Since dinner with Lucas’s mom, the week had been tense. I’d been trying to get in to see Dr. Vasquez, and Lucas had been in a funk about his father. He felt as though he was reliving the hell his father had put him and his mother through. The verdict was still out on who had given Kurtis the black eye. He hadn’t come clean to Lucas’s mom, even though according to Lucas, Priscilla had asked.
I walked through the crowd like I was on speed, trying to dodge the herd of students emerging from classrooms in the science building. Bailey was taking me to my doctor’s appointment, which was in forty-five minutes. Luckily, the Women’s Health Center wasn’t far from Lakemont University.
The bright sunlight had me squinting as I hurried down the stone steps while I listened to Bailey’s text message.
“Hey, chica . I’m running late. Don’t panic. We’ll make it to Dr. Vasquez’s office in time.”
I wanted to replace my implant as soon as possible. After Lucas’s mom had mentioned grandkids, I couldn’t sleep. The what-ifs hit me one after another. What if my implant wasn’t working? Or what if it had lost its strength? Or what if I was pregnant? I didn’t feel like I was, but that dark voice in the depths of my brain had been messing with my head for the last four days.
During that time, I’d had a blood test done and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Vasquez. I’d called earlier that morning to find out if the results were back, but according to Dr. Vasquez’s nurse, they weren’t in yet. Regardless of the outcome, it was time for my implant to be removed.
I leaned against a lamppost and texted Bailey.
How late? I can’t miss my doctor’s appointment.
Dr. Vasquez was booked solid for the next three months, and I’d only gotten in on short notice because of a cancellation.
Bails
I’m heading to my car now.
I’m out in front of the science building.
Bails
I’ll be there in five.
I busied myself flipping through Instagram as the sun beat down on my exposed legs. I laughed at a video of a small dog running for a ball and sliding across the floor. I needed to watch more of these. My feed was turning into nothing but cute animal pics.
“Mazzie.”
I cringed at a voice I knew all too well as I rounded my gaze on Josh.
He strutted up to me, cowboy boots scuffing along the sidewalk, Stetson hat perfectly placed on his head. His hazel eyes were piercing through me as if he were ready to throw me over his shoulder and carry me away. No doubt he wanted to.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“What do you want, Josh? I told you at the casino we’re not getting back together. And if you dare lay a hand on me, your balls will take the brunt again.”
He raised his hands. “Message received. But I do care about you.”
“Manhandling me is not caring,” I volleyed back.
He scanned the campus as if he thought someone was following him. “Are you dating the wide receiver now? I saw his tongue down your throat on social media.”
“What if I am? I don’t interfere with the girls you date.”
“Lucas isn’t the guy for you.”
“You stop by my house to tell me that?” My eyebrows drew downward.
“I’ve seen a lot of shit at the casino hanging out with Shane, and Lucas’s old man is a gambler.”
I clenched my teeth. “And you think Lucas will turn out like his father?”
A horn blew. “Mazzie!” Bailey shouted. “Get in!”
“Thanks for the talk.” I motioned to leave, then remembered something. “Did you give Lucas’s dad a black eye as revenge for interfering in our little spat?”
