Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(78)

“Just want sex. Is that what we’ve been talking about? When we’ve talked about taking it to the next level?”

“What?” she braced herself as he paused. He chuckled awkwardly. “You’ve, ah, taken me by surprise here, sweetheart. I don’t—”

“It’s a simple question.”

“It’s not—” She could hear him exhale. “Of course, I want to have sex with you. I thought I’d made that clear.” He lowered his voice. “I’m sorry, I can’t… I can’t talk now. Ethan’s waiting or else I—”

“No!” she cut him off, glad he couldn’t witness her humiliation in person. “No. It’s okay. I understand.”

“I’ll call you later, all right? After I get out. I—”

“No! No. Please don’t. Don’t call. I have, um, things to finish here. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“You’re not— I’m sorry you’ve been confused about us, Liz. I—”

“You know what? I’ll call when I get back to Chicago. Phew!” she fake sighed. “I don’t know when I’ll have time to talk earlier. Truly. So busy here!”

“Liz—”

But she’d already hung up, the phone forgotten in her hand as she stared out the window, her body buzzing with humiliation.

How could she have been so foolish? Here she’d thought they’d been moving toward something, something meaningful, something more, and all he’d wanted was sex? She should probably feel flattered he’d care so much, would wait so long, just to get his hands in her pants, but she couldn’t summon the enthusiasm for it.

She’d put her job on the line—the one she’d worked for for ten long, slogging years—and become romantically involved with a coworker all for the possibility of a quick shag?

It seemed she’d put her heart on the line doing the same with Carter, so she really couldn’t point fingers at Grant.

Oh God, what a mess.

Liz buried her face in her hands and waited for the tears. They didn’t come, damn it.

The phone rang on the bed beside her. Liz automatically flipped it open. Trish. “I know we’re sisters,” Liz said, “but now is not a good—”

“It’s Aunt Claire,” Trish cut in. “I just got a call from the hospital. She’s in the E.R.... something about feeling dizzy and chest pains.”

“Chest pains?” Liz stood numbly, a wave of dread washing over her. Aunt Claire was built like an ox, how could she be having chest pains?

“I have to pick up the kids from preschool... drop them off at the neighbor’s. I can swing by to pick you up after that—”

“No! No. It’s too far out of your way. I’ll get there on my own. Just go. Make sure she’s not alone.”

Liz hung up, her fingers shaking, and dialed the only number that came to mind.

“Yeah?”

Even the distracted, impatient sound of his voice was calming, reassuring. “Carter, it’s Liz. I need a favor.”

“I know. Grab a coat on your way out. It’s starting to rain again.”

“My Aunt is—”

“At Sugar Falls General. I know. That’s why I’m here.”

“Here?”

“Out front.”

Liz peeked out the window. Carter stood in her driveway, his shoulders hunched against the weather as he opened the passenger door of his pickup. Waiting. “I’ll be right out.”

A light drizzle chilled the air as she hurried down the front walk and slid into the truck. “How did you know?” she asked, still stunned and grateful he was there.

“Grams. Your aunt was complaining of palpitations and dizziness at their get-together Friday night. They finally convinced her to get it checked out.”

“She’s been having symptoms for four days?”

“On and off.”

Liz pressed a hand to her eyes then straightened to look out the window. Time enough to worry about Aunt Claire when they knew more. “Listen, about earlier...” she began.

“Forget it.”

Liz nodded and turned toward the window. She didn’t want to talk either.

Seemed she was as bad at communicating as the rest of her family was. Must be genetic.

“Hey. It’s probably nothing serious,” Carter reassured her as he pulled onto the main road.

Liz nodded again and swallowed through the thickening dread in her throat. She hoped he was right. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that life as she knew it was quickly unraveling.





CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

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“IT’S NOTHING SERIOUS.” Aunt Claire insisted, pursing her lips and pulling at the flap of her ill-fitting hospital gown. “I don’t know why you rushed down here. They’re just running some routine tests.”

“If they’re so routine, why are you in the E.R.?” Liz countered. “Besides, we didn’t want you to be alone while you waited.”

“We?” Aunt Claire asked as she peered at Carter behind Liz.

“Trish and me. She’s coming as soon as she drops off the kids.”

“And my grandmother will be here as soon as she’s picked up June and Lydia,” Carter added from the doorway.