Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Over the next couple of days, I try to probe my brother about what’s going on with him, but he’s being tight-lipped and giving me nothing.
Things are still in limbo with Jaeger’s lawyers trying to get Kate out of the house, but life isn’t all bad.
It’s great having Jaeger stay with me, and I’m loving my new classes.
Leo, however, seems to be struggling. “Damn, that class is killing me,” he says as we walk through the parking lot to his car. “You don’t find it difficult?”
I’m not going to list the classes I found difficult. Some of the higher math and economics courses I took for a challenge in college, to name a few, the pre-law courses on constitutional and business law for sure—but CAD? No, CAD is not one of them.
“It’s okay. I’m happy to help if you get stuck,” I tell him.
“Thanks. I’ll probably take you up on that…” Leo’s voice dies at the end of the sentence.
I follow his gaze to a pale, slender guy with chunky black hair standing next to Leo’s car, his hip propped against the door.
Leo frowns as we approach. “Brad? What are you doing here?”
“Needed a ride home. You mind?” Brad’s gaze slides to me, his lips quirking at the corners.
Leo darts an unsteady glance my way. I shrug and Leo unlocks the doors. “Sure.”
“Cool,” Brad says. “Let’s grab a bite first, though.”
The café is located on the other side of campus, so Leo drives over and parks in the lot nearby.
I skipped dinner and this gives me a chance to grab some food for Jaeger and me, and maybe pick something up for the morning. Jaeger has to leave early again tomorrow, and Leo agreed to give me a ride to work, which is pretty big of him.
Leo works at a restaurant during the day and says giving me a ride is no big deal, but I feel I owe him. He’s really helped me get around town these last few weeks, and I hope he does take me up on the offer to help with school.
Gen’s still working nights at the casino, and I don’t trust her behind a wheel at seven a.m. under normal conditions, let alone after only a couple hours of sleep.
And though we’ve talked, Tyler’s been reclusive since my mom’s surprise visit.
He’s been staying with a friend the last couple of nights.
I have not mentioned my carpool arrangements for tomorrow to Jaeger.
He’ll be gone by the time I leave, and I think he assumes Gen’s taking me to work.
I didn’t correct him. I’m worried he’ll bring up the car thing, and it still embarrasses me.
I’d just as soon not discuss that I can’t afford a vehicle.
And bumming a ride from Leo is preferable to taking the bus.
Leo, Brad, and I are at the campus café, when Brad holds the cooler door open for me. I’ve been staring inside at the drinks for the last minute, trying to decide what I want. “What can I get you, Cali?”
It’s late and it’s been a long day. A little extravagance is in order. “Chocolate milk, please.”
“You got it.” He grabs the milk, along with a sandwich, bottled water, and a soft drink he hands to Leo, then walks to the counter. He pays for all of it before I can say anything.
Okay—that was nice. He didn’t have to do that. I offer him money for the chocolate milk, but he shakes his head.
I grab a muffin and some other items and set them on the counter to pay.
By the time I return home around ten, Jaeger’s passed out in his clothes on top of the air mattress, his breathing steady and deep.
He managed to remove his shoes, so I don’t bother waking him.
I wash up, pull on nightclothes, and crawl under the covers next to him.
When I wake the next morning, Jaeger is gone.
I’m bummed.
The legalities of getting Kate out of his house and keeping up with his workload are taking up all of his time. I pull out my phone and text him.
Cali: Missed you this morning.
He responds almost immediately.
Jaeger: I snuggled you when I woke, but you were passed out. Crushed my ego to have my kisses swatted away like a fly. I expect recompense this evening, and ego-stroking. Other stroking acceptable as payment as well :)
Cali: Stroking to commence this evening. Don’t pass out this time before I get home!
An hour later, I’m showered and eating the last bite of my muffin when Leo’s car pulls into the driveway. Brad is in the passenger seat. Did he say he was coming too?
I lock the front door and walk over. Leo holds up his hand in a brief wave, and Brad tracks my progress to the car.
“Morning.” I close the door and buckle my seatbelt.
Brad reaches back, holding out a Starbucks cup. “Mocha. I noticed you like chocolate last night.”
Not as much as I like lattes in the morning, but I don’t kick chocolate out of bed. Ever. “Thanks,” I say. “What do I owe you?”
“On me,” Brad says.
I glance at Leo, who’s watching the exchange through the rearview mirror. He looks away nervously and reverses down the drive.
“Brad, you sure you don’t want me to take you straight there?” Leo asks.
