Edmund’s final words were the wrong thing to say as my assaulter releases me and grabs an empty beer bottle from the table. He swings it around, and I put my arms over my head while crawling behind the table to protect myself. There are the sounds of glass breaking, grunting, and yelling around me. I close my eyes and pray it all disappears—this must be a bad dream, like a nightmare happening in real life.
After a minute or two, I hear Sally calling out to me. I open my eyes slowly and see her and Ash running in my direction. She lowers next to me, gently putting her hand on my cheek. “Hun, are you hurt?”
“No, I’m okay. I just—”
I didn’t realize before that moment that I’m crying. Tears are running down my face, and I taste their saltiness on my lips. But I know I’m okay. The only physical reminder of today I will probably have is the bruises from the dickface’s rough hold on my arm. They’ll hurt, but other than that, I got away without any severe injuries.
Sally wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “We were so worried when the fight broke out and saw you hiding behind the table!”
“I promise I’m okay.”
As soon as those words leave my lips, I hear Sally’s gasp. “Oh shit, that poor guy over there is bleeding a lot!”
Her comment catches my attention, and I move away from her, looking in the direction she’s pointing. When my gaze finally finds what it’s searching for, I struggle for breath.
“It’s Edmund from the shuttle line!” I shout, hastily getting up. I need to get to the guy who helped me. The guy who didn’t deserve this. The guy whose weekend is ruined, thanks to me.
”Tan, wait up!”
I hear Sally behind my back, but don’t stop. My legs shaking, I head Edmund’s way, keeping my eyes on only his large form. He’s sitting on the ground, his jeans dirty and cowboy boots muddy, while a medic is holding a blood-soaked towel on his head. The asshole must have used that glass bottle he grabbed because fists don’t do damage like that. I hope he’s charged with an assault with a deadly weapon, as a broken glass bottle can be lethal.
When I’m only a few feet away, Edmund, my hero, glances my way. When our eyes meet, the world stops spinning for a second. Just like it did the first time earlier today. I can’t explain the feeling, but warmth fills me as those amber-brown eyes connect with mine.
He slowly moves his head, looking me over. He must be relieved with whatever he sees as he lets out a deep breath, and his entire body relaxes. The festival first aid medic helping him glances my way when she notices Edmund’s reaction to my presence. “Miss, do you need any assistance?”
“No, thanks,” I get out and look down at myself. I get why she asked that, as my knees are covered in mud, and the new floral dress I bought last weekend isn’t any better. I must look disheveled after the events of the past fifteen or so minutes.
I feel someone touching my shoulder and quickly turn around. Sally is behind me, holding my bag that is covered in whatever was on the ground.
“Here’s your bag, hun. Do you want us to stay?” Sally asks hesitantly.
I shake my head. “No, but thanks for taking care of it. I’ll text you when I know more, okay?”
Sally nods and hugs me once more before they walk away.
“Do you know this man?” The medic asks next to me, catching my attention, before she speaks to Edmund. “Hold the towel while I check the rest of your head.”
“Yes…kind of. I met him earlier today. But I was the woman he was protecting. I was behind there after the fight started—” I motion to the table before continuing. “And wanted to see how Edmund’s doing.”
”Well, I need to bring the ambulance closer so we can get him out of here, but the others are all tied up.” She sighs loudly. “Do you happen to know any first aid?”
“I got the training from the Red Cross a few years back, if that helps,” I share with her, eager to help.
Her expression turns from annoyed to relieved. “Then I can leave you two alone. Just a moment, and I’ll be back. He’ll need stitches and overnight observation at the local hospital, just in case. Take these so you don’t get his blood on you.”
She hands me new silicon gloves and another towel. The moment she leaves us alone, Edmund finally speaks. “Tonight didn’t go as planned, huh?”
His voice is like honey that soothes me instantly. “No, it really didn’t.”
“Are you sure you’re okay, Tanya?”
I love the way my name sounds on his lips. “I am, thanks to you.”
“I can’t stand men like that,” Edmund says, clenching his jaw. “And now, because of what happened, I’ll most likely miss the rest of the shows tonight and tomorrow.”
“I’m so sorry.” I look down at my feet, avoiding his gaze.
“Tanya, look at me, please.”
