by Mandi Oyster
“I’m sorry.” My fingers caught on a blood-crusted strip of hair. “I had a nightmare.”
“You always have nightmares.”
“Yeah … but this one was Cody.” My voice stuck in my throat. “I can’t talk about it.” I sat down. “I went for a walk and found myself standing by my truck.”
“Your truck?” The tendons in her neck were taut. “You left!”
“I didn’t plan to leave, but I was afraid something had really happened to Cody.”
“Is”—she looked at my bloody clothes again—“is he okay?”
I shook my head and looked away. “I don’t know. I saw Nefarious in the road and wrecked before I found out.” Tears stung my eyes, but I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t think the worst. Cody had to be okay.
“Are you all right? Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“I’m fine. I passed out, and when I woke up, all my wounds were healed.” I pulled my shirt away from me and looked at it. “I have no idea what happened to me.”
“Why don’t you call Cody?”
That’s what I should’ve done last night, but if I call him now … No. If the doctors have him out of the room, I’ll think the worst. “No, I’ll go get him after I clean up.” Visions from my dream entered my mind. I saw him lying lifeless in the hospital bed, his sheets covered in blood. Please let him be okay, Lord. I can’t live without him.
I glanced over at Samantha. The only thing I could think of was Samantha would be next. So far in my dreams, I had managed to kill off my mentor and my boyfriend.
Chapter 21
Love Is …
I skipped my classes for the second day in a row. This time instead of spending the day at the hospital, I called a tow truck, the insurance company, and several body shops to find out which one would be the cheapest and fastest. When I got all of those things taken care of, I went to Cody’s dorm and knocked on the door.
A shirtless Drew Crocus answered. He held the door and the frame, flexing his muscles. Maybe I should introduce Samantha to him.
“Hey, Dacia,” he said. “Uh … Cody’s not here. I heard a rumor that he got the crap beat out of him and is in the hospital.” He pulled his hand through his auburn hair.
I cocked my head to the side. What do I tell him? “Well … yeah … he’s in the hospital, but he didn’t get beat up.”
“Well, what happened then?” He blinked his amber eyes several times.
“You’ll have to ask him. I came over here to get him a change of clothes and his spare key so I can pick him up.” To speed things along, I said, “I was supposed to be there about fifteen minutes ago.”
Drew opened the door wider, lifting his arm a little for me to walk under. While I grabbed a change of clothes for Cody, Drew looked for Cody’s spare.
“I guess when he gets back, I’ll have to find out from him what’s going on.” Drew held the key out of my reach. “I wonder why Bryce told me he’d gotten beaten up.”
Bryce. I should’ve known. I fought to keep my voice under control. “Well, you know how rumors spread.”
“Yeah”—he stepped closer to me and grabbed a strand of my hair—“who knows what will be said about you being here with me when Cody’s not.”
Yeah, definitely not for Samantha. I moved toward him and grabbed the key. “Good point, thanks for the key.”
I hurried to Cody’s car. My hand shook when I turned the key in the ignition. I rested my head against the steering wheel and closed my eyes. It’s going to be okay. Nothing’s going to happen.
“Yeah, but what if Cody’s not okay?” I mumbled.
“Oh, just shut up.” I shifted the car into reverse and then drove to the hospital.
The elevator door opened. I pushed the button for the third floor and huddled in the back corner. When the doors opened, scenes from my nightmare brought my breath out in nervous, ragged gasps. I forced myself to move forward. I wanted to run down the stairs, get in Cody’s car and drive away. I didn’t.
Putting one foot in front of the other, I walked to Cody’s room. Closing my eyes, I gathered my composure and knocked on the door as I pushed it open.
My heart leapt into my throat when I saw a silhouetted figure standing in front of the window.
He spun around and stood rigid. My eyes adjusted to the light. I stumbled back a step and grabbed the doorframe for support. He’s okay. I covered my heart with my hand. Of course, he’s okay.
His expression softened, and he walked over to me.
“Hey.” My voice sounded rough. I cleared my throat. “How are you doing?”
“I thought you were another doctor wanting to run tests on me.” Cody embraced me with an intensity that made me want to sink deeper into him.
I dropped his clothes on the ground and wrapped my arms around him. He’s here, and he’s okay. Relief brought tears to my eyes.
Cody stepped back, still holding onto me. He rested his forehead against mine. “What’s wrong?” His fingers traced along my arm.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I told him about my dream and the ride in my truck. I ended my story by saying, “I know that I shouldn’t have gone out by myself, but I wanted to see you. I was so scared.” I collapsed against his chest and cried into his hospital gown. He stood with one hand caressing my head and the other wrapped around my waist while uncontrollable sobs racked my body.
I gathered myself and backed away from him. My eyes felt swollen, and I was sure my face was red and splotchy. This wasn’t how I wanted Cody to see me. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t know what came over me.”
Cody folded his arms over his chest. “Could be saving the world, finding me beaten, or wrecking your truck. Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing wrong with crying.”