“No, I’m good.” Brad taps a happy tune on the window with his finger. “It’s right by her work. I can walk from there.”
So Leo’s giving Brad a ride as well. He’s way too nice. I’ve got to at least offer Leo gas money the next time we’re alone.
Savoring the chocolatey goodness of my mocha, I glance out the window at the businesses on Stateline Boulevard, taking one sip for every name or title we pass with the word chalet in it.
By the time Leo drops me off in the parking lot, I’ve polished off my mocha and have an extra bounce in my step from the sugar/caffeine combo.
A warm sensation runs through me as I enter the front doors. Leftover euphoria from my delightful mocha?
I’m happy. I mean, really happy. It’s my job, or Jaeger, I don’t know which, but I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life. The world is a wonderful place.
I greet our receptionist, and my smile freezes on my face. Something isn’t right. My steps falter after I pass her desk, a mind-numbing pain shooting through my skull.
I pause at the entrance to my office, a spasm of cramps bisecting my midsection, nausea rocking me. I pinch my lips together and grip the doorframe, taking deep breaths. Sweat breaks out over my forehead.
Turning slowly, I look around. Going to be sick. Bathroom… Black dots wink in my vision. Can’t think—
The scent of vomit singes my nose.
I’m choking and gagging. Choking on my vomit.
Frantic voices clamor above me.
I open my eyes, then shut them. I don’t know where I am. Why am I on the ground?
“What has she eaten? Does she take prescription or illegal drugs?” a deep voice asks.
“Is this her purse?”
“Percocet.”
“Percocet? What’s—” This from a high-pitched voice.
Someone wipes my mouth. A mask goes over my nose and chin. Strong hands lift me.
I open my eyes again, and this time, an image comes into focus—Lewis watching me from the front door, a look of shock on his face.
Men with medical patches hover over me. Paramedics? They push me on some moving bed. I’m bumping over the threshold and out the glass doors. I’m at work?
My chest rattles with each breath, my heart swooshing slowly in my ears. My head is too heavy. I close my eyes and rest.
Moments later, I hear, “Calista? Calista, can you open your eyes?”
The voice is male, but not one I recognize. I open my eyes and the vision in front of me isn’t blurry this time. It’s a man in a white coat. A doctor. I move to sit up.
“Please lie still while I ask you a few questions.”
The doctor leans over me and flashes a light in my eyes. “They’re no longer pinpoint,” he dictates to someone over his shoulder, then returns his attention to me.
“Calista,” he says loudly, as if I’m hearing impaired.
I want to tell him he doesn’t need to shout, but my mouth is dry and my chest hurts.
I still can’t breathe well, and there are popping sounds coming from my chest. “I’m Dr. Gregger.
I’ve just given you Narcan to counteract the opiates in your system.
The paramedics said they found Percocet in your purse when they searched for prescription and allergy information. Have you ever used Percocet before?”
I shake my head.
“Were you given a prescription by a physician?”
Another negative head shake. I’ve never heard of Percocet. I have no idea what he’s talking about.
A round of phlegmy, body-rattling coughs steals my breath. I’m gasping. The doctor rattles off orders to someone in the room.
“Calista,” he says to me, “the paramedics believe you aspirated when you passed out. We’re going to do a chest X-ray.”
What seems like only minutes later, but that I suspect is much longer, I’m being admitted into the ICU. My chest X-ray showed pneumonia.
I must have dozed again, because the next time I open my eyes, there’s a warm pressure on my hand. Jaeger’s beside me, his large fingers wrapped firmly around mine, his head bowed as if he’s praying. My mom is at the end of the bed, her hand gripping my foot.
“Mom? Why are you holding on to my foot?” My mouth is sluggish. I sound like a lush.
Mom blinks as if startled. She’s been staring silently at me for the past minute.
“Calista.” She rises and crosses to my side.
She kisses my forehead and runs a cool hand down the side of my face, which feels hot in comparison.
“You’ve been in and out with a fever. I wasn’t sure if you were really awake this time. ”
Jaeger watches my face now, his breathing shaky, as if some deep emotion has taken hold.
“What happened?” I swallow, a slightly inflamed sensation in my throat.
Mom glances at Jaeger, then back to me. “You passed out. Your coworkers called nine-one-one, but you got sick and breathed it in.”
I glance at Jaeger. I might be embarrassed by some of this if I didn’t feel like such a train wreck.
“They’ve put you on powerful antibiotics, but your lungs…” My mom’s lips pinch together, then she bites the top one. “You need rest, honey.” She pats my hand. “Lots of rest for your body to heal.”