Bad News

ARI WAS IN the middle of reading the thriller book in her hand when the image of Tripp sprang into her mind, and then the kiss followed. It was quick, yet it was heart-stopping and made her feel wanted. It was annoying how she quickly turned on by a simple kiss.

If she wouldn’t call the sloppy kiss she shared with a frat guy in college, Tripp was her first kiss who managed to make her so dizzy with needs that crawled over her skin. She had a taste of him for only three days, yet she explored so much of his body and learned a lot, given that Tripp had a lot of experience compared to her.

“Get out of my head.” She groaned. Ari tried to ignore the surge of feelings that started to break out of her body. Before she could flip the page, her phone vibrated on the coffee table. It was a call from Spencer, her best friend.

She closed the book and answered, “Hey, Spence. Wanna paint toenails?” She looked down at her boring toes. She needed a mani/pedi.

“You should come to the hospital, Ari.” The way Spencer answered her, there was no fun in her voice like she used to. She felt that something was off.

“Why? Is everything okay? Do we have a code?” Her heart skipped a beat. Her mind rushed back to her father. The last time she received a call from the hospital was about her mother, and that was a very long time ago. This time, even it was a call from Spencer, it still made her stomach churn. Silence filled inside the living room as she tried to process.

“No. But it’s about your dad—”

“Dad? I-is he okay?” Her blood ran so cold her entire body began to shiver. Her eyes shut close as it became misty. Her hand was on her chest while she was praying inside her head.

“Yeah. He is, but he accidentally ran over a man on his way to you.

Denial had her shaking her head. “No.” Instantly, her eyes flew to the wall clock. She lost track of time, throwing Tripp away and reading the book. Her dad was supposed to be with her right now.

“Oh, my god. How bad is it?” She swallowed hard. Thanking up above that her father was okay despite the man was in the ER.

“The patient is conscious, but I can’t tell until the CT Scan is done.

“I’m on my way.

Ari didn’t bother to look himself in the mirror after she changed into her jeans and shirt. She dialed her father’s phone on her way to the hospital. The battery must have been drained. Her call went directly to the automated voice. She had no doubt her father was a good driver. She couldn’t even think how he got into an accident. The reason why she offered her car because she wanted him to come back home safely. The word accident sent her mind back to Tripp.

Her life had been a joke lately. First, her husband’s return and now her dad just ran over someone with her car. She rushed toward the ER. Like always, ER wasn’t so busy if she wouldn’t consider a few minor cases.

“Where’s Dad?

Spencer met her halfway, wearing a worried look on her face. “Your old man looks worried, Ari. You should see him first. He’s in the waiting area.

“Thanks, Spence.

“I swear, I was careful.” Teagan Sky in his late sixties saw her first before she could get closer.

“I knew you were, Dad. I believe you.

“I didn’t break the speed limit. He was coming from nowhere. I didn’t see him until he was already in front of your car.” He looked really scared, looking down at her with a watery gaze, and he kept rubbing his jeans with his trembling hands.

“You were not wearing your glasses, were you?” She wrapped her dad with a hug.

“I was wearing them. Am I going to jail, honey?

She pulled out of their embrace and looked her father in the eye. “No one is going to jail, Dad. And he’s not dead yet. You didn’t mean to hurt someone. He will be okay, I promise. And we’re gonna get through this. Just let me deal with this, okay?” She wasn’t sure what she was saying. Her father was suffering from hypertension. She was scared his blood pressure would fluctuate if he would stress this situation out.

“Should I call Mayor Dax?

“No. I got this, Dad. Stay here, and let me ask the doctor about him.

“There’s blood on his face, honey. I thought I killed that man.” The worried in his voice was so evident, and he kept on fidgeting.

“Dad, if you won’t calm down, you will be the next in that bed.” She pointed out the ER. “Is that what you want?

“No no. Go ahead and see him. Tell him I’m so sorry.” Teagan shooed her repeatedly and sat back to the chair.

“I will. Just stay here.” She walked away from her father, thinking how would she apologize to the man on behalf of her father.

Before she could peep into the curtain, Dr. Sage, Spencer’s father walked out.

“Dr. Sage, how bad is it?

“Hmm.” He didn’t bother to look at Ari as he scribbled on his notes. “We are in deep trouble if something bad happens to this patient.

She swallowed hard. “That bad, huh?” Her heart started to beat wildly. Oh, God! He had to live. She wasn’t aware she was already grabbing the blue curtain as her knees turned to jelly.

“Just a few broken ribs, bruises on his face and elbows, hematomas on his chest and abdomen. We still have to rule out if he obtains major organs damaged. But his vitals are normal. GCS is 15. Our only major problem is he happens to be the Mayor’s best friend.

“W-what?” Her brain quickly processed the fact. The realization smacked her in the face, dizzying her. She stared at the doctor in shock. Her breathing held in her lungs. Her chin started to tremble and her eyes welled with tears. In an instant, the chill penetrated her bones now that she was sure Tripp was the man her father had ran over.

“Yeah. I feel sorry for him and for your father.

“Tripp. Oh, my god.” She rushed away from the doctor before she fell to the floor. Her world just spun around her. She remembered herself pressing against the wall as her support before someone gripped her shoulder. This couldn’t be happening. This must be some kind of a joke. “This is all my fault.

“He will be okay, Ari. He might have obtained a few broken bones, but he’s conscious. Dad will rule out after the CT scan if he doesn’t have a concussion or internal bleeding.

She shook her head. “No. You don’t understand, Spence.” She dragged herself down the floor and covered her face with her trembling hands. She wished she could tell Spencer what tied between her and Tripp. That he was just with her before the accident. She just wished she didn’t push him away. He could be on her porch right now, laughing with her if she didn’t just let her ego and emotions ruled her over.

“Is it because he’s the Mayor’s best friend? Well, he should have been looking at where he was going.

“It’s not only that. There’s something more.

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