Take Care of Me
Page 19
Chapter 10
Nick picked Stacey up to take her to her first chemotherapy session. She answered the door and was disappointed that it wasn’t Stefan. He had been calling several times a day, trying to get her to change her mind, but she wouldn’t talk to him. So she thought he might just show up and try to take her to the appointment, but he wasn’t there.
Nick immediately saw the disappointment on her face and she turned away.
“Stacey…” Nick began, but she cut him off.
“No Nick. I don’t want him here.” Stacey held her breath hoping Nick didn’t push; because if he did push the issue, she might cave in. She missed Stefan with every fiber of her being. But he would be better off without having to go through this anguish with her.
They went through the administration of the chemotherapy treatment with no problems. Dr. Landis even prescribed medication to counteract the nausea that she might experience, which she planned on taking right away.
Stacey told Nick that she was fine and that she had just finished her shift and was going out with Alyson.
“Nick?” Stefan stepped out from around the corner after he had watched Stacey get on the elevator. There was no way he wasn’t going to be here for her, even if she never knew it.
“What are you doing here man?” Nick asked nervously checking over his shoulder the way Stacey had gone.
“I just wanted to make sure that everything went ok with her first chemotherapy treatment.” Stefan said defensively.
“She will be mad as hell if she knows you’re keeping tabs on her.” Nick argued.
“Do you honestly think she doesn’t know?” Stefan asked incredulously.
Nick raked his fingers through his hair and responded with tired frustration, “You’re probably right, but I’m walking on egg shells around her. I just never know what’s going to set her off. I’m trying to be here for her, but she’s not making it easy on me either.”
“I’m sorry to put you in the middle of this. I just need to figure out some time where I can actually see her, try to wear her down. I know if we were physically together, the pull we feel for each other will take over. But she won’t let me in the door. Whenever I try to stop by she just won’t even open the door.” Stefan was shaking his head.
“Hey! She is going to a singles function at her church tonight.” Nick exclaimed.
“A singles function? What on earth does that mean? Is she moving on?” Stefan felt devastated.
“No, no, she’s trying to find Alyson a boyfriend because she seems to still be hung up on me.” Nick quickly explained.
“So she’s going tonight, after her first chemotherapy treatment?” Stefan asked perplexed.
“Yeah I know, I said the same thing to her. She just didn’t want to let Alyson down since they seem to have gotten back to the friendship they had been developing before I wrecked it for them.” Nick smiled.
“What time does the social start?” Stefan asked excitement building.
“Six o’clock.” Answered Nick.
“Great. Looks like I have a plan.” Stefan smiled.
Nick had not bothered to talk Stefan out of showing up at the singles function because he could see that Stefan was at the end of his rope. He hoped that he was going to get through to Stacey, but knew how stubborn she could be. But he knew part of her really wanted to be with him so it really was only a matter of time.
Stefan walked into the recreation room at St. Patrick’s where Stacey attended church. It was full of people and he didn’t see her at first. But then he spotted her talking to Alyson and a tall blonde athletic looking man that he didn’t know. She had her hand on his arm and was laughing at something he had said. A pang of jealousy cut through his gut. He didn’t want to overreact because Nick had said she had come to thing for Alyson. So he continued to watch.