Page 77 of Whispers and Wildfire
The stupid thing was, I wanted to call Mel. She’d hate me for it. I’d probably never hear the end of it if I woke her up at the ass crack of dawn to come get me after I wrecked my car in an illegal race. She’d be worse than my dad. Or Garrett.
Besides, I couldn’t call her. What if she wasn’t alone?
I didn’t want to think about that, so I made a snap decision. I’d call Theo. He wasn’t going to be happy with me either, but at least he didn’t have a wife I’d wake up.
He picked up on the third ring, his voice gravelly with sleep. “Yeah?”
“It’s Luke. I’m okay, but I’m at the hospital down in Echo Creek.”
“What?” He sounded much more awake. “What happened?”
“I wrecked my car.”
“Holy shit. Are you hurt?”
“Nothing serious. I’m banged up, and I have bruised ribs. They’re releasing me, and I know it’s early as fuck, so I’m sorry about that. But I need a ride.”
“What the hell happened?” he asked, and it sounded like he was up and moving around. “Never mind, you can tell me when I get there. The hospital in Echo Creek?”
“Yeah, do you know where it is?”
“I think so. I’ll find it.”
“Thanks, man.”
“I’ll be there in about thirty.”
“Thank you.” I let out a relieved breath. “Seriously, thank you.”
“Yeah. I got you.”
I really didn’t deserve my family.
The nurse came back and helped me get dressed. Even with the pain meds, it hurt like hell. I was starting to feelother bruises as well, pretty much everywhere. Still, I’d gotten lucky. It could have been a lot worse.
Before Theo arrived, I was released with a bunch of paperwork telling me what to expect and when to see my regular doctor. I didn’t remember all the instructions the nurse had given me, but one thing stood out. I couldn’t drive for two weeks.
No driving. How the hell was I going to get around? And I didn’t want to think about what I was going to do about my wrecked car at the track.
Problems for later. I just wanted to get home so I could get a few hours of sleep.
Theo showed up, and I’d never been so happy to see him. He had a serious case of bedhead, and his eyes still looked tired.
“Thank you,” I said as soon as he walked in. Clutching my ribs, I groaned as I eased myself off the bed.
“Do you need help?”
I slowly straightened. “I got it. Just hurts.”
He didn’t ask me any questions as we left. I waited by the doors while he brought his truck around. He got out and opened the passenger door, and I wasn’t too proud to take the hand he offered to help me get in. Putting on the seat belt took several deep breaths and gritted teeth, but I managed.
When I was finally settled, Theo pulled out of the hospital parking lot and headed toward Tilikum.
“So what happened?” he asked. “Where’s your car?”
“You know the old racetrack?”
“Yeah.”
