Page 39 of Hit the Ground
“All right. You don’t have to talk right now,” the doctor said, jotting something down on her tablet. “Your labs are still processing. Once we know what substance was in your system, we’ll be able to monitor accordingly.”
“Is she going to be okay?” I asked roughly, my throat tight.
Dr. Tennison finally looked at me, her brows lifting over her glasses. “Are you family?”
“I’m her friend. And I won’t leave her, so please don’t bring it up.”
She studied me before giving a small nod. “She’ll be monitored closely, but she’ll need a friend when she goes home.”
None of that eased the ache in my chest, but what could I do? Not much other than stand here, hoping I never heard a cry of terror like the one that had nearly ripped me in two again.
Especially not from Alice.
There was a substance in Alice’s system.A substance. I wasn’t stupid. I knew what that meant. And it took everything in me not to punch a hole in the nearest wall.
Dr. Tennison turned back to Alice. “Do you need anything right now, Alice? Are you in pain?”
Alice’s hand tightened around mine, her knuckles bone white. She shook her head, tears dripping off her chin.
“Okay. That’s good to hear.” The doctor gave her a small nod then addressed the nurse. “Page me if anything changes.”
The two women left the room, the door clicking shut behind them. I reached up and brushed a damp strand of hair from Alice’s forehead, careful of the bandage there.
She closed her eyes at my touch, another tear sliding down her cheek. Her grip on my hand trembled.
“Don’t go,” she whispered so faintly, I almost didn’t hear her. “Please stay with me.”
I swallowed hard, the burn in my throat threatening to choke me. Pushing past it, I squeezed her hand gently.
“I’m not going anywhere, Allie,” I promised gruffly. “You don’t have to worry about that. If you want to close your eyes, you can. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Like those were the exact words she needed to hear, she let out a shuddering breath and went limp, her eyes fluttering closed again. Even as sleep pulled her under, her fingers stayed tangled tight with mine.
An hour later, Alice woke with a gasp and knifed upright, her eyes rolling around in terror.
“I have to go,” she mewled. “I can’t stay here anymore.”
I pushed to my feet and took her face in my hand. “You’re in the hospital, Allie. You’re safe.”
She shook her head. “No. No, please take me home. If I stay here—I can’t stay here, Caleb. Ican’t.”
Her voice broke on a sob, and her whole body trembled under the thin hospital blanket. She clutched my wrist with her uninjured hand, her grip weak but frantic.
“Allie…” I said softly, brushing my thumb along her cheekbone, careful to avoid the swelling. “You need to let the doctors take care of you. You’re hurt.”
“I can’t,” she whispered, shaking her head, fresh tears streaming down her face. “Please, Caleb. Tell them I need to gonow.”
Something in my chest splintered at her quiet desperation. She was more lucid now and just as terrified. Maybe more so.
I looked over my shoulder at the empty doorway then back at her, feeling helpless.What the hell do I do?Keeping her here was the logical choice. The right choice. But I couldn’t force her to stay. Not if she needed to go.
“All right,” I said roughly, nodding once. “All right, darlin’. I’ll get you out of here.”
Relief rushed over her face, so fierce and bright, it almost knocked me backward. She let out a shaky breath and slumped against the pillows, still clutching my wrist like she was afraid I’d disappear.
I found the call button and pressed it. A nurse appeared a few minutes later, pumping sanitizer into her cupped hand at the doorway.
“She wants to go home,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “Discharge her.”
