When You Start to Miss Me: A Romantic Suspense (Wildflower Romance Book 3)

by Stacy Claflin

“Okay. You’re right. Thanks for the talk.”

  “Hey, any time you want Malia advice, I’m your guy. But I gotta go. Time for breakfast, then I have to study. See ya.”

  “Bye.” I end the call and suck in another deep breath. I’m not sure I can forget what I heard on that video, but if me knowing about it is going to upset Malia, I’m going to have to figure out a way to deal with Cameron while protecting her feelings.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Malia

  Lincoln tugs on a curler just above his ear and glances at me through the mirror in his bathroom. “I’m really not so sure about this.”

  I swat his hand away. “It’d be fine if you’d leave it alone.”

  “I don’t have enough hair for this.”

  “I got all the curlers to stay, didn’t I?”

  He turns to me and scowls, cracking the green mask.

  “Don’t do that!” I rub the facial mud to fix the mark.

  His gaze meets mine. “I don’t know how I let you talk me into this.”

  I brush my lips across his, careful not to get the mask on my face. “Because you’re such a secure guy and also the world’s best boyfriend.”

  Linc’s lips curl up at that. “But still, people I know are going to see me.”

  “And later, you can tell them this is for a class.” I dig into my bag and pull out a fluffy pink bathrobe.

  His eyes nearly bulge out of the sockets. “That’s where I draw the line.”

  “This?” I twist the robe around. “It makes the outfit.”

  He shakes his head no. “Not happening.”

  “Feel how soft it is.” I rub it on his arm.

  “It’s pink.”

  “It’s for science.”

  “Psychology.”

  I nod. “Precisely. This is for the good of humanity.”

  He glances back at the mirror then to me again. “This is for you, and nothing else.” His gaze darts behind me and he reaches for something on a hook. “I’ll wear Javier’s white bathrobe.”

  We stare each other down.

  I flutter my lashes.

  His brows draw together.

  I pucker my lips.

  Linc gives me a quick kiss, getting mud on my cheek. “It’s this or nothing.”

  I lift a brow. “Nothing? That’d get people’s attention. They wouldn’t even notice the curlers.”

  He bursts out laughing. “I meant the white bathrobe or no bathrobe.”

  “Fine.” I dig into my bag again. “But you’re wearing the slippers.”

  “What?” His smile fades. “We didn’t talk about that.”

  I pull out the pink bunny slippers. “These definitely make the outfit.”

  Linc doesn’t say anything for a moment, then he slips on the bathrobe and holds out his hands. “I hope you appreciate what I’m willing to do for you.”

  I hand him the bunnies. “Of course I do.”

  Then I snap a picture.

  “Hey!”

  I laugh so hard I nearly drop my phone. “What’s the problem? I have to record this for the experiment.”

  He pulls me into his arms and kisses me deeply, getting the green mud all over my face. I don’t bother protesting, never wanting this moment to end. When I’m with him, it’s like everything else disappears—I have no family problems, no work issues, no rude ex-boyfriends. Just Lincoln. It’s enough to make my heart explode with joy.

  I pull back reluctantly. “We’d better get started. You have your other study group after this. Oh! You should show up like this. That would be some great data!”

  Linc shakes his head. “I think you should show up to my group like this.”

  I think about that. “You know, you could be onto something. It would make an interesting comparison point—how people react differently to a girl in curlers walking through campus versus a guy.”

  He runs a washcloth under the water and wrings it out. “I can tell you the difference without having to test it.”

  “Yeah, but it’d be quite the discussion point to have actual numbers.”

  “True.” He wipes the mud from my face.

  I apply more to his forehead and look him over. He’s quite the sight with curlers, the mask, the bathrobe, and the bunny slippers. “I think the bathrobe was the right call. The pink would’ve been a little over the top.”

  “Thank you.” He chuckles.

  “You ready?”

