I dutifully grabbed my mask and placed it over my mouth and nose. I found a chair and curled up into it. There were a lot of people in the waiting room. Almost all of them looked miserable like me.
Mr. Montgomery checked me in and then came and sat next to me. “The nurse will call you back soon.” He braved it and rubbed my arm.
I can’t tell you how soothing his touch was.
I don’t know how long I waited, but it was torturous. It was like having your favorite dessert of all time placed in front of you, and then someone telling you not to eat it. And if you took even a little nibble, you’d want to eat it for the rest of your life, and no other dessert would ever compare. You don’t know how hard it was not to taste him.
When my name was called, he helped me up. “Do you want me to go back with you?”
I gave him a dirty look before I walked away from him. Was he crazy? For one, I hated him, and for two, he was not looking at the scale. I’m pretty sure my steady diet of chocolate had netted me a few pounds. I was pleasantly surprised it was only two.
Once the nurse had me back in a room, she took my temperature. “Oh my, 103.5.”
No wonder I felt like I had been dropped in the tundra.
“Have you taken any medication in the past twenty-four hours?”
I shook my head no.
“Are you allergic to any medication?”
“Sulfa.”
“I’m going to run a strep culture.”
I almost gagged when she swabbed my throat.
“It doesn’t look pretty in there.”
I could imagine.
She trotted off and I lay back on the examination table and waited.
Dr. Gammel knocked on the door ten minutes later. She walked in and took a look at my pathetic state. “Hi, sweetie.”
I liked her. I sat up slowly. “So what’s the verdict?”
“Definitely strep, but let’s take a look at you.”
She approached with her stethoscope. She was a lovely lady. Tall, with a willowy figure. She exuded charm. It looked like she had stopped denying the inevitable and was letting her hair go gray. It suited her well. “Breathe in and let it out.” Next she felt my throat and swollen glands. Next were my ears. “Everything else checks out okay. How have you been?” Her tone was one of concern.
I stared into her kind eyes. “You know?”
“Jackson is an idiot.”
I smiled. “Agreed.”
“But I love him like a son. He came with you, right?”
“I didn’t want him to.”
She laughed. “I’m sure he insisted.”
“Something like that.”
“He’s a good kid. A little misguided as of late. It’s not my place to say, but I do hope you two work it out.”
“Not happening.”
“Good for you. Keep him on his toes.” She wrote out a prescription and handed it to me. “Twice a day for ten days, should do the trick. But if you aren’t feeling better in a few days, come back in. After twenty-four hours, you shouldn’t be contagious. Make sure you throw away your toothbrush after that time and get a new one. Any questions?”
I took the white piece of paper. “No. Thank you.”
“Feel better, sweetie, and give him a run for his money.” She helped me off the table.
First, I needed to feel better. I checked out and paid my copay before I headed back to the waiting room to an eager Mr. Montgomery.
He jumped up and met me, anxious to help me in some way. “I’ll carry your purse.”
“I got it.”
“Okay. What did the doctor say?”
“Strep.” I showed him my slip of paper.
He opened the exit door for me. “We’ll stop at the pharmacy on our way home. I’ll drop you off while they fill your prescription and then go back and get it. Then I’ll come back and make you lunch.”
We hit the warmth of the outside. “You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to.”
“Let me rephrase. I don’t want you to.”
“Too bad. You’re stuck with me.”
“How does the district and your dad feel about that?”
I didn’t need to physically hit him. He stopped and placed his arm over his gut like I had punched him.
“That’s what I thought.” I kept on walking.
He followed. “Presley, I’ll work it out. We can work it out.”
“There is no we anymore.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Day Forty-Seven
Saturday, September 11
I woke up in a fog. I vaguely recollected that Mr. Montgomery had taken care of me the day before, even going as far as buying every flavor popsicle imaginable and cleaning my small apartment. I did my best to get rid of him, but I mostly slept. And now it was light again and I heard his voice. I was sure I had kicked him out, but it didn’t have much weight, considering I was incoherent most of the day.
I think my fever had finally broken. I was sweating and no longer had the chills. I smelled like I needed a shower. But I lay still as the voice became clearer. It belonged to him.
“Thanks for coming up and taking care of him.”
Did he get a dog?
“We can’t risk him getting sick.”
What? Who?
He laughed. “She’s mad as hell at me. I can’t wait until she wakes up and sees I stayed the night.”
What! I stayed still so I could continue to eavesdrop.
“Honestly, had I known she was this sexy mad, I would have ticked her off a long time ago.”
Jerk.
“No. No. I know. I feel terrible about what I did to her.”
You got that right.
“I’m not sure if she’ll ever forgive me, but I have to try.”
You can try, buddy, but it isn’t happening.
“Okay, man, keep me posted. I’m not sure where I’ll be. If I’m lucky, here.”
Your luck has run out.
He hung up and I heard him walk my way. The floors creaked in my apartment.
I still pretended to sleep. I didn’t want him to know I had been privy to his conversation yet.
