Morphine

Chapter Fourteen

Malcolm walked down the hall with Chase chattering away in his ear. He was still worried about the afternoon but even moreso, later that afternoon. Marceline Anne never said if she was playing in that day's lacrosse championships or not.

"There they go!" Chase hit his arm.

Despite his turmoil, Malcolm perked up. Chase saw with a grin.

The boys hastened down the hall towards the special girls they very much wanted to be involved with.

Marceline Anne and Karen turned to them. "Hey."

"Hey!"

"We should go." Marceline Anne told them.

"Where exactly are we going?" Chase wanted to know as they set off down the hall.

"St. Lucia's hospital." Karen informed him.

Chase blanched. He wasn't good with hospitals. "Okay..."

Malcolm would have helped him but he was busy casting telling looks to his unsuspecting ladylove and trying to subtly capture her attention.

Marceline Anne, for her part, was so stressed from thinking about going to her appointments that she was ripping her lips off.

Karen was the only one calm so she noticed Chase ashen. She took his hand and squeezed it.

He turned stricken eyes to her so she smiled. He instantly relaxed.

They made it outside and walked to Travis. Chase couldn't get over it.

Malcolm smirked as he held open Marceline Anne's door. "She built it herself."

"No way!" Chase couldn't believe it. He had the presence of mind to open Karen's door but when he closed it, he stood looking at the door in amazement.

"Get in!" Malcolm laughed.

Chase hugged the car before going around to get in. Both guys got in and buckled up. By that time, the heat was on.

Marceline Anne drove to the hospital and parked. They got out and went inside, Karen holding Chase's hand the whole time.

They went to the cafeteria, where Malcolm, Marceline Anne and Karen got cups of juice. They talked Chase through ordering food then they went to check out.

"Hi!" Lexi smiled brightly.

"Hi, Lexi." Malcolm, Marceline Anne and Karen told her back.

"Chase, this is Lexi. Lexi, this is my good buddy, Chase." Malcolm introduced the two.

"Hi, sugar." Lexi smiled at him.

Chase grinned back. "Howdy, ma'am!"

Karen raised a brow.

Lexi laughed. "You get out of here before she hurts you!"

Chase blushed.

"Bye now!" Lexi wiggled her fingers.

Chase debated whether to say goodbye or not. He didn't want Karen mad at him. In the end, he just mumbled random words and held his head down as he walked passed her quickly.

Karen rolled her eyes.

Marceline Anne twisted her lips, trying not to let on how amused she was while Malcolm really wanted to laugh.

They went to the booth Malcolm and Marceline Anne usually sat in.

Malcolm wanted to sit next to his almost wife but she pulled Karen next to her. Karen mouthed apologies as he frowned.