Fragile Hearts

14: No Visitors

I haven't seen Tyce all day and he and Lucy and I are supposed to visit Kaylee. I'm skipping swim practice so I can see her. Lucy shows up at my dorm at four and asks if Tyce is coming.

"I have no idea. I think he's avoiding me and I just know it's because of last night." I bite the inside of my cheek because I want to cry.

I can see Lucy wants to say something to relieve my anxiety, but she can't seem to find the words. She shrugs and says, "Maybe."

There's a knock on my door. Lucy grins. "And maybe not."

"Will you get it?" My voice is just above a whisper.

"Sure, hon." Lucy opens the door and gushes, "Hi Tyce. Good to see you. Where have you been all day?"

My heart is slamming my ribs.

"I had stuff to take care of."

Lucy replies, "Well, that sure clears things up."

Tyce steps inside the room and our eyes meet. I'm feeling something akin to electricity running between us. "Hi, Tyce." My voice sounds breathless and I hate appearing so vulnerable.

He gives me a slow smile and I remember his lips on mine. "Hi, Morgan. Sorry I'm a little late."

"Not a problem." Our small talk is killing me. I think it's killing Lucy, too.

Lucy says, "Come on, you two. My ears can't take anymore of this mind-bending conversation."

Tyce frowns at Lucy, but only says, "Should we take my truck or do you want to walk?"

Lucy blurts, "Walk in this cold and wind, no way."

At Tyce's truck, I nudge Lucy to sit next to him so she can act as a shield between us, but she ignores me and climbs into the king cab.

Tyce interrupts my glaring at Lucy by lifting me onto the seat, and I want to place my arms around his neck and touch my lips to his again. I know he can feel my heart pounding, so I refuse to meet his gaze. While he's putting my wheelchair in the truck bed, Lucy leans forward and says, "You two are so hot you sizzle."

I refuse to answer or look at her. My body is still going crazy at being so close to Tyce and I try to focus on being angry at Lucy.

It only takes five minutes to reach Kaylee's house. Tyce says, "I'll ring the intercom while you girls stay warm in the truck." He quickly closes his door.

I'm still trying to be angry at Lucy. She laughs and says, "You guys are so funny. You haven't even made it to first base and look how you're acting. I can only imagine what a home run would do."

"I don't think it would be wise to even make first base."

"Yeah, well, the way things are going, that's a distinct possibility."

Tyce opens the door and says in a concerned tone, "Julie just informed me that Kaylee isn't doing well and the doctor is with her now. She can't have visitors."

Gasping, I place my hand over my mouth.

Lucy says, "Oh, God, I hope she's going to be okay."

Tyce climbs back into the truck and slams his door. "Why does shit happen?"

I glance at him from the corner of my eye. He's grinding his jaw and looking really angry. He jerks the key and starts the ignition and then drives faster than usual back to my dorm. Without a word, he brakes hard, jumps from the cab, retrieves my wheelchair, lifts me into it, and follows me and Lucy to my dorm door. He says curtly, "Lucy, do you need a ride home?"

"Ah, no, but thanks anyway."

He glances at me and says, "Goodbye, Morgan," then turns and stalks back to his truck. His tires squeal as he pulls from the curb.

Lucy and I stare at each other. Lucy says, "I think he's got something else on his mind besides Kaylee."