“Hmmm, yeah.” Stephanie stopped wandering. She moved to the windows, wrapping her arms around her waist and stared outside. “I hope he’s okay.”
“Why wouldn’t he be?”
“Blaine drove me past Finn’s place while we were out. He lives in a rundown part of the subdivision.” Stephanie rotated toward Darla. “I didn’t realize the section existed. Everything in this region is nice, though I’d be afraid of driving through that area of town by myself. Blaine being there, even with Eric, might be a risk. The neighborhood is dark and icky. Who knows what happens at night.”
“Probably nothing.” Darla lifted her shoulders. “I’ve met most of my immediate neighbors. I’d think I would’ve been notified if we had any criminal activity around here. I’ve explored too. I know where you’re referring to. The sector is older and in need of renovations, but I don’t believe the block is dangerous.”
Stephanie stared at Darla. “So why is he late? You don’t think he’s trying to get of rid of me, do you?”
“Now, what are you talking about?”
“Him saying he has to do something, but he’s lying. He’s using this as a way to blow me off.”
Darla shot Stephanie an aggravated scowl. “He wouldn’t ask you out in the first place unless he liked you. Think, Steph. If he wanted to end the date early, he could just say he had something else to do and skip the suggestion that you hook up later. Let things go there.”
“I guess.”
“You guess?” Darla stared at Stephanie. She couldn’t understand why her friend was dissecting her evening with Blaine. She’d never been a worrier before, especially when it came to men. This guy must have really gotten to her.
“People don’t always tell the truth, Darla. You should understand that from your own break-up experience.”
“I get it. I don’t believe he’s lying to you, but for argument’s sake let’s say that’s what he’s doing. At least you’ll know before things become too serious.”
“Regardless, he’ll break my heart if he dumps me.”
“Look at the bright side. You won’t be like me and waste years waiting for his lies to materialize.” Darla smiled. “Everything is going to be fine. I’m sure Blaine will be here any minute now. In the meantime, let’s change the subject to keep you from worrying.”
“Good idea.” Stephanie bobbed over to the sofa and sat down next to Darla. “We can talk about your trip. Kind of last minute if you asked me.”
“Not so much. I’ve been considering going home since the breakup. I’ve thought about staying for the summer. To heal and regroup, you know? Plus, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Texas and I’m homesick.”
“When are you leaving?”
“I have some loose ends to tie up, although they shouldn’t take long. This is the last week of school, but I don’t need to be in class. I’ll contact my teacher’s assistants. They’re qualified to administer finals, grade them, and then they can send me the results to post online from my parents’ house.”
Darla hadn’t said anything about a trip to her friend because she didn’t want it to appear that she was running away after being dumped. It almost seemed cowardly. The last straw came when Eric so carelessly blew her off on her morning walk. She’d gotten his message loud and clear. The kiss meant nothing to him and neither did she. He lost control because of his upsetting situation.
And he apologized for it. Then he backtracked, which totally confused her. Even though she’d considered spending the night with this man, she decided against it, for no other reason than her emotional welfare. His presence weakened her. The idea to get as far away from this man as possible and keep her head straight was a good one. But because of the rush, this trip wasn’t exactly organized.
“After I take care of my work duties and some last-minute details I can go. I plan on leaving within a couple of days, possibly as early as tomorrow if everything falls in place. I figure I’ll make the California-Arizona border in a few hours, catch a little sleep, and get into the western part of Texas before I’ll need to stop to take a real break. I’ll be at the southern tip after another day’s drive, so I should arrive home by Tuesday.”
“I know you’re looking forward to visiting your family. I’m sure they’re excited about seeing you too. How long has it been since you’ve gotten together?”
“Almost a year.”
Stephanie opened her mouth to reply when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and squealed, “Blaine.” She jumped off the couch and half skipped, half ran to the other room. The call only took a few minutes. She dashed back to Darla and stopped, fingers fanned across her chest.
“He’s at the hospital. Blaine. He asked me to meet him at emergency right now.”
“Is he okay?”
“He sounds fine.”
“Did he say why he’s at the hospital or the reason he wants you there?”
Stephanie shook her head. “He promised he’d tell me after I get there.” She dropped her arm and sat down next to Darla. “I want you to come with me.”
“What? I can’t—.”
