Page 21 of Seeing Grayscale

“Yeah,” I sigh.

When I motion to move, Doctor Perry waves me off and eyes the chair meaningfully.

Right. I’m not supposed to walk around if I can help it.

I sit down while he lets Hunter in. The scent of tobacco floods the hotel, and I catch Hunter’s tiny shrug when the doctor narrows his eyes. No words are exchanged, but I suspect the older dude disapproves.

“I can pencil Gray in for tomorrow morning. In the meantime, he’ll need these filled. I’ll call the closest pharmacy to put in the orders. I’d recommend purchasing some crutches, too,” Perry tells Hunter and hands him my prescriptions.

I half expect Hunter to look them over, but he doesn’t. He folds the papers and nods. “Thank you, Perry. I’ll take care of it.”

“Keep off that leg, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The two exchange words at the door, but I don’t hear what. I’m too focused on the fact I have to leave town if I want my leg fixed. My chest pinches painfully. I’ve lived here my whole life—whether in a house or on the street, I’ve never left. I don’tknowanywhere else. Even when I was in the county jail those few times, it was local.

Familiar.

What if I go to this clinic, get all set up, and Hunter pulls the rug out from under me? I wouldn’t know the first thing about getting back—I wouldn’t know what bus to take or the direction to go. I don’t have access to the internet, and I sure as fuck ain’t going to ask a stranger.

My arms fold defiantly as the door shuts with a soft click. When Hunter faces me, I pop off. “You knew he’d make me go to his clinic. Youknew.”

“I was hoping the leg wouldn’t be broken, and you wouldn’t have to.”

“Don’t try to pacify me. I’m not a toddler,” I growl.

“That’s not what I’m doing,” he says coolly. “But this is the situation, Gray. Leaving a break untreated can create all sorts of problems.”

“I’m aware. I wastoldall about it.”

He stares at me with his hands in his pockets.

“So, what? I’m just supposed to leave with you? Go to this clinic?”

“It’d be in your best interest, yes.”

“Like that’s ever mattered before,” I snap, panting through my anger. Maybe it's fear, too. Regardless, I’m keyed up and ready to burst.

“Whether or not it has, it doesnow.All this has to be is one day. One.”

“And then what?” I demand. “What happens after?”

He takes a hesitant step closer. Those kind hazel eyes of his never looking away. “Whatever you want.”

“I want to come back.”

“Alright.”

“And you can’t try to convince me otherwise,” I insist, slicing my hand through the air.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Blowing out a breath, I deflate and shove my thumb in my mouth. After a long, awkward silence, I finally ask the question I’ve been dying to ask. “Hunter?”

His neatly groomed brown eyebrow raises.

“Can I bum a smoke?”

ELEVEN

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