“All right.” I lean back on my pillows and cringe from the movement.
“I’ll let you get some rest. I’m sure you’re tired, but I’ll be in touch later this week… if that’s okay.”
“Yeah. Sure. That’s fine.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he says. “Talk to you later.”
“Later.” I hang up and stare at the phone. Did I actually just have a conversation with my dad? I’m not sure this month could get any weirder.
I turn on the TV and take a sip of my Dr Pepper, but it doesn’t take long for exhaustion to take over. Ever so carefully, I scoot down so that I’m nearly flat on my back. The TV drones quietly in the background, and in a matter of minutes, I’m out.
I’m still in a sleepy haze when I hear two voices softly floating across the room. I turn my head to see Mom and Carter in the kitchen. There’s a vase full of yellow daisies on the counter, and Mom’s telling Carter about my accident. They don’t know I’m awake, so I just lie here, listening for a minute.
“Christ,” Carter says, “she’s lucky it wasn’t worse.”
“I know,” Mom says. “I can’t believe she entered that event. I mean, they shouldn’t even let people do things like that. It’s so stupid.”
“I can hear you, you know,” I say.
Both their heads snap in my direction.
“Oh, sorry,” Mom says, “but it is a stupid event.”
I have to agree with her there, but I don’t feel like saying so out loud and giving her that satisfaction.
I scooch back up to a sitting position, my jaw tightening as I do so.
Mom’s expression quickly mirrors my own. “Do you need another one of your pain pills? I got your prescription filled while I was out.”
Wow, look at her being all responsible and motherly now. “Yeah, please.” Carter comes to sit on the other end of the couch, concern evident in his sea-green eyes. “Sorry, I forgot to call you,” I tell him. “I fell asleep.”
“It’s okay.” He jiggles one knee while staring at the floor. “Sorry about last night,” he says. “I should have gone with you.”
“Don’t blame yourself. Even if you had gone, I doubt you could have stopped me from doing the event.”
He smiles. “True. You do what you want usually.”
“Yep, but at least I finished Grandpa’s list. I might have to spend all my inheritance on hospital bills, but it’s done.”
“I hope not. Aren’t you supposed to spend it on college?”
“You don’t need to worry about the bills,” Mom butts in as she hands me a pill. I wash it down with a sip of lukewarm Dr Pepper. “I’m taking care of everything.”
Carter and I both turn to look at her. She’s changed clothes since we left the hospital and now wears a sleeveless denim shirt and jeans, but still no makeup. She looks like she could crash at any moment.
“Okay,” I say. She’s trying to redeem herself, and I’m going to let her. After all, she has inheritance money coming, too. “You should really go take a nap, Mom.”
“Yeah, I probably should. I took the day off, so I guess I’ve got time.”
“Oh,” Carter says, pushing to his feet. “I brought you flowers.” He grabs the vase and brings it over, setting it on the end table next to my Dr Pepper. “I wasn’t sure what color you’d like, but yellow seemed good. It’s a happy color, you know.”
I snort, but my hand flies to my mouth as I realize I’m coming off as rude. I’d only done it because I’m wondering who this person is inhabiting my best friend’s body. “Thanks,” I say. “I like them, and yellow’s good.”
Little splotches of pink have begun to color his cheeks. “Glad you like them. I mean, I figured that’s just something you’re supposed to do when someone’s in the hospital… or just got home from one anyway.”
I can feel my own cheeks starting to color as I search my brain for something else to say. It’s like we’re back at that awkward moment right after the kiss again.
Mom busies herself in the kitchen, wiping down an already-clean counter and putting a few dishes away. Then she gives a yawn, which seems totally forced. “Boy, I am tired. Think I’ll go lie down now.”
Once her bedroom door closes, Carter sits down again, turning to watch the television, where some infomercial on microwavable Tupperware is playing. “So are you staying here?” he asks. It’s subtle but I think there’s a hint of something like sadness in his voice.
I shift in my seat, then grimace again. I’ve got to quit moving around so much. “I think so. For now, anyway. Don’t know what my long-term plans are yet.”
He nods as if maybe he suspected that might be the case. “I’m gonna miss having you around.”
“I know, but it’s probably better this way.”
“Sorry. I guess I’ve been a pretty sucky friend lately.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I promise to do better.” He turns to look at me. “If you still want to hang out, that is.”
“Of course I still want to hang out.”
Carter looks more than a little relieved at my response. Did he really think I was going to ditch him just because we had a little spat?
“Well, I guess I should let you get some rest,” he says, getting to his feet again. “Glad you’re okay and not brain damaged or anything.”
“Ha ha.”
He smiles and sweeps his hair behind one ear. “I’ll text you later, ’kay?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
After the front door closes, my gaze travels back to the daisies beside me, and I can’t help but smile. No one has ever brought me flowers before.
CHAPTER 32BECKA
THE SCENT OF SPEARMINT FILLS MY CAR AS K. J. chomps on what must be her third piece of gum, her jaw moving about a hundred miles an hour. I’ve never seen her like this before, but I’m guessing it’s just a major case of nerves.
“How’s your rib?” I ask,