  He licks his lips and glances in the mirror. “I don’t think I’m ever going to be ready for this. You sure we can’t have Jaiden do this instead of me? Then I could help you collect data.”

  “Nope. Besides, nobody would give him a second glance marching around campus in curlers.”

  Linc gives me a dubious look.

  “I’m serious. He did that one random day Freshman year, and nobody cared. It was just Jaiden. You on the other hand …” I snuggle up against him and kiss his neck, my insides tingling at the sight of him willing to face public embarrassment because I asked. “There’s a reason I picked you.”

  He runs his fingers through my hair, and I get lost in his eyes. Then he clears his throat. “We’d better head for campus, or I have a feeling we’ll never leave.”

  I can’t deny that, so I grab my phone and double-check the battery percentage. It’s fully charged, and it’s going to need to be to get as much video as we need.

  As soon as we step outside into the bright sun, Jaiden appears from the sidewalk. “Nice look, man!” He holds up his hand for a high-five from Lincoln, who doesn’t reciprocate. “Leave me hanging, I see how it is.”

  Linc glances at me. “Why?”

  I laugh. “I wanted to make sure we get as much video of people’s reactions as possible. It’s all for data collection.”

  “And giggles!” Jaiden’s lips waver as he does a poor job of hiding his laughter.

  Linc shakes his head. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “I’m not laughing at you,” Jaiden says. “I’m laughing with you.”

  Linc lifts a brow. “I’m not laughing, dude.”

  “Details.” Jaiden shrugs.

  Lincoln takes a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.” Then he marches toward the sidewalk holding his head high.

  I share an amused glance with Jaiden, who also gives me an approving look. Lincoln is my first boyfriend that he actually likes.

  Maybe I really am making the right life changes I need.

  My poor boyfriend barely makes it twenty feet before two guys walking by with tennis racquets whistle at him.

  “It’s for a class, Jaxon!” Linc says.

  “You aren’t supposed to say that!” I call, holding my phone toward the other guys. “Ignore the people who respond!”

  He shakes his head.

  Jaiden slides his finger on his phone’s screen. “Just act natural, Linc!”

  “Natural? Right.”

  Guilt stings. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed for Lincoln to do this.

  He turns to me and smiles, gives a little wink.

  Relief washes through me. He really is okay with this.

  We barely pass the tennis players when three girls dressed to the nines pass. They giggle and whisper, but don’t say anything directly to Linc.

  Two guys across the street catcall him.

  He does an excellent job of ignoring everyone like I suggested. Jaiden and I stay busy trying to capture everything on camera. And we’re put to the test as we reach campus. I should’ve asked Raven and Samara to help with the recordings.

  Linc really stands out and people point, whisper, and gawk from quite a distance. A few make direct comments to him, but most act like nothing’s wrong the closer he gets to them. And the bigger the group of students, the more someone says something directly to him, or if they know him personally. But people walking alone or with one other person glance his way but then look away just as quickly.

  People are definitely interesting. And mostly predictable.

  Once we reac
h the cafeteria, Linc turns to us and waves. “That was fun. Let’s go back now.”

  “Not a chance!” Jaiden calls. “We’re going to the student center next!”

  My boyfriend throws me an exasperated look and marches over. “We have more than enough data! Plus, we’ll get more on the way back.”

  I glance at Jaiden. “I think he’s right.”

  “But we—”

  “I’ll walk to the student center on my turn.”

  Jaiden lifts a brow.

  “We decided to test the different responses between him and me.”

  “Fun. Let’s do it.”

  Relief washes over Linc’s face. “Thank you. This is so embarrassing.”

  “We’re only halfway through, bro.” Jaiden gives him a teasing shove. “Walk ahead of us again.”

  Linc gives me a quick peck on the cheek before lumbering away, muttering under his breath.

  “He’s a good sport.” Jaiden beams at me.

  My heart flutters. “That he is.”

