Solo

Chapter Nineteen: Damage Control

My cell phone rang around nine in morning. Casey called to remind us that check-out was eleven o'clock. We made plans to meet in the lobby at ten. Lucas was still asleep and looked so peaceful I decided to get ready before waking him up.

At nine-thirty I nudged his shoulder. He unexpectedly wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me down to the bed.

"Eeek..." I shrieked.

"Good morning, sunshine." His grin melted me.

"Good morning," I twisted to sit up. "Ouch!"

"What wrong? Is it your arm?" He quickly sat up. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You didn't do anything; it's just been bothering me all morning. I figured if I was careful the pain would go away."

He scrutinized my arm. "It looks kind of swollen. I'm taking you to the clinic when we get back." He jumped up and started getting ready.

"Calm down, its fine. I'm sure it's nothing."

"I don't want to take chances."

"Well, I'll have to tell my mom, and actually I'd prefer if she took me." I winced at the pain.

"That's fine; whatever you want." Lucas seemed disappointed.

"I'd like you to go with us. My mom can sometimes be a drama queen."

"Like I said, whatever you want." He sat back on the bed. "But I think we should skip breakfast and go straight home."

"That's not fair."

"You'll thank me later." He kissed my forehead. "Let's go."

Casey was wearing an enormous grin when we met her and Jack in the lobby. Lucas explained that we needed to leave and have my arm looked at. Casey gave me a hug and told me she would call later.

Lucas wanted me to wait in the lobby while he got the truck, but I was too stubborn. "My legs aren't broken. My arm just hurts." I followed him to the truck.

"At least let me carry the bags."

"If that makes you feel better." I shoved my bag at him.

"What bothers you more, the fact that you're missing breakfast, or that I'm making you go to the clinic?" He opened the door to his truck for me.

"To be honest, a little of both."

Lucas didn't waste time getting back to Myrtle Creek. Mom was outside weeding the flower bed when we arrived.

"Let me do all the talking," I said. "She can be overdramatic."

Mom was on her feet before we closed the truck doors. "Hey guys, how was prom?"

"Oh, it was fun. Casey and I were on the dance floor all night." I turned to look at Lucas for support. "But I had a little accident. I think I should get my arm checked out."

Mom dropped her dirty gloves and was examining my arm before I could get another word out. "What happened? How bad does it hurt? Why didn't you get it checked out last night?"

"Mom, breathe. It's fine; only a little sore. Casey and I were leaving the dance floor when I slipped and my arm just happened to break the fall. I didn't get it checked out last night because it didn't seem that bad."

Lucas scowled at me.

"Well, why are we still standing here? Let me grab my stuff. Lucas will you be joining us?"

"Yes, if you don't mind?"

"You two get in my car." Mom ran inside to get her keys and purse.

"See what I mean. She goes overboard."