Page 6 of Not a Perfect Save

Dan scratches his head, his eyes darting around the room. They land on me and stop.

“Hi,” I offer.

“Ella. This is Dan Clemons, my agent.”

“Nice to meet you.” I give the man a wave from the bed.

Dan examines me like a bug. “So you’re why he’s here?” he says, almost accusingly.

Connor grimaces. “Dan, shut up. This is Ella Dixon. She took down the bad guys.” His lips twitch the tiniest bit as he meets my gaze, and I try to hide my answering grin. It’s ridiculous to claim all the glory, but in that moment, I needed to feel like I was in control. I think we both know I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.

“Her?” Dan sounds incredulous.

“Yes, me.” God, I hate it when men make assumptions like that. I might be tiny, but I’m not helpless.

He snorts, but before he can say more, his phone rings. The nurse shoots him another dark scowl, but he ignores her and starts pacing the small room, the screen clutched tight against his face while sweat drips down his temples.

I turn back to the nurse, “Can I go home now?” I’m ready to be done with tonight.

Ratchet-the-Hatchet frowns. “Ms. Dixon, you have a concussion. It’s best that we observe you.”

I paste on what I hope is a serene smile, even though my head is pounding in time with my heart. “Oh, no, really. That won’t be necessary. Thanks for your help, but I’ll be fine.”

She tilts her head and studies me. “We can’t recommend letting you go without someone around to check on you for the next twenty-four hours. Are you able to call someone? Family? Friends?”

The very notion of calling my parents makes me shudder. They’d rush over, and that’s the last thing I need. It was hard enough to prove I was capable of taking care of myself to begin with.

The nurse clears her throat and I try to focus back on her. The wooziness makes it difficult to hang on to more than a single thought at a time. “And if I don’t?”

“Then we’ll have to keep you, possibly overnight.”

Choices, choices. Here in the hospital, or in New Jersey with Mom and Dad.

“I’ll stay.”

She nods and leaves, presumably to make the necessary arrangements. The other nurse gives me a sympathetic smile and hands me a cup of water with a bendy straw as a consolation prize.

In the corner, Agent and Football player engage in a whispered argument.

My eyes drift shut and I try to drown out the sights and sounds around me. The thought of the night ahead, alone in this cold, sterile building, is freaking me out.

It’s gone quiet. Too quiet. I snap my lids open on two sets of eyes fixed on me. One is pained and the other pair is eyeing me like a roasted duck.The expression is familiar. I’ve seen it in the mirror right before I embark on some kind of questionable adventure.

“Miss Dixon, is it?” Dan-the-man walks over.

“Yes?” My tone is cautious. Something tells me I won’t like what he’s going to say.

“We couldn’t help but overhear your...problem.” His voice is calculating. “We have a proposition for you.” I’m surprised he isn’t rubbing his hands together.

Connor snorts in disgust. “Dan, for fuck’s sake.”

“Fine! Then you ask her.”

My eyes dart back and forth between them.

“Ella—“ Connor’s voice trails off.

“Yes?” I say slowly.

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