Promising You (The Jade Series #4) (13 page)

“Pretty cool, right?” he says. “And of course they get this after I go to college.”
 

I follow him down a hallway that leads to his bedroom. I wait outside the door as he walks past me into the room.
 

“You can come in,” he says, putting his suitcase on the bed. “I only spent a couple nights in this room and then I left for college so it doesn’t have that lived-in look yet.”

I remain at the door and check out his room. It’s painted a grayish-blue color and he has a king-size bed covered in a dark gray comforter and neon green throw pillows. It’s masculine, but you can tell his mom decorated it. The colors all coordinate and everything’s neatly organized. Across from the bed is a desk and bookcase which has some trophies and medals on it.

“Anyway, that’s the tour.” He meets me back at the door. “Let’s go upstairs and eat.”

We go back to the kitchen to find the entire length of the island covered in food. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, fresh fruit, and baskets filled with baked goods.
 

“Ready to eat?” Judy asks.
 

A man walks in and stands behind her, wrapping his hand around her shoulder.
 

“Hi, Jade. I’m Howard. Carson’s dad.”

“Hi,” I say. “Do you guys always eat like this for breakfast?”

They all laugh.
 

“Judy tends to go overboard when we have guests,” Howard says. “But she always makes a big spread on the weekends.” He kisses her cheek. “She likes to feed her boys, don’t you, honey?”

Judy smiles. “Go ahead, Jade. Grab a plate and get started. We’re pretty casual here, so sit anywhere you want at the table.”
 

Again, this is so different than Garret’s family. Casual is not a word I would ever use to describe them. Everything at their house is formal. You sit where they tell you to sit and your food is always plated and served, except at breakfast.
 

“So Jade, Carson tells me you’re thinking about med school,” Howard says once we’re all seated around the table.

“Yeah, I’m considering it.”
 

“Well, I’ll be honest with you, it’s a challenging field. Treating people is just one part of it. You also have to deal with insurance companies and manage a staff. You’re really running a business.”

“Great, Dad, now she’ll never want to be a doctor,” Carson says.

“It’s important you both know what you’re getting into. That’s all.” He takes a muffin from a basket on the table. “Personally I find the hardest thing about being a physician is that sometimes you try everything and you still can’t make the person better. You’d think with all the technology available they would’ve found some cures by now, or at least some more effective treatments, but it doesn’t seem like they ever do.”

There’s a sadness to his tone and I’m sure it’s because he wished he could’ve done something to save his daughter. If he only knew that there actually
are
better treatments available. Ones that regular people aren’t allowed to have. Maybe not a cure for cancer, but Garret did say his grandfather had lung cancer and it just went away. How is that possible?
 

As grateful as I am to Garret’s dad for hiring Dr. Cunningham to take care of Frank, it makes me sick to know that the private medical group Cunningham’s part of is keeping their cutting-edge treatments reserved only for rich, important people.

“Enough about work, honey,” Judy says to Howard. “Jade, did Carson tell you his grandmother lives in Des Moines?”

“Yes, he mentioned that.” I hear my cell phone ringing from the kitchen where I left my purse. “Sorry, but I have to get that. It might be Ryan.”

“Sure, sweetheart. Go ahead.”

Sweetheart? I don’t even know Judy and she’s calling me sweetheart? Maybe it’s a thing moms do. Obviously not all moms because
my
mom never called me that. And Katherine’s never called me that. Just imagining Katherine calling me ‘sweetheart’ makes me laugh as I answer the phone.

“Hey, did you get there yet?” It’s Garret. “And what’s so funny?”

“Nothing. And yes, we’re finally here. I was going to call you, but then we sat down to breakfast.”
 

“Carson made breakfast?”

“No, his mom made this huge breakfast for us. We just sat down to eat. Can I call you back?”

“Don’t you want to talk now that you don’t have Carson listening in?”

“Yeah, but I don’t really have much to say. I’m so tired from staying up all night I can’t even think straight.”

“How are Carson’s parents? Hopefully better than their son.”

“They’re nice. And they have a great house. It’s in one of those new neighborhoods where every house on the street looks the same. But I really like the inside. It feels comfortable. Lived in.”