  We follow him, staying a good distance behind. It’s funny to watch people’s reactions, but at the same time, it grows somewhat monotonous. By the time we near his apartment building, I can easily guess the reactions based on how many people are in a group—a variable I hadn’t considered when we began.

  Once inside, Linc starts yanking out the curlers.

  Jaiden plops on the couch and looks at me. “Are you going to do your round now or later?”

  I check the time. “I can do it now. What do you think, Linc?”

  He pulls out the last curler. “I can go to the student center with you two, but I’d have to go straight to the library for my study group.”

  “Deal.” I help him out of the bathrobe. “I’ll change in the bathroom there.”

  We cram into the bathroom, him washing the mask off and me putting on curlers.

  “Your phone’s ringing,” Jaiden calls from the living room.

  “Whose?” I poke my head out.

  “Yours.” He holds it up. “It’s your mom.”

  My stomach knots. “Let it ring.”

  “I did. She called right back.”

  “I don’t care.” I return to the mirror and add another curler.

  “Now she’s texting you,” Jaiden calls.

  “Ugh. I wish she’d leave me alone. She just wants me to work. That’s all I am to her. She’d have a fit if she knew I have an interview lined up with a restaurant near campus. For a position as manager.”

  “Good for you.” Linc dries his face with a towel and smiles at me.

  Jaiden appears in the doorway, his brows drawn together. “Her last text says Holden’s in the hospital.”

  “What?” My heart skips a beat. It has to be bad if my parents actually admitted him. “Is he okay?”

  He hands me the phone. “That’s all it says.”

  I unlock it and read over my mom’s newest messages.

  Mom: Where ru?

  Mom: Pick up!

  Mom: Stop ignoring me!

  Mom: Holden’s in the hospital.

  The world freezes.

  Jaiden puts his hand on my shoulder. I think he says my name.

  If my brother’s in the hospital, then it must be bad. Worse than bad.

  Both Jaiden and Linc are looking at me. Talking. Someone snaps their fingers in front of me.

  I shake my head to clear it. “I need to get there.”

  “We need to find out which hospital.” Jaiden takes my phone and starts texting.

  Linc gingerly removes a curler from my hair. Says something.

  My mind is spinning. What if this is it for Holden? Our last conversation was a doozy. I basically told him to get out of my life.

  Now Lincoln’s arms are around me. His embrace is comforting. But nothing can help if my brother is dead or permanently damaged.

  Jaiden and Lincoln are talking. It sounds like my brother is at the nearest hospital, not the trauma center farther away. That’s good news. I cling to it.

  My friend and boyfriend guide me outside and we head to the parking lot. Climb into Linc’s car.

  I need to pull myself together.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lincoln

  I can’t stop checking on Malia in the passenger seat next to me. She has withdrawn into her own world since reading her mom’s texts. It’s like she’s in some kind of fugue state, barely responsive. Jaiden and I have been talking to her, trying to pull her into a conversation. She’s barely given us two or three words since leaving my apartment.

  I glance at the road signs. Two more exits until the hospital. Almost there. Hopefully once she sees her brother, she’ll snap out of it. Or at least enough to talk.

  After I pull off the freeway and come to a red light, I turn back to Jaiden and give him a pleading look.

  He just shrugs and gives me a helpless expression.

  More than anything I want to ask if he’s ever seen Malia like this, but I don’t want to talk about her like she isn’t right here.

  “Green.” Jaiden nods toward the traffic light.

  I turn back to the road and hit the gas. Put my hand on Malia’s arm. “We’re almost there.”

  She nods. Kind of. At least it’s something.

  “This hospital has some of the best doctors. He’s in good hands.” I wish I could tell her Holden will be fine, but given his life choices, it’s anyone’s guess. But I do know the doctors are good. At least the ones I’ve met.

  From the corner of my eye, I see another small nod. Good. She’s still with us. If only we can draw her out and get her talking. I don’t want her suffering alone.

  Finally, the hospital comes into view. It’s still several turns away, but it’s close. Traffic is thick, but not too bad.

