Page 105 of The Don’s Virgin Obsession

I already knew what that look meant. Nigga how you pull this off?

I looked back at her like: Because of your big ass mouth talking about me in front of everybody.

Vanessa tried not to laugh while the doctor walked in behind her with his bag and a nurse. My sister and I connected so much that we could damn near read each other’s minds and knew each other’s facial expressions.

My mother came in last, and her face changed immediately.

“Oh, baby…”

“I’m alive, ma, I don't need no sympathy,” I told her.

“Barely,” Vanessa said under her breath.

Sade stepped aside while the doctor started setting things up.

My mother looked over at Sade. “And who is this pretty girl?”

I looked at Sade for a second before answering. “My friend. She been helping me stop smoking.”

My mother smiled immediately. “Well, thank God for you then, cause this hard-headed boy doesn’t listen to anybody.”

Sade smiled politely. “I’m trying, but he ain’t listening.”

The doctor sat beside me, checking my vitals.

“Are you still throwing up?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“You smoke today?”

I looked away.

“That means yes,” Vanessa said.

“Only a couple of hits. Nothing major.”

The doctor shook his head. “You’re making this harder on yourself, Mr. St. Clair.”

“Today was my last day,” I told them truthfully. I was tired of being sick.

The nurse inserted a port into my forearm and started the IV. Sade stood nearby, watching closely. As soon as the nausea medicine hit my bloodstream, my body started easing up a little.

“What’s in that?” I asked.

“Fluids, anti-nausea medication, something for anxiety, sleep, and pain.”

“Just what I need.”

The doctor adjusted the IV and looked at me seriously. “Your body needs a break. This should help.”

My mother sat beside me after that and rubbed my hand.

“How’s pops?” I finally asked.

My mother sighed softly. “Not good.”

I looked down at the floor.