Chapter 12
TWELVE
ANDREA
“Andrea?” Everly’s voice sounded close, but I had to be dreaming.
The last thing I remembered was sitting in a late-night meeting at the office. I didn’t even remember getting home.
“Andrea…” Everly tried again.
“Maybe we should call 9-1-1,” Lisa said, closer now. “How long has she been lying stiff like this?”
“I’m not sure,” Everly said. “I just noticed it this morning. Let me see if I can make her move before we jump to conclusions…”
Something cold pressed against my back, snapping my eyes open.
“Oh my god! What is that?” I screamed, jumping up.
“See?” Everly held up a popsicle. “She’s alive.”
I groaned and flopped back onto the couch.
“Come on, get up.” She rubbed my back. “It’s Sunday, and you can’t afford to waste it sleeping.”
“I’m not ‘wasting’ anything,” I muttered. “I’m recovering.”
“You have one day off a week, and you committed to using it to study,” she said. “This is me holding you accountable.”
“I’ll study later.” I adjusted my pillow. “I promise.”
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
I shot upright at the sound of my phone and grabbed it off the coffee table.
Mr. Cross
You need to come into the office as soon as you can today. There are some meetings I need you to attend with me.
Let me know when you’re on your way so I can have an ETA.
I held back a sigh.
“What is it?” Everly asked.
I handed her my cell phone, and her eyes narrowed as she read his message.
“Screw him,” she said. “Don’t you dare go in today.”
“None of the other jobs have responded to me yet.” I winced as my sore muscles begged me to lie back down. “I don’t have a choice.”
“If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you tell me to do right now?”
I took my phone from her and responded to Mr. Cross.
I’ll be on my way to assist with meetings TOMORROW. The day I’m actually required to work.
I’m off on Sundays.
I changed clothes and brushed my teeth before grabbing my book bag.
“I’ll be at a cafe studying,” I said to them at the door. “Save me some of whatever you get for dinner.”