Page 7 of Puck Blocked
Luke shoves through the door with a plastic bag in hand. “I got you some clothes from the gift shop. They’re nothing flashy but sure beats walking out of here in a hospital gown.”
I look at him with wide eyes. I don’t know what to say. “Thank you.”
“I spoke to the doctor. You’re coming home with me, Tanna. I’ll have someone come to the house to check up on you daily. But he says you should be fine.” Luke pauses after placing the bag at the end of the bed. “You want me to help you get dressed?”
If my face weren’t so black and blue, because I don’t need to see it to know it is, I would be mortified at how red my cheeks are right now. “Um… no.”
“I’ll wait outside,” Luke says, stopping to glance at me over his shoulder. “Call out if you need me.”
Mrs. Jameson smiles at her son before turning back in my direction. “I’ll help you, sweetie.”
It takes a while, but eventually, I manage to get steady on my feet. And with a little assistance, I’m dressed in a pair of sweats and a hoodie. I must be losing my mind, going home with Luke. But it has to be a better option than being stuck in this hospital. And, honestly, I don’t have the strength to argue with him right now.
Luke is in the room and by my side within seconds of Mrs. Jameson calling out for him. He wraps an arm around my waist and I flinch. I don’t do it consciously. It’s more out of habit.
“Shit, did I hurt you?” he asks. “Should she even be walking, Ma?”
“You want a chair, Montana?” Mrs. Jameson asks.
“No, I can walk,” I tell her, then look to Luke. “I just… Can you hold my hand?”
“Of course. Whatever you need.” He pulls his arm back and I feel like I can breathe again. I try to steady myself when he reaches for my hand. I really do try, but I think he notices my discomfort. Because his jaw clenches like he’s mad.
“Sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about,” he says. “Come on, let’s go home.”
It takes a bit, but I’m slowly able to walk out of the hospital on my own two feet. There’s a Range Rover parked out front. Luke leads me that way before opening the front passenger door. I’m holding on to the frame, about to lower myself onto the seat, when I notice a man in the back. A huge man.
“That’s Grayson, one of my teammates. He took the drive with me,” Luke says.
I pause, looking from him to the man. I know who he is. I, like most people around here, watch hockey. Even if I usually only catch the highlights after Andrew banned me from watching the game when he found out I knew Luke.
“You are safe with me, Montana. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Never again,” Luke whispers as he helps me into the car.
I nod my head, but I don’t believe his words. It’s also not up to him. Whatever happens to me is my fault. No one else’s. I caused this. I didn’t listen when I should have. I knew I’d get caught with those textbooks eventually. It was only a matter of time. I’m sure Andrew has seen to it that I’m disenrolled by now. The evidence was all over the floor after he flipped the couch. Which means he knows I lied to him when I said I withdrew last year.
I settle into my seat and close my eyes. It’ll take us three hours to make it to Vancouver. If I at least pretend to be asleep, I won’t have to talk. Because, right now, I don’t want to talk to anyone.
Chapter Four
Ipull in the driveway and turn to glance at Montana. She’s asleep in the passenger seat. She looks peaceful, if you can get past the broken nose and all the bruises that cover her face and neck. The asshole choked her. His fucking hands are imprinted on her throat.
I open and close my fists, trying to gain some control over the burning rage that’s running through me as I quietly push open the door.
“Come on,” Gray says, grabbing my attention as he slides out of the back seat.
I climb out and gently close the door again, not wanting to wake her just yet. I turn to Gray. “I need to know who did this to her. She won’t tell me.”
“Already on it. I’ve sent her details to Vinny. He’ll get a dossier back to me within the next couple of days.”
“Thank you.” I look back to the car. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing here. How do I help her?”
“You’ve got this, man. You love that girl, even if you won’t allow yourself to accept it. Just make sure she knows she’s not alone. Remind her she has options,” Gray says.
He’s right. I do love her, but that’s never been in question. I need to be her friend right now. All I can think about is how I’ve let her down. How I’ve let Sean down too. “Thanks for coming. You should get home.”
“You sure? I can stick around for a bit,” Gray offers.
