Page 99 of As They Are
“A tree branch, more than likely. That was all that broke my fall.”
“Are you up to date on your vaccines?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded. At least there wasn’t a risk of tetanus.
I cleaned everything up before numbing the area and working on the stitches. I listened to every breath of hers to make sure she wasn’t in pain.
“Done,” I said. “I’ll take them out in two weeks.”
“Thanks. Listen, I?—”
“I’m not done. Can you move your wrists?”
“Of course I can.”
“Then let me see.”
She moved both wrists.
“Elbows.”
She did that too.
“Knees.”
They seemed fine.
“Ankles.”
And now she paused. “Okay, one might be hurting a little, but I can?—”
“We’re gonna skip the part where you say you’re fine and order an X-ray for you. We’ll make sure it’s not broken.”
Her cheeks were still pink, but thankfully, she didn’t argue. I was struggling to keep my anger at Jude and my worry for her in check. But right now, it only mattered that she was okay. We could deal with everything else after.
I helped her get in position for her X-ray and then double-checked the resulting image.
“You got lucky. Not broken. Just sprained. You’ll need to wrap it and keep it on ice.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because you’re mad.”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“You’re acting completely different. I probably should have realized that Jude was that stupid, but you don’t have to do all of this?—”
“Stop,” I said. “Do not put this on yourself, and do not think for one second that I won’t take care of you if you’re injured.”
Wren stopped in her tracks. “Is that what this is?”
“That, and me trying not to go kick Jude’sassfor compromising your safety.” I ran a hand over my face. “When I heard it was you that fell, my heart stopped.”
“You care that much?”
