sleepy, I’ll catch a ride.”
He sighed. “Okay. Just let me know you’re safe. Night, babe.”
The call ended, and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I didn’t like how close to a fight that had come. I didn’t want anything to mess us up, not jealousy, or fear, or anything.
I went to the elevators and pushed the button for the cardio wing. When I landed, the door opened, and I could already see Dillon filling out some paperwork with one of the staff.
I hurried over. “How is she?”
“She’s fine. They have her taking it easy, and they are going to check her heart and make sure it’s not giving out.”
“Oh no. Do you think that’s possible?”
Dillon, who was as pale as a ghost, shrugged. “She kept saying she felt weird earlier after she ate.”
“At least she’s eating.”
“Barely,” he said. “I’m not sure my being away was a good idea.”
“She wouldn’t eat much for me either. I was afraid she was just putting on a show for me.”
“It’s all the stress from me being on the team. I should probably just wait another few years and see if they’ll have me back in training.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What if I lose her?”
“We won’t.” I wasn’t going to let him worry himself sick, and I knew that Clara would be upset if he said a word about wanting to quit. “You didn’t tell her that you were thinking of quitting, did you?”
“No, it just occurred to me that I should.”
“You can’t quit. Clara will be upset, and that’s the last thing she needs right now.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“So, what happened?”
“She was fine. We were watching TV and got ready for bed. She had said she felt weird earlier but didn’t actually describe what she meant. I know she’s had a lot on her mind.” He shook his head. “I should have questioned her more.”
All I could do was hug him to comfort him. Dillon slumped against me as if he needed me to hold him up. “It’s going to be okay.”
And no sooner than I said that, a doctor came out from the back and called us over. “I’m Dr. Ford. I just wanted to let you know that Clara is fine. She’s had a small panic attack, and I’ve given her something safe that will calm her nerves a bit. She’s going to be prone to this for a while, and it’s actually quite normal.”
“Oh man,” said Dillon. “Thank you. That’s a relief.”
“Yeah, and you did the right thing bringing her in. She’s still a bit underweight, and a small panic attack could worsen her condition if it causes her so much stress.”
The concern in Dillon’s eyes made my heart hurt. He really loved my sister with all of his heart. And that was the way I wanted Seth to love me. “Did she say what caused it?” he asked. “She was fine one minute and not the next.”
“Anything can bring them on, especially with her going through all she has. I’ll have her stay another hour for evaluation, and you can take her home.”