Just a Little Hope Read Online Free Page A

could push her buttons. Perhaps I took it a little too far.”
    â€œAre you sure? I bet she’ll calm down in a few minutes.”
    â€œNah. I don’t mind. I should try and show her I’m not a complete jerk.” Carter slipped out the door, and as he started down the hall, he thought he saw a flash of pink turn the corner at the end of the corridor.
    His running shoes made soft squeaks on the tile floor as he jogged in the direction of Tori’s escape route. Carter saw a small waiting room to his left. A few hard plastic chairs occupied the small space, and a TV played some kind of children’s show at a low volume. In the far corner of the room, Tori sat in a chair, legs crossed. The toe of her foot tapped in fury on the tile beneath her.
    Carter didn’t say a word but chose to sit in the aqua colored plastic chair to her right. The only acknowledgement of his presence was the slight tilt of her head in the opposite direction.
    They remained still for a couple of minutes. Carter kept hoping she might finally break down and say something, but when it became apparent she wouldn’t, he took a deep breath.
    â€œLook, Tori. I’m sorry for embarrassing you back there. I reckon when you started getting all riled up and those beautiful green eyes were flashing back at me,” he shrugged and gave her his best smile, “I couldn’t hold back on seeing how far I could push you. I didn’t mean to make you so mad.”
    She sat still without speaking. Carter started to fear he’d upset her more than he realized. He tried to think of something else to say.
    She whirled to face him. “What did you say about my eyes?”
    â€œAhhh, they were flashing at me?”
    â€œNo. Before that.”
    â€œOh.” He remembered then and he felt heat creep up his face. “I said they were beautiful.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought.” She turned back to the wall in front of her, and her voice drifted over the drone of the TV, a faintly whispered, “Thank you.”
    In an instant, she leaned over and nudged him with her elbow. “You’re forgiven. For now.” Then Tori stood and left the room, the rapping of her heels echoing down the hall.

Chapter Five

    â€œEverything okay, Tor?”
    Tori glanced at her best friend before sliding into the chair beside the bed. “Yes. It’s fine.”
    â€œLook, I’m sorry for egging Carter on. I knew you were embarrassed—”
    â€œIt’s okay, Seb. Really. Just forget it.” Tori closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking around. “Has anyone official been by to give you permission to blow this taco stand?”
    â€œNope. We’re just waiting, patiently. At least, one of us is.”
    â€œI’m just so anxious to get home. I’ve had enough poking and prodding to last me a lifetime.”
    Seb rub his hand up and down Pax’s arm. “Well, don’t think more poking and prodding isn’t coming when you get home. Believe me, I know the torture — I mean joy — ahead with the physical therapy.”
    â€œDon’t remind me, Sebastian.”
    A light tapping on the door interrupted them, and a nurse stuck her head in the room. “Pax? I think we’ve got you all squared away. You ready?”
    Tori thumbed in Pax’s direction. “I think ready might be far too loose of a term to describe my BFF right now.” Seb nodded his head frantically out of Pax’s line of sight. Tori covered her mouth with her hand to keep a snicker of laughter from escaping.
    The nurse pushed a wheelchair in the room, one hand grasping the handle and some folded papers. “Here’s your release forms all ready for your autograph, and then we’ll head down stairs. I left my pen at the nurses’ station. Hang on.”
    â€œNo, wait. Tori, find a pen in that monstrosity you call a purse.”
    Tori snatched up her handbag and