Page 91 of Fear of Love
As the doctor showed and explained it, I grasped Landon’s hand tightly with my left. Ever since we stepped foot in the hospital five hours ago, I haven’t let go of it. The poor guy was going to have bruises from how tight I held onto it.
It’s taken us ages to get back to see the doctor. We waited over two hours in the ER waiting room before being brought back to a private room where it took an hour for the x-ray tech to come scan my hand. After that, it took another two hours to get the results.
The entire time, Landon was nothing but amazing. I tried to hide how much hospitals freaked me out, but as soon as I sat down, my leg kept bouncing and my eyes darted around the room.
Landon being too damn perspective spent the next few hours telling me story after story about his brothers, about uni, and hockey. He stayed right by my side the entire time and only let go of my hand when I had to get the x-ray.
“So all she needs is a cast?” Landon asked.
“Yes. You’ll have to wear a cast for three to six weeks before coming back to see how the bones are healing. I’m about 95 percent certain they’ll heal up good as new,” the doctor said.
I hated the thought of being in a cast, but with no other option, I sighed.
“Okay,” I said. The doctor offered me a smile at the resigned tone in my voice.
“I’ll have someone come down and get you fitted for the cast. Shouldn’t be much longer.” With that, the doctor left, closing the curtain behind him.
“Well, great, I’m going to be one-handed for awhile.” I groaned, lying back against the bed. I was ready to go home. We’d been here for ages, and I wanted nothing more than to climb into my comfy bed. My hand barely ached, thanks to the medicine they gave me a bit ago.
“Oh god, and it’s my right hand. How am I going to get anything done?” It was just my luck for it to be my dominant hand. My frustration grew as I thought about everything I had going on.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I muttered.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Landon leaned closer, squeezing my good hand.
“No, it’s not!” The pressure behind my eyes built. “I have less than two weeks to get two issues of the magazine ready for next month. We have Hockey for Kids coming up. Josie’s wedding is in two weeks, and I’m a bridesmaid. How am I supposed to look good in a dress with a damn cast on? There’s still so much to do and get ready for.” I was rambling, but I couldn’t stop. “Why the hell did I punch that guy?!”
The damn broke as tears ran down my face. Tears from frustration and exhaustion.
“Lyd.”
“And then what if they don’t heal right? Do I have to have surgery? Oh god, am I going to lose a hand?” Full blown panic started setting in.
“Blondie.” A big hand came up to cup the underside of my jaw, a thumb tilting it up. “Breath for me, baby.”
At his command, I took a deep breath, breathing out through my nose. My heart rate slowed as I continued letting air flow in and out of my lungs. Tears ran down my cheeks, and my nose burned.
“That’s it,” Landon coached. “Everything will be fine.” His voice was calm, steady, sure.
“We’re going to get you home and get you all comfortable in your pj’s. Get something good to eat and watch some TV.” Landon’s fingers wiped at the tears on my cheek. “Then tomorrow morning, we’ll figure everything out, okay? One thing at a time.”
I knew he was right. There wasn’t anything I could do right now. I was tired and hungry and sick of being in the hospital.
“One thing at a time,” he repeated softly.
“Can we get Rick’s on the way home?” I asked, my voice thick from crying. He let out a loud laugh, clearly not expecting that to come out of my mouth.
“Yeah, we can get Rick’s.”
26
LYDIA
“How’s the burger?” Landon asked from the other side of the couch.
“So good.” I all but moaned around a bite.
True to Landon’s words, after we got out of the hospital, he drove us to Rick’s and got me a giant hamburger and onion rings. He was sweet enough to get me dessert for later, too.
