Page 36 of Coach's Pet

The woman looks at me and sizes me up. “In fact, I bet she has them often. It seems that her brain is trying to reconcile her trauma. Although night terrors are genetic, they can be a reaction with PTSD as well.”

Jason looks away from me, and I feel bereft. “Who…who are you?”

“I’m Doctor Kirkland. Joey has told me all about what’s happened and that you need some medical attention. I’d say you need more than that.”

Taking a deep breath, I nod. “I’m fine. Just had a bad dream, that’s all.”

All the guys look at me, and Queenie leaves with John and Joey in tow. “We are going to let the doctor take care of you while we fix some things that need to be addressed. If you need us, Doctor Kirkland, please come get us.”

“I…” Jason rubs his hand along my face.

“Don’t worry, Crucinda. Everything will be alright soon enough.” I don’t think things work like that, but I don’t say a word. It’s not like I can argue. I’m in no state to do so. “You rest and let the doctor look over you. There are some things I need to take care of. Don’t forget, all you have to do is call my name, and I’ll come back.” He bends down and kisses my lips softly. “Be my good pebble.”

Watching him leave, I don’t feel safe anymore, but the look Dr. Kirkland gives me provides me reassurance. Her eyes are soft and downcast, trying to not stare at me. I know I look hideous. The scar on my face was already bad. Add swollen cheeks and eyes, and I’m sure I look like a monster.

As the doctor looks over my body, she asks me so many questions. I don’t have the answers to most of them. I haven’t been to a doctor in fifteen years. I haven’t had a reason to go. It’s embarrassing that I don’t know the answers.

“You’re lucky that you aren’t dead.” She mutters when she pokes and prods me. It’s painful, but at least it isn’t torturous.

“I know.” If it weren’t for Jason, I’d be somewhere locked up, I’m sure. It’s the hard truth. Of course, it doesn’t negate what he has done to me, but it helps in knowing where I stand with him.

“There’s nothing broken, Crucinda, but the bruises are severe. I want you to take it easy for a few weeks. I mean absolutely no moving unnecessarily for at least three weeks.”

“I have fashion week coming up.”

The doctor laughs. “No, you don’t. You can’t even see how many fingers I have up. Sure, you can see up close, and since the guys are here, I don’t mind leaving you here, but you should be in a hospital, getting better.”

“Thank you. I will follow your directions to the letter. It’s best if I stay here.” She smiles down at me and tells me she will check in on me in a week.

Jason and the others don’t come back, and I fall asleep, hoping my dreams will be better and there will not be any more fires.

Nineteen

“We can’t just kill him,”Joey says as we look at our father, shivering on the ground in our basement. I really don’t give a fuck if he likes it or not.

“Why the hell not?” John asks before I can let out my frustrations. He’s itching to end his life and understands how I feel about the situation. God, leave it to John to have my back on this and not our little brother.

“Because he needs to pay for his crimes. He wanted Crucinda to pay for them. Why would we give him the coward’s way out?” Joey glares at me like this should be obvious.

Goddamn, I release a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. To know that Joey doesn’t care if he dies is a fucking load off. “You’re right, Joey, but I don’t want him alive any longer. Pebble needs to know he’s dead. It will give her peace.”

John huffs. “She said no more violence.”

“Dammit, I know, but we are doing this.” I pull my gun down from the top bookshelf, and before I can cock it, the doctor calls out my name.

Placing the gun in my pants behind my back, I motion for the others to go upstairs. I guess killing father will have to wait until the doc is gone. I wait for the irritation to come from not finishing my task. It never comes, and my brain catches up to my heart.

Crucinda is more important.

“How is she?” The words come out breathily, and my brothers look at me. I shake my head, and they turn toward the doctor.

With a heavy sigh, she looks at her notes and then back at us. “I’ve given her some medication to help her sleep without dreaming so much. Also, to be frank, she needs to be X-rayed. I’m worried since at least sixty percent of her body is covered in bruises.”

Her demeanor is professional, but I can see the worry lines on her face. “She has refused to go in, and I think that’s because of you.” She raises an eyebrow at me, and I don’t comment. Even after everything that’s happened, my pebble is thinking about me.

“You will need to watch for expanding bruising or loss of eyesight. And make sure she does nothing but walk to the bathroom or the kitchen. Nothing more. Crucinda said she has a fashion show in a week, but it’s not feasible for her to even think about going.”

“Thank you, Doctor Kirkland.” Fuck. I should do what’s right for her and get her to the hospital.

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