Page 34 of Every Chance After

“I’m serious. Wait… Do they?”

She nods, her left brow cocked high on her forehead.

I take a deep breath, not surprised. “Call me whatever you want, but going against a doctor’s advice is risky, even dangerous. If the doctor says stay, you should stay.”

Her head tilts as she peers up at me, seeming to evaluate my frustration. I rake my fingers over my head before perching both hands on my hips.

“I need you to relax, Grady,” she says, almost breathless but still managing a weak smile. “The rest of Seagrove might tolerate Grouchy Tripp, but here, now, I don’t have the energy. So, eitherhegoes oryoudo.”

Her words stun and disarm me.Was I being harsh?I rethink our conversation and realize, alarmingly, yes. I don’t notice how I come across to people anymore—I often don’t care.

But with her, I do. She doesn’t deserve my harshness. She doesn’t deserve any of this.

“I’m sorry,” I say, dropping my hands from my hips and taking a breath.

She smiles. “Good, now that the grouch is gone, I’m happy to explain.” She motions to the chair in front of her. “Sit down.”

I obey, feeling bad for challenging her, even though I’m right, slightly weirded out by her good mood, and unnerved by how easily she put me in my place—this woman bewilders me.

“I’m off the IV and the serious pain meds. My mobility is good. I’m eating, drinking, and bathroom-ing exactly as I should be and without help. I’m showing zero signs of infection, and my wounds are, and I quote, ‘healing perfectly.’ Another day or two won’t matter to anyone but me. Besides, being here is all the cost of a mega-luxury hotel without any juicy amenities?—”

“If it’s about money, I’ll cover it.”

“No, Grady, it’s not that. Not entirely. Trust me, okay? The doctor said that though she prefers keeping me, I’ll be okay as long as I don’t overexert myself. She went over all the red flags. I’ve already made appointments for follow-ups with my general doctor and my, um, all the necessary doctors. And Ivy’s giving me phone numbers in case I have questions.”

Her speech makes her breathless, like she can’t deliver it with her usual speed, and pains her to try. “So, see? I’m fine.”

My hands claw across my head as I consider her—she’s not fine. “It’s not that simple. The pain alone will be difficult to handle.”

“Look, I’ve been fully adulting since fifteen. I know how to take care of myself.”

“I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise,” I say, feeling even more like an ass, if that’s possible. “I just need you to be okay.”

Her smile alights in the sunshine through the window, making me wonder which one is brighter. “Keeping to our policy, I see.”

“Truth. No sense in going back on it now.”

“Then, I have another motivation for leaving early. A selfish one, I’m afraid.” Her face scrunches with reluctance.

“Tell me.”

She groans in a weak slump. “Have you ever been desperate for home?”

“All the fucking time.”

A light smirk edges her lips. “That’s what I want, Grady. Waiting until tomorrow means going home with Cora, inhercare. Or her maid’s care. I love Cora, but I don’t want that. I want my bed, my cats, my plants, my things. If I sneak home now, she’ll see I’m fine and don’t need anyone taking care of me.”

“But youdoneed care. What about Ashe?” A sinking feeling rushes over me—the same feeling I had when Ashe failed to comfort her and later when I watched them leave and found Marina alone.Crying.Where was he then? Where is he now?

Her smile falls, but only for a second before she takes a breath and slowly returns to her feet. My hands go to her arms, bracing her. “Thanks.”

“If you’re leaving, where’s Ashe? Why isn’t he here to?—”

“Here you go, Marnie, dear.” Ivy pushes a wheeled cart into the room and waves a stack of papers. “Aftercare instructions. I wrote the phone number for the nurse’s station on page one. Your prescriptions have been sent to Seagrove Pharmacy.” She loads flower arrangements onto the cart.

“Thanks, Ivy. Please, take the flowers for you and the other nurses. Let them brighten up your kitchen tables. All I want is Frilly Willie.”

“Only if you’re sure,” Ivy says. “These peonies are gorgeous.”

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