Page 5 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

Four

Sean

Icouldn’t rememberthe last time I went ice skating, but I was impressed by both my speed and agility as I slid across the parking lot to get to Cassidy. I hadn’t seen much of what happened until I heard the sound of brakes squealing as a car tried to avoid hitting her.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked, immediately dropping to my knees as my eyes scanned her body, looking for any signs of injuries.

“Go away,” she grunted, swatting my hand away as I tried to help her up.

“Stop being so damn difficult, Cassidy,” I scolded, keeping my hands close by in case she lost her balance as she tried to stand up.

Bruce rushed over as well and tended to the old man in the car who had hit the steering wheel because of the force it took for the car to stop. He looked too old to be driving if you asked me, but that wasn’t my concern right now. Cassidy was.

She stood beside me for a few minutes and winced every time she tried to take a step. Bruce was on his phone when he came over to check on her.

“Are you okay, Cassidy?” he asked, concern heavy on his face.

“Yeah. I think so.”

“She can’t walk,” I blurted out, feeling the heat of her glare as she turned her face toward me. “I can take her to the hospital if you want.”

Bruce nodded, looking back at the car and then at Cassidy.

“They’re sending an ambulance for Jack, but I don’t know how long it’ll be before they can send a second one. If you don’t mind taking her to get checked out, I’d greatly appreciate it.”

“Not a problem at all.” A wave of relief washed over me, not only that Cassidy appeared to be okay, but that I was going to get to take her to the hospital to make sure she was.

I knew it was pointless to talk to Cassidy right now, so I went and got my car, making sure to park as close to her as possible to make it easier for her to get in. I could tell it was painful for her to walk, and I knew it would also hurt trying to sit, but unless she laid across the backseat, there weren’t any other options besides waiting for another ambulance.

“I can help you in,” I offered as I came around the car and reached for her.

“No way in hell. I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said with a bit too much hostility.

“You don’t have much of a choice. It’s clear that you’re injured, so unless you want to stand outside and freeze your ass off until another ambulance can get out here, I’m your best option.”

“It’s a sad day in the world whenyouare the best option.”

I took a deep breath and held it, refusing to let her attitude get to me.

“Alright, looks like you guys are set. Do you need help getting in, Cassidy?” Bruce asked, completely missing the pissed-off look on her face or the verbal exchange happening between us.

She looked away and shook her head.

“I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital,” she insisted to Bruce.

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