Page 20 of Utah

“Ah, okay. I can see the family resemblance.”

“Thank you so much for what you did for Utah. We all really appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

He studied her for a beat too long, and I was seconds away from demanding he stop looking at her when he swung his gaze my way.

He patted the exam table. “Let’s have a look at your stomach.”

I refused to hop on that damn table. “I’m good right here,” I obstinately said, lifting my shirt.

He peeled back the bandage. “You’re healing nicely. No infection. How does it feel?”

“It hurts.”

The doc nodded. “That tends to happen with stab wounds.” There was a moment when I thought he was going to ask me what happened, but even if he contemplated the question, he never voiced it. “What about your head? Any nausea? Vomiting?”

“No.”

“Headache?”

“It throbs a bit but better than it was.”

“Good.” He smiled, his green eyes creasing at the edges. “I gave you a ten count of oxycodone. Do you have any left?”

“One.”

“You should be good now with just using Tylenol to take the edge off.”

“That’s the thing,” I said, releasing a breath and praying he was down to help me one more time. “I’m gonna need more.”

“Why? The pain should be moderate. No need for a heavy opioid anymore.”

My eyes darted to Ria for a moment before I spoke again. “I gotta take a trip in five days. One I can’t skip, and depending on what happens, I’m gonna need extra pills to get me through it.” I realized I spoke in riddles, but it wasn’t as if I could give the man details.

I ignored Ria’s gasp and stayed focused on Sanders. I didn’t know what I’d do if he didn’t help me out. Because I wasn’t even halfway healed, I’d be of no use to the guys in Mexico if something popped off. I’d be more of a hindrance, possibly putting everyone at risk.

“Are you going to be doing any rigorous activity?” I simply stared at him until he sighed and looked away. “Never mind. The less I know, the better.”

“You’re right.”

He grabbed his Rx pad from his desk and scribbled on it, tearing off the sheet and handing it to me.

“I gave you two refills, each with a thirty count. That’s all I can do.”

“That’s plenty. Thanks. What do I owe you?”

“This was a favor to Kyla. It’s off the books. You’re good.”

We shook hands and he left. A small weight had been lifted, but then I looked at Ria, and my entire body tensed.

Perhaps I spoke too soon.

12

A blend of confusion and hurt barreled through me, heating the blood flowing in my veins. Why was Utah keeping things from me? When was he going to tell me about this trip? The morning of? Or did he feel as if he didn’t need to keep me apprised? Did I even have the right to ask? We weren’t even together.

I hated living in this in-between. So much uncertainty surrounded me, surrounded us, that it was difficult to think sometimes.

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