“I need you to take me,” Stephanie interrupted. “I don’t have my car. Plus, the stuff going on within their group makes me afraid they’ve had another disaster and it concerns Blaine, but he’s not telling me. Please, Dar, I’d like you to be with me. For moral support.”
“My going isn’t a good idea.”
“Just come until we find out what happened. If Blaine is okay, then you can leave.”
Darla considered her friend’s dilemma before she rose from the sofa. “Let me get my keys.
The drive to the hospital wasn’t a long one. Blaine sent Stephanie a text telling her at which of the building’s entrances he’d be. Darla parked near the approximate zone. They both exited the car and rushed inside. They found him at the appointed entry. Stephanie vaulted into his arms while Darla lagged behind. He squeezed Steph before he led them down a corridor through a small waiting room and into a tiny emergency area without any explanation.
Darla’s stomach bottomed out. Eric lay slouched in a hospital bed hooked to an IV. A heart monitor and other tubes were attached to various parts of him. Faded streaks covered his jawline linking to a huge knot on his forehead. A rusty hue smeared his shirt as a dark, red stain streaked his arm. His skin was white. His shadowy eyes nearly sunk into his head. He appeared like a mere ghost of himself.
No one spoke. Darla and Stephanie divided a peek between Blaine and Eric waiting for an explanation, though neither grasped the need to share as to what had happened to Eric.
Blaine finally caught on and gave Stephanie a crooked smile. “Sorry ’bout bringing you out like this. I was gonna put us off for another time, but he insisted you and I finish our date. Although we may just go to the coffee shop. I don’t want to leave him alone too long.”
“Coffee is fine.” Stephanie twisted to Eric. “And no, he doesn’t need to be alone. What happened?”
“We ran into a little problem at Finn’s.”
“A little problem?” Darla piped in.
“Yeah. Paramedics looked him over, but we’re still waiting for a physician to examine him for a final verdict.” He glanced at his watch. “We’ve been in here for over an hour.”
“This isn’t right.” Darla had remained inside the doorway. She did a half turn and stepped into the hall. “We need someone to check on him, pronto.”
Eric required help. Though she was less than thrilled by his recent behavior, she would insist he get the proper care.
Blaine leaned forward and grabbed her forearm. He spoke to her in a low voice so only she could hear. “I don’t disagree, but he’s doing his best to be brave. I know he’s in a ton of pain. It’d make him self-conscious if we don’t allow this to play out his way. Let’s give it a few more minutes.”
She nodded at Blaine and took a step inside moving closer to Eric “Maybe we can ask for some ice for your head?”
His frosty blue stare caught her eye and stopped her in her tracks.
“I’m a lot better and I’m ready to leave,” Eric told Blaine in an aggravated voice. “You promised we’d only stay for a while and it’s long past that.”
“Yeah, but you’re not going anywhere until the doctor sees you,” Blaine answered in the same annoyed tone.
Eric shuffled his legs and laid further back though he didn’t reply.
Blaine eyed Stephanie. “Can we talk a minute?” He gestured to the doorway. “In the hall.”
“Sure.” She smiled at him before she shot Darla a worried glance. Then she pointed to the entrance. “We’ll be right out here if you need us.”
Darla kept an eye on them until they disappeared. Once gone, she anxiously returned to Eric. He’d managed to relax. He’d tilted his back and shut his eyes. His chest moved up and down in an even motion, though his body twitched ever so often. He fell asleep too quickly. The massive swelling could only mean something serious going on. Him injured frightened her more than she cared to admit.
She twirled a lock of hair while she continued to observe him. A wet cloth would be a big help in wiping away the dried blood and make him not appear so incapacitated. But she’d have to touch him and she wasn’t sure she could handle that. Even bloodied and beaten up, the guy somehow managed to arouse a series of flutters deep down in the pit of her stomach.
The door opened. Blaine and Stephanie returned to the room, holding hands both wearing big smiles. Nervously they looked at Darla, then back at each other. Blaine gave Stephanie a slight nod.
“Darla. We need a huge favor,” Stephanie rushed, clutching Blaine’s hand tight between both of hers.
Darla’s brows dropped as her insides delivered a swift kick. Whatever they wanted wasn’t going to be good. For her. And she was sure they’d persuade her into honoring their request. Stephanie glanced at Blaine.
His head bobbed again.
