Page 18 of Waste
“Get a doctor; she’s unconscious, and her heartbeat is thready. She’s also bleeding from her ear,” Drew snapped as he kept a tight grip on Shelley’s wrist.
The nurse disappeared, and moments later, her doctor appeared. He quickly checked Shelley over before ordering her to be taken for X-rays and an MRI.
Drew scowled at him. “Shelley should have been sent straight there on arrival.”
“We’re busy, and Miss Evans was responsive,” the doctor replied.
Drew leaned forward and hissed in his face, which made the man blanch. “If I hadn’t been here, how long would she have lain unconscious and possibly dying? She was in a bad car accident, and you neglected to check her out because she was conscious? I wonder what the medical board would say.”
“Don’t threaten me!” the doctor blustered.
“I’m not making a threat,” Drew said and stepped away. He’d use his contacts to ensure Shelley got the finest healthcare possible. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have the money, and somehow, Shelley had become his responsibility.
Chapter Five.
Shelley
“So, who is tall, dark, and handsome?” Shelley’s mother, Gail, whispered.
Shelley sighed at her mum’s nosiness. “He is a customer at the shop.”
“Just a customer?” Gail continued to pry.
“Yes, Mum, I’ve spoken to him all of two times,” Shelley retorted as Gail’s gaze once again flicked to where Drew stood. Shelley rolled her eyes and wished she hadn’t. Her headache reminded her of what a bad idea that was.
“He seems very invested in your care,” Gail pushed. Shelley lost control of her patience.
“Yes, apparently so. Just like my last stalker,” Shelley bit out, and Gail paled.
“He’s not another one?” Gail asked, panicked.
“No. But stop making something out of nothing, Mum. He is the guy I served coffee to twice. After what happened, I don’t want to date; it’s too soon. Drew stopped when I had my accident and was kind enough to stay with me,” Shelley explained for the fifth time.
“But that was two days ago. He keeps coming back,” Gail expressed with hope in her eyes.
“Stop. Please!” Shelley exclaimed and winced in agony.
“Are you okay?” Gail demanded, rising to her feet.
“My head hurts,” Shelley whimpered.
“Press the pain medication button,” Gail said, and Shelley obeyed. Guilt crossed Gail’s face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Mum, you gotta understand. What happened hurt me badly. I’m aware you want me to find a man and settle down. Mum, I’m too young, and John Saville has turned me off dating for a long time. Stop pushing for now, please,” Shelley begged.
“I was younger than you when—”
“You met Daddy. I know. But I’m not you, and I don’t want to be twenty-five and have two kids. That was your dream, not mine,” Shelley said and winced again.
“Okay. I’ll stop, but just saying, Drew is incredibly handsome.”
“Noted, Mum.” Shelley closed her eyes. Surely the pain should be easing now. After blacking out in the emergency bay, she had been rushed to X-ray and for an MRI scan. Her head injury had caused a severe concussion. Shelley had also ruptured her spleen, which had been removed, and apart from a broken arm and ankle, Shelley counted herself lucky.
She knew Drew had somehow contacted her parents after she’d blacked out and they’d hurried to the hospital. In the half hour it took to arrive, Drew had created merry-hell, and the best doctors the hospital boasted were now treating her. He’d introduced himself as a friend and then continued barking orders at the staff.
Shelley’s mum and dad had been so worried that they let him take charge. When Charlie arrived, he was upset enough to follow suit. Which meant that in the three days since Shelley’s accident, Drew had been there every day. Shelley couldunderstand her mother’s confusion. She closed her eyes once more; perhaps sleep would help.
Nope, not going to happen. The door swung wide, and Shelley heard Charlie.
