Page 34 of Crossroads of Betrayal
“Like I was hit by a truck.” Her joke fell mostly flat, but Zeke lifted the corner of his mouth and shook his head. Even after all they’d been through, he still appreciated her dry humor.
“You okay?” Chet asked.
She nodded. “Will be. My hip and side hurt like a bitch right now. Doctor said more than likely it’s a hip pointer, which is basically a really bad bruise located on the iliac crest of the hip. Moving around the next few days will be a pain in the ass but should go away in a week or two.”
“Anything broken?” Zeke asked.
“Not sure yet. I got X-rays and haven’t received the results. The doctor is optimistic I don’t have any fractures. She said I’m lucky.”
“You are,” Zoe said, squeezing her hand. “Things could have been a lot worse, and it’s obvious someone intended for you to have more than a hip pointer. But the good news is, gentle stretching can help with that in the coming days. Looks like I’m finally going to get you in a yoga class.”
She grimaced.
Zeke snorted.
Zoe cast him a curious look. “I’m not sure what your story is yet, but I’ll get you there too.”
“I’ve told him from the beginning that’s where he needs to go,” Brooke said. “But that’s a conversation for another time. For now, we’re glad you’re okay, Grace.”
She offered a small smile, hating the way spikes of pain shot up her side with every little movement. Hell, even taking a deep breath caused discomfort. “Thanks for coming, but you guys don’t need to wait around with me.”
Chet frowned. “You’ll need a ride home.”
Zeke finally took a step forward. “I can take her.”
Chet’s frown morphed into a scowl, distrust clear on his face.
She didn’t want any of them waiting on her, but if she didn’t accept Zeke’s offer, her three friends would be crowded into her shoebox-sized room until the doctor cleared her. And with a small, understaffed hospital, there was no telling how long that would take. “Zeke can take me home. You three head back to the retreat. There’s too much going on right now. Much more important things.”
“You’re important, Grace. To all of us.” Brooke said.
The sweet words misted her eyes and reminded her that no matter how much she’d isolated herself, she hadn’t been alone. She had friends who cared about her, and it was about time she started remembering that.
Zoe’s phone rang, and she checked the screen. “Cruz is on his way here. He’ll want a statement.”
She swallowed hard, the thought of reliving the terrifying moment that landed her in the hospital making her queasy. “Okay. There’s not much to say, but I’ll tell him everything.”
Her three friends exchanged uneasy glances and Zoe kept a tight grip on her hand.
“I’m fine. Please. Go. I’ll keep you all updated.”
Zoe and Brooke said their goodbyes while Chet stood at the end of her bed. He shifted his large frame and blocked Zeke from her view. “You sure you’re all right with this guy? I can drop them off and come back. Whatever you need.”
Her insides warmed. Chet wasn’t an easy man to win over, but once she had, he was the most loyal and caring person she’d ever met. “I’m sure.”
He nodded then followed Brooke and Zoe out the door, stopping to give Zeke one hard look before disappearing down the hall.
Zeke stayed rooted to his spot just inside the doorway. “You’ve got some good friends.”
“I do, yes,” she said, shocked that it’d taken so long to realize it.
“Why didn’t you tell them anything about me?”
The hurt in his voice would have brought her to her knees if she hadn’t been laying down, but indignation still burned bright that’d he’d spilled her well-kept secret. “There was never any reason.”
“Do they know anything about you? Who you really are? Who you were before you came here?”
Dropping her gaze, she shook her head.
