Page 5 of Gator's Gambit
“Yes, that lovely lady called them, but I’m concerned because she’s lying awfully still,” she replies, and I can hear the tears in her voice.
“I’m okay, Mama, just in pain,” I say, holding out my uninjured hand to her. She takes it and gently brushes her fingers over mine.
“Sweetheart, you’ve always been a tough cookie when it comes to pain. If you’re lying so still, that pain’s got to be something awful.”
“I won’t lie, it’s pretty intense, but I’ll be fine.”
Material rustles close to my head, and I turn my head in that direction. Prying my eyes open, my gaze meets Godric’s, and my heart squeezes at how handsome he is. It’s been so long since I last saw him, the boy I knew has matured into a man.
“Hey, Soren. Nice beard.” The rich, deep laugh I’ve always loved cuts through the hubbub of noise from the little crowd that’s gathered around me.
“Thanks, Gilmore. It’s temporary.”
“Pity, it looks good on you.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not military issue.” I’m reminded of how much we used to tease each other back in the day. “I’m not a medic, but I’ve got a little training. Okay if I take a look at you?”
The thought of Godric’s hands on my body has my heart beating faster and my hormones jumping up and down in delight, despite the agony.
“Sure,” I reply. Then a horrifying thought hits me. “Please tell me my bits aren’t all out on display for everyone to see?” I whisper.
“You’re all good. Nothing’s showing. You’re decent.” The compassion in his voice is nearly my undoing as reaction begins to set in. “We’re going to do this nice and slow, okay? We’re going to roll you onto your back so I can have a look at the damage on the count of three.”
“Okay.” I brace, drawing in a deep breath in anticipation because I know it’s going to hurt.
“Ready?” I nod. “One, two, three, easy does it.”
More pain radiates down my side with the pressure being released as he rolls me over, and I can’t bite back the groan.
“I’m sorry, Pooks. I know it hurts, but I need to take a look. Other than the obvious, does anything else hurt?” he asks.
“Apart from skin I can feel torn from my shoulder to my calf, my shoulder itself. I landed on it pretty hard when I went down,” I reply, breathing fast. The extreme discomfort helps distract me from the sensations that rush through me, hearing him call me by the childhood nickname he gave me.
“I’ll take a look. Okay, I’m going to lift the skirt of your dress a bit to have a look-see. Ready?” I nod but don’t say anything.
Godric’s long, low whistle confirms what I already know — it’s not pretty. I can’t say I’m thrilled at the prospect of the next few weeks in gauze bandages.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Mama’s voice wobbles.
“You sure did a number on yourself,” Godric confirms. “What happened?”
Before I can answer him, Mama does, indignance ripe in her voice. “Some jerk ran her over and just took off. Didn’t even stop to see if she was all right.”
“Anyone see who it was?” This time Godric’s tone isn’t quite so easy-going.
“I got a quick look at his face – couldn’t pick him out in a line up, but it wasn’t anyone I recognize.”
Right then, the sound of sirens can be heard approaching. The idea of a trip to the ER to patch me back together doesn’t appeal, at all, but the thought of a pain-relieving injection really does.
“The EMTs are here, so I’m going to move out of the way.” I want to scream at Godric not to go, but simply nod instead.
“Godric, won’t you be a dear and pop my groceries in the trunk of my vehicle? I think they’ll be in the way while they see to Fancy,” I hear Mama ask.
“Certainly, Mrs. Gilmore. Let me have your keys and I’ll get that sorted for you.”
And then the paramedics are there, and for the next few minutes I’m assessed, and they ask me a million questions. Finally, they load me up onto a gurney as gently as they can, but I still have to bite back tears.
“Ma’am, would you like to ride in the ambulance, or prefer to meet us at Carteret Gen?” one of the paramedics asks my mother.
