“Nice to see you, too, Miss Dillon,” he replied.
Jessie Kay hated doctors almost as much as spiders, and Brook Lynn could only blame herself. As much as Brook Lynn had cried before and after each of her visits, her sister had learned to associate medical treatment with anguish.
Dr. Murphy was an older black man with a full head of silver hair and eyes the loveliest shade of chocolate. He was one of the most distinguished-looking men she’d ever come across.
“How are we doing, my dear?” he asked with a warm smile.
“Well. I think.”
“Good, good. Let’s have a look at those vitals.”
The exam lasted only ten minutes or so, and as he checked her over, he explained how the tube anchoring the new implant to her ear canal hadn’t adhered properly and had come loose, wreaking havoc on her whole system. From her equilibrium to actual brain activity. While knocked out, she’d even had a seizure. But she was on the mend now and could go back to her regular schedule upon her return home tomorrow, as long as she stayed off trampolines and away from jump ropes for the next several weeks.
When Dr. Murphy left, she lumbered into the bathroom to clean up as best she could, which was actually easier than anticipated. Propped on the sink was a plastic bag filled with goodies. A washrag, hairbrush, toothpaste and a toothbrush. A ponytail holder, T-shirt and a nice bar of soap. She returned to the bed feeling ten thousand times better.
Jessie Kay hadn’t left from her spot and once again clutched her hand, as if she couldn’t bear another moment of separation.
“Thanks for the supplies,” Brook Lynn said.
“Do you seriously believe I’m that thoughtful?”
“Good point. Who brought them?”
“Beck, at Jase’s order.”
Jase again. The man confused and angered her...but he also delighted her. What am I going to do about him?
“I was so afraid,” her sister admitted. “If I were to lose you...”
“You didn’t. You won’t. You heard Dr. Murphy. I’m fine.”
“Yes, but for how long? You work too hard. You need a break. You deserve one.”
“We have bills. More now than ever.”
Jessie Kay shook her head, the first hint of a smile revealed, like the sun peeking out from behind dark clouds. “We don’t. Jase is taking care of everything.”
What! “No. No, no, no.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” her sister insisted. “You can bury your stubborn side in a cow patty, where it belongs. He’s already paid the hospital bill. You think they’ll give the money back to him?”
She wouldn’t be a drain on him. She would rather die. “They won’t, but I will. I’m paying him back even if I have to get a third job.” And a fourth one. “Even if I have to sell my organs on the black market!”
“First, I call dibs on your liver. I could use a new one. And I’ll expect a sisterly discount. But why can’t we let him—”
“I said no!”
“Okay, okay. Calm down.” Jessie Kay pursed her lips, as if she’d just sucked on a lemon. “I’ll get a job.”
Please. Heard that before.
“I know you’re not actually speaking any words, but I don’t think you’ve ever been ruder to me,” Jessie Kay said. “Your eyes are saying plenty.”
“Well, I hope you’re listening. They don’t like to repeat themselves.”
“I’m listening, all right, and they have a seriously dirty mouth.” Her sister gave her hand another squeeze. “So...did you talk me up to Jase?”
Sickness churned deep in her stomach. “Of course.”
“Did you mention my ability to make any conversation about sex?”
“Somehow that detail got left out,” she said drily.
“Well, it’s time to put it in.” Jessie Kay wiggled her brows. “See what I did there?”
Brook Lynn rolled her eyes.