Page 56 of Healed Heart

It’s not my thing—despite how Jason and I started—but Sage and Gina are into it.How many times have I given them the “use condoms and be careful” talk?I’ve lost count.

Tabitha’s not saying much, but then her eyes go wide.

“What is it?”I ask.

She shushes me and continues to listen, until, “Yeah, okay.I’ll be there in an hour.Maybe with Angie, if she’s willing.”

Willing?Willing to what?

“What was that about?”I ask once she’s ended the call.

“Eli went over to the hospital after his morning class,” Tabitha says.“He wanted to see Ralph.”

“How is he?”I ask, not really caring.

“Same.He’s in some pain.But it looks like he’s going to make it.”

I didn’t think that was ever in question.He’s not the first guy to get the shit kicked out of him.I’ve helped nurse my brothers back to health after a beating more than once.

“That’s good,” I say.

“Yeah, it is.But here’s the thing…”

“What?”

“Ralph wants to seeyou, Angie.”

I nearly drop my jaw to the table.Hasn’t he done enough?He already went to the hospital HR to squeal on Jason and me.But…Jason did tell me that Ralph seems to have feelings for me.

Right.Like the asshole could evenhavefeelings.

“What for?”

She frowns.“I don’t know.Eli didn’t say.”

“Then why didn’t Eli call me?”

Tabitha rubs her forehead.“That’s a good question, for sure.”

“I already know the answer.”I smirk.“He likes you, Tabitha.”

She clasps her hands, casts her gaze to the restaurant’s tiled floor.“Unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual.As anything more than friends, that is.I see him more like a little brother.”

“Yeah, I understand.”I cross my arms.“Why the hell does Ralph want to see me?”

She shrugs.“Eli said he pressed him on it, but Ralph wouldn’t say.I told him I’d go over and meet him at the hospital in an hour.But whether you came was up to you.”

“I’m sorry, but I have a class right after lunch.”

“I see.”

“I already cut a class yesterday.I don’t want to make this a habit.”

“I totally understand, Angie.”

Our server brings our meals—drunken noodles for me and pad thai for Tabitha—and smiles.“Is there anything else you ladies would like?”

Tabitha drains her glass of water.“Refill, please.”