Page 8 of This Is Love
Gruffly, Jaxon asks, “Could this also tell us that she wasn’t assaulted? The way we found her… we were more concerned with the bleeding from her head and the fact that she was unconscious.” His eyes crash shut for a moment before reopening them and settling his dark eyes on me. He reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“Completely rule out? No. But it could definitely point to there being no conclusive evidence. And she might feel better at least knowing that.”
“This is a long, invasive exam, though, right?” Logan’s worried eyes search mine.
Dr. Murphy nods, focusing on me. “I’m sorry, but it is.”
I hold up a hand. “I didn’t think it would be easy. But… I-I want to have it done. Please.”
With a tight smile, the doctor nods. “It’ll give us a clearer picture at least. We’ll get started in a little while, then. Charlie’s going to get everything we need ready. After we’re done, I’ll want to keep monitoring you for a while yet, but you’ll go home later today.”
Fuck. I was supposed to be rehearsing this afternoon. I’ve gotta be ready for the audition… and since it’s now early Saturday, that means it’scoming up fast. I blow out a hard breath.
Charlie and Dr. Murphy step aside to converse in hushed tones, and I assume they’re setting things into motion. I feel a little sick at the prospect of what’s coming my way but maintain that I’d rather know.
Once they’ve left the room, I slowly sit up with the guys’ help, then draw my legs to my chest. “This is going to suck.” My gaze shifts from one stoic face to the other, and I grimace. But there’s nothing but support in their eyes and not a drop of dissent between them that I can tell. Chewing on my lip for a second, I finally blurt out, “I should have asked if I can still audition tomorrow.”
Logan winces as he exhales slowly. Placing a hand on my back, he moves it up and down in a way he knows comforts me. “Tiny Dancer, is it really that important?”
I give him a wounded look. “Youknowit is.”
He grits his teeth. “Yeah. I know. Sorry. I think I’m just worried whether or not you’ll be emotionally up to it.”
I get that, because I have the same concern… but I’ve worked so hard for it. I don’t want to back down. Drawing in a breath, I let it skitter unsteadily from me.
“Here.” Jaxon hands me the Styrofoam cup, prompting me to try drinking again. “Are you feeling any better?”
“Woozy. Out of it.” I take a tentative sip.
“What about your parents?” he asks. “Do you want to contact them?”
I rub a few fingers over my forehead. The idea of telling my mom and dad what’s happened brings me close to vomiting up the water I just swallowed. Slowly, I shake my head. “No. No, I don’t think so.”
Logan eyes me for a second but doesn’t question my decision. Jaxon’s brows furrow, though. “Why wouldn’t you want to call them? I thought you told me you have a good relationship with them.”
“I—” My lip trembles.
“She’s worried about disappointing them,” Logan mumbles, immediately pinching his lips together as his knowing gaze roams my features. “Rya, how many times do we need to have this discussion? You don’t have to be fucking perfect. If they knew…”
I clamp my lips shut in an attempt at controlling the wobble in them, which I know will be followed by a burn in my nose and tears that distort my vision. Suddenly, the need to avoid his eyes is too strong, so I look away.
“Fuck. I’m sorry.” Logan’s arm comes around me, tugging me to his side. He turns his head, brushing his lips over my temple. “So fucking sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
The drag of air into my lungs is painful, and for a moment, all I can do is burrow against his chest.
The hospital bed creaks, and Jaxon clears his throat a moment later. I shift to look at him where he watches us from the side of the bed. There’s an impenetrable, steely mask that’s come down over his face, hiding any inkling of what’s on his mind from me. I can’t determine what he’s thinking at all.
“I’m gonna grab coffee.” His jaw works to the side, eyes landing on Logan. “Do you want some?” The question is begrudging, which doesn’t exactly surprise me.
Logan hesitates for a beat before nodding. “Sure. That’d be good,” he says, easing to the side while reaching for his wallet.
“Fuck you,” Jaxon bites out. “I have cash. You, of all people,knowI do.” The lethal look he shoots Logan makes my head swim.
So much for what I thought was the two of them being halfway amiable. My eyes dart between them, and Jaxon whips a bill out of his pocket, flashes it toward Logan, and walks out.
My brows shoot up in surprise. “Um. What was that about?” I’m still not feeling well, but I don’t know if that’s why I’m having trouble following. “Was that a hundred bucks?”
Logan grits his teeth as he swings his gaze to mine. “Yep. From the party.” He shifts around so he’s sitting on the edge of the bed, facing me. “You should try to rest.”
