“But you think it’s worth a shot?”
“I think you and your husband need to read over everything here and then make the decision you think is best for your daughter. You know her better than anyone, including her doctors and especially me.” I pulled out a bag of CBD gummies and oil I’d brought and placed them in her hand. “I brought both for you to consider. You don’t have to worry about Reece actually ‘getting high’ off of either of these. They both have a very low concentration of THC and are high in CBD which will help her most with the seizures and muscle spasms. If you decide to try them, start with a small amount and see how she does with it.”
“So, she can just eat one of these and not smoke it?”
“Yes. Most folks like the gummies better than the other edibles or a few drops of the oil work great, too, but you’re welcome to try whatever you think she will like best.”
“And if they work?”
“Let me know, and I’ll bring you more.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. All I ask is that you keep this between us and away from your son, of course. I’m not suggesting you withhold this from her doctors. In fact, it’s something you might want to discuss with them before trying it. Just don’t—”
“Mention where we got it.”
“Exactly.”
“I promise you that I won’t mention a word of this to anyone.” Hannah reached over and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Thank you so much for doing this.”
“It’s my pleasure. I hope it will give her some relief.”
“Me, too.”
“Mom!” Matt called out to his mother.
I immediately stood and said, “I’ll get going so you can see to him. If you need anything, just give me a call.”
“I definitely will. Thank you again, Kiersten.”
I said my final goodbyes, then headed back out to my car. As soon as I turned the key, I noticed that I was running low on gas and groaned. It was almost seven and starting to get dark. I hadn’t planned on making another stop, but unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice seeing as there wasn’t enough gas to make it back home. I drove over to the nearest gas station and filled up my tank, but before leaving, I decided to go inside and grab myself a cold drink and a snack to eat. I’d just made it over to the glass refrigerator case filled with different sodas when I heard a familiar voice say, “Well, hey there, Kiersten.”
“Drake?” I quickly turned and found him standing behind me with a sinister smile. “What are you doing here?”
“Nothing much.” He was wearing a black hoodie with the hood pulled over his head and black jogging pants—something I’d never seen him wear before, and the way he was looking at me made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle against my skin. “Just running a few errands and whatnot. What about you?”
“Just taking care of some things.” Nashville was a big city. The chances of bumping into Drake off-campus were slim at best, and the whole thing didn’t feel right to me. I hoped I was wrong, but I had to ask. “Did you follow me in here?”
“Wow. You think a lot of yourself, don’t ya?”
“I’m just trying to figure out what you’re doing here, Drake.”
“I already told you. I’m out running some errands,” he answered nonchalantly. “Is there some law that says a man can’t come into a gas station to buy a twelve-pack?”
“No, but...” I knew he was up to something. I also knew he wasn’t going to admit it, so I shook my head and muttered, “Just forget it.”
I nudged my way around him and started towards the front. I hadn’t made it far when I felt a hand on my arm and was immediately jerked backward. “Hey, hold on a second.”
“Let me go, Drake.”
“I’m sorry.” He held his hands up in playful surrender. “I was only going to ask if you wanted to grab dinner or something? Drink a few beers. Watch a movie...”
“Are you being serious right now?” I snapped.
“Yeah, actually, I am.” Before I could tell him he was off his damn rocker, he added, “I know you aren’t interested in dating. You made that point loud and clear, but I don’t see why we can’t be friends. You know, hang out and get to know each other a little better.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“You’re making this too fucking difficult.” His smile faded, and his eyes grew fierce as he growled, “Why can’t you just stop being so fucking hard-headed?”
“I’ve had enough of this, Drake.”
I turned and, without looking back, rushed towards the door. Once I was outside, I ran to my car, got inside, and sped off. I checked my rearview mirror several times, making sure Drake wasn’t following me as I drove towards the Manor. As soon as I pulled up in the driveway, I parked and hurried inside the office to find Braylon. I was surprised to find Mia was there with him, and from the looks of it, they were in the midst of an in-depth conversation. I had no idea what they were talking about, but they were sitting oddly close, and Mia was blushing. The second they noticed me standing there, Braylon immediately shifted in his seat, creating some distance between them.