“You mean unlike my house?”

“Well, yeah, kind of.”

He laughs. “It’s okay, Jade. I know you don’t like my house. But technically it’s my dad’s and Katherine’s house. I’d never live in a place like that.”

“So our apartment won’t be all white with furniture nobody wants to sit in?”

“Of course not. You know that. In fact, you can pick out whatever you want for our place. It doesn’t matter to me as long as it’s nothing Katherine would ever buy.”

I’m so relieved to hear him say that. I knew Garret didn’t want a place like his parents’ house, but I wasn’t sure what that meant.
 

“I should probably get back to breakfast. I’ll call you when I’m on the road with Ryan.”

I hang up and turn to see Carson behind me, refilling his plate. “Was that Garret checking in again?”

“Yeah. I told him I’d call him back later.” I put the phone in my purse. “Hey, you said his name. That’s against the rules.”

“The rules only applied in the car, not here.” He smiles as he walks back to the dining room.
 

The four of us finish breakfast, then linger at the table, drinking coffee and talking. Around 10:30 Carson asks his dad to check something on the Jeep because it was making a noise whenever we turned the heater on high. They go to the garage and Judy gets up to clear the table.

“I can help,” I say.

“That’s okay. You’re tired from the trip. Just relax.”

“I’m happy to help. Just tell me what you need.”

I follow her to the kitchen and watch as she pulls out a stack of plastic containers. “Could you put the leftovers away?”

“Sure.” I scoop the food into the containers while Judy loads the dishwasher.
 

“I’m so glad you and Carson became friends,” Judy says. “Growing up in the Midwest, I wasn’t sure how he’d fit in on the East Coast, so I was relieved when he found you.”

“I was happy to find him, too.” Crap! I hope that didn’t sound like I considered Carson anything more than a friend. I was just agreeing about the Midwest thing, not Carson specifically.

“It sounds like he’s made some friends. Even had a girlfriend for a while.”

“Yeah, he has a lot of friends at Moorhurst.” I’m not really sure if that’s true but I know it’s what she wants to hear.

Judy dries her hands on a dishtowel and puts lids on the plastic containers I just filled.
 

“Carson’s ex-girlfriend is coming over later today.” Judy lowers her voice even though there’s no way Carson could hear her from the garage. “Madison’s a lovely girl. Very pretty. Very smart. But I just hate to see her break his heart again. I’m worried she wants to get back together with him, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

I don’t know why Judy thinks this is any of my business. I keep quiet and focus on filling the remaining containers.
 

She raises her voice back to normal. “So do you have a boyfriend?”

“Yes. He goes to Moorhurst. He’s a Connecticut boy, born and raised.”
 

I’m surprised Carson hasn’t mentioned Garret. It sounds like he told his parents everything else about me.

“Well, maybe you could find a nice girl for my son.” She stacks the leftovers in the fridge as I hand them to her.

I try not to laugh. Carson would die if he knew his mom asked me to find him a date. “Okay, I’ll keep my eye out for someone.”

The doorbell rings and Judy goes to answer it. I hear her calling me. “Jade, your brother’s here.”
 

I race to the front of the house to find Ryan standing there. I give him a huge hug. “Finally.”

“What are you talking about? I’m right on time.”

I step back and look at him. He cut his hair. It’s much shorter now, cut close to his head. But it looks good. More of a cute college guy look and less of the slacker artist look he used to have, which never really fit him.

“You changed your hair,” I say to him.

“Yeah, I didn’t think they’d let me into med school the way I looked before.”

“You’re going to med school, too?” Judy asks.

I cringe. Ryan was not supposed to know about my possible plans for med school. I hadn’t told him or Frank. I knew if I did they’d start scrimping on food and other things trying to save money to pay for it and they already scrimp enough trying to pay for Ryan’s school.

“Um, yeah,” Ryan says. “I took a short break from college so it’ll be another year.” He looks at Judy. “Did you say someone else is going to med school?”

“Yes. My son, Carson, is also going. And of course, Jade. So all three of you.”

Ryan stares at me. “Yeah, I guess we all want to be doctors.”

