Page 74 of Until Posey

“Good,” she replied. “Then take all the time you need. Keep us posted. It’s not like you to take off for a friend, so they must be important.” Jenna was testing me. I knew it. I had to answer her with the truth.

“It’s Destiny’s guardian. We’re friends. He was hurt at work this morning. I’m not sure what happened.”

Jenna’s eyes widened. “Keep me posted for sure, then. Also, since you gave the case to Gail, let her know too. I hope he’s okay.”

“I will. Thank you.” I rushed from her office, then stopped by Gail’s desk to let her know. Darcy saw me on the way out and offered to drive me, but I needed this time to myself. What could Hunter have done to hurt himself so badly, he was in the emergency room? Then all the images of engines falling out of cars, or lifts breaking or worst, parts flying off engines because they exploded filled my mind.

No matter how much I told myself not to think such grotesque things, my brain was on overload, coming up with all kinds of scenarios, including amputation or decapitation. A lump formed in my throat. I hadn’t said sorry yet. Hadn’t told him how stupid I was. Nor forgiven him for doing what he thought was right and brave. I fucked our whole relationship up out of ignorance and stupidity, and now I might never ask for forgiveness or give it.

My heart hurt. My stomach was a mess. The road in front of me blurred a time or two as I drove. Even though the drive only took less than an hour, it felt like forever before I saw the signs to follow for the emergency room. Then there was finding a place to park. By the time I stepped up to the reception desk of the hospital, I was a harried, blubbering mess.

“Can I help you?” The young woman asked, while smiling.

“I just received a call. Hunter Banks was in an accident and he’s here somewhere,” I said, kicking myself because they probably wouldn’t let me back to see him.

“Who are you to the patient?” she inquired as she typed on her computer.

“Fiancé,” I lied. “My name is Posey Roberts.”

“There you are,” she whispered, before hitting the enter button. “Let me get you a bracelet.”

My brows furrowed. “A bracelet?”

The nurse nodded. “Yep. New protocol for visitors. There is a chip inside that will only allow you in the areas where you’re supposed to be. Nowhere else. We implemented the new procedure after the incident at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. We’re part of the same systems.”

“Oh,” I said, extending my arms so she could put the bracelet on me. “Thanks, and that’s a good idea.”

“Right? We said the same. Nothing like feeling safer in your environment.” The nurse smiled again. “Let me show you where he is.”

“Can you tell me his condition?” I prodded, almost afraid of what she might say next.

“I’m sorry, I can’t. I only have that we admitted him. The doctor on the floor will answer all your questions, though.” She led me through a set of doors to a brightened area with several bays. “He’s in bay four. I hope he has a swift recovery.” She squeezed my shoulder before walking away.

I didn’t know if I should run or tiptoe past the other patients. Every curtain was pulled, and the steady beeps of the heart monitors did nothing to calm me, especially when the alarms went off, then stopped. My stomach sat in my throat. My palms were sweaty. I didn’t know what I would see once I stepped beyond the curtain and into Hunter’s pod.

The drone of conversations around me became background noise with the monitors as I peeked into Hunter’s bay. There he lay, an arm over his face. His legs covered and his shoes off. He had an IV in his resting arm, and the monitor to his right showed the steady beat of his heart. The curtain ring scuffed along the bar, making an annoying metal on metal noise, drawing Hunter’s attention as I stepped in.

“Posey?” he murmured. His eyes were unfocused and glassy. “Is that you? What are you doing here?”

I ran. I didn’t care anymore. I sobbed into his chest as I practically jumped into his arms. He was okay. At least outwardly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I... I... I don’t know what to say and then Ireland called me, and I was so scared. Please forgive me for being such a petty bitch. I love you, Hunter. So friggen much.”

His rumbled chuckle vibrated through my chest as I continued to cry. “I’m sorry I lied too, Baby girl. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and I stupidly messed everything up.”

I shook my head. “No. You were doing right by a baby who needed you.”

“No, Posey. I deceived you and the state. I was in the wrong here. I knew better and still went against all my morals and ethics. You had a right to be furious with me.”

“No,” I said again. “I was in the wrong. All you did was protect an innocent child who has nothing.”

Hunter tried to move and yelped, hissing under his breath. “That was fucking stupid.”

I glanced down at him, not sure where he’d been hurt. “What happened?”

“How’d you know I was here?” We asked each other questions, then chuckled before Hunter grimaced.

“Ireland called,” I answered first. “She was so frantic, I didn’t think. I just came here to you.”

He smirked a little, then covered his eyes again. Maybe it was too bright for him. “Broke my toes and foot. Snapped the nail off my little toe too. That’s why there was so much blood and I passed out.”

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