Page 6 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

She made a quick decision and made a fast right turn.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" he asked, as he braced his hand on the side of the door. "Do you want to cause another accident?"

"I didn't cause the first one, but I want to get you checked out by a doctor. You could have a concussion."

"I don't have a concussion."

"How do you know?"

"Because I've had one, and I know what it feels like."

"It will just take a few minutes."

"In my experience, no hospital visit takes a few minutes."

"I have connections. My friend is a nurse in the ER. She can take a quick look at you and get those cuts cleaned up."

"I don't need a doctor," he argued. "What I need is a phone and a computer and a few minutes to check in with my office."

"You have my phone. You can use it if you have to wait more than five minutes. But it's three o'clock on a Tuesday—we'll be in and out."

"I don't want to go to the hospital."

"Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do for your own good," she said, hearing her mother's voice coming out of her mouth. "Damn, I can't believe I just said that."

"I can't, either," he said with bemusement. "You're not my mother."

"I didn't think I was my mother, either, but she always used to say that. I guess it stuck in my head. Has that ever happened to you? Do you find yourself saying things your parents used to say?"

"No. That never happens. But then, they didn't have much to say to me."

"You aren't close?"

"Geographically we are sometimes in the same time zone, but emotionally…a million miles apart." He sighed. "And I can't believe I just told you that. Please, take me to the inn."

"We'll get there. You might not be thinking clearly because you have a head injury. I can't take that chance."

"It's my chance to take, Lizzie. I'm not your responsibility."

"You're my guest at the inn. I take care of all my guests. And we're here." She pulled into the half-empty parking lot by the new medical center. "It doesn't look crowded at all. Come on."

He gave her an annoyed look. "This is a waste of time."

"Come on, Justin. Do it for your grandparents. You know if they see you looking like this, they'll be worried. They'll want to know if you've seen a doctor. And if you say no, they'll be the ones driving you here."

"Damn, you're probably right," he said, as he unbuckled his seat belt. "Fine, I'll see the doctor. But if the wait is more than ten minutes, I'm out of there."

She blew out a breath of relief as she got out of the truck and walked into the ER with him. The nurse at the desk, Monica Albright, was one of Hannah's friends and Lizzie had had drinks with her on a few occasions.

"Hi, Monica," she said. "My friend was in a car accident, and he needs to get checked out. Is Hannah here?"

"She's just finishing up with a patient." Monica turned her gaze to Justin. "Are you in pain, sir? Are you experiencing any dizziness, nausea?"

"No, I'm fine," he replied. "This really isn't necessary."

"I just want to make sure he doesn't have a concussion," Lizzie interjected.

"Do you have an insurance card?" Monica asked.

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