Chapter 24

Paige

I grab the keys to Dallas’ car, and we rush out of the house. Since I’m unsure how bad my condition is, I don’t speak a word, and neither does Dallas. We drive to the hospital in complete silence, both of us too scared to say anything. When we arrive, I am quickly taken into an examining room by a friendly nurse, and various tests are run that show my liver enzymes are highly elevated.

The doctor informs me that I have a condition called Gilbert’s Syndrome—a mild form of liver disorder—which is entirely manageable with a proper diet and exercise plan and regular checkups. He prescribes some medications for me and provides instructions on how to manage my condition. I’m basically not allowed to eat “fun food” that contains a lot of sugar, like my breakfast cereal and the high-fatty foods that I enjoy. It sucks, but what can you do?

After I finish up at the hospital, Dallas drives me back home with his hand squeezing mine over the middle console. I have this strange feeling ther