Chapter 16
Leah
The call comes when I’m waiting in the penthouse for Dmitri.
“I can’t make our date, Leah.” His voice is heavy, with a thread of stress woven in. “I’m sorry.”
“What happened?” I shoot out of my comfy position on the sofa.
Gage looks up in alarm.
“It’s Granddad.” Dmitri sounds out of breath, like he’s rushing somewhere. “He had a heart attack. I just got to the hospital, so no info yet.”
“Dmitri…I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah. I am, too.”
He wasn’t on good terms with his grandfather, not after everything with Patrick.
From what he told me when we were at the cabin, the entire family is a powder keg.
I still feel bad for my part in it. He’s reassured me that Patrick’s actions weren’t my fault, and I know this intellectually.
Emotionally, though, it’s harder to believe.
“Which hospital?” I move to the kitchen area—a gorgeous room done in muted browns and creams—and go straight to the fridge to see what kind of food I can bring.
“Margaret Chung.” He clears his throat. “Leah, you don’t have to come?—”
“I know I don’t. But I want to be there. For you, for Danica.” For everyone else? I guess that depends.
“I don’t know how my family will react to you being here.”
I pause, my exploration of the fridge on hold. “Do you want me to stay away? If that’s more helpful, I’ll stay home.”
“No.” His voice is low and quiet. “I want you here.”
“Then I’m on my way.” I end the call.
Gage has been watching the entire exchange. “What can I do?”
“Nothing, I don’t think. Dmitri’s grandfather had a heart attack. I’ll meet him at Margaret Chung Medical, keep him company.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.”
Gage takes out his phone, dark eyes sorrowful behind his glasses. “I know a cardiologist there. She’s one of the best. I can call her, if you’d like.”
“I’d like, thanks.” I gather some apples from the crisper drawer while Gage presumably calls his friend. How is he so perfect? It’s unfair. He could hate Dmitri, but instead, he’s calling in a favor on Dmitri’s behalf. Heart melting in my chest, I place some fruit and a knife on a cutting board.
A minute later, Gage finishes his conversation and steps around the long island. “She’ll keep an eye out for him.”
“Thanks.” I get to work slicing the fruit. “Can I take a few of your protein bars with me?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.” I pop the apple and orange slices into a plastic container. Chances are nobody will have much of an appetite, but if they’re going to be waiting long at the hospital, this will beat the vending machine.
When I reach into the cupboard for Gage’s protein bars, my hand knocks against something metallic. I pull it out—it’s a flask.
“I forgot I had that.” Gage takes it from me. “Should I put some whiskey in here for you to take?”
“Not a bad idea.” I’m half joking, but he gets what I’m sure is an expensive bottle from his liquor cabinet and fills up the flask.
Gage tucks the flask into my tote bag. “Tell Dmitri I’m thinking of him.”
“I will.” I throw my arms around him. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to pick out my dress for tonight.”
He gives me a brief smile. “Another time, little girl. Do you want me to drive you to the hospital?”
“No, I can get there. Thanks, though.”
Thirty minutes later, I walk into Margaret Chung Medical Center and follow the signs to cardiology.
I find the waiting room, an open space with lots of windows looking out over the city.
Taking up residence in plush, royal-blue chairs is Dmitri’s family—his parents, Danica, his aunts, and his cousin Rachel.
Patrick, thankfully, is nowhere to be seen.
Danica sees me first. Her gray eyes narrow before she turns away.
Standing next to her, Dmitri looks up. “Leah.”
“Hey.” I hold out the tote bag. “I brought snacks in case anyone needs fuel.”
“Thanks.” He stares at my hands. “What the fuck happened to you?”
His parents and aunts are subtly ignoring me—unlike Danica, who is very obviously ignoring me.
“Oh.” I move my injured wrist behind my back. “Something dumb. I’ll explain later.”
His eyes narrow as he frowns.
“Snacks?” I say, holding up the bag again.
Dmitri takes the tote and looks inside. He pulls out Gage’s flask. “What’s this?”
“A loan from Gage. He’s thinking about you, wanted me to pass it on.”
“Fuck. Thanks.” Dmitri opens the flask and takes a swig.
Not a single one of his family members is acknowledging me. It hurts. At one point, I looked up to Danica and Dmitri’s parents like they were my own. I used to wish I was their daughter.
Dmitri glares at his family and leads me to the far end of the waiting room.
He holds out Gage’s flask. “You might need this more than I do.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come. I just—I like your grandfather, and I’m worried about him, and I thought everyone might get hungry because sometimes there’s a lot of waiting?—”
“Leah.” He sets the tote bag down on a nearby chair and cups my face. His hands are warm and they smell pleasantly soapy. He always smells so good—it should be illegal. “I want you here. My family doesn’t matter?—”
“Yes we fucking do.” Danica’s voice comes from behind me, and suddenly her middle finger is held up between Dmitri and me.
I squeak and jump back from Dmitri—which means I fall right into Danica.
She catches my arms—and despite being four inches shorter and about twenty pounds lighter than me—she manages to keep us both upright.
“Sorry, sorry.” I pull away.
Her pale gray eyes meet mine. “No. I’m sorry. I was a dick. You don’t have to apologize anymore. Now give me some of that whiskey.”