  An ambulance rushes past as we sit at a red light.

  Malia gasps.

  Jaiden pokes his head between us. “That’s not Holden. He’s already checked in. Your mom texted the room number.”

  She makes a throaty noise, and my heart leaps to my throat. I should’ve had Jaiden drive, then I could sit in the back and comfort her. What had I been thinking? Too late now.

  I pull into the parking lot and find the closest spot available. Finally, I can put my arm around Malia and try to comfort her. Jaiden takes the lead and finds out what wing Holden is in, then takes us there.

  Before going in, I turn to Malia. “Are you ready for this?”

  She finally meets my gaze. Gives a slight nod, getting her hair into her eyes.

  I brush it behind her ear. “I’m here for you.”

  “So am I.” Jaiden rests his chin on her shoulder. “We’re not going anywhere.”

  Malia glances past me to the room. “Let’s do this.”

  I put my arm around her again, and as we walk in, the beeping makes my heart race. Brings me back to a time I don’t want to think about. I try to shove it aside. A lump forms in my throat.

  I’m here for Malia. It’s her brother on the bed. He’s probably in bad shape. I need to pull myself together. The past isn’t going to change. The dead aren’t coming back to life.

  Malia gasps, throws my arm off, and races over to the bed. “Holden!”

  I take in the sight. It’s a mess of tubes and various machines. My stomach lurches. Tears sting my eyes.

  “You okay?” Jaiden whispers.

  I take a deep breath, nod. “Just brings back memories.”

  He pats my back. “It’s hard, bro.”

  Hard as it may be, I’m here for Malia. This isn’t about me or anyone I’ve lost. My feet feel like leaded weights as I walk over to her and put my arm around her waist.

  She’s shaking. “Is he alive?”

  “Yes.” I point to one of the readouts. “That’s his heart rate. Looks a little slow, but it’s definitely beating.”

  Malia breathes a sigh of relief and leans against me.

  Jaiden stands on the other side of her. “What do you need, Mals? Do you want to sit? Can I ge
t coffee? Donuts?”

  She shakes her head. “I can’t believe he did this to himself.”

  I pull her closer and kiss her cheek. “The important thing is, he’s alive.”

  “Barely.” A tear runs down her face. “What if he doesn’t make it?”

  I turn to her and look her in the eyes. “You can’t talk like that around him. And don’t let yourself think that.”

  “But our last conversation—”

  “Won’t be your last. Talk to him now. Get everything off your chest. He can hear you. He’ll feel you if you touch him. Then you two can have a real conversation once he wakes.”

  She looks doubtful but nods.

  “Do you want us to stand here with you, or give you a little space?”

  Malia leans closer for a moment before stepping away. “I need to talk to him alone.”

  I thread my fingers through hers and kiss her hand. “Whatever you need.” I nod to Jaiden.

  We step outside the room.

  “You sure you’re okay?” he asks.

  I draw in a deep breath and hold in the hospital smell. “Yeah.”

  “I take it you’ve got your own demons too?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Anything you want to talk about?”

  I shake my head. “Not really.”

  “I know how to keep secrets.” He pretends to zip his lips and throw away the key.

  “Thanks, but I really don’t want to think about it right now. Malia’s going to need me, and I can’t be lost in my own mess.”

  “Maybe you two can help each other, you know?”

  I frown. “Nothing can change death.” I shudder at the finality of it. The lump in my throat grows. “Once it takes your loved ones, you never get them back.” My vision blurs. “But I don’t want to talk about it.”

  He nods. “It sucks. Nothing is less forgiving.”

  “Exactly.” I glance into the room. Malia is holding her brother’s hand and has her back to us.

  “How’s our girl?” Jaiden asks.

  “Hopefully making amends that will help her feel better.”

  “You really think Holden can hear her?”

  I shrug. “That’s what I’ve heard. But if it makes Malia feel better, that’s all that matters.”

  “Yep.”