Then Chase walks in, hand in hand, with a pretty girl. They’re holding hands. Are they together? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her. Chase and the girl walk over, his eyes scanning me. “You okay?” He worries.
I smile and nod. “Yeah, thanks,” I answer and then look up at the pretty blonde. She’s petite, shorter than Chase, probably about my height, and she has a kind smile. Chase notices my gaze and nudges the girl forward with his hand on her lower back.
“Athena, this is my girlfriend Kim. Kim, this is Athena,” he introduces, and I offer a small wave.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she smiles. Drake’s hand squeezes mine, and I finally remember he’s still holding onto me. I didn’t realize. His hand is so familiar, pleasant, and warm. Everyone, especially Ross, stares at our hands, which makes my cheeks heat.
Slowly I slip free of the hold, feeling embarrassed that all these people saw me slip up, and wrap my arms around the elephant.
“So, when do I get to leave?” I ask to distract them. The question briefly flitted through my mind earlier before Mason distracted me. I don’t want to be in here any longer than I have to be. It’s not my first time, and it won’t be the last time in the hospital.
Mason stands, stretches, and says, “I’m not sure, but I’ll go ask,” before leaving the room.
“So, where’d the animal and flowers come from?” Ross asks in a teasing tone