The Exception(28)

The waitress walked over and cleared our plates from the table.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“Another round of scotch for me and my friend.”

“Coming right up.” She winked at me.

“I think someone likes you.” Liam smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “I can’t even explain the connection I felt with Jillian. I don’t know, man. I’ve never felt like this before towards someone. It’s really bothering me.”

“Sounds to me like you’re in love. Maybe for the first real time in your life.” He smiled.

“I don’t know. But what I do know is that I want to see her again. I gave her my number before I left in case she ever needed anything.”

“Maybe that was her who called.”

“Nah. It didn’t sound like her at all. She’s never going to call and I just need to accept that. She’s doing her own thing and finding herself. I’m sure she hasn’t even given me another thought.”

“I’m sorry, man, but chin up. There’s plenty of other women in the world who would love to go out with you.”

“What if I would have said that to you about Avery?” I picked up my drink.

His narrowed eye continued to stare at me for a moment. “It’s that serious?”

“It is.”

****

Jillian

I awoke to my ringing phone, and when I looked at the clock, it was six thirty a.m.

“Noah, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“I brought Kristen to the ER a couple of hours ago. She had a fever of 104.9 and she was hallucinating.”

“I’m on my way. Which hospital are you at?”

“Mount Sinai. Text me when you get here and I’ll find you. I think they’re getting ready to take her up to a room.”

“Okay.”

I quickly jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and ran a brush through my hair. Grabbing my purse, I flew out the door and hailed a cab.

“Mount Sinai,” I told the cab driver as I climbed inside.

A nervous feeling ran deep inside me. I was scared for my sister and my nerves were getting the best of me.

“Can you please step on it!” I yelled.

“Lady, this is New York traffic. What do you want me to do?”

“I’m sorry. I just need to get to my sister.”

Finally, we made it to the hospital and the cab driver dropped me off in front of the ER. I handed him some money, and when I walked through the doors, I sent Noah a text message. After pacing around the lobby for what seemed like forever, the elevator doors opened and Noah stepped out.

“How is she?”

“She’s resting and they have her on some strong antibiotics. The doctor said she has a bacterial infection and he’s calling her oncologist.”

“She was fine yesterday,” I spoke.

“I know. It was shortly after we got home from your place that she said she was really tired and not feeling well.”

Hooking my arm around him, we took the elevator up to the third floor where her room was. When I walked in, she slowly opened her eyes and a small smile crossed her lips.

“How are you feeling?” I asked as I walked over and took hold of her hand.

“Like shit. But I’m glad you’re here.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d be.” I gently gave her hand a squeeze.

After talking with her for a few minutes, she started to close her eyes.

“You get some rest. I’m going to grab a coffee. Noah, why don’t you go home and get some sleep. You look tired and I’m here. She’s probably going to be out for a while.”

“I don’t want to leave her, Jill.”

“Then sleep in the chair for a bit. Okay?”

“Yeah. Maybe I will. Thanks.”

Walking down the hallway, I found a waiting room with a coffee machine. After inserting some money, I pushed the button and waited patiently for the cup to drop.

“Really?” I said out loud as no cup appeared.

I wasn’t in the mood for this shit, so I banged the machine.

“Consider yourself lucky. That machine has the worst coffee,” a nurse spoke as she walked up next to me. “You can grab some in the cafeteria. In fact, I’m heading down there now and I can show you the way.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for banging on the machine.”

“Please, honey. Don’t apologize. Those machines deserve to be beat on every once in a while. I’m Andrea. I saw you and Noah walking into Kristen’s room. Are you a friend?”

“I’m Jillian and I’m her sister.”

“Nice to meet you, Jillian. Your sister is a wonderful girl.”

“You know her?” I asked as we stepped into the cafeteria.

“I’m usually her nurse when she comes in for her chemo treatments. Today was supposed to be my day off, but they had quite a few call ins and asked if I could help out. I never turn down overtime.” She smiled. “I’ve never seen you here with your sister. Are you from out of town?” she asked as she grabbed a bagel.

I was starving and they did look good, so I grabbed one as well.

“I lived in Seattle and I just moved to New York last week.”