“Yeah, just worried.”
“Craig, is he okay?” While I’d taken the brunt of the fall, I didn’t know if he’d come off unscathed or not. He’d been at the hospital with me yesterday and had seemed okay, but I expected he’d been so focussed on me that he wouldn’t look after himself properly.
“I think so. No injuries,” Ross said quickly. I expected the haste was after seeing my expression morph with concern. “Just tired and overwhelmed, I think. You’ve all been under the hammer, going non-stop for weeks now. Yesterday shook him up.” Ross paused, pulling his lips together and between his teeth.
I indicated for him to take my hand, understanding quickly dawning on me. We’d all been shaken, not only the crew in attendance, but Ross and I expected my parents too. “I’m sorry you were worried.” I kept my voice low, avoiding movement and too much noise. “But I’m okay.” The doc had briefly spoken to Ross and me last night, reassuring us there was no bleeding or significant trauma to my brain.
Concussion was a fucker of a thing, though. I expected it would take a while to fully recover based on what the doctor had briefly explained yesterday before he’d left me to sleep.
The sound of Ross’s swallow was hard, painful. He flicked his gaze away a beat before refocusing on me. “I know you’re okay, and you have nothing to apologise for. None of this was your fault or anyone’s fault.” He squeezed my hand, an easy smile forming on his lips. “But I’d prefer it if you don’t scare me shitless like that again.”
I grinned, the movement slow and a little sappy as a gentle flow of warmth spread into my stomach, travelling across my limbs and caressing my sore brain.
“That Endone’s kicking in, huh?”
“My head only feels like someone’s splitting wood inside it rather than hacking at my brain.”
Distress warred with amusement as Ross looked at me. “That doesn’t sound exactly appealing.”
I shrugged and could have whooped when the movement didn’t cause of flash of fresh agony. “It’s not great, but it’s so much better than what it was.”
His shoulders eased at my words, the action also helping me to relax more. I hated his distress, almost as much as I hated the situation I’d gotten myself in.
A thought struck me. “What day is it? Shouldn’t you be at work?”
He shook his head. “Happy Australia Day.”
I grunted, not at all surprised I’d lost track of the days, all seeming to bleed into one.
“School’s going to be closed till next Monday. Staff not affected have been asked to meet tomorrow at nine, so they can go and help out any staff who’ve been impacted. Help with the clean-up and such.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah. It should help with morale and with everyone getting back on their feet.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled, enjoying the ability to do so without the need to vomit. The door opening made me open my eyes, though it took a couple of attempts to do so, the drugs beginning to seriously work their magic.
“Morning, Dan. I’m Dr Lancaster. Are you still feeling a seven, or have those meds kicked in yet?”
“A pleasant three,” I offered with a droopy smile, feeling like I’d knocked back more than a few beers and had reached that happy-drunk stage.
“That’s good. They’ll help you relax, help you catch up with much-needed sleep so you can heal.” She glanced at Ross, who remained seated and holding my hand. “Am I okay to discuss everything with your—” Her gaze dipped to our joined hands. “—boyfriend,” she hedged, and it dawned on me she was looking for rings.
That thought had me pausing before my heart flipped over. And fuck if I’d forgotten about the monitor.
I jerked my attention at the monitor and then at Ross. Alarm crossed his features.
“What’s wrong? Shit, are you okay?”
Heat slammed into my cheeks, and I was grateful as heck I felt high, else I would have perhaps handled it very differently. Instead, my drug-happy words had me answering, “It’s okay, baby.”
Ross’s brows shot wide, and I grinned, realising I’d never called himbabyor any other endearment. Huh, maybe that was something I’d have to change.
“You make my heart go flippety-flop,” I continued, seriously happy with my ability to explain myself so clearly. “And then I started thinking about rings…” I trailed off, a new realisation hitting me. “I told you I loved you, but I didn’t mean to. Not that I didn’t mean to ’cause I really did, but not then. That was my sub… subc… my heart speaking to you. ’Cause I do, and maybe the ring idea would be good one day too. But we need more goat babies.” I blinked slowly, once, twice, three times. “Bessie… are we already grandaddies? Is that weird, having grandgoats before kids. Ha.” I chuckled, figuring I was so smart I made those punny things without even meaning to. “Kids, as inkidsand baby goats.”
My words dried up, but that was okay. My head was light, and I felt like I’d had a good night out on the town, drinking just enough to make me unbelievably merry.
Movement to the right of Ross brought my attention. I forced my focus away from his pretty face. “Oh, hey, Doc. Did you ask about Ross? He’s my boyfriend.”
