“Maddy,” I said, aiming for an easy grin and thickening up my drawl; so far, the Australians seemed to like it. “This here is Sutton. He’s literally flown in all the way from America just to be with me to make sure I wasn’t dying, and I had to convince him it was a car and not a snake that got me.”
Maddy smiled. “Our snakes do get a bad rep.”
“That they do. You think it’s going to be a problem if he stays?”
A sympathetic smile spread across her mouth. “Unfortunately, that’s not going to be possible. I may be able to give you another hour, but only relatives are allowed to stay the night.”
Disappointment knotted in my stomach. “I’d think my man Sutton here flying fourteen hours or so to be with me would be special circumstances, right?” This time I aimed for puppy-dog eyes.
“Your man?” she asked, tilting her head at me, her gaze bouncing between the two of us.
Before I could answer and say he was my best friend, Sutton’s “I’m his fiancé” had me slamming my mouth shut and staring at him bug-eyed. I bit down on the inside of my cheeks. Disbelief was etched on his features, and when he looked at me, I could see the absolute panic there.
Amusement burst to life in my chest. His bullshit admission was absolutely the kind of thing I would do.
Like the fucker I was, I held my hand out to him, palm up. “That’s right, baby.” I eyed him, then my hand, and grinned hard when he sighed, rolled his eyes, and took it. This reaction was much more in line with what I knew from the man.
With his palm secure in mine, I had too much fun rubbing my thumb over his skin. I glanced at Maddy, who wore a small smile. “So what do you say? Can this sexy-ass beast of a man stay with me? I promise I’ll make sure he behaves. Sometimes he struggles to keep his hands to himself.” I turned to Sutton, who I could tell was grinding his back molars. “You hear that, baby? No funny business.” I followed up with a wink and somehow managed not to snort out a laugh when he narrowed his gaze at me.
“I’m sure I can manage that,” he gritted with a tight smile. Sutton aimed a very different smile at Maddy. “Cross my heart.”
“In that case, I’m sure it should be fine. I’ll need to check with the duty nurse, but I don’t see a problem. We can have a cot brought in for you. Now, let’s get on with these checks and get you some pain meds.”
She set about checking my vitals while I managed to keep my mouth shut. Though the truth was, exhaustion once again was setting in. By the time she finished and left, I didn’t have the energy to tease Sutton, a little disappointed at the fact.
“You can barely keep your eyes open.” Sutton’s voice was light and soothing. I peeked at him under my half-closed eyelids and attempted a smile. “Just rest.”
“’kay,” I mumbled, sighing contently that through it all, Sutton hadn’t let go of my hand.
* * *
A nurse wokeme every three hours to check my vitals. Each time, Sutton was already awake and sitting on the edge of the cot, his gaze intent on me. By the time I woke up properly for the start of the new dawn and the rounds from the doctor, I’d washed up and was feeling almost human.
“Give us time to organize the discharge papers, and you should be out of here by ten,” the doc said, chart in hand. “Remember, concussions are serious business, and while we’re happy with the MRI results, it could be as little as a week, but maybe closer to a month before you’re feeling fully recovered. Do not push it. I’ll organize a script for anti-nausea medications, as well as painkillers and something to help you sleep should the headaches be too much and keep you awake.”
I smiled and gave a careful nod, not wanting to shake my brain any more than necessary. I didn’t even correct him that falling asleep was not my problem. He’d already spent ten minutes going over the possible side effects and why that was. I didn’t want to give him any reason to believe I couldn’t be set free.
“Your fiancé”—a thrill of amusement buzzed to life at the word—“I’m sure will fill the script for you. I’d suggest doing it before you leave. The pharmacy opens in about thirty minutes.” He glanced at Sutton, who was clearly listening to everything the doctor said.
“I can do that.”
The doctor nodded, returning his attention to me. “I know you’re here on vacation, and I’m sure this will put a dampener on things, but I can’t stress enough how important it is to take it easy.”
It majorly sucked, but with the aches in my body and the throb in my head, I didn’t expect relaxing would be too much of an issue.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t overdo it,” Sutton said from my side, sitting opposite to where the doctor stood.
“As for physical activity, including sexual intercourse, play it by ear, and use your headaches to guide you. Certainly nothing too strenuous for at least a week, but listen to your body after that.”
I couldn’t help it. I grinned and turned to Sutton. The tips of his ears turned pink, and as always, he grunted. “It’ll be hard, I know, baby,” I said, reaching out and squeezing his arm, cackling on the inside at his rigid shoulders and the stink eye he shot me. Right about now, I was sure he was regretting reacting to being kicked out and wished he’d just got Nate to pick him up. Me? Hell, I loved every moment of his embarrassment. The man didn’t embarrass easily, so I had to make the most of it when he did.
“Righto, Jayden. I expect the nurses may want you to sign a few autographs on your way out. There’s been increased chatter once everyone realized who you are and that you play for the League. While the League’s not too big in these parts, it doesn’t take much for our staff to grab on to the most positive excitement they can get. But just give me the nod if you want me to get them to back off. The duty nurse owes me a favor, and she’ll make sure no one bothers you.” The doctor gave me a small smile.
“I don’t mind at all, and I’m sure Sutton here’s up for a few photographs too.”
“Brilliant. No overdoing it, though, and I’ll make sure Amanda, the duty nurse, takes control so you don’t get overwhelmed.” With that, he said his goodbyes and left the room, leaving me alone with Sutton and eager to be discharged.
“You think it’s a good idea bringing attention to you and signing autographs?” Concern had Sutton’s voice sounding deeper than usual.
