Page 90 of An Unexpected Turn
“Head injury, yes.” He glanced over my shoulder before jerking his chin to the ER doors. I kept pace behind him but didn’t run to avoid calling attention to myself.
“Curtain two,” he mouthed before heading to the nurse’s desk.
I sprinted over when I spotted the number on the top of one of the curtains and ripped it open.
“Shit, sweetheart.” I cringed when I spotted the bloody rag draped over Peyton’s forehead. Her eyes widened when she noticed me.
“Jake,” she squawked out in barely a whisper, reaching out to me and dropping the bag of ice she was holding.
“Hey, shh. It’s okay,” I crooned, kissing the top of her head as I scooped up the bag and brought it to her bruised cheek. It was red and raw, but not swollen. I was more concerned about what was behind all the blood on her forehead. “So what does the other guy look like?”
She laughed, squinting as she reached for me again. I caught her hand and kissed the back of her wrist.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Me too,” she said. “And I’m glad you’re here. How did you know?”
“Mike called me. He’s worried about you.”
She smiled and shut her eyes. “I’m worried about Aaron. I tried to hold him back from throwing a punch, and I got punched instead. My reflexes didn’t use to be such shit.”
I chuckled and rubbed her arm.
“You’re a guidance counselor, not an MMA referee.”
“You’d think.” She smiled, lacing her fingers with mine.
“Okay. I think while we wait for the doctor, we can start the incident report. Oh, hi. Jake, right?”
My jaw clenched so hard, pain shot down my neck at Ron’s clueless smile.
“She has a head injury. Can’t this wait?”
“Procedure. Emergency services were called, and I have to get her statement.”
“Her uncle is the chief. I’m sure you can make an exception,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Excuse me, only one person at a time.” A nurse peeked in, leveling her gaze at both of us.
“We’ll only be a minute,” Ron said, settling into a chair next to her bed.
“No, you won’t.” He jerked his head up as I stepped closer. “Feel free to blame it on me, and I’ll speak to Keith or even the mayor if I have to, personally. I’ll take care of my girlfriend from here. You can go.”
His brow shot up before he stood. I wanted to make it crystal clear he was no longer needed and to stop bothering Peyton in general or I would shove him out of this corner of the ER if I had to, weapon or not.
“Well, all right, then. Feel better, Peyton. Expect a call in the next couple of days.” He shot me a glance, his mouth turned down as he made his way out.
“Such a caveman,” she said, her voice scratchy and her eyes closed.
“That’s the third time I’ve said girlfriend since I walked in.”
She opened one eye. “Really?”
I’d have to call Keith in the morning and tell him about us over the phone, which I hadn’t wanted to do, but it was better than him hearing it from someone else. And since the entire town would know by the time he’d left his brother-in-law’s house, I needed to get to him soon.
The woman I loved was okay and with me. This was all that mattered, and I’d make damn sure we’d never be sidetracked again.
“Yep, I told you soon. Looks like out in the open is right now.” I skidded my thumb back and forth along her jaw. “You’re pretty much stuck with me.”
