Page 23 of Protect

Rowan reaches forward and grips my open jean jacket tugging me toward him. I look around at all the people in the space, and he lifts a hand and curves his finger under my chin, tilting it up so I have nowhere to look but into his gorgeous blue eyes.

“Don’t pay attention to them, Vi, I want your eyes.”

My breath hitches and I’m pretty sure I gulp. What is this man doing? Half the school is here.

“You never stop surprising me, Violette Taylor. Now…” He pauses and looks up as if deep in thought, then brings his eyes back to mine with that damn smirk. “If only there was a way I could get you to admit you’realsocoming to the game tomorrow night to watch me…” he rasps, dipping his head low in front of everyone in the ice cream parlor.

They all fade away in a haze as Rowan Kingsley’s lips meet mine.

PRESENT

They must have the guy in the room next to me on some pretty heavy pain meds because he’s been talking in his sleep all night.

My left side is on fucking fire. I press the button that slow releases the pain meds into my IV. It beeps back at me, telling me I’m at my limit for now. Basically, it’s going to be a bitch and not give me anymore.

The pain is duller with the meds but it’s still there. This is by far the worst I’ve ever been burned, and I can’t help but think that every time I mentally complain this is what Jacob must have gone through, but a thousand times worse. The familiar pang of grief hits me as I try my best to sit up, squinting to focus on the clock on the wall with the fading sun coming through the blinds. It’s almost seven, nearly twenty-four hours since I fell into thatpit. I think I slept through Vi’s entire shift last night and most of today. These meds are kicking my ass.

I know better. I’ve been trained better. I remind my guys better. I elevate the bed to a higher sitting position by pressing the button on the side, then pick up my phone to see texts in my group chat with Cal and my sup. GIFs of hot nurses from Opp. Well wishes and a mix of “Need anything?” from some of the other guys. I respond to them all one by one and leave my group chat for last. Of course, Cal and Xander are gonna bust my chops a little.

Cal

You know if you wanted a couple weeks off you could’ve just asked instead of pit jumping.

I chuckle and scrub the stubble along my jaw with my good hand. I know Cal has seen a lot. He struggles with not having been able to help Xander’s dad the same way that I struggled with letting Jacob go up on that ridge. He watched Xander’s dad die right in front of him. That shit messes with you. Not to mention, he had to be the one to tell Xander what happened, and overcoming that has been a struggle for him, so to put him through this sucks.

I would ask for a vacation but my boss is a fucking slave driver. Only two days off since May.

Sup

Sounds like the kind of boss that likes a hard worker and goes above and beyond when someone gets hurt.

You know, like carrying your heavy ass two hundred yards to the med tent above and beyond.

Still a hard ass.

Sup

Well to cut the shit for a second, this hard ass is fucking relieved you’re ok.

Thanks Sup

Sup

Don’t thank me, just get better, we need you out here.

Cal

Need anything? Scottie is running some errands this afternoon.

Nah man my mom is coming, bringing me clothes and stuff.

I don’t even get the text sent before my mom’s voice is echoing down the hall.

I can’t hear what she’s saying but I can hear the tone. I’ve always been a bit unpredictable, lived my life like it was an adventure, but my mom lives her life with a regiment of control. She’s a worrier, and considering I just fell into an ash pit I’m sure she’s about to spontaneously combust.

“…and they’ll give him that med for how long? It’s addicting, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it can be, but I’ll be here all week. I met with the doctor this morning and he said we’ll be lowering his dose every day. By this time next week, he shouldn’t need anything but naproxen or ibuprofen.” The voice of the nurse talking with my mom isunmistakable—it’s Violette, and now I know she’ll be here all week.

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