Page 90 of Tangled In Lies

She regards me. “Any pain?”

“I feel like half of my body is covered in bruises, but at least my head doesn’t hurt as much as earlier.”

She nods as if she suspected as much. “All in all, it sounds like you both got away fairly unscathed, considering the circumstances. Your head will likely hurt for a while, but your concussion is mild, so that’s good. Rest and proper hydration are very important, especially in the next couple of days. It’s pretty normal that physical activity, as well as any kind of screen time, reading, or listening to music can make symptoms worse, the same with loud sounds and bright lights. So let’s avoid those for now. After two days, you cango back to light activities, but still keep it easy on the rest for the next week or two.”

I process the information and nod. “So basically do nothing but sleep for the next two days?”

The machine next to the bed beeps, and she turns toward it with a chuckle to push a few buttons. “In a nutshell, yes. Rest, water, and healthy food. Then keep things easy and avoid anything that makes your symptoms worse.”

She takes some notes and gives me a reassuring smile. “But your vitals are good, so hopefully your recovery will be on the short side. I’m going to let the doctor know you’re awake.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course. I’ll be back soon with more to drink and something to eat.”

She leaves the room, and Phoenix comes to the bed.

“Hold is at the house. Is there anything you want him to bring?”

It’s such a mundane question.

Do I need anything? Because I’m at the dang hospital.

When is someone stopping by to tell me all of this was just a dream? And in reality, I’m having a great time at college where I live a perfectly normal life with my friends and even have a boyfriend. Maybe Phoenix and I found our way to each other when we were younger, after all.

How utterly ridiculous and contradictory to how things actually played out.

“Eve?”

Phoenix’s brows draw together. He looks me over, but instead of the anger or irritation I expect to see, it’s worry.

He gives me a gentle smile. “It’s okay if you don’t need anything. Hopefully, you can go home tomorrow anyway.”

“Sorry.” I shake my head and wince at the pain. “My head is a little slow right now, but some comfy clothes would be nice. Something baggy?”

“Sure. I’ll let him know.”

“Thanks.” I take a deep breath. “I . . . I’m still trying to process what happened. It feels so surreal.”

He touches my fingertips with his at the edge of the bed. “Don’t worry about any of this. I will find the bastard who did this and end him, and that’s all you need to know right now while you rest.”

I try to suppress a shiver, but it’s pointless, and Phoenix pulls my blanket higher.

“Let me message Hold before I forget it.”

He taps on his phone screen, and I stare at it, my heart beating wildly behind my rib cage.

Oh my God. I’m so stupid.

“Phoenix, where’s my phone?” The first tendrils of panic slither through my body, and my breathing turns erratic. I stretch, glancing everywhere. “Shit, where is it? I . . . I need it.”

Freddy.

What if he messaged again after the accident?

What if he did something to Ruby like he threatened so many times before?

And I’m here, completely clueless.

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