Playing the Game (Providence University #6) - Ali Parker Page 0,45
a sigh of relief as Dillon thanked Dr. Ford and shook his hand.
A few minutes later, we were called back and brought to a room where we found Clara looking fragile in a wheelchair.
“Hey,” she said. “I guess I overreacted.”
“Nonsense,” said Dillon. “Don’t ever feel that way. If you need a doctor, we come down, okay?”
She nodded and accepted his forehead kiss before glancing over at me. “Hey, Avery. Sorry you had to come all the way down here.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll always come when you need me.”
“I just want to go home now,” she said with a shrug. “I feel perfectly fine. I’m just tired and want my own bed.”
“They aren’t keeping you. Just a few hours, and we get to go home. We can handle that, right?” Dillon gave her a wink and went to kneel beside her and hold her hand.
“Could you get me something to drink?” she asked.
“Sure, do you want anything else?” he asked as he got up and fished in his pocket for some cash. “Avery, do you want something?”
“No, I’m good.”
Clara shook her head. “Just a drink. I’ll eat later. I promise.”
“Okay,” he said. He didn’t want to argue with her. He walked out, leaving me to sit with her.
I found a chair across the small room and sat down. “You had me worried.”
“Well, that makes two of us. I heard you were out with Seth.”
“Boy, news travels fast. Is that what put you in the hospital tonight?”
“Funny.”
“I don’t think you’re in any condition to have this conversation with me tonight. Why don’t we wait until you are home and give it a few days?” Or months? Maybe never?
“I heard about you and Seth making out in his Jeep. And how you’ve been seen all around campus. I guess things are heating up?”
“You really want to go there?” I shook my head. My sister was so stubborn at times. She didn’t know what was good for her.
“Do you really like him?” Clara asked as if it was the most impossible thing in the world.
“Yeah, I do. It’s different with him and me. He’s opened up to me and explained his side of things, and if I could tell you those truths, which I can’t because it’s not my story to tell, you’d like him too.”
“I doubt it.” She shook her head. “Are you sleeping with him?”
“Really? You’re in the hospital from a panic attack, and you want to ask me that?”
“You are. I can’t believe you, Avery.” She looked away from me.
“I didn’t say that.” I didn’t want to explain anything, knowing she wouldn’t even accept it.
“So you’re not?” she asked, giving me a pointed look.
“I didn’t say that, either. It’s not your business, and it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“You’re my sister, and he’s already hurt one of my friends.”
“He cheated, yes, but the rest of it never happened!” I let my voice get a little louder than I wanted it to, and Dillon came in and slammed the door behind him. “What the hell is going on here? This isn’t the time for a fight, Avery.”
He was blaming me.
“I’m not fighting.” I held up my hands.
“Maybe you should go.”
“It’s not her fault,” said Clara. “But she’s making a huge mistake. She’s sleeping with Seth Mills.”
Dillon’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “Did you really think it was the right time to confide that to your sister?”
“I didn’t. She brought him up, and yes, I think it’s time I go home. I’ll call you when you’re not hospitalized and insane.” I left the room, upset that Clara was so against us. I had been happy for her when she found Dillon and supported them, even though she was in her condition. But my sister would never accept Seth, no matter how much I loved him and cared about him.
I realized what just happened as I got behind the wheel. I turned the mirror down and looked myself in the eye. “You just admitted to yourself that you love him.”
It had happened so fast I didn’t even realize I’d been falling.
Chapter 16
Seth
The following day of me getting my ass kicked at pool by the hottest girl at Pro-U, I found myself getting roughed up on the field. Coach Carr had us running some hard plays and making some tough passes, but I held my own.
Knowing I’d almost fucked up by stopping at Omega House made me feel a bit tied down. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be with Avery