Page 113 of The Choices I've Made
I chuckled under my breath, glad to see his humor was still intact. Giving him a light shove in the shoulder, I replied, “Of course I drove all the way up here for you, asshole. Why else would I suffer through all that traffic?”
“Traffic?” He burst out in laughter. “You’ve been here too long already if you consider Virginia Beach traffic. Aren’t you living in Chicago these days?”
I looked away.
“Someone a little homesick?”
“It’s Molly,” I confessed, unable to look my friend in the eyes.
I’d wronged him in so many ways. I’d talked him onto a doomed ferry, taken his freedom, and forced him into a life he would never have had to face. Then, I had taken his girl.
“I’m not mad, Jake,” he said. “If anything, you should be upset with me.”
“What?” That got my attention. I turned to face him once again.
“I knew she was yours. Even after you left, it was always Jake and Molly. But I was lonely. She was lonely. We were best friends who thought we could be more, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew, if and when you came back, she’d go running back to you in an instant.”
“I’m sorry, Dean. I didn’t mean for it to happen like this—”
“Like what? It doesn’t matter, Jake. You’re back right where you’re supposed to be. Life is good.”
“But is it?” I demanded. “If I hadn’t come back, you’d be back home with your mom and brothers, managing rigs and talking shit with the crew, not stuck here in a hospital bed because your childhood best friend convinced you to take the last ferry home.”
Dean’s green eyes darkened. “Let’s get one thing straight, Jameson. I am not some poor pity project you get to use to beat yourself up. I made a choice that night to take that ferry home with you. Hell, I made lots of choices that day. I could have taken one of a dozen family boats to the mainland, but I was feeling lazy and didn’t want to think, so I took the ferry in. So, technically, we could blame this whole thing on me. Or what about the fact that I stopped to eat? I could have easily skipped it and picked up something at home. My fault again.”
He leaned in closer, his expression full of conviction. “So, don’t ever blame this shit on yourself again, got it? It happened. It sucked, but it’s what’s real, and the cards have been dealt. You’re not doing me any favors by taking the blame for this,” he said, pointing toward his arm, “or for Molly.”
I sat there, stunned silent. I’d expected a beatdown. I’d been prepared for yelling.
But not like this.
I didn’t know what to say.
“So, are we cool?” he finally asked after several moments of silence.
I simply nodded.
“Good. Now, go get me a pudding from the snack room. I’m starving.”
I laughed out loud, thankful for the clever tension break he’d created. I rose from the uncomfortable seat, stretching my back, and did as I had been told. Knowing Dean all too well, I grabbed several cups of pudding, a package of cookies, and a bottle of water.
By the time I returned, I discovered Dean was no longer alone. By his side was an attractive nurse checking his vitals and making small talk. She was tall and slender with short crimson hair and she had Dean’s full attention.
A knowing smile spread across my face as I snuck in behind her. It did no good because she caught sight of me the second I sat down.
“You must be Jake!” she exclaimed, holding out her hand.
I took it, politely shaking it.
“I’m Cora, one of the nurses here. Dean’s told me so much about you. I feel like I already know you!”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, giving Dean a sideways glance. “Thanks for taking care of my friend here.”
“Of course.” She giggled. “He’s easy. Now, the old man down the hall? Don’t get me started!”
We all laughed.
I liked her. She was bubbly and sweet, and most of all, she made Dean smile. I took a backseat, letting her finish up what she was doing. I quietly observed the two of them, noticing how much Dean watched her while she wasn’t looking.
