Page 52 of Vodka And Virtue

“Kelley, can I have a minute with you?”

The others filed out, leaving Kelley behind.

“Sweetness, can you give us a minute?”

Carlisle nodded, scooting off the bed, and followed his family out into the hall.

Kelley looked wrecked. His beautiful face was streaked with dirt, his eyes were red and puffy, and his blond hair was a mess.

“I’m so sorry you got hurt trying to defend me. I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Kelley, don’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have known.”

“But I kind of did,” he cried brokenly. “I gave the police my statement, and I told them everything.”

“Did you know that guy? Is he an ex of yours or something?”

Kelley scoffed. “Hardly. He’s been stalking me for ages. Mostly on social media. But sometimes, I see him at my performances, like tonight. I noticed he was there, but I didn’t say anything, and I never reported it because he never gave me a reason to. Some of the comments he leaves on my social media posts are just…off, but he’s never threatened me before. He sends me gifts to the dance studio where I work. Sometimes, I see him sitting in his car in the parking lot, watching me as I come and go. But he’s never spoken directly to me before. It’s all my fault.”

“It’s not. I swear it’s not. You were a victim, and I was just doing my job. That’s all it is. You cannot carry the burden of his choices. But until they catch him, I don’t want you to stay alone. Don’t go anywhere on your own. Do you have somewhere safe where you can stay?”

He looked down at his shoes, color suffusing his cheeks. “I don’t need to be a burden to anyone. I’ll be fine.”

Graham poked his head into the room. I had a feeling he had been listening at the door, knowing exactly why I wanted to speak with Kelley. I knew my best friend inside and out, he had a protective streak a mile wide. There was no way he was going to let this go.

“Don’t worry, he has a safe place to stay. I’ll make sure he goes nowhere alone.”

Kelley’s pale complexion turned brighter than a tomato.

“All right, then. I’ll see you all tomorrow, I guess. Hopefully not too early. Could you send my private nurse back in, please?”

If looks could kill, Graham would have just laid me to rest.

Carlisle shuffled back into the room.

“Hey, sweetness, I’m freezing cold. Do you think you can squeeze back into this bed with me and keep me warm?”

He smiled, one of his beautiful special smiles, the ones I cherished, and nestled next to me on my good side. I tried to hide the pain from showing on my face as I scooted over to make more room for him.

“I shouldn’t be crowding you. I should be sleeping in that chair over there instead.”

“Nope. I need the warmth from your body. And I need your hands on me and your kisses. Doctor’s orders.”

Carlisle laughed. “How much morphine did they give you?”

Eventually, the beeping machines and distant echoes of conversation out in the hall became a white noise that lulled us to sleep. At 7 a.m. sharp, my new nurse and nursing assistant waltzed into my room to introduce themselves, waking us both up without a care.

If I felt bad last night, I felt like death warmed over today. I was stiff and sore everywhere and exhausted from having been woken several times throughout the night when they came in to take my vitals.

“Hi, I’m Allison. I’m sorry to hear about your injury, Mr. MacGregor. Is there anything I can get you?”

“How about some pain meds? I think mine wore off hours ago.”

“Certainly. I’ll be right back with those. How about some breakfast?”

“That would be great.” I had no appetite, but I wanted Carly to eat something.

She returned carrying a plastic cup full of pills and a container of yogurt.

---