Page 103 of Anything To Be With You

I sit as Dr. Singh places her clipboard on the small counter behind her. "Ms. Carter, can you tell me what transpired."

As Dani explains what had happened, I clench my fists in my lap and grind my teeth to the point of pain. Dr. Singh reaches into a cupboard under the counter and pulls out a paper hospital gown.

"I wasn’t raped." Dani interjects.

"I'm sure you weren't. However, you don’t know what he or someone else might have done while you were unconscious, and I want to make sure an assault didn’t happen." She hands over the gown. "I’ll be back in a moment." She smiles and steps out.

Dani climbs off the bed and starts undressing. Bruises and cuts and road rash come into view. My blunt nails bite into my palms. Marred skin covers her body. With the gown on and Dani sitting back on the table, we wait again in silence for Dr. Singh to return. Dani watches every movement I make, every tick in my jaw as I grind my teeth together. I am beyond furious at this point.

The door opens and Dr. Singh enters. "I’m going to get you to lay down Ms. Carter," she says softly.

"I’ll be in the waiting room," I say to Dani as I stand.

Her eyes glisten with tears but she nods once. I walk out and close the door behind me.

The ER waiting room is quiet as I wait while Dani has her exam done. I check the time again. Twenty to three in the morning. Dani has been in the room for forty-five minutes. I flex my hand, it's stiff but the bleeding has stopped and the swelling isn't too bad. After listening to what had happened, I may have went outside and punched the wall.

"Mr. Archer," I turn to find Dr. Singh.

"Is she okay?" I ask, standing from my chair. My heart thumping inside my chest.

"She will be."

I relax. "Thank fuck. Will she need surgery or more medical attention?"

"I can't reveal personal information with you, Mr. Archer. You are not her family. I can tell you that you'll be able to take her home tonight."

I rub the top of my head. "I understand. Thank you."

Dr. Singh nods and head back through the ER doors.

Dani is wheeled out ten minutes later by a male nurse. I meet them by the triage window, and I’m handed a bag of medication.

"The gauze pads can be removed in twelve hours, then she needs to apply Bacitracin to her stitches every four hours," the nurse informs me. "We have also included some pain medication in case she needs it. We’ve given her some already."

"Thank you," I kneel next to the chair. "I’ll bring the truck around."

Dani nods once.

I take her chin between my fingers. "I’ll be right back, Sweetheart. I’m not leaving you."

I wait until she looks at me before heading out and bringing my truck to the ER doors. I help Dani out of the wheelchair as gently as I can and lift her into the truck.

"Archer, put me down. I’m too fat for you to be picking up." Dani swats at my hands.

"You’re not fat, Sweetheart." I tell her.

She slumps in the seat as I buckle her in. "You’ve seen me naked. I shake like Jell-O when I walk." She wiggles in her seat.

"You are not fat, Daniella. And I happen to love Jell-O." I admit.

She snorts as I shut the door and round the truck, climbing behind the wheel. I drive her to my place. I’m not taking the chance of staying at her place and have Josh show back up. It wouldn’t end well for him.

"This isn’t my house," Dani says slowly as we pull into my parking spot.

"You’re staying with me for the weekend," I say.

"I have to text Mason and Mom." Dani slurs.

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