Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Dr. Raines?” Scottie asks, and my dad stands up from his chair to greet her at the door.
“You must be Scottie,” he says and holds out his hand to shake hers. He does the same with Finn, who currently stands behind Scottie’s wheelchair.
“Finn Hayes,” Finn introduces himself.
“He’s my boyfriend and all-around super support system,” Scottie adds, flashing a smile up at Finn.
“That goes both ways, babe,” he tells her before my dad gestures for them to come inside. Finn eases Scottie’s chair the rest of the way into the office and parks it right in front of his desk.
“Hey, Lex,” Scottie greets when she meets my eyes, and I offer her a little wave and smile back. Finn’s exchange is a little more curt, just a simple nod—exactly what I’d expect from him.
“Scottie, I’ve reviewed all of the tests and labs I requested your medical team to do,” my dad begins. “I’ve also spoken at length with your physicians and your physical therapists to get a stronger understanding of your baseline status after your injury. And while I never like to make promises, I do want you to know that I am incredibly optimistic that you might be a candidate for a few options. Though, I would definitely need to run additional tests that will give me a more in-depth look at nerve function before we could move forward with any kind of real optimism.”
“Okay.” Scottie nods, her eyes fluttering between Finn and Nick and me. “But that’s kind of good news, right?” she asks. “I mean, you’re not telling me all hope is lost, so I’m assuming that means there’s a chance?”
“There’s definitely a chance,” my dad answers with a soft smile. Scottie’s hand shoots out to grab Finn’s wrist and squeezes. His skin mottles white with the pressure, but he doesn’t flinch.
“And how much would all of this cost?” Finn chimes in. “Because Scottie and I—”
“Oh no, Finn,” my dad cuts him off. “This is all pro bono.”
“Pro bono?” Scottie asks, her voice a whisper.
“No cost,” my dad explains—though, I don’t think it was the technical definition Scottie was having trouble with. To offer this level of services and care at no cost is at a great financial risk to the giver. My father is well-off, but this is still a huge deal.
Scottie’s response is a mix of outright shock and awe, the shake in her sweet voice giving her away. “I don’t know if I can accept that. I mean, I—”
“Any friend of Lexi’s is a friend of mine,” my dad states definitively, solidifying his redemption arc status in his villain origin story entirely.
Scottie looks over at me, and the emotion that sits behind her eyes makes my throat feel like it’s closing in on itself. Finn’s normally stoic face crumpling with overwhelm doesn’t help.
I look down at the floor and blink rapidly, willing my tears to stay at bay.
“So, how about we get started?” my dad questions, a smile on his lips as he turns his laptop screen toward Finn and Scottie. “Scottie, I want to first show you what I’m seeing from all your tests. Basically, give you an overview of the current state of your injury. And then, I want to tell you about some of the treatment possibilities I see as options and the tests I’d need you to undergo in order to get final confirmation that you’re a true candidate.”
“Okay,” Scottie says, her eyes fixated on the screen of his laptop where an MRI of her spine is showcased.
But just as my dad starts to discuss where her spinal injury is located and what that means in terms of daily function, my phone vibrates in the pocket of my jean shorts.
I pull it out to find a single text.
Blake Boden: I’m coming to your place tonight.
Me: Bossy much?
Blake Boden: Not bossy. Just desperate to see you.
Me: You saw me last night.
Blake Boden: So?
I can feel my mouth threatening to form a smile, but I suck my lips into my mouth and try to keep a neutral expression on my face. Though, I do find myself texting him back.
Me: Fine. But I’ll probably be hungry, and I’m not eating pizza from that dude’s dorm again. As in, NEVER AGAIN.
Two nights ago, Blake talked me into getting the definitely-against-health-code pizza for the second time. It was good. I won’t deny it. But I’m one hundred percent certain the risk for salmonella outweighs the taste, and the anxiety about it had me in the bathroom half the night, just in case.
Blake Boden: I’ll get takeout from Zip’s.
Me: Perfect. 8:15?
Blake Boden: See you at 8:15, Lexi Lou. Can’t wait.
Another night, another secret sleepover with Blake.
I pause, my fingers hovering over my phone as a realization sneaks up on me. You’ve created quite the routine this summer. Blake Boden is basically a part of your life now…