“Well, the world can always use more doctors,” Judy says, clueless that she’s just spilled my secret.

Carson and his dad walk into the room and I introduce them to Ryan. They make small talk about Des Moines for a few minutes.
 

“Ryan, could I get you something to eat before you get back on the road?” Judy asks. “We have plenty of food.”

“Thanks for offering but Jade and I should get going. I don’t like to leave my dad alone for too long.”

That comment causes another 10-minute conversation about MS and Carson’s dad telling Ryan about different treatments Frank could try.
 

It’s 11:30 and I’m starting to think we’ll never get out of here. Carson’s parents have a way of making you want to stick around.
 

Finally, Ryan heads to the door.
 

“Jade’s stuff is in my car so I’ll meet you out by the garage,” Carson tells Ryan.
 

“I can get it,” I say, following Carson to the garage.

I hear Judy talking to Ryan as I leave. “Let me pack you up some food in case you two get hungry.”

She’s so funny. She’s one of those moms who’s always worried that people aren’t getting enough to eat. Totally unlike my mom who never even noticed or cared if I ate.

“Do you have any plans for the week?” Carson hits the button to open the garage door and a rush of cold air blows in as the door lifts. “Or are you just hanging out?”

“Just hanging out. We’ll probably watch some movies. Play cards. How about you?”

“Not sure yet.”

“Hey, I hope things work out with Madison.” I’m sure Judy wouldn’t like me saying that but whatever. Carson seems to want his ex back.

“Can I call you when you’re home or did Garret ban that?” Carson opens the back of the Jeep and pulls my suitcase out.

“You probably shouldn’t. I don’t think Garret, or your ex, would like that.” I spot Ryan by the car with Judy at his side, holding bags full of food.

“You gotta get over this no-guy-friends rule of yours, Jade. I can be a great friend if you just let me.”

“We’re already friends. You just can’t be calling me all the time. It’s not a good idea.”

“Well, have a good trip.” He gives me an unexpected hug. I sort of hug him back, then pull away.

“Thanks again for the ride. I’ll see you next Friday.”

Ryan loads my stuff into his car and we take off. I turn up the radio, trying to put off the talk I know is coming.
 

As expected, Ryan turns the radio back down so that we can barely hear it. “Carson seems like a good guy. His parents were friendly.”

“Yeah, they’re nice. It looks like Carson’s mom gave us a ton of food. Do you want something?”

“Maybe later.” He turns onto the entrance ramp to the interstate. “So anything you want to tell me?”

“Like what?”

He checks his mirror as he merges into traffic, which seems heavy for a Saturday. “I don’t know. Like maybe the fact that you’ve decided to be a doctor?”

“That was just an idea. I haven’t decided for sure.”

“Jade, why didn’t you say anything? That’s big news. Plus, I’m a little offended that you didn’t ask me for any advice.”

“What advice would you give me?”

“I’ve had three years of pre-med classes and I’m studying for the MCAT. I must have something to offer. And Chloe’s already in med school, so she could’ve answered your questions.”

“I don’t have any questions. I told you. I’m just considering it.”

“What else are you considering? Something in a science field?”

“That’s the thing. Every time I think of other careers I keep coming back to the doctor thing.”

He jabs my arm. “You’re totally going to be a doctor.” I look over and see him wearing his proud, big-brother smile. “Dad’s going to be so happy.” He pauses for a moment, then says in an annoyed tone, “Thanks a lot, Jade.”

“What did I do now?”

“You’ll be Dad’s favorite kid again. I thought going to med school would score me some major points with him, but now you have to go and copy me.”

“Fine. Then we won’t tell him. He doesn’t need to know until it’s for sure.”

“I was kidding. You’re telling him.”

“I’m not his favorite kid by the way. I’m not even his kid.”

“You’re his daughter. You always will be. So don’t ever say you’re not. You’ll hurt his feelings.”

I wish Frank really was my dad. My life would’ve been so much different if I’d grown up with him instead of my mom.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Ryan asks. “Why were you keeping this a secret?”

“Because if I do this, I have no idea how I’ll pay for it and I didn’t want Frank thinking he had to come up with the money.”