Page 41 of Break the Barrier
“I really didn’t think it was so bad. It only started hurting when I got home.” True. I knew I hurt my arm, but I didn’t think it was that bad. My head, well, I had hoped that wouldn’t be so bad.
“Well, Dani and CT are pissed at you and said you’re not allowed at the ranch for at least a week, longer if the doctor claims it’s necessary.”
My stomach curdles. “A week?”
“Yup.”
Fuck. I had bills to pay and clients to please. A week out meant placing shit on hold and not making progress with the horses I currently had in training.
“Don’t worry, bro. We’ll help you out.”
I knew Stetson meant it, and I appreciated it. The problem was, I was just as bad as Thea when it came to accepting help.
“So, Mom came and brought me to the hospital?”
“No, that was Thea. She called Mom to come watch Lue. Then she brought you, got you checked in, and then waited to make sure you were good. When Mom came this morning with Lue, she left. I just swapped with Mom so she could take Lue to rehearsal.”
Fuck me. Thea was probably mortified, and Lue was likely freaked out. I glance down at my bandaged arm.
“What’d they do here?”
Stetson grins. “Thirty-two stitches, bro. Looks like that fear of needles has been conquered.”
I blanch. “Thirty-two?”
“They said it was too deep to just wrap.”
“I don’t even remember getting them.”
“Ah, well, I guess that fear is good and alive.” He slaps the bed railing rhythmically. “You ready to bust out of here?”
“Yes, for the love of God, get me discharged.”
And get me home so I can see what kind of damage I caused.
15
thea
Glancingagain at the two dart league teams, I wander over and make sure everything works well for them. Logan and Stetson are notably absent, and it looks like Dani and Graham’s fiancé Quinn are filling in tonight, plus one guy I’ve never seen before.
Laughter erupts from their section, and I wander off again, heading back to the bar. I need to do an inventory tonight, and I couldn’t really put it off again.
I’ve had more days off in the last couple of weeks than I’ve had since we opened this place.
I go back into my office and sit down, my eyes roaming over all the bills and statements. Logan’s name is on a few, and I quickly white-out over a few of them so my sisters don’t catch wind of it.
Annmarie is more the manager of this bar, so she does the ordering and the schmoozing while I handle the inventory count and paying bills. Juniper does everything in between, includingbartending, because she was somehow amazing at it after only one mixology class.
I sigh and start to write out checks, then head to the computer to make payments on the rest.
The door to the hallway is open, and I hear my sisters coming before I see their faces.
“So, we just heard a heck of a story,” Annmarie announces, plopping down in the chair in front of the desk and throwing a leg over the armrest. Her hair was up in a high pony, and her feet were covered with her favorite Doc Martens.
Juniper leans against the doorjamb, her arms crossed and her face scrunched with concern. “What happened last night? I thought you took Lue home and then back to your place.”
I shake my head, wondering who they talked to out there. “I did take Lue home, but Logan didn’t get back until late, then when I was getting ready to leave, I noticed he looked bad.”