“Blaine wants me to take him to pick up his car so I need to borrow yours.” She inhaled. “Eric shouldn’t be alone and we”—she glanced at Blaine one more time—“were wondering if you could stay”—she returned to Darla—“and watch him until we get back?”
Darla gnawed on her bottom lip as her heart skipped a beat. Spending another instant with Eric Boyd, even battered and bruised, left her excited, but flustered. Though tempting she couldn’t trust herself around him. The man was too unsettling and he’d figure out how much he rattled her.
“Why can’t you and I go get the car and you drive back here? Hopefully by then the doctor will have visited and he can leave. Besides, he’ll be uneasy if he wakes up and finds someone unfamiliar with him, and he doesn’t need to be agitated.”
“You’re over thinking this.”
Darla glared at her friend. Love did some strange stuff to people. Like turn their brains into spaghetti. “What if something worse happens while I’m with him? I won’t have any means to handle the situation. I have no authority to make medical decisions about his health. At least Blaine can contact his family and get permission for emergency issues.”
“I don’t believe he’s in that bad a shape,” Blaine assured her. “He’s drugged up, and been pretty much in and out of consciousness since I found him. He becomes dizzy easily. I think he’ll be fine after some rest. I wouldn’t suggest this if I didn’t have to get my car. I’m not comfortable leaving it in Finn’s neighborhood. And I’m not comfortable with the two of you driving in that part of town alone, after dark. We’ll make the trip quick and I’ll take over watching Eric as soon as I get back, Darla. I promise.”
She didn’t miss the concerned glance Blaine gave a slumbering Eric.
“He’ll probably doze the whole time anyway.”
“I’d rather pass on this responsibility. I’m betting he has a concussion. I read you’re not supposed to sleep with head wounds, and there isn’t anybody stopping him. The medical personnel seem scarce around here. Suppose something happens, and I can’t find anyone to help. What if he doesn’t wake up?”
“I don’t need no damn sitter,” Eric moaned from behind them. “You can all hit the road.”
“You should be so lucky.” Blaine grinned at Darla. “The drugs make him more agitated than normal.”
Eric wrestled to level his body and extended his arm to Blaine. “As a matter of fact, let’s all go. Take me home.”
Blaine turned to Eric. “After the doctor visits and gives you the okay to leave. Until then, you’re staying put.” He gave Eric a warning glance. “You’ll be safer here.”
“Safer?” Darla questioned. “Is he in danger?”
Eric ignored Darla. “I could care less about my safety at the moment.” His gaze speared into Blaine. “I’ll go anywhere, hell, sit me at the curb. I don’t wanna stay here.”
“You don’t have a say,” Blaine argued. “You need to lie down and sleep. I’ll come back soon and we’ll be on our way.” He twisted to Darla with a smile. “I hope you can overlook his bitchiness and not give him another knock on the other side of his head. Although, go ahead if he gets too bad.”
Darla almost grinned. She liked Blaine. Stephanie may found her a good one this time.
Steph clutched together her hands, held them out in front of her, and gave her a meaningful look. “Please, do this, Dar.” This short trip would take a lot longer than implied by the way her friend was acting. “I’ll never ask you to do anything else for me again.”
“Not true.”
“Okay, well, I won’t ask you to do anything else for me this week.”
“It’s Saturday, Steph. The end of the week. So your promise doesn’t work either way.”
“I can’t stay here.” Eric tried to get to his feet. He made it halfway, swayed, and fell back onto the narrow hospital bed. His weight drove it backward an inch as he landed with a loud grunt.
Darla waved an arm at him. “He can’t even stand without help.”
“Your concern is touching, but I wish you’d quit acting like I’m dying. I assure you I’m as healthy as I was last night and will be glad to prove it to you. Again.”
Darla whipped around. A sardonic smile slowly crept across Eric’s bloodied face. Her glare in return was hopefully sharp enough to cut through metal.
“Wait. Yeah, Darla.” Blaine snapped his fingers and bounced a look between Darla and Eric. “Have you two met before?”
Eric ducked his head, but Darla nodded.
“They ran into each other at the party,” Stephanie interjected with a giggle. “Darla spilled her drink on Eric, and he was accommodating. They’ve already become good friends. I see no harm in her staying with him. He’s not well from his tumble. Darla’s great at giving TLC. Besides, she ruined his shirt with her wine. She owes him.”