Page 3 of Wild Thing

“Hold him.”

Archer’s head moves slowly from side to side. His half-open eyes hold my gaze for a moment then shift elsewhere. He tries to push the doctor away, but Dr. Hodges won’t have it.

Panic rises in my chest as I watch all this—Archer’s strong body, sleeves rolled up, an IV needle going in—the sight that’s supposed to be a relief but makes my hair stand on end.

And then he inhales sharply, his body shifting as he tries to get up.

Archer…I want to say his name, want to kneel before him, and wrap my arms around him.

His unfocused eyes shift between Dr. Hodges and Maddy, who keep talking to him, checking his eyes and his vitals. Then his gaze meets mine again, just for several seconds.

I’m so sorry.

I hope he can see it in my eyes, but he looks away, shaking his head slowly as if trying to shake off what just happened.

I can’t…

I can’t keep watching as the most powerful man I’ve ever known is confronted with what he just tried to do. Was that an accident? Intentional?

The horrible thought is lodged in my head, piercing me with so much guilt that I feel like throwing up.

I run outside, where nothing reminds me of the horrible words I spoke an hour ago. The words that possibly caused this. Was I really so mean that Archer attempted to—

I can’t finish the thought, the sobs shaking my chest so strongly that I finally give in, and tears start streaming down my face.

You are such a piece of shit, Kat.

I lean with my back to the wall next to the front door and slide down, closing my eyes and taking deep breaths. It doesn’t work. They are jagged and sloppy. My chest shakes. Tears come like a freaking waterfall.

I inhale deeply until I know I can talk, get my phone out of my clutch, and dial Kai.

“Hey.”

“You have to come to Archer’s, Kai. Right now. Please.”

I don’t wait for his response. If he cares, he’ll be here.

Only five minutes pass when I see a dark silhouette approaching. Kai. I knew he’d come.

“What happened?” he asks.

“He—”

And then it’s back—that monstrous thought that this whole thing wasn’t an accident.

“He—” A sob escapes me, my chest shakes, and I have to inhale to calm down.

“Kat?” Kai’s voice is panicky. “What the fuck happened?”

“Kai…” I can’t breathe.

Kai darts inside, his hurried footsteps disappearing as the door closes, then opens a minute later.

“You alright?” It’s Maddy, always so calm.

“Ishe?”

“Yeah. He’s fine. Hewillbe fine. We got here on time. You did good.”

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