Page 17 of The Doctor

RAINE

Pickingmyself up off the floor, I stumble, barely making it back to my bed. I’m weak and feel like my insides are turned inside out after all the throwing up I’ve done the last three days.

I was supposed to go with Lexie on a photoshoot yesterday, but she forced me to stay home since I wasn’t feeling well. At the time, I wasn’t happy about it, but now, I can’t imagine what would happen if I had been in Costa Rica and sick like this.

My phone pings with a message, probably Lexie checking up on me. I had to hang up on her earlier as I threw myself out of bed and into the bathroom. How is there anything left to throw up when I haven’t been able to keep anything down in days?

Picking up my phone, I see a text from Lexie that makes me moan.

Lexie: I think you need to go to the hospital.

I can’t go to the hospital. Well, Ican, but I can’t afford it. I don’t even have a doctor. I’ve called every OB in the area, and none of them are taking new patients. Why did Kade have to be my doctor and leave me high and dry while I feel like I’m dying?

Raine: The ER would cost too much money.

Lexie:You said your baby daddy gave you his phone number, give him a call and see what he says.

Raine: I don’t want to deal

with him while I feel like death.

Lexie: It’s either him or the hospital. You can’t keep going on like this.

Raine: Fine.

I let out a groan.I know Lexie’s right. I’m not going to get any better lying here in bed hoping for the best. I’ve been doing that, and the only thing that’s happened is I feel worse.

It takes me a few minutes to get out of bed on my shaky legs. Once up, I try to remember where I put Kade’s card. It’s only then I remember I threw it in the trash under my bathroom sink. I guess it’s a good thing I haven’t taken the trash out yet. Otherwise, I’d be forced to go to the hospital.

Dialing his number, I send up a silent prayer that he doesn’t answer, and I can leave a message for him. Whenever I hear the sound of his voice, I go weak in the knees, and I forget what an idiot I was to sneak out of his place. Things could be different if I hadn’t let my insecurities get the best of me and ran away for fear of rejection.

“Hello?” He answers, his voice deep and maddening.

“Kade?” I ask, even though there’s no doubt in my mind it’s him. There’s no denying his voice or the way it makes me feel.

“Yeah, who’s this?”

Of course, he has no idea who’s calling him. I’m just some random woman calling him. I feel bile rise and nearly choke me as I think about him with other women. Beautiful women that look good on his arm, calling him at all hours of the day or night.

“Are you still there?” He asks, concern lacing his words.

“Yes, sorry. It’s me, Raine.” I groan, wishing I’d gone to the hospital inside of calling him. I’d rather take the hit to my bank account than my ego.

“Are you okay?” He genuinely sounds concerned.

“No,” My lower lip trembles. “I’m really not. I…” Tears break free and stream down my cheeks as I try to swallow down how desperate and horrible I feel.

“What’s wrong, Raine? Are you experiencing any pain, fever, or anything of that nature?”

“Nothing like that. I’m sick. I can’t stop throwing up, and I’m so weak. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to make it to the bathroom one of the times I have to be sick.”

“What do you mean not make it? There’s no shame in getting sick on the floor or in bed if you have to.”

“It’s not that. I’m afraid I’ll be physically too weak.”

“Have you tried to drink any Gatorade or anything with electrolytes in it?”

“Lexie brought me some Gatorade, ginger ale, and some over-the-counter anti-nausea medicine, but none of it’s working.”

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