“Five days.” He said softly and then cringed. It must’ve been hell for her.
“I never want to do that again.” Cara whispered. “They gave me medication to help with my withdrawal symptoms.”
“Is it helping?” He asked as he leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees.
“I guess so. I haven’t felt sick since they gave it to me.” There was a silence for a moment. “How are you?” She asked, wanting desperately to take the conversation off of herself.
He smiled slightly. “I’m better now.” He closed his eyes instantly not believing he actually said the words. He tried to back pedal so that he didn’t sound like a complete ass. “I was just worried about you. Glad to know you’re moving right along.”
“Stop worrying about me.” Her voice wasn’t harsh or mean spirited but rather typical Cara, the Cara that didn’t want anyone’s sympathy, the Cara that hadn’t lost her whole world. “I’m going to be okay.”
“Yeah, you are.” He said confidently.
“Now that we’ve established that I’m going to make an amazing recovery, tell me what’s been going on over there while I’ve been holed up in purgatory.” She smiled for the first time in days and laid her back against the pillows on her bed, making herself more comfortable.
Luke smiled genuinely content with just listening to the change in her voice from when they first started their call. “Well… let’s see Sam is officially on the crazy wedding train. Which reminds me, is your passport valid?”
“Yes.” She said and pictured Sam running around crazily planning her wedding.
“Well, that’s one hurdle we don’t have to worry about. Onto more pressing business, if I don’t book flights soon she may kick us out of the wedding and rip our titles away from us. Would you mind flying down with me and Ava on Christmas? Everyone else is getting there a few days before, but I want to wait until Ava opens her presents Christmas morning.”
Cara smiled softly as she thought about Ava’s face on past Christmases and how special a child at Christmas truly was. “Not as long as I can bear witness to Santa’s magic that morning too.”
Luke raised an eyebrow at the idea, but chose not to over speculate. “Sounds like a plan.” He said simply.
Cara’s stomach growled, surprising her. She tried to remember the last time she ate anything or held it down for that matter, but couldn’t. “I think I’m going to actually go to the dining room to eat, instead of staying cooped up in my room feeling sorry for myself.” She said out loud and then bit her lip because she didn’t like the weakness she portrayed in her statement.
“That’s a good idea.” He said not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. “When you’re allowed visitors I’ll smuggle you some of Deb’s food.”
“Shut up. I’m probably about to eat sludge and now I’m salivating for a bowl of spaghetti.” She teased as she sat up and threw her legs over the edge of the bed.
He laughed slightly. “I’m sorry… I’ll be more cautious next time.” He said.
“Oh, so you don’t mind, I harassed your life and called?” She asked half kidding, half wondering if she was in fact bothering him.
“You can call me anytime you want.” He said huskily, not recognizing the thick emotion laced in his silky voice. Christ, where did that, come from? He cleared his throat. “You can keep a lonely guy like me company.”
She remained silent for a beat. She never really took notice to Luke’s social life. Sure, they all kidded around from time to time and told him he needed to cut loose, assuming he didn’t have much of a social life. Then he had met Leah, things had seemed to be pretty serious between the two of them... well until Cara went and botched that all up. She cringed at the memory of Leah lashing out at a barbeque recently. “Okay. Then I will bombard your phone with calls about my stint in rehab regularly. Tomorrow is my first group therapy session. That conversation should be a doozy.” She cocked her head to the side and then laughed. “Luke?”
“Hmm?” He said loving the soft sound of her laughter.
“Is it too soon for rehab jokes? I suddenly want to sing my own rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Rehab.”
He chuckled and swiped his hand along his face and scratched the stubble that outlined his jaw. “Maybe just a little too soon.”
“Damn it!” She said and there was that silence again. “I’m going to hang up now.” She declared yet still she cradled the phone to her ear.
“Okay. Goodnight.” Luke said as he rose to his feet.
“Goodnight, Luke.” She whispered before she hung the phone up slowly.
Luke heard the soft click on her end of the line and then shoved the phone back into his pocket. He reached behind him and cupped the back of his neck, letting out a deep breath. He was startled when the front door opened and his mother emerged.
“What are you doing out here? You’re missing the game.” She said from the doorway. He had completely forgotten all about the playoff game he had been so excited to watch.