to be a bit spotty there.”
“She’s at the hospital?”
All three nod.
She never said a word about it.
Why are they all here though? “Did she go by herself?”
I don’t know why that’s the second thing that pops into my mind, but seeing that her closest family is standing right in front of me, I’m a bit confused. And shocked.
I can’t imagine what a yearly checkup for someone like Chloe would be like. What if something’s wrong?
Chloe’s mom nods. “She always wants to go alone. I think we just add to her nerves. She also wants to spare me more hospital visits, even though she should know that it doesn’t matter to me. But she insists. And we’re all about making this time of the year easier for her. So we get together and wait for her to get back when she’s done. At least on the first day.”
I don’t know what to say, so I just stare at them like a total loon. “It’s more than one day of exams?”
Her mom nods. “It’s two days. They have to perform a lot of different tests.”
Chloe: I’ll be busy the next couple days, but we can get together on Thursday if you want.
That’s what she meant when she texted me she’ll be busy? Shit. My stomach churns at the thought of having people prod at me for two days.
Cody waves his hand. “Do you want to come inside?”
I shake my head before I even realize I’ve made a decision. “I need to see her. Can you tell me where to find her? I’d really appreciate it.”
There’s no way I could sit down somewhere right now and wait to see her, especially now that I know where she’s at and more importantly, what she’s doing there. Alone. Why didn’t she say anything? More than an “I’ll be busy the next couple days.”
Maybe because the last time you saw her, you left her standing in that closet and left?
Shit.
I don’t know if it’s the desperation in my voice, or whatever they see on my face, but after a moment, Chloe’s mom nods. “One second. I’ll write it down for you.”
“Thank you.” The tension doesn’t leave my body at her response—nothing will help with that until I see Chloe’s okay—but a small weight falls off my shoulders and they slouch.
A few minutes later, Chloe’s mom comes back with a piece of paper and hands it to me. “I wrote the info on there, as well as my phone number.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep you updated if I can.” I give them a nod before turning around and speed-walking back to my car.
They’re all still in the doorway when I hit the gas and I lift a hand in their direction.
My thoughts are spinning, wondering what it’s like for Chloe during those two days. Does she fear that the doctors might find something? Is that why she goes alone so no one can witness it?
When I finally pull into the parking lot of the hospital outpatient building, I park as fast as I can and run. By the time I make it to the fifth floor, I have no clue where I parked or if I locked the car. Who would?
I try not to cringe at the different appointments, hospital levels, and stations that are listed on the paper. And Chloe has even more tests tomorrow? A shudder ricochets through my body, and I flinch at the sensation. This is all a lot to take in.
When I finally get closer to the other side of the building, where Chloe’s supposed to have her next appointment, it feels like time slows down when I spot her dark hair. The purple tint has washed out, but it still helps pick her out of a crowd.
But she isn’t alone. She smiles at a nurse who’s holding a door to the side open for her.
“Chloe.”
People stare at me, but all sense of embarrassment has left my mind.
My focus is on one thing and one thing only.
Chloe.
Making sure she’s okay. Begging her to talk to me.
A family steps in front of me, making their way to another nurse waiting for them at a different door.
Shit.
They cut into my line of vision, and when they finally move along, Chloe is gone. The door closed behind her and the nurse.
After taking a few deep breaths, I go to the nurses’ desk, but, like I expected, they tell me to wait for her.
Fuck.
That was so close.
Did she hear me? Did she see me?
What if she did