He approached my bed and sat on the edge of it. He stroked my hair. It was heavenly in that hellish sort of way. “Presley, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for us to get so messed up. You’re beautiful when you’re angry, though. And I have a feeling you are only going to get more beautiful this next little while. Someday I’ll tell you everything. Like how I know about Capri’s and your plan to get over me in ninety days.”
What the heck! How?
“David told me all about it.” He laughed softly.
David was so, so dead. I was going to say the word coital whenever I could around him from now on.
“I know I’m only in for more of your wrath, but I’m going to do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen. I love you and I know you still love me, even if you won’t admit it.”
Oh, his ego.
“PB, get ready for the fight of your life. May we both win.” He kissed my head.
I was going to be ready all right. He wasn’t going to know what hit him.
Day Forty-Eight
Sunday, September 12
Dear Mr. Bingley,
What am I going to do? Mr.Crandall was right, there has been a twist in the plot. Like a major dun-dun-dun moment. Mr. Montgomery is just like you. He arrived on his stallion and has declared he still loves me. This can’t be happening, because I still love him and I mean to get over that as soon as possible, or at least in the next forty-two days.
Oh, and get this. He knows about my ninety-day plan. David, Mr. Montgomery’s secret friend, ratted me out. But I know he knows and he doesn’t know I know, so I’m one up on him. Even though it meant I had to lay in my bed and pretend to be asleep when I had to pee something fierce and I smelled awful—hadn’t showered in two days, wearing the same outfit, sweating out a fever, awful. It was worth the pai
n. When I did pretend to wake up, there he was, smiling and calling me the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He was such a liar. I had a mirror and the reflection was none too pretty after lying in bed all day.
I promptly kicked him out. He left all right, but not before kissing me. And did I mention that he didn’t leave the key to my apartment?
I don’t know what he’s playing at. Who was he talking to on the phone? It doesn’t really matter, because I’m getting over him. No man is going to treat me the way he had and then come strolling back into my life like nothing ever happened. That’s right, Mr. Bingley, you don’t know how lucky you were you got a Jane.
Unfortunately, I think my rejection has only fueled his desire. I could see the excitement in his eyes when he left. Well, Mr. Montgomery, hold on, because this girl is roaring. I am getting over the oxytocin and I am overcoming the urge to jump back into your arms and test out your new truck. I can live without your kisses and your touch.
So, there you have it. If I haven’t mentioned it in a while, men suck!
Most determined,
Presley
My phone buzzed as soon as I set my pen down. I was sitting crossed-legged on my bed, still resting, but at least I had showered. Also, antibiotics and Advil were wonderful inventions. I reached for my phone on my nightstand. My phone had been overly active the last couple of days with people checking on me. Capri, my mom, and Miss Liliana were the main culprits. But now I could add a new one to the list.
Good morning, beautiful. I added myself back into your contacts while I watched you sleep. Have I mentioned how beautiful you are?
I rolled my eyes, but kept reading.
I’m sure you’ll delete this and block me again, but I wanted you to know that you don’t need to worry about car line duty anymore. Coach is taking your place. I figured you wouldn’t want to be around Brad. PB, I know you think the obstacles in our way are insurmountable, but I’m willing to climb any mountain for you. Get some rest. Call me if you need anything. Love you, J.
Yep, deleted and blocked. I threw my phone on the bed. I rubbed my face with my hands. This was definitely not part of the plan. And why did he think all of the sudden his dad and the school district were going to be okay with his decision? If anything, I’m sure his father hated me more after our little run-in at Miss Liliana’s. As for the district, I’m not sure if they really had an issue as long as it stayed on the up and up. But I’m sure they wouldn’t exactly be jumping for joy about it, either. Not that they had to worry, because it was so not happening.
Day Forty-Nine
Monday, September 13
Though I was no longer contagious and was feeling more like myself, I felt sick about going back to school. From talking to Capri, I knew there was already a rumor going around that Mr. Montgomery and I were back together. I was going to squash that as soon as possible. I’m sure that would only add to the, “she’s really going through men” comments. I wasn’t going through any men. And let’s get this straight, Mr. Montgomery dumped me. The other two bozos were serious lapses of judgment. Hard lessons learned that I wouldn’t be repeating.
I walked out of my apartment with knots in my stomach, somewhat ready to face the day. The morning was cool and the sun was making its appearance. I breathed in deeply, relishing the fall weather that hung in the air. It had a calming effect. That moment of peace was interrupted when Mr. Montgomery pulled up in his new truck, grinning like he knew exactly how much it was going to irk me to see him there. He came to a stop and hopped out.
I took a sip of my caffeine-boosted coffee and stormed toward my car, doing my best to avoid him.
He wasn’t having it. “PB.” He followed after me laughing.
I kept on going.
“You know, if you wouldn’t block me from calling you, you could have told me by phone you were all right.”
I stopped and spun around. “So this is my fault?”
He gave me his you-know-you-would-rather-be-kissing-me grin.
As true as that may be, it wasn’t ever happening. I glared at him.
His grin turned into a smirk. “We won’t assign blame. But, really, how are you feeling?”
