Free Wrong Number 2 by R.L. Stine Page A

as though they expected her to keep Chuck out of trouble.
    It was a relief when she found Jade waiting for them in the hospital lobby. Deena’s parents stopped at the front desk to fill out the insurance forms. Deena and Jade headed straight for Chuck’s private room.
    They crept into the room. Chuck lay back on his pillows, his face nearly as white as the sheets. Deena had already heard the doctor’s report. She knew that Chuck’s injuries weren’t serious.
    But he looked gross. His head was wrapped in a bulky bandage, and his left eye bulged, swollen and bruised.
    â€œWow! Happy Halloween!” Jade joked.
    â€œDon’t make me laugh! I have chapped lips!” Chuck shot back. He groaned. “Did you get the license plate of the truck that hit me?”
    Deena and Jade laughed. Forced laughter. Hospital laughter. Sort of hollow and too loud.
    â€œYou look great,” Chuck told Jade, checking her out with his one good eye.
    It was true, Deena realized. Jade did look great. She wore a dark green sweater and black jeans. Her hair was pinned up on top of her head, with strands and tendrils hanging below her ears. The male interns andpatients had all turned and stared at Jade as she and Deena had walked through the hospital.
    â€œHow’s your head?” Deena asked.
    â€œDo I still have a head?” Chuck groaned.
    â€œI’m really sorry about what happened,” Jade told him, squeezing his hand. “I had no idea Teddy would come over. And I certainly didn’t think he’d start a fight.”
    â€œHe was the guy you were making out with Friday night, right?” Chuck said, not letting her hand go.
    â€œWell, yes,” Jade replied reluctantly. “But I told you there’s nothing between—”
    â€œI know,” Chuck interrupted. “I believe you—now. I guess I didn’t before.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Jade asked.
    For a moment Chuck didn’t answer. Then he sighed. “I have something to tell you,” he said. His voice came out so weak, Deena had to move up to the bed to hear him. “Something to tell you and Deena.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Deena asked.
    â€œYou know those scary phone calls you both got?” Chuck asked. “Well—I know who made them.”
    â€œHuh?” Both girls cried out in surprise.
    â€œWho was it?” Deena demanded. “Tell us, Chuck. Who was it?”

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    â€œW ho was it?” Deena repeated. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach. She knew what Chuck was about to say.
    â€œIt was me,” Chuck murmured. “I made the calls.”
    â€œYou creep!” Jade shrieked, pulling her hand from his and backing away from the bed.
    â€œI don’t believe it!” Deena uttered. “Why, Chuck? How could you?” If he hadn’t been lying in a hospital bed, she would have pounded him!
    â€œI started making the calls before I came back,” Chuck confessed. He stared up at Jade. “A friend of mine from Shadyside told me you were seeing someone else. When I heard that, I went ballistic. I mean, I just stopped thinking straight. All I could think of washow I wanted you to come to L.A. with me. So I decided to scare you.”
    â€œOh, that makes a lot of sense!” Jade declared, rolling her eyes.
    â€œBut why did you call me?” Deena demanded. “I didn’t have anything to do with Jade and Teddy.”
    â€œI know, Deena, and I’m sorry,” Chuck said softly. “The thing is, I thought it would be too obvious if I threatened just Jade. I thought if I called both of you, it would make you think that Farberson was doing it.”
    â€œYou—you wanted to terrify us!” Jade stammered, crossing her arms over her chest.
    â€œThat was the idea,” Chuck admitted. “I was a jerk, I know.” His voice cracked. Deena knew it was never easy for Chuck to