Page 50 of Protect

“Yep,” I answer the doctor later that day. I’ve barely seen Violette since this morning and she hasn’t really answered my texts either. There was a car crash on HWY 21, so new patients have been brought up who are more critical than I am.

“Okay, and you’re going to want to change them just as many times as they’re changed here.” She inspects the wounds that no longer have dressings on them. “These are looking good, leave them open to air,” she tells me as I pull my sleeve down.

“Loose fitting shorts are best for a few days and cool baths.”

I nod, I’ve got it all. I’ve read through the pamphlet Violette left me about leaving the hospital ten times already, and I’m already looking up foods and natural remedies I can take to help with healing.

“Alright, well, you’re set to check out, give me a few minutes and I’ll be back with your release papers.”

I nod and shake her hand. “Thanks, doc.”

No sooner is she gone than I hear the voice I’ve been waiting for all day.

“She springing you?”

I turn to face Violette. “Yep, looks like it.”

“Well, I just wanted to check in on you before you left. You’ve got a ride?”

“Yea, my mom and dad are coming anytime.”

She hesitates and a few seconds of awkward silence takes over.

“Okay, well, I gotta get back.” She turns to leave, then stops herself. I can’t place what exactly, but something in her has changed since this morning. “It’s been nice talking again, King,” she says.

“I agree,” I say quickly.

“But…”

Oh shit.

“I have so much on my plate—Hollie, adjusting to this move, the date you asked me on?—”

“Won,” I remind her.

“Right.” She smiles ruefully. “Well, I just think it’s best if we just keep a little distance. You’re going to be back out in the field soon enough.”

“Vi—”

“Look, it’s just that the last time we got close, it didn’t end well. I’m past what happened with us. I’ll admit, I didn’t particularly like you when I came home, I was holding a bit of a grudge, but it’s not like that now. I know you’re a good guy, I just don’t think I can trust you. That’s the truth and it’s all I have to give you right now, no matter what this is starting to feel like,” she adds, gesturing between.

I analyze her expression. I’m calling bullshit because the way she’s looking at me is veryun-past it.

“Violette, you’re lying to yourself,” I say, desperate to stop her from doing this, just when I feel like we’re getting to know each other again. “How I felt about you back then?—”

“King, you don’t have to. I said I’m past it,” Violette interrupts.

“No,” I say firmly. I know what this is, she wants to pretend there isn’t some serious chemistry happening here. She wants to deny she has feelings for me, but I’m not about to let that happen. I’m too eager for her to admit the truth. I rub my temples, taking a second. I silently beg for forgiveness fromJacob, then take a deep breath. “Vi, I was falling for you. Like,reallyfalling for you. When I left you after the beach that night and went to pick up Jacob, I walked into…a total fucking shit show.” I move closer to her, until I’m right in front of her. “He needed my help.”

She doesn’t move, she just stands frozen, listening.

“Why?” she asks skeptically, with a look on her face that tells me she’s going through her own memories of that night.

“Your chauffeur is here,” my mother singsongs happily as she knocks on the door frame.

I flinch and Violette instantly backs up.

“Am I interrupting something?” she asks instantly, sensing something’s up.Fucking Christ. I scrub my face with my hand. My mother has the worst timing known to man.

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