“There is when it’s all you do ….”
“You held up yesterday.”
“I wanted to be strong for you.” I reached for his hand. I didn’t want to be this close without touching him. “I didn’t want you to know how worried I was or how awful you looked.”
“That’s probably why you needed to let it out today.”
“Maybe.”
He pulled me close and rested his head on mine. His touch comforted me, and I felt like all my broken pieces were fitting back together.
I tilted my head back to talk to him. Instead, our lips brushed. Cody sucked in a surprised breath. Then deepened the kiss. My muscles turned to liquid. I ran my fingers up his arms, feeling them flex under my touch.
The door creaked. I stepped back, but Cody didn’t let go of me. Flames clawed up my neck onto my face and ears.
“Excuse me.”
Cody’s hands tightened on my waist. “My ride’s here. No more tests.” He looked down at me. “Let’s go.”
“As cute as I think you are in that gown, maybe you should change.” I lifted the bag off the floor. “I brought some clothes.”
He looked at himself, and a smile crept over his face. “Yeah … thanks.” The nurse left the room, and Cody went to the bathroom to change.
A peaceful feeling came over me. Maybe things would be okay. I couldn’t remember ever being this happy before.
“You ready?” Cody’s voice brought me back to reality.
“Yeah.”
“What were you thinking about?”
I shrugged.
“Must’ve been good. You had a sweet smile.” He brushed a strand of hair off my forehead. “So what was it?”
“Nothing.” Warmth spread up my neck and onto my cheeks.
“That wasn’t nothing.” He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes. “I thought couples weren’t supposed to have secrets.”
“I suppose you’re right.” I shot him my orneriest grin. “One of the paramedics who brought you in here ye
sterday was really cute.” I looked around Cody like I was searching the halls. “I wonder if he’s here today.”
“Ouch, did you hear that?” He grabbed his chest. “That was my heart breaking.”
I giggled and rolled my eyes at him. “Actually, I was thinking you made me pretty happy yesterday when you, uh, well, kinda sorta, well, umm, asked me to, uh, go out with you. I think you made me the happiest I’ve ever been.”
His voice softened, and his eyes lit up. “Yeah, made me happy when you agreed. But, that doesn’t mean you can make fun of my speech.”
“Somebody has to. Might as well be me.”
Since it was Cody’s car and I didn’t think I’d ever want to drive again, I told Cody to drive back. As we drove by, I pointed out where I wrecked my truck.
I strained to see down the hill, to catch a glimpse of my truck. The world stopped. I couldn’t hear anything, feel anything, smell anything. When it started spinning again, my stomach dropped. All the air was sucked out of me. My hand went to my throat, and I gasped for breath.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Cody reached for my hand.
Tremors rumbled through my body, but at the touch of his hand, they quieted. I caught my breath and said, “If I hadn’t healed, nobody would’ve found me for days.”
“If I’d have known, I would’ve been looking for you last night.”
“Nobody knew where I was going.” I rubbed my forehead. “Nobody would’ve found me.”
He squeezed my hand. “I’m glad you’re all right, but don’t do that again. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
“I know.” I hung my head. “It was stupid, but it’s better for me to be alone than you … and maybe even Samantha.”
The tendons in Cody’s forearms stuck out as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. “That won’t happen again.”
When we arrived back at campus, Cody and I went to my room to see if Samantha was waiting for us. As soon as I opened the door, Samantha started venting. “Did Dacia tell you what she did last night?”
“She told me, and I let her have it.” His lips twitched, threatening to expose his exaggeration.
“She told you?” Samantha’s mouth hung open. “I can’t believe she told you. She must’ve felt really guilty.”
“Yes, I told him.” My voice took on an indignant tone. “You do realize I’m standing here in the room with you, don’t you?”
Samantha’s hands dropped from her hips. “I can’t believe she told you.”
“Hello.” I waved my hands in the air. “I’m right here. I figured he would find out when we left the hospital in his car instead of my truck.”
“Oh, yeah”—she looked up out of the corner of her eyes—“I guess that might have made him wonder what was going on.”
“Thanks for telling on me, though.” I crossed my arms and tried to glare at her, but the smirk gave me away.
“Well, ladies, if you’re done fighting, I’m starving.” Cody rubbed his stomach. “Do either of you want to come along?”
Samantha and I looked at each other and smiled. “Of course we do,” she said.
On the way to the lunchroom, I remembered that more than just the three of us knew about Cody being injured. “The Potato Heads might be confused by your speedy recovery if they’re in the cafeteria.”
“Well, maybe they’ll back off,” Cody said with a hard edge to his voice. “Half the school probably knows I went to the hospital, but I’m not going to hide until this blows over.”
“I don’t expect you to hide out or pretend like you’re still injured. I just wanted to remind you before we walk into the cafeteria.”
“I know.” His lips pressed together and his forehead creased.
