Page 52 of Trial Run

Chapter Twenty-one

“Reggie grabbed the icepack from the nurse and swung her legs off the bed. “I’m good now.”

The nurse placed a hand on her chest and pushed her backward with surprising force. “You’re not, actually. And you’re not leaving this room until the doctor releases you.”

She formulated a half dozen responses, but none seemed likely to change this woman’s mind. Fine, she’d wait until her captor was gone and make a break for it. Brooke was out there somewhere, and she had to get to her.

“Don’t even think about it,” the nurse said. “We’ll all be keeping an eye on you. We’ve got strict orders to keep you safe.”

Reggie’s brain was too foggy to fully process the words, but she decided to let it go and bide her time. They couldn’t keep her here forever, right?

“Fighting with the nurses?” a voice from the hallway called out. “Not the best way to get the good-flavored pudding.”

Reggie looked around the nurse to see Lennox leaning against the doorway. “Get in here and tell this woman I can leave.”

“She’s not going to do that,” the nurse replied.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s the one who ordered me to keep you here.” She pointed at Lennox. “She flashed her badge and said you were a very important witness in a high-profile case and you just saved someone’s life.”

“Is that right?” Reggie directed the question at Lennox. “Because if all of that is true, she should know there’s somewhere I have to be right now and it’s very important.”

Lennox stepped aside to reveal Brooke standing behind her. “I think you mean there’s someone you have to see right now. And the reason I needed you to stay put is so I could bring her to you without you getting in the middle of any gunfire.”

Reggie heard the words, but they barely registered as she locked eyes with Brooke and made a silent vow to never let go. “Lennox, I need you to take this lovely nurse and leave us alone for a minute.”

Lennox grinned. “On it.” She motioned for Brooke to enter the room. “She’s all yours. She’s a handful, but I have a feeling you got this.”

“Trust me, I know what I’m getting into, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As Brooke started toward her, Reggie stood, intending to meet her halfway, but the pain in the back of her head swirled up into a searing storm and she lost her balance. Instantly, Brooke was at her side, holding her arm, and easing her back onto the bed. She politely, but firmly ordered the nurse to find another ice pack and curled up against her on the bed. Brooke’s embrace was strong and warm, and she never wanted it to end. After a minute of silence, Brooke sighed prompting her to ask, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. You’re the one who was launching yourself into gunfire.” Brooke kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I’m so relieved you’re alright.”

Alright didn’t accurately describe how she felt right now. The adrenaline from the ordeal had dissipated and now that shewas safely wrapped in Brooke’s arms, the rest of her energy receded. “Same to you,” she said, barely suppressing a yawn.

Brooke narrowed her eyes. “You’re tired. Of course you are.” She edged away. “I should go and let you rest.”

Reggie reached for her hand. “Please stay.” She watched Brooke’s face, noting the slight frown. She probably had other places to be, like at home with her son. “Sorry, that was selfish. You should be with Ben.”

“Ben is fine. As much as I want to keep him close, we need to be able to decompress about what happened and I don’t want him to ever know how close he got to losing me. Your pal Lennox and her girlfriend are taking him for the night.” Brooke smiled. “Besides, I get the impression it was a combination let’s let them have some alone time and let’s see if we want one of our own someday.” She shrugged. “Either way, you have me all to yourself. Should we break you out of here or are you sold on hanging out for the possibility of pudding?”

“Break out, please.”

“Good answer. I’m going to find the doctor and make it so.”

Reggie watched her leave the room, missing her company within seconds. She reached back and touched the bandage on her head and winced at the sharp pain the gentle touch provoked. She was in no shape to do the things she wanted to do with Brooke, but she was grateful for the prospect of having time alone with her now that the threat of recent days was behind them. She wanted to know more about the trial and Benton and everything else, but right now she couldn’t bring herself to care about anything but the very next step and she was going to take it with Brooke.

An hour later, after a skirmish with the nursing staff at the hospital and a few rounds with the doctor on call, they pulled up in front of her apartment building. Brooke parked in the spot closest to her apartment and came around to help her out of the car. She placed one arm gently around her waist and led her tothe door. Reggie fished in her pocket for the key and handed it to Brooke, happy to let her take control.

Once inside, Reggie sank onto the couch with a sigh, her body aching but her mind still buzzing from the intensity of the day. She glanced around, relieved to see the apartment was tidy, and gave Brooke a grateful smile. “Sorry, I’m not much of a hostess on a good day. There’s Coke in the fridge though. I might be addicted.”

Brooke smiled back, her eyes soft as she grabbed two bottles from the fridge. “No need to play hostess. You’ve been through enough today.” She handed one to Reggie and sat down beside her. “Mind if I join you?”

“Of course not.” Reggie took a sip of the drink and sank deeper into the cushions. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly fading away, replaced by a quiet warmth.

“This is nice,” Reggie murmured.

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