by Ivy Smoak
"Maybe it was just a nightmare or something," I said quietly.
"Possibly," the doctor replied. "So the man who brought you in said you had fallen a couple nights ago and hit your head pretty bad. And then you fainted yesterday afternoon. Are you feeling lightheaded at all today?"
"No. I feel a lot better."
"Well you have a moderate concussion. You shouldn't have been walking around by yourself. Plus you had an empty stomach and you were dehydrated. It's no wonder that you fainted."
"Will she be okay now?" Professor Hunter asked.
"She needs to rest and build her strength back up."
"Can she leave today?" he asked.
"Let's keep the IV in for a few more hours to help with your dehydration. I'll be back to check on you soon. And if everything looks good and your heart rate stays down, you can head home."
"How long should she stay at home?" my mom asked. "She has classes." She looked at my dad. "I can take tomorrow off. I just need to call in."
"I'd recommend taking it easy for a few days. Definitely no classes on Monday. And just see how you feel on Tuesday. Don't push yourself. I'll be back in a few hours to check in." The doctor nodded at my parents and walked out of the room.
"Okay, let me call the office." My mom stood up and grabbed her purse.
"She can come back to my place," Professor Hunter said. "If that's okay with both of you, of course." He looked at my parents.
"A dorm room isn't the best place to recoup from this," my dad said coolly.
"He actually lives in a nice apartment, Dad. It would be okay with me. I don't want to inconvenience you guys."
"It's never an inconvenience, Penny. Besides, James has classes. We can't ask him to miss them," my mom said.
"I can cancel them. I mean, skip them. Not a big deal at all."
"Well, if you're sure it's okay, James. And if that's really what you want to do, Penny," my mom said.
My dad lifted up his hand. "Nonsense. You'll be coming back with us, Pen." His tone was the same one he would use when I got in trouble when I was younger. It meant that it was the end of the discussion. He wasn't even giving James a fair chance. I was just about to protest when there was a knock on the door. Melissa burst into the room and ran over to me.
"Oh my God, Penny!" She threw her arms around me. "Have you been here this whole time? I thought you were okay." She turned to James. "Thanks for keeping me in the dark, James."
"I didn't know she was here either. I would have told you."
"Then where were you, Penny? I haven't heard from you since Friday night. I can't believe..." she let her voice trail off when she saw the expression on my face. "We can talk later." She squeezed my arm and walked over to m parents. "Thanks for calling me, Mrs. Taylor." She hugged both my parents at the same time.
My parents loved Melissa. Whenever they visited me at school they always took Melissa and me out to dinner. I was pretty sure they thought Melissa being my roommate freshman year was the best thing that ever happened to me. And they were probably right. Having a best friend that was outgoing and fun had definitely been good for me. And without her forcing me to go out all the time, I never would have run into James in the rain that night.
"Oh, I have someone I want you to meet." Melissa let go of her embrace and walked over to the door. "Hey guys, it's okay, you can come in."
Josh came in, followed by Tyler.
What the hell?
She grabbed Josh's hand and steered him toward my parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, this is my boyfriend, Josh." She looked up at Josh. "These are Penny's parents."
"Nice to meet you," he said and shook both of their hands.
My father didn't look nearly as cold when he shook Josh's hand. Maybe because he hadn't expected that Josh had just had sex with Melissa. And he also lacked a black eye.
"And that's our friend Tyler." Melissa pointed over at him. He was hovering by the door. Tyler still had bruises around the inside corners of his eyes.
My dad looked at Tyler's face and then glanced over at Professor Hunter's. His brow furrowed.
"Nice to meet you both." Tyler smiled at them but didn't move.
My parents started talking to Josh and I tuned them out. I looked over at Tyler. He was staring at me. It looked like he wanted to come over, but he stayed where he was.
"Thanks for coming, Tyler," I said quietly. I was more than a little surprised to see him. But we were still friends. It was nice of him to come.
He glanced at Professor Hunter and then shook his head. He walked over to me. "Yeah, well, Melissa needed a ride." He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "It's hard to say no to her."
"Right." I smiled at him. He didn't want to be here. "Well, thanks for bringing her." We had gone from so much to so little. "My parents can take them back. You don't have to stay if you don't want to."
"What? No, that's not what I meant. I wanted to come."
Professor Hunter was gripping my hand tighter and tighter with each word Tyler and I spoke to each other.
"How did you end up in here?" Tyler asked.
"I fainted. On Main Street."
"Penny," his voice sounded strained. "I knew I shouldn't have let you leave. You're so stubborn."
Professor Hunter loosened his grip on my hand.
Shit. I hadn't told him about going to Tyler's. But he wouldn't be upset when I did. I had gone there to call things off between us. "I'm okay, Tyler."
"That's what you said yesterday too. So I don't believe you."
Professor Hunter let go of my hand and stood up. "Does anyone want some coffee or something to eat?"
No one said anything.
"I'll be right back." He ran his hand through his hair and walked toward the door without looking back at me. My dad quickly got up and followed him out of the room. Not good.