“We’re going to have to come up with a story so we’re all on the same page,” I said as he opened the door. A glance around the room led me to believe they weren’t in there. Cody must have come to the same conclusion because I heard him let out a relieved sigh.
“Maybe they won’t be around until their hearing,” Samantha said.
We grabbed our food and sat at an out-of-the-way table.
“Justin and Dan are coming over,” Samantha whispered across the table.
Cody’s lips tightened into a thin line, but by the time his buddies reached the table, he’d managed to stifle all outward appearance of tension. They nodded at each other in that way guys do.
Justin grabbed the back of a chair but didn’t sit. His deep brown eyes swept over Cody. “I heard you were in the hospital.” His black eyebrows pulled together, making creases on his forehead.
“Spent the night there.” Cody sipped his drink.
I think he was trying to look nonchalant, but I noticed his hand shake. I rubbed his thigh.
He looked down at my hand. “Dacia just brought me back.”
“What happened?” Dan asked. “Drew said Dacia stopped by this morning but didn’t have too much to say. You look fine to me.”
“Kidney stone,” Cody answered. “You guys up for a game?”
Justin and Dan looked at each other and shrugged. “Sure … when?” Justin asked.
“3:30,” Cody said.
During my lesson then. I hope he’s careful.
“We’ll get Drew and round up a couple of other guys. See you on the court.” Justin turned and left.
“Later, Dacia … Samantha,” Dan said. Even though he said my name first, he never looked at me. His hazel eyes lingered on Samantha. Her face grew redder by the second.
“See ya,” I replied. I turned to Samantha and raised my eyebrow. She shook her head and nodded at Cody.
“Well, I guess I got outta that one … at least for now,” Cody said. His shoulders relaxed, and he released a deep breath.
As soon as Samantha finished eating, she stood up. “Well, I’m going to get out of here. Be careful at your lesson, Dacia, and be careful playing basketball, Cody. Keep your eyes open.”
“You too,” he said.
“I will for real this time,” I told her. When she was out of earshot, I turned to Cody. “Well, I guess she thought we should have some time alone.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” He hooked his fingers under my chair, dragging me closer to him. My hands rested on the table. He reached up and placed his over mine. “In fact, I don’t mind at all. Sam’s great, but it’s nice to have some time to ourselves. We haven’t had a lot of that since we got out of high school.”
“No, we haven’t.” In high school, we didn’t have to worry about any of my friends hanging around since Cody was the only one I had, and his friends wouldn’t come near me because they thought I was weird. “But I have to admit, it’s nice to have a female friend for a change.” I lifted his arm over my shoulders and snuggled up against his chest. He traced small circles on my skin.
Chapter 22
Fire And Ice
With Cody’s arm over my shoulder and mine around his waist, we strolled to Sarah’s office. Tension no longer lined Cody’s face. His lightness surprised me. The Potato Heads should’ve learned to stay away from me and mine, but they seemed like old dogs to me.
My stomach tightened when we reached Cacomistle Hall. “She isn’t going to be happy with me.”
“Just remember you brought it on yourself.” Cody ushered me through the door. I waved to Alicia and climbed the stairs. I stood at Sarah’s office before I was ready to face her.
“Hello,” Sarah said. “You look amazing, Cody. Maybe Dacia should think about medical school.”
I cringed at the thought. “Maybe, but I don’t like blood and gore.”
“She’ll be good at anything she does.” Cody kissed my cheek. “Don’t leave without me.”
Blood rushed to my face.
“Cody”�
��Sarah pointed at the couch—“have a seat.”
Cody sat beside me and pulled me against him. Even though I knew what Sarah had to say wouldn’t be pleasant, I couldn’t help the thrill of excitement that tickled my stomach.
The faint lines on Sarah’s face deepened, showing her annoyance. “I suspended your attackers until next week.”
“Right.” Cody’s voice was clipped.
“The Board of Trustees will meet Friday morning to decide on their punishment.” She got up and walked behind the couch she’d been sitting on. “I have no control over the board. I can offer suggestions, but I cannot make the decision or contend it.”
“What will you recommend?” I asked.
“Expulsion.” Her face contorted, showing a side of her I hoped I never crossed. “They could’ve killed you both.” She waved her arm in our direction. “Not that you can see that now.”
Cody’s grip on my arm tightened. “But …”
“But …” She sucked in a deep breath. Her shoulders slumped. “The board won’t believe the extent of your injuries, and Cassandra’s mother is one of the members.”
The pulse in Cody’s throat thrust furiously. Red mottled his skin. “They’re going to get away with it.” He pulled his arm out from behind me and leaned forward on his steepled hands.
“Most likely,” she said. “You can file assault charges with the police, but I imagine, with no injuries, the results will be the same.”
I rubbed his back. “They won’t stop.”
“No, probably not.” Sarah looked weary.
“They’ll attack Dacia next,” Cody said.
Sarah focused on me. “Did you happen to mention to Cody what they did to you yesterday?”
He sat up straight, focusing on me like a sample under a microscope. “What happened? Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
