�Hi, we�re here to see Evangelique Washington,� Gabrielle said to the hospital receptionist. �We were told she was brought in tonight.�
�Visiting hours are over,� the nurse said and Gabrielle just looked at me. �I can get the doctor or the young gentleman with her.�
�Nick Carter?�
�Yes,� the nurse said.
�Just get him then.�
�Alright,� the nurse said walking away.
�I can�t believe she won�t let us see her,� Gabrielle said walking over to the chairs.
�She�s just sick, Babe. Nick worries about her so bringing Evan here was the best for her.�
�I still want to see her though.�
�And you will.�
�She can�t get sick. She has a wedding in a month.� I didn�t say anything. The others had to be right; if she was serious she wouldn�t have kept it secret. Nickolas knows her the best and more or less knows what she wants. She can�t lie to him and she does he knows. She wants Nickolas and any fool could see that. She would be a fool if she married this Cameron. Nickolas would be an even bigger fool if he let her go through with it.
�Hey, guys.� We looked and saw Nickolas.
�How is she?� Gabrielle asked worried.
�She has a cold, bronchitis, and the flu,� Nickolas replied. �Plus she�s dehydrated and has some fluid in her lungs. They�re getting the fluid out of her lungs right now.�
�Is she all right though?�
�Yeah,� Nickolas said. �The doc said she�ll be fine as long as she takes her medicine.�
�When is she coming home?� Gabrielle questioned.
�When the doc says,� Nickolas answered. �They�re still trying to get her temperature down.�
�Why�d you bring her, Nick?�
�Because she�s sick,� Nickolas said looking at me strangely. �Her temperature was 106. I took it, like, four times and it kept going up. I got worried as usual.� I just looked at him. �She�s getting married in a month and needs to be healthy.�
�Why�d you really bring her?� He just looked at me.�
�Mr. Carter,� the nurse said. �Miss Washington is asking for you.�
�I�ll be right there,� Nickolas said and the nurse walked away. �You two go home and I�ll call ya and update ya on Ev�s condition.� He walked away.
�He brought her because he loves her; more than a friend that is.�
�And you believe this theory of yours?� Gabrielle asked, as we started walking.
�Yeah; are you forgetting last night?�
�No.�
�Alright; you�ve seen her with them both. Who is she happiest with?� She looked at me.
�Nick.� She sighed.
�Alright then. I rest my case with you.� She didn�t say anything and kept walking.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Evangelique�
�Just lay still so I can get this IV in, Ev,� Dr. Bell said and I just looked at him. �There�s just going to be a little pinch.�
�I don�t need it.�
�Sugar Bear, don�t argue with Dr. Bell,� Nickolas said and I looked at him, as I felt a pinch in my hand.
�Ow!�
�You�re all right,� Dr. Bell said. �I�m just giving you fluid.�
�I don�t need it.�
�You�re dehydrated,� Nickolas said.
�I�m perfectly fine.�
�Now you�re delusional,� Nickolas said grinning.
�I�ll be back in a little bit,� Dr. Bell said and I heard him leave.
�Nicky, why don�t you want me to marry Cameron?�
�I already told you why,� Nickolas replied.
�Why don�t you like him?�
�He�s trying to ruin and run your life.�
�No he�s not. He�s a nice guy.�
�Are you happy with him?� I just looked at him. �You�re not.�
�Yes I am.�
�Don�t lie to me. You�re forgetting I know you better than anyone. I know your lies from the truth.� I just looked at him. Why was he always right? I hated that. I hated lying and him knowing it. It never changed. It was always that way since we were kids. If only I could lie to him and get away with it. �Evvie, I don�t want ya to marry, Cameron, because I just want what�s best for you. I don�t think he�s the best thing for you.�
�Why not?�
�He�s the complete opposite from you.�
�Opposites attract.�
�But they don�t try to change each other.� Ok, so he had a point there, but I wasn�t going to let him know he was right. �People in a relationship who try to change each other never last. You of all people should know that.� Why must he always point out the obvious? He always brings up the past and all the mistakes. I hate that, but then again I was glad. I was glad he wasn�t letting me forget my mistakes and letting me learn from them. He was a great guy and I loved him for that. �Maybe you should get some rest.�
�No; I want us to talk. It�s been three months�three long months.�
�Yes it has, but we can talk when you feel better.�
�I�m fine. Why don�t you like CJ?� He grinned and shook his head. �What?�
�You already asked me this.�
�I did?�
�Yeah.�
�Oh.�
�So get some rest.� I shook my head. �Why not?�
�Because I want to know why you think CJ isn�t the best thing for me.�
�He just ain�t.�
�Why not?�
�I�ve known you for 21 years and always know what�s best for you.�
�And, uh, CJ isn�t?�
�No.�
�Then who is?�
�Um�� He just looked at me and I just looked at him waiting for an answer. It couldn�t be that hard to decide. If Cameron wasn�t the right one for me then he had to know someone.
�Nicky, I think��
�We can talk about this later.� He gave a little grin. �I want you to get some rest.� I sighed and just looked at him. �I�m going to go make some calls and I�ll be right back.� He kissed my hand and smiled.
�You won�t leave?�
�Of course not.�
�You promise?�
�I promise.� He smiled again. �I�ll be right in this hospital.�
�When will you be back?�
�Forty-five to sixty minutes; fifty tops.�
�Thirty.� He smiled.
�Alright; thirty it is.�
�Ok.�
�Ok.� He kissed my forehead and then left the room, as I watched him and smiled.
CHAPTER 12