Chapter 20

When I found room 310, I slowly went in, peeking around the curtain. Aidan, in the bed, had IVs in both of his arms and tubes going into his nose. His eyes were half open and he was looking at his mom.

   When Mrs. Allen noticed me, she stood up and came over, a big smile on her face.

   "Becca, we're so happy you could come," she told me, giving me a hug.

   "Becca," Aidan said, but his voice was too hoarse. "Hey."

   "Hey," I said back, stepping closer. "How're you doing?"

   "I'm okay. I mean, my throat was closed, so the surgery sucked. But I'm okay now."

   Tears filled my eyes, surprising me. I held them back. "I'm really glad you're okay."

   "You want sit? Can she stay awhile, Mom?" Aidan asked me, glancing at his mom.

   "For a bit," she agreed, then asked me, "Did you see Parker in the hall?"

   I nodded, but then shrugged at her, so she knew that things were up in the air.

   "I'll go track him down," she finished.

   I sat in the chair next to the bed, smiling at Aidan again. He looked small, and sick. I wanted to tell him he would be home and feeling better soon, but I didn't know if that was true. I wanted him to tell me - again - that he was okay.

   "So, Parker's been a jerk all week. He's angry, and he's like his old self." Aidan looked amused, then rolled his eyes.

   The words almost broke my heart in two. Now, I couldn't stop the tears.

   "What happened, Becca?" Aidan asked, just like my parents had. "He was so excited about camping. I know he likes you."

   I sucked in a breath, wiping my eyes. "It's too much to explain, Aidan."

   "Try."

   "When we were at the trailer... I told him that we were more than friends... I kissed him... but your mom called in the morning and he left, early, without me -"

  "You kissed him?" Aidan's eyes were wide.

  "Yeah..."

  "Parker always runs when he gets scared. You just have to tell him you like him."

  "I think he knows. But I was scared, too. About you," I told him.

   "So, he came back because my mom called, and then what?"

   "I came back later in the day, with my friends. I talked to Parker, he seemed fine, but then that night, he wouldn't talk to me. He told me to leave him alone," I explained.

   Aidan shifted his weight and I could tell he was in pain, or at least uncomfortable. But he sighed, then reached out to grab my hand.

   "You have to talk to him. He needs you, Becca."

   "Well, he hasn't talked to me all week." I shook my head.

   "He didn't mean it," Aidan promised. "Tomorrow is his birthday."

   "Wait, what? Really?" How did I not know this?

   "I can't believe he didn't tell you."

   I shrugged. "I like him, Aidan. But he makes it kind of hard."

   "I know he does. Promise me you'll talk to him?" Aidan smiled at me and somehow I just felt like everything was going to be okay.

   "Yes," I replied, squeezing his hand.

   It was the end of visiting hours when Mrs. Allen came back to the room, alone. I said goodbye to Aidan and went into the hallway to call my mom, pulling on my hoodie. Just as I raised my phone to my ear, Mrs. Allen appeared by my side.

   "We can drive you home, Becca," she told me, just as my mom answered.

   "Bec, should I come back for you?" my mom asked in my ear.

   I smiled at Mrs. Allen. "No, Mom. I have a ride."

   "Okay. Everything alright?" she asked, sounding unsure.

   "Yes, see you soon," I finished.

   I walked beside Mrs. Allen down the hall, passed the nurses' desk and back to the elevator, quiet. I wondered where Parker was. I wondered if he would talk to me, if I tried again.

   "I haven't been home much in the past week," Mrs. Allen told me, pressing the button for the parkade. "Aidan seemed well today, the doctor suggested I sleep at home tonight."

   "That's good. I mean, that Aidan is doing well," I answered, feeling my stomach drop as the elevator went down.

   She sighed. "You know, we were told he'd live eight or ten years, when he was a toddler. So twelve is... he's a miracle. But it's so hard... not knowing."

   "I can't imagine. I'm so sorry," I told her, shaking my head.

   The elevator doors opened.

   "Honey, the last few years we've been in a few different states, different doctors, hospitals. Most told us to take Aidan home and keep him comfortable." She paused, and I sucked in a breath, waiting. "He's never asked me to save him. In fact, a few times when he was younger, he wanted to die. But here... he has changed. Parker, too."

   I knew what she was getting at and I wasn't ready to hear it. Thankfully, we were at the minivan now. And there was Parker. He looked surprised to see me. Mrs. Allen took the keys from him and got into the driver's seat. I took a few steps closer, but Parker didn't move.

   "Parker -" I began.

   He put his hand up, stopping me. "I was so jealous, seeing you sitting with Connor," he began, his eyes on me. "You told me you didn't like him, but he said you and him were going on a date... he's an ass. He jokes about doing things with you and tells me that I shouldn't care because you and I are just friends-"

   "Parker, I'm sorry about Connor. I'm sorry he's a dick to you, but I swear I don't like him. I've never went out with him and I don't plan on it. He's just my cousin's friend."

   "That day that I saw you with him... it was so scary at the hospital. Aidan wasn't breathing and needed surgery. I was so stressed and then was looking forward to seeing you, and I saw..." he went on.

   I didn't let him finish and I didn't hesitate before stepping closer and wrapping my arms around him. I put my head on his chest, closing my eyes. Parker was were I felt safe, and good. My heart raced and I let him hold me as long as he wanted to. He didn't pull away until he realized that his mom was watching us.

   "You can sit in the front," he whispered, smiling at me.

   I nodded and turned towards the minivan. Mrs. Allen didn't say anything, but she smiled at me as I did up my seat belt.

   Back home, Parker walked me up the path to my house. His mom went inside, leaving us alone. Everything felt very different now, though I was still afraid that something would mess this up again.

   "It's your birthday tomorrow?" I asked him, smiling.

   "Who told you?" he asked back, keeping my hand in his.

   "Aidan."

   "Of course." He rolled his eyes.

   "Have any plans?" I wanted to know.

   "You dad gave me the day off."

   "My dad knew it was your birthday?"

   "Yeah, well, I saw him all week," he shrugged.

   "And you haven't seen me."

   "I'm sorry that I told you to leave me alone," he finally said, squeezing my hand a bit.

   "Parker..."

   "No, listen. I'm not good with all of this. It's all new to me. And feeling jealous like that was..."

   I stepped closer and ran my hand down his arm. "I know. But I kissed you."

   "Becca, I know. And I was mad at myself all week. Aidan kept telling me to stop being a jerk. My brother is literally dying... and I spent all week being angry." He blinked hard, holding back tears.

   "I'm sorry," I said quietly.

   "No, Becca. You did nothing wrong. It's just that I really like you... I always have... and then camping was... it was so awesome. But I freaked out. My mom called and I was so scared and you were drunk, when you kissed me-"

   "Yeah, but I meant it," I promised, smiling at him.

   "Okay.. so what does this mean?" he wanted to know.

   I let out an awkward laugh and then moved even closer to him. He ducked his head down so our faces were close. I wanted him to kiss me. But my front door flew open instead.