I huffed and turned back toward my car.
“So, you’re better?”
“Never better. Now you can go.” I opened my car door.
He closed it and leaned against it.
I was torn. Smack him or kiss him? Gosh, he looked good in his dark suit. But I was Elizabeth, not Jane. “I thought I made myself clear about where we stood.”
He crossed his arms and grinned. “Crystal clear, but that doesn’t work for me.”
“I hate to break it to you, but this isn’t all about you. Even though that’s exactly how you’ve acted.”
He stepped toward me. The amusement gone from his eyes. “I’m sure that’s how it looks to you, but if I was the only consideration, I would have never broken up with you.”
“You don’t know what a comfort that is to me. Excuse me now. I need to get to work.” I reached for the car door.
He took my hand and held it against his heart.
My first instinct was to pull it away, but his eyes got to me. They always had. They burned with yearning. He held my hand firmly against his chest. “This is true love—you think this happens every day?”
I pulled my hand away. “Don’t quote the Princess Bride to me.”
“Why? You used to love it.”
“That’s before you told me you were only messing around with me. Do you know how used I’ve felt? You don’t get to say the things you said and then expect to walk right back into my life like you didn’t throw me away. How could I ever trust you again? As far as I’m concerned, I’m not even sure what we had before was real.” I threw open my door.
His hands fell to his side and his head dropped. “My love for you is real. I’ll do my best to prove that to you. To earn your trust back.”
“Please don’t.” I slid into my car and shut the door. I drove off, shaking and doing my best not to cry. I watched him in my rearview mirror, running his fingers through his hair and looking like he just lost his best friend. I felt the same way.
Day Fifty
Tuesday, September 14
Dear Mr. Bingley,
I made it to day fifty, but I feel like I’m at ground zero. Everyone at school, including the students, are now gossiping about us. “Are they or aren’t they?” is the big question. I’m not sure why. We definitely are not. I don’t care that he came and sat next to Capri and me during lunch or that he left me the sweetest get well card on my desk. He was a jerk for toying with my emotions. And guess what? The principal, Dr. Walters, has asked to meet with me before school this morning. I’m probably going to get fired because of all the intrigue I’ve caused, kissing teachers and now Mr. Montgomery coming on to me. It isn’t fair. He should be the one to go, but I know how it works. I’m the peasant, and he’s the prince.
Capri told me not to worry about it, but I saw the look of dread in her eyes. Being fired is going to look terrible on my resume. Maybe they’ll let me say I resigned. I love my job, but maybe moving home would be the best thing right now. I could do with some miles between Mr. Montgomery and myself. I don’t think he understands the restraint it has taken to not fall right back into his arms. But he doesn’t understand the hurt he’s caused. Hurt like that doesn’t just go away. Only in books and in movies is it erased so easily.
Wish me luck. This could be a very short day.
Sick to my stomach,
Presley
I dressed more conservatively than I normally would. I wore a well-fitting black pant suit. The only cute things about it were the red pumps I paired with it. I straightened my hair, hoping that made me look more serious. I couldn’t believe, on top of everything else, my job could be in jeopardy.
My stomach was tied in knots on my drive over to the school. I tried to brace myself for the worst. I probably shouldn’t have bought all those new cl
othes. I think I was going to write my own internet article called, So You Think You Want a Boyfriend, Think Again.
The school was eerily quiet when I walked in. There was hardly a soul in sight. I hoped it stayed that away in case I had to walk out unemployed. I headed for the administration offices. Not even the secretary was in yet. But Mr. Montgomery was. I figured since I saw his truck in the parking lot he was already there. He and Dr. Walters were talking in the principal’s office. Or at least they were until I arrived. The door was open and they were alerted to my presence. Both men were standing near the door and turned my way.
Mr. Montgomery’s smile added flutters to my churning stomach. I wish he didn’t have that effect on me, but what can I say. He was handsome and charming, even though he was a class A jerk.
Dr. Walters gave me his attention, too. His lips pressed together and he gave me a nod of acknowledgement before turning back toward Mr. Montgomery. “We’ll talk later, Jackson.” He gave me his attention. “Come on in, Presley, and shut the door behind you.”
Foreboding consumed me.
Mr. Montgomery walked toward me. “Good morning.”
Even if I had wanted to talk to him, I couldn’t have. My mouth had quit working. At least my legs were still functioning. I made my way toward Dr. Walters’ office.
Mr. Montgomery touched my shoulder and gave me another small smile.
That’s all I needed, for him to touch me in front of Dr. Walters. Then it hit me—his plan was to get me fired. This way, he could keep his job and try to pursue me. I had his number. And if he thought that was going to work in his favor, he had another thing coming. I was headed home to Colorado. I ignored him and walked right into the principal’s office.
Dr. Walters stood behind his desk, now near his chair. “Please have a seat.” He pointed to the leather chairs in front of his desk. He waited to sit down until I was situated.
I sat at the edge of my seat, both literally and figuratively. My breathing had become shallow.
How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days Page 13
