Page 21 of New Year, New Guy
‘Not completely!’ Johnny’s tone was frustrated.
‘What about tonight’s party?’ Laura glanced at the clock. ‘Forty of your friends are about to descend on the Acropolis blissfully unaware that you two are on the verge of splitting up.’
‘We can pretend for a couple of hours.’
Sometimes her sister was the most oblivious person on the planet. One look at the couple’s strained faces and it would be obvious to everyone that something was very wrong. Laura’s phone beeped and she scanned the new text message. ‘Hunter’s being discharged. I’ve got to pick him up. You’re staying right here. Both of you.’
She’d say the odds were fifty-fifty whether they’d still be there when she returned.
* * *
‘When we get back to your place I’m takin’ a nap. They woke me all the damn time last night to make sure I woke up normally,’ Hunter grumbled. ‘Normally? Who the hell—’
‘—For God’s sake stop moaning. That’s normal protocol in concussion cases and for your own good.’ Did she break thenews about the welcome committee at her house now, or let him discover it when they arrived? ‘I’m afraid your nap might have to wait.’
‘Why?’ Once he’d buckled his seatbelt Hunter rested his head against the window as though the effort wore him out. ‘Let me guess, Johnny is being an ass and your sister’s threatening to dump him.’
‘Spot on.’ She drove out of the car park and back into traffic. ‘But you’re not well and you shouldn’t have to deal with that now.’
‘It won’t kill me to help if I can.’
Laura reached across and squeezed his hand, in the back of her mind registering the fine dark hairs shading his skin.
‘In case you didn’t notice the light’s changed. I know y’all drive on the wrong side of the road, but I’m guessin’ your traffic lights aren’t opposite too?’
Several loud blasts on a car horn startled her and she glanced in the rear-view mirror to see the driver behind her making a rude gesture involving his middle finger. With an apologetic wave she drove on. ‘You’re supposed to rest.’
‘I appreciate your concern.’ Hunter’s hand rested on her thigh and the imprint of his fingers heated her skin all the way through her jeans. ‘But I feel responsible.’
‘Why?’
‘Long story.’
Johnny’s car was still parked outside as she pulled into her drive.
‘You goin’ in?’ Hunter asked when she didn’t move and Laura smiled down at his hand. ‘If you let go of me I will.’
‘Spoilsport.’
‘That’s me. Ask anyone in A&E.’
‘Let’s try to sort Romeo and Juliet out, minus the tragic ending.’
* * *
The concentration needed to follow three separate conversations on the back-end of a concussion eluded Hunter.
‘Did they feed you lunch before you left the hospital?’ Laura shoved a steaming mug of coffee in his hand.
‘Nope.’ He rushed to explain before she berated the Tamar ward staff for incompetence. ‘They offered but the lure of your top-notch cooking beat out the appetising aroma of liver and onions.’
‘You clearly don’t know my sister. Cooking isn’t one of her many talents,’ Polly scoffed and then glared between them both. ‘Oh, very funny I’m sure.’ Her steely gaze landed on Johnny. ‘Trust you to have a delinquent for an old friend who considers it amusing that you almost tricked me down the aisle under false pretences.’
‘I’ll tell you anything you want to know,’ Hunter offered.
‘Youwill? It’s his story I want.’ Polly wriggled off her engagement ring and shoved it in Johnny’s face. ‘Last chance. Your choice. Talk or take this back.’
‘We’ll leave y’all to it.’ He heaved himself upright, holding still for a second while the room settled around him. ‘This lovely lady’s goin’ to take me up to bed while you spill your guts. Don’t be a moron, Johnny.’