I shift my glance over to Dmitri, who’s smiling like a proud older brother. Then I throw my arms around Danica. I don’t even bother holding back my tears. It’s pointless to resist. Our rift has been like a splinter jammed under my fingernail. Now it’s finally gone, and the relief is heady.
“Stop, don’t cry.” Danica squeezes me. “I’m already crying. I missed you so fucking much.”
“Same,” I whisper.
Danica, Dmitri, and I take seats next to a stack of magazines about local hot spots. We share snacks and pass around the flask. It’s more Danica and I who pass the flask—Dmitri declines.
He gives my wrist a pointed look. “Now would be a good time to tell us the story.”
“Oh. Uh. Well, it’s a long story,” I hedge.
A disappointed shake of his head, and his gray eyes grow more steely than usual. “Leah.”
“Ooh, he sounds serious.” Danica takes another swig from the flask and passes it back to me.
I take my own healthy swig and share the story.
Dmitri is properly furious, Danica indignant, and I just want to forget about it all.
After a lot of negotiation, they finally let it go.
I breathe easily, no longer in the hot seat.
I’m sure this isn’t the end of it, though.
That random woman is still out there somewhere.
And who knows how many other mentally unstable followers Nicola has?
I only fell on the sidewalk. Next time, I could fall into traffic.
Later. Nicola’s unhinged followers are a problem for Future Leah. In this moment, I’m reunited with my bestie. Even though the circumstances are sad and stressful, I want to make the most of it.
Amid hushed worrying about her granddad, Danica and I chat about the things we missed while we weren’t speaking.
I have the sense she isn’t telling me everything.
I hope it’s just that she doesn’t want to share all the fun details of her dating life while Dmitri is sitting right here.
Or…maybe she doesn’t trust me? The idea guts me.
I’ll wait until the two of us are alone before asking her, though. I’m such a chicken.
After a small commotion at the other side of the room, their cousin Rachel joins us. She has adopted a fifties vibe, with a blond bob and a red polka-dot dress.
“I like your new look.” I gesture to her outfit.
“Thanks.” She leans in closer and whispers, “I’m sorry my moms are being assholes. What Patrick did was really, really wrong. I wish I’d stood by you that night. I was an idiot.”
“It’s okay.” I give her what I hope is a forgiving smile. “I’m so happy you’re talking to me now.”
Danica pats the chair next to her. When Rachel sits, I pass her the container of sliced fruit.
“Thanks.” Rachel takes an apple slice and reaches for the flask.
Danica starts to give it to her, but Dmitri clears his throat. “That’s enough of the flask for you and Leah. And Rachel gets none. She’s sixteen, for fuck’s sake.”
I have to press my lips together to keep from giggling, because he looks so stern and domineering.
“It was worth a try.” Rachel sighs. “Hey, Leah?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you still tutoring?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I want to hire you this summer.” Her cheeks turn pink with a blush. “Next year is my junior year—PSATs, and I’ll be in AP English. I could use the extra help.”
“I will absolutely tutor you.” I start to get up. “I’ll talk to your moms?—”
Rachel holds up a hand. “Um, maybe wait on that. Sorry, they’re still…you know.”
“Right.” I sit back down. Now my face is hot and probably as red as Rachel’s polka-dot dress. I shouldn’t have taken that last sip of whiskey—I’m not thinking clearly. “We’ll figure it out this summer. Sound good?”
“Yep. Thanks. And…sorry again.”
I open my mouth to reassure her—it isn’t her fault. But just then a doctor walks in, tablet held under her arm. She makes a beeline for Dmitri and Danica’s mom. “Mrs. Montrose. And…family. I have some updates on your father.”
From our little corner across the room, I have to strain to hear as the doctor lowers her voice. “Resting now…put in a stent…less stress…dietary concerns…”
“But he’ll be okay?” Mrs. Montrose wrings her hands, her manicured fingernails shiny magenta.
“We have every hope he’ll make a full recovery.” The doctor smiles and lets out a small squeak of surprise as Mrs. Montrose throws her arms around her.
Mrs. Montrose pulls back. “Sorry, I apologize.”
“Quite all right.” The doctor looks at her tablet. “Visiting hours are now over. I can allow one of you to stay in the room with Mr. Aseyev. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough pull-out beds for all of you.”
Dmitri’s aunt wipes the tears rolling down her cheeks. “He’s really going to be all right?”
“We believe so. Your father is a fighter.”
The relief on everyone’s face shines like a spotlight. The doctor leaves the room, and the family begins to go their separate ways. None of the adults spare Danica, Dmitri, or me a glance. Rachel gives us each a gentle hug.
Dmitri points at Danica. “Dani, you were drinking. Call a ride.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Bossypants, sir.” She gives him a silly salute with her phone.
“Time to get some food in you.” Dmitri wraps an arm around my shoulders. I shrug him off so I can give Danica another hug. Dmitri waits patiently for a beat, then says, “Come on, Leah.”
I wink at him. “Yes, sir, Mr. Bossypants, sir.”
Danica laughs while tapping away at her phone to schedule a ride.
Dmitri leads me out of the waiting room. “You’ll pay for that sass, baby. Just you wait.”
“Ooh, scary.”
He laughs. “Tonight will be more fun than I imagined.”