Page 35 of Chaos Destiny
He headed for the doors. “A failed fucking doctor.”
“What did you just say?” She grabbed his forearm. “No, don’t mumble. Speak from your diaphragm. I’m a what?”
“You heard me. You’re supposed to be a medicalwunderkind,and yet, look at where we are.”
She tapped her chin. “Hmm, you’re right. We should have left everything up to you. Maybe you could have cured us from yourcubicle.”
He dragged himself from her hold and stormed off.
A sheen caused the whites of her eyes to glisten, but I could tell from the set of her chin that neither me nor Ari would see those tears fall.
“Fuck him,” she said, her voice unsteady. “You can stay.”
She walked off, following Allen’s path.
I handed Thandie to Ari, lifted Ari off her feet, and carried them both inside. Rather than return to the hospital room, I took them upstairs to the room designated as ours until further notice.
“How long do you think it’ll take?” Ari asked as I set her on the bed.
I sat next to her. “How long will what take?”
“You going to check on Tayler.”
“You’re my priority right now, Ari. You and Thandie.”
“And we appreciate it. I willalwaysappreciate you, Gage, but how many more chances do you think we’ll get to feel something good in a world like this? Even for a little while?”
“Ari, I can’t ask her out.”
“But you can ask her what’s wrong, what happened. Why that shitbag called her a failed doctor when clearly,” she motioned to herself, “it’s bullshit.”
“Recovery Ari has a potty mouth.”
“I’myoursister from another mother…and father. And we grew up in Australia.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“I know I am. I know you, Gage.”
“Okay, then, since you know me so well, my pest of a younger sister,” I began, “can you tell me why I’m so interested in her? I can’t figure it out. Do you know how many women we’ve come across since we started out? She’s the only one who’s…affecting me like this.”
It had to be the kindness she showed me and Thandie at the clinic. Possibly, it was the fact that she clearly knew her way around a firearm. I liked talking to her and thoroughly enjoyed the banter, and the way she treated Ari and Thandie was the cherry on top of the sundae I’d never eat again.
“For one, you’re dealing with some serious celibacy issues,” Ari said. “How long has it been now, about fifty or so years?”
“I can’t believe I missed you.”
She grinned. “I love you too, Gagey. Now, fate’s also a possibility. You know, for me, fate’s always a possibility. Then, the woman is very pretty.Imagine what she looked like when we had regular access to stuff like vitamins and nutrients.”
I chuckled.
She bumped my shoulder.
Our laughter died at the same time, leaving our bodies on a humming sigh.
“I miss him, Gage.”
I nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I know.”
