I meet her stare dead on when she glances up at me. After a moment, she lets out a sigh and nods.
“Fine, fine. I’m too tired to fight you on it. But I get my own room, and you arenotgoing to control where I go. The ‘dating’ is just for show, so don’t go getting any ideas.”
Nodding, I reach between us for her hand and give it a shake. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
There’s a flicker of worry on Hazel’s face, but she shrugs and turns into the bed, snuggling against me. Her eyes close, and she lets out a deep breath.
“Well, you can start by lying here until I fall asleep.”
“Whatever you need, Haze.” I rub my hand up and down her arm. “Whatever you need.”
THIRTEEN
Hazel
“So how come ‘lover boy’ isn’t picking you up?” Olivia makes a face from where she’s gathering my clothes from the day of the attack.
It’s been two miserable days in the hospital, and I’m finally getting released. My head still hurts plenty, and I have a slew of medications I need to take, but at least I get to eat real food again.
“Because he had a work commitment. He’s escorting a woman to her divorce hearing. Her soon-to-be-ex is violent, and I insisted he go help her. I have you, after all.”
Olivia smiles, putting her fingertips to her chest. “Who me? Why, yes, you do. And I suppose I can let that one slide. Good cause and all.”
Chuckling lightly, I sigh. “Thank you. And thank you for understanding about all…this.”
I gesture around myself as I say, “this,” and Olivia finishes shoving the clothes in a bag and walks over to me.
“Look,” she wraps an arm around my shoulder, “I’m not going to pretend this isn’t super weird. But I’ve known you for a while now, and it pisses me off to no end that I was here in RedLodge when you were nearly trafficked in LA. If moving in with your ex-turned-bodyguard keeps that from happening again, I can stomach it.”
“I appreciate it.Really.” I look down at the bag of clothes Olivia is holding, remembering the feeling of my head being smashed into the wall. “Umm, you can probably throw those out. I…I can’t bring those home.”
Her brow furrows, and Olivia squeezes me against her. “Oh, hun. You sure?”
I nod. “I’m sure.”
“Okay, no problem.” She walks over to the large waste bin that’s labeled hazardous materials in the corner of the room, shoving the bag inside. “Done and done.”
A genuine laugh leaves me this time, and I smile. “Thank you.”
“Any time, babe. Now, let’s get you to the apartment so you can get your stuff over to Easton’s.”
We arrive at my apartment, soon to be myoldapartment, and Liv helps me inside to gather up what I need to bring to Easton’s house.
“Alright, girly. You’re not supposed to bend over a bunch, so how about you grab your toothbrush and shit, and I’ll pack a suitcase for you?”
I’m already woozy and tired, so I grin gratefully. “Yes, please.”
“And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to pack the nice panties.”
“Olivia!” I scold, wishing I had the strength to lob something at her.
She just smiles and wanders off down the hall toward my bedroom. I follow after, albeit much slower, and walk past her as she stands in front of my bed with a suitcase, heading for the bathroom.
I have to snag the travel bag from underneath the sink, and even though it’s only a moment, my head doesnotappreciate the way blood rushes to it.
“Oh, lord.” I wobble on the toilet, where I plunked down, but I manage to get my bag so that I can load it up with toiletries.
“Okay, so I packed enough pants and shorts to last at least a week, so you can just do laundry after that or have Easton swing by and grab more stuff.”