"Penny?"
I looked back up at Tyler.
He gently took my hand between both of his. "It's hard for me to see you like this."
"I'm not in pain. I'm fine, really. And this time I mean it."
He crouched down by my bed. "Look, I know what I said the other day," he whispered. "But I need you to listen to me now. I don't care that you were with Professor Hunter. I forgive you for hurting me. I forgive you for everything. Please stop making the wrong choice. I need you to choose me. I need you to know the truth..."
"Tyler, stop."
"I was wrong before. I can take care of you. I want to take care of you. I want to be with you. Please stop doing this to me."
"I love him. I love him, Tyler. I don't know what else I can say."
"Okay." He let go of my hand. "Right." He stood back up. He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. "I'll see you in class then." He gave me a forced smile.
"Wednesday probably."
"Okay." He walked away from my bed. "I'm going to get going guys. Are you staying?"
"Just a minute," Melissa said. Melissa came back over to my bed.
"I'll be waiting outside." Tyler walked out of the room. It was so hard to see him upset. And it was even worse knowing it was my fault.
"What did Tyler say to you?" she whispered.
"That he wants to be with me."
"And?"
"And nothing. I'm in love with James."
"We have a lot to talk about."
I wasn't sure what she meant by that. I sighed. "I know."
"When will you be back?"
"Tuesday."
"Okay." She squeezed my arm again. "Text me." She gave my mom a hug goodbye.
"Feel better, Penny," Josh said. The three of them left.
Chapter 13
Sunday
"James is very handsome." My mom sat down on the edge of my bed.
I smiled. "He is."
"And he seems very smitten with you."
I laughed. "I'm smitten with him too."
My mom smiled at me. "I couldn't help but notice that Tyler and Brendan seem to like you too."
; I bit my lip. "I know."
"So that must have been a hard choice to make."
I shook my head. "I love him."
"Oh, sweetheart." She patted my foot. "Maybe one day."
"What?"
"Love is more than physical attraction."
"Mom." Oh my God. "I know that." I looked down at the sheets and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Relationships are hard work. You're so young. You're supposed to be enjoying yourself."
"I am. He makes me so happy."
"Then why didn't you tell us about him?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "We were a little on again off again at first."
"Is that why James and Tyler both have black eyes?"
I pulled my knees into my chest and wrapped my arms around them. "They got in a fight."
"Over you?"
"I've made some mistakes. I was confused about what I wanted."
"Penny. Try not to take everything so seriously. Is it love? Maybe someday. Don't try to grow up so fast. There's no rush."
I smiled at her. "I know." Professor Hunter was older than me. It was hard not to take things seriously with him. He had asked me to move in with him a few weeks ago. He had just told me he loved me.
My dad and Professor Hunter walked back into the room with the doctor. They were both talking to her, and they both looked more relaxed than they had earlier.
"Okay, Penny," the doctor said and walked over to me. She clicked a few buttons on the monitor and read the report. "Everything looks normal now. You all set to get out of here?"
"Absolutely."
I gritted my teeth as she pulled the IV out of my hand. She placed a bandage over the small hole.
"Take it easy, okay." She handed me some forms to fill out. "Release forms."
I quickly signed my name and handed the clipboard back to her.
"Nice meeting all of you." She smiled at James.
Back off.
She walked out of the room. My mom and dad were discussing something. James walked up to me and handed me my clothes. I slid off the bed, making sure to hold the back of my gown shut.
"I want to come back with you," I whispered.
"I'll see what I can do." He winked at me.
I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom. I glanced in the mirror as I untied the hospital gown. My hair was a disaster and my face was greasy. I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail and splashed water on my face.
When I finished getting dressed, I walked out of the bathroom. I grabbed my envelope and cell phone off the nightstand and shoved them into my jacket pocket.
Professor Hunter walked over to me. "If you want to come back with me, you can." He put his hand on my cheek. "Whatever you want to do."
I nodded and went over to my parents. "Is it okay if I go back with him, Dad?"
"As long as you promise to take it easy, Pen." My dad leaned down and hugged me. "Don't worry us like that again."
"I'm sorry, Dad."
"Call us once in awhile, okay?"
I laughed. "I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
When he let go, it was my mom's turn to hug me.
"Don't forget what I told you, Penny," my mom said. "And when big things happen, call us. No more surprise boyfriends." She laughed. "I love you, sweetie."
"I love you too, Mom." It had been so nice to see them.
"Maybe we can come down sometime again soon and take you two out to dinner. Wouldn't that be nice?"
"Sounds wonderful," James said. "It was really nice meeting you, Mrs. Taylor." He put his hand out.
"Don't be ridiculous." My mom hugged him. James patted her back a little awkwardly.
"And Mr. Taylor." He put his hand out to my dad and my dad shook it without hesitation this time.
"Just because the Eagles season didn't start out well doesn't mean they won't beat the Giants," my dad said.
James laughed. "We'll see."
My parents waved to me and walked out of the room.
I went over to James and clasped my hands behind his neck. "You seem to have won over my dad."
"You never told me how intimidating your father is."
"I didn't know he had an intimidating bone in his body until today."
"Maybe it's because I had to zip up my pants when they came in."
"Do you think they heard that?"
"Well if they didn't, the accelerated heart rate may have tipped them off. Or my rambling about sleeping next to you."
"You were so flustered. It was cute. And mortifying, of course."
"Or I guess they could have just been surprised that you finally had a boyfriend after all these years."
"Shut up and kiss me."
He laughed and placed a kiss against my lips. "I like that I'm your first boyfriend, Penny."
"And I like that you're my first boyfriend. I feel like we're a normal couple right now. It's refreshing."
"Do normal couples usually hang out in hospitals?"
"No. Can we go back to your place now?"
"Yes." He picked me up in his arms.
I couldn't help but laugh. He seemed so happy today. I had forgotten how wonderful he could be. We had fought so much. "You don't need to carry me. My legs work fine."
"I know." He pulled me to his chest. "I want to."
I rested my head against his chest and breathed in his familiar scent. "You smell really good. Have I ever told you that?"
"No, you haven't."
I looked up at the scruff under his chin as he stepped into the elevator. He hit the button with his elbow.
"You can put me down if you need to."
"I don't need to." The elevator doors opened and he stepped out onto the main floor. He carried me out the entrance and set me down on my feet. It was pouring. "I'll pull the car up."
"I like the rain."
"Yeah, you're not getting a cold on top of everything else. I promised your parents I'd take care of you." He pulled his hood up and gave me a peck on the lips. "I'll be right back."
He ran into the rain. I watched him until he disappeared from view. I put my hands in my pockets and felt the envelope. I didn't want to think about it. Right now I just wanted to enjoy being with him. Maybe we could have a more serious conversation in a few days.
His car pulled up under the veranda. He quickly got out and opened the door for me. I walked over to him. He was completely soaked.
"You're really handsome."
"Get in the car, Penny."
"You love bossing me around."
"I like when you listen to me."
"I know." I slid into the seat and he closed the door behind me. When he got into his seat, he unzipped his wet hoodie and threw it into the backseat. His abs looked even sexier when they were wet. He turned on the heat and pointed one of the vents at me. After I buckled my seatbelt, he put the car in drive and we sped off.
When we were on the highway, he put his hand on the center console, palm up. I put my hand on top of his. He intertwined his fingers with mine.
"So you liked my parents okay?"
"Your parents are fantastic. And I appreciated that they tried to ignore the fact that we're, well...you know."
"Banging?"
"You're very eloquent with your words, Miss Taylor." He flashed me one of his smiles that made my knees weak.
"Are you going to get in trouble for canceling so many of your classes?"
"I haven't canceled that many classes."
"You cancel class all the time."
Professor Hunter laughed. "Well, no one has said anything to me yet. I doubt any students would complain about having more free time."
"True. But I really do feel better. Maybe we should both go to class tomorrow."
"The doctor specifically said to take tomorrow off."
"I know. But I've been skipping class a lot recently. And when I went I barely paid attention."
"I noticed."
I bit my lip and looked
out the window. "I'm going to fail statistics. I've never failed a class in my life."
"Then why do you think you're going to fail?"
I looked back at him. "My Stat professor has a really thick accent and it's hard to understand him. I was teaching myself by reading the book but I was so unmotivated recently that I've fallen really far behind. And there's a test next week. And I don't even understand why I'm bad at it. I was great at math in high school. I took A.P. Calculus and I never had a problem."
"It's more business oriented than math oriented."
I laughed. "I guess I suck at business then. That's not great for the major I chose. Either way, I think I need to hire a tutor."
"I can tutor you."
"In Stat? You're a marketing professor."
Professor Hunter laughed. "So you really haven't read that much about me online then?"
"Not much, no. Are you secretly a statistics expert?"
He laughed again. "No, I wouldn't say that. But it is your lucky day, because you're dating a genius."
"I know that you're intelligent, but you took Stat ages ago. You're forgetting that you're an old man."
"Do you want my help or not?"
I laughed. "Yes."
"Good. You're definitely not going to fail Stat."
"That's very sweet of you to take such an interest in my education, professor."
"I have selfish motivations."
"And what are those?"
"I don't like to see you upset. And I'm pretty sure you'd be upset if you failed a class."
"Yeah, probably." I ran my fingers across the palm of his hand and up the inside of his forearm. "Any other reason?"
"If you have to retake classes you'll be in school forever."
"And that would bother you?"
"Yes, it would bother me." He pulled into the parking garage underneath his apartment building. He parked between two of his other cars and turned off the engine. "When you graduate I can finally have you all to myself."
He grabbed his sweatshirt out of the back seat and climbed out of the car. All to himself? When he opened the door for me, I grabbed his hand and we walked over to the elevator. After sliding his access card in the reader, the doors slid open and we both stepped on.
"Well after I graduate, I'll get a job. If anything, we'll probably have less time together."
"Maybe."