by Amiee Louise
I smile warmly and instantly like her. I vow to get the bands autographs for her daughter for being so kind to me. She takes my blood pressure and checks me over.
“Your Sam is so charming and generous; all the nurses are falling over themselves! I’ve never seen such a mess of hormones in all my life.”
We both laugh. We chat easily as if we have known each other forever and she informs me of my injuries. My left shoulder is dislocated, mild ligament damage to my knee, two cracked ribs, cuts and bruises. My stomach churns at the extent of the damage that has been done to my body; I shudder at the thought that it could have been so much worse. I am so lucky I wasn’t killed, but I thank God that the dislocation is not my tattooing arm. Estelle leaves the room and Ruby breezes in. She is wearing her black power suit and dragging my Ed Hardy overnight bag behind her.
“Good morning, sweetie.” She leans down and hugs me. Her familiar scent fills my nostrils, and I smile.
“Morning, Rubes, what’s with the power suit?”
Ruby smiles brightly. “I have just had a job interview with another advertising firm, Isaac Carter’s arch-rival Carlisle Cassidy!”
She pulls the chair out and sits down.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, babe?”
She rolls her eyes, and tells me, “Hell yes of course it is! Revenge is a dish best served cold and all that! I have access to some of Isaac’s most crucial and important clients. I’m sure with my fabulous powers of persuasion I can convince them to come to this new firm. Isaac-fucking-Carter will wish he’d never clapped eyes on me once I’ve finished with him.”
I reach for her hand and brush it reassuringly. I just hope she knows what she is doing. Ruby is known for being a tad reckless at times. She smiles and swiftly changes the subject.
“How’s the invalid doing today?”
It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “I’m not a fucking invalid!”
I put on my best sulking face, and she laughs.
“All right, babe, keep your knickers on!”
Laughing, I watch as she pulls the bag onto her lap.
“I bought some of your stuff from the flat—thought you could do with some of your stuff with you. I bought your iPod, your Beats headphones, some clean pyjamas, some toiletries. I have packed your iPad and Sam has bought you a new Kindle e-reader in case you get bored! I’m telling you, that boy has thought of everything!” Ruby giggles.
“Thanks, Ruby.”
We chat for a while longer, and she leaves a few hours later, promising she will be back. She closes the door, and I am suddenly all alone. I pull out my iPod and put my headphones on. I choose Ed Sheeran’s Give Me Love, I need something relaxing and soothing. I lie back on my pillows, close my eyes, and drift off.
***
“Can you hear me, love? We’re going to get you out.”
A kind, gentle voice breaks through my unconsciousness. I am aware of the dull cacophony of mid-morning Monday in London. My eyes flutter open, and I’m vaguely aware of my surroundings. My vision is blurred, I am disoriented and— Ouch, that fucking hurts. I can smell a strong, warm, metallic smell lingering in the air that makes me feel nauseous. Am I bleeding? Am I dreaming? What happened? Where am I? I have all these questions floating around and around in my head.
“Hey, what’s your name, sweetie?”
I look up into warm, blue eyes and a friendly smile. He has a shaved head and is wearing a green paramedic uniform.
“Peyton,” I manage to whisper.
“Hey, Peyton, I’m Jake. I’m a paramedic, and the firemen are going to get you out. I just need you to stay really calm for me.”
I nod, and he smiles reassuringly. That’s when the panic sets in.
“Where’s Sam?”
He looks at me, a puzzled look across his face.
“I want Sam; you have to get him for me, please?” I plead. “He is my boyfriend. Please, you need to get him, he’ll be worried.”
Jake whispers to his colleague, a young woman with short red hair.
“OK, we’ll get him for you, Peyton, I promise.”
He smiles. My shoulders sag, and I wince in pain. The pain is excruciating, and I am in agony. I have never felt pain like this before.
“Where does it hurt, Peyton?”
I let out a breath.
“Everywhere,” I sob.
“It’s going to be all right, Peyton. Look, you need to stay really calm for me. I need you to move your head from side to side. I need to check you haven’t broken your neck, can you do that for me?”
I look at him, and his face is calm and impassive, I nod and move my head from side to side.
“Good girl, can you wiggle your fingers and toes?”
I do as he says, and he smiles warmly.
“Brilliant, you’re doing really well, Peyton; we’ll have you out soon.”
I look around. I see a bus pulled to the side of the road and my car is askew in the middle of the road. There is an ambulance and two police cars. There is a police cordon around the area, and a large crowd gathered to see what is going on. There are around six or seven police officers talking to witnesses. I turn my head, and I hear shouting from the street.
“Oh, my God! That’s Peyton’s car. Peyton! Please, you have to let me through.”
Seb’s deep frantic voice fills my ears, and I hear a gentle voice trying to calm him. Jake looks up and then back at me.
“There’s a gentleman asking for you? He says his name is Sebastian Henry?”
I nod, knowing they will not let him anywhere near me if he is not family, so I improvise.
“He is my brother.”
Jake narrows his eyes, but nods to a tall police officer and Seb comes over to the side of the car, leaning his head in the driver’s side window.
“Peyton, honey, what happened?”
I shake my head, and wracking sobs escape me.
“It’s going to be all right, babe, the firemen are going to get you out, I promise.”
Worry mars his rugged features, and he reaches in for my hand. I accept it, and Jake whispers to Seb, who just nods.
“Peyton, darlin’, the firemen are going to get you out now. I need you to look at me. Don’t take your eyes off me, it’s going to be all right, you have to trust them, imagine you’re in a real-life action film!”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. I smile back and lock my eyes on his. I flinch as I hear a whirring sound and the sound of cutting metal.
“Eyes on me, honey.”
My terrified eyes lock with his. Seb smiles and strokes my knuckles softly in a reassuring gesture.
“Good girl, it’s all right, you’re doing brilliant. Keep looking right at me. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere, babe.”
“Seb, please, you need to get Sam for me. I want Sam.”
“Shhh, it’s going to be all right. I’m here; I’ll get him for you, honey, I promise. I need you to keep looking into my eyes; don’t take your eyes off me.”
Then it went black.
***
I am jolted awake, and my eyes fly open. I’m back in the bright hospital room, and Sam is sitting next to my bed, gripping my hand.
“Hey, did you have a bad dream, angel?”
His handsome face is a mess of angst and days of pent-up worry. My skin is clammy, and my eyes glaze over. I will myself not to cry again.
“Hey, shhh, it’s all right. I’ve got you, you’re safe. Nothing’s going to happen. Not while I’m here, angel,” he whispers and climbs up on the bed. There clearly isn’t enough room in the tiny hospital bed for his large, muscular frame, but he snuggles into me and pulls me close to him. I am tucked under his arm; I have missed his strong, safe arms around me and his familiar soothing scent.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
I look up at him and swallow the lump in my throat.
“I remembered something about the crash.”
He looks at me and strokes my face.
“No, I want to; Seb was there, why didn’t he tell me he was there?”
I feel Sam tense next to me.
“It should have been me, baby; I should have been there for you.”
His jaw tenses, and I get the feeling that his green-eyed monster is making an appearance at Seb’s involvement in my life.
“He was with you until they cut you out, he was picking up some stuff from a tattoo supplier near to my building, and he saw your car in the middle of the road. He stayed with you and went in the ambulance with you. He called me straight after. I was rehearsing with the boys, but I came as soon as I heard, baby, I promise you.”
The fact that Seb was there is really bothering him. Bloody men! We talk about my flashback in detail and Sam thinks I am making progress. I actually can’t wait to get out of here. I hate hospitals—they’re full of sick people. The day passes without any more drama and another quick visit from Ruby. She got the job at the new advertising firm, and I am pleased that she has finally got back on her feet. She deserves to be happy. She leaves promising me that we will definitely celebrate when I get out of here. I fall into a dreamless sleep that night and don’t wake until the next morning.
I am finally allowed out of bed, and I am glad to be somewhere other than lying in that Goddamn hospital bed. I have a crutch, and my shoulder is strapped up in a dark-blue sling. I am escorted to the shower room by Estelle, and we chat easily as we walk, enjoying the distraction. I am glad to finally wash the remnants of the crash away, relishing the hot water against my skin. After my shower, I am feeling a bit more like my usual self. Hobbling down the brightly lit corridor in my favourite pyjamas with the aid of just my crutch, Estelle is a few steps behind me just in case I fall.
I see Sam pacing the floor with his hands in his hair. He has a deep-set frown line forming on his forehead.
“Where is she? No, I won’t bloody well calm down! You have to tell me where she is!”
His voice is thick with worry. I can see the tension radiating from him as the muscles in his arms and back bunch and tense. He turns around, and his green eyes lock with my blue ones, lacking their usual sparkle. He is in front of me in two large strides, scooping me up in his arms and squeezing me as gently as he can manage. I can feel him trembling against me, and he lets out a breath.
“Thank Christ you’re all right, angel, I think I died a million and one deaths not knowing where you were. Where’s Skip?”
I suppress my smirk at this completely new, possessive, protective side of Sam.
“Hey, I’m OK, I was taking a shower. Skip—I sent him home, he looked bored,” I say nonchalantly. Sam’s jaw tenses and he frowns.
“He is there to protect you, angel, it’s his fucking job, and it’s what we pay him for.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Sam, if the person responsible was going to finish the job, don’t you think they would have done it by now? It was probably some jealous fan or one of your legions of scorned women.”
He winces at the last phrase. Low blow, Harper.
“So far I haven’t seen any bunnies boiling in pots, no horse’s heads have magically appeared in my bed, and there’s definitely been no crazed lunatic hovering over my bed ready to hold a pillow over my face. So, you need to relax and stop bloody worrying so much, baby. Please, you’ll make yourself ill.”
Sam narrows his eyes. “Why aren’t you taking this seriously? This isn’t funny, Peyton, your safety is my number one priority right now, and I need to make sure you’re safe. What if I’m not here? What if I can’t get to you in time? Jesus, it doesn’t bear fucking thinking about.” He drags his hands through his hair and squeezes his eyes shut as if to calm himself. “Please let me call Skip.”
I sigh and lean heavily on my crutch. I reluctantly agree, “OK, if it makes you feel better, but I don’t like being guarded, Sam, it’s not necessary. I’m a big girl, I can look after myself.”
His mouth forms a straight line, and I know he is keeping his mouth shut. He towers over me and lifts my chin until I look up at him. He looks older, tired, and has a few days’ worth of stubble on his face. I reach up to stroke his face.
“Baby, when was the last time you slept properly?”
He lets out a deep breath, and he looks truly exhausted. “The night you came to mine, and you cooked me breakfast.”
We both smile at the memory.
“Sam, honey, go home and get some rest, please.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not going anywhere, angel.”
He carries me back to my hospital room. I settle back into the hospital bed, glad that I could stretch my legs and freshen up. I feel so much better and almost human again. Sam takes his place next to the bed, and his mobile starts ringing. He rolls his eyes and sighs.
“I’m sorry, I need to take this, babe. I’ll be right back.”
He kisses me gently on the lips and leaves the room. A few minutes later, the door opens again, and I am surprised to see my mum, dad, Dexter, and Eden. My mum rushes in with a look of pure worry on her beautiful face.
“Peyton, darling, thank the Lord you’re all right.” She hugs me tightly.
“Mum, I’m fine. Ouch, you’re hurting me.”
She pulls away and cups my face in both of her hands.
“Look at the state of you, Peyton, my beautiful girl, you’re clearly not fine. When you’re well enough, you’re coming back to Brighton with us, so we can take care of you properly.”
My dad brushes her arm. “Let’s not be too hasty, love, she is a big girl. Peyton can make up her own mind.”
My dad hugs me and kisses me on the forehead. “We’ve been so worried, sweetheart.”
I smile, and it takes everything I have not to cry again. “I’m sorry.”
Mum sits down on the chair next to my bed and takes my hand in hers.
“This isn’t your fault, darling, it was just a silly accident, it could have happened to anyone.”
I keep my mouth shut, because this definitely wasn’t an accident.
“We’re just glad you’re OK, we were out of our minds with worry. Sam called us when it happened; we’ve been popping in and out. We’re staying at Sam’s apartment, it’s very swish.”
Mum chuckles. Why has Sam not mentioned any of this to me before? I have a right to know that my parents are staying with him. I’m actually infuriated with him right now. Dexter moves closer to my bed and hugs me.
“I’m so glad you’re all right, sis, you scared the shit out of all of us!”
“Thanks, Dex.”
Eden is in the far corner of the room biting her nails and rolling her eyes profusely. She is, as ever, dressed immaculately in a dark grey playsuit, black tights, red heels, and a red skinny belt. She has her signature red lipstick on, and her hair is tumbling down her shoulders in chocolate waves. I narrow my eyes at her.
“That will teach her not to drive around in an ancient rust bucket. I bet she loves the attention of being in here. Sam pandering to her every need like the pathetic sap he is,” she says with disdain. Dexter turns around and looks straight at Eden.
“If you’re going to upset our sister then I suggest you just go, Eden, I’ve got no idea why you’re even here.”
My dad leans in toward Dexter and whispers some words of reassurance. He looks exasperated, runs his hands through his hair, and puffs out his cheeks.
“This is fucking bullshit!” he shouts and leaves the room, closely followed by my dad. I have never seen Dexter angry before. Eden smiles slyly, and I look at her.
“I don’t want you anywhere near me, Eden. Just go; you crossed the line when you tried to kiss my boyfriend.”
She rolls her eyes again. “You’re not still banging on about that are you, Peyton? Get over it, I have. He wasn’t even that good.”
I clench my fist until my knuckles turn white, and I know I am about to lose it with her.
“Just go,” I shout coldly.
“Not as good as Callum, though.”
My eyes widen in shock. What the fuck does Callum have to do with this?
“That shut you up, didn’t it, sis? Callum and I slept together; it’s been going on for a long time, even way before he left you.”
My mouth forms an O shape, and I can’t get my head around what I have just heard. It must have been her voice I heard when Callum called me last week.