“You did,” I interrupted. Something flashed in his eyes, turning them more brown than green, and I swallowed hard. I wasn’t going to let my mind wander to dark thoughts like what could have happened if he hadn’t been there. “Umm, do you think I could have some water?” I changed the subject, and by the way he looked at me, he knew exactly what I was doing.
“Yeah, princess, let me check with the doc, ‘kay?”
“You don’t have to check. I’m here,” a deeper voice sounded from the door, and my eyes rose to the doorway. My brow rose. What the hell was in the water for first responders? The doctor was handsome. Darker tanned skin, deep brown, almost black eyes, and lips and lashes that would make any woman jealous.
“Hello, Miss Perez. How are you doing?”
“I think I should ask you that?” I sassed, and the doctor chuckled. When I glanced at the sexy cop next to me, he was frowning. But before I could ask what the matter was, he sat up straighter in his chair, never letting go of my hand. Something the doctor didn’t miss by the smile on his face.
“Thankfully, for the gravity of your accident, nothing is broken and there are no signs of concussion,” he announced.
“Good.” I raised my free hand to touch my forehead, but the doctor shook his head.
“It’s going to be tender. You have cuts and bruises. Thankfully, the worst one was just above your brow.” He moved closer. When he touched my forehead, I could have sworn I heard Logan growl. “I had to give you about six stitches on this one, but it shouldn’t scar. I think you’ll be happy with the way it heals.”
“I wouldn’t care if it scared,” I blurted and felt both men’s eyes on me. “I mean, it would suck to have a reminder of the worst Friday known to man, but honestly, after today and what happened and what could have been… a scar is minor.”
“Vi,” Logans deep voice called my name as his hand tightened around mine.
“Very true, Miss Perez. Very true. Great way to look at it,” the doctor cut in. His dark eyes softened. “But still, I hope you won’t have to look in the mirror and be reminded of the worst Friday known to man on a daily basis.” He winked. “Thankfully, it wasn’t too bad. We did give you some pain meds while we ran tests. That’s why you slept for so long.”
“Thank you.” I sat up straighter. “So, I’m okay? I can leave?” I asked, suddenly aware of every machine and wire I was connected to. I was probably unemployed now, and knowing Roddie, he cancelled my medical insurance the moment I stepped out of the office. There was no way I could afford whatever labs and tests they’d already run plus an overnight stay.
“Is the bed that uncomfortable you want to leave?” the doctor teased.
“Vi––“ Logan started to say.
“No, it’s just my roommate is probably worried and––“
“Vi,” Logan called out again, and I looked at him. Something in his eyes told me I wasn’t going to like what he had to say. My stomach rolled and my lips wobbled.
I never cried, but I had cried in front of this man way too much already. Somehow, I kept my emotions in check. “Let me guess… she kicked me out?” I asked softly. Heat from shame and embarrassment flowed through me.
God, not only had that happened, but it had to happen in front of the guy I could have sworn I’d dreamt to life.
“Not in so many words but…”
“Yeah,” I whispered, chewing on my bottom lip. “Did Ree say when I had to be out by?” He opened and shut his mouth then glanced at the doctor, who was taking in the free show we were giving him. “It’s okay. I can stay in a motel until I figure it out.” I smiled tightly. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” the doctor said, and I frowned.
“Why?”
“Due to your injuries, I would like for you to stay overnight for observation.” Just the mention of an overnight stay had me thinking about the ever-growing medical bill. One that would more than likely take a lifetime to pay off.
“You just said I was okay,” I pointed out. “No concussion or internal bleeding,” I squeaked. I didn’t want to be a difficult patient, but there was no way I could afford the bill. Especially now that I had to come up with not only getting a new job but a new place to live. I shut my eyes for a moment because suddenly, the room started to spin. A new place was going to be crazy expensive.How am I going to get through this?
“I know, but I don’t recommend you being alone.”
“She won’t be,” Logan cut in. My eyes snapped open and felt like they were about to pop out of their socket. “She’s going to stay with me.”
“You don’t know me,” I whispered, but Officer Hottie-But-Apparently-Crazy ignored me. I swung my head to look at the doctor, who had a sneaky little grin on his face.
“I’m gonna have to tell Ron about this,” he mumbled. I frowned.Who is Ron?“Sounds good. But you have to keep an eye on her for the next three days, and then I’d like to see her to make sure we didn’t miss anything. I’ll write out and print the instructions of things you should keep an eye on, along with prescriptions for pain meds and some antibiotics, both topical and pills, I want her to take, just to be on the safe side,” he told Logan as if Logan was my guardian or mine or something.
“I don’t need that!” I said loudly, but it was like the two bossy men in the room weren’t even listening to me. “I really don’t. I’ll be fine,” I spoke again, and this time, the doctor turned towards me and tilted his head slightly.
“Your body went through a traumatic crash of sorts, and you have open wounds. I cleaned them and stitched you up, but it would make me feel better if you took some antibiotics just to prevent any kinds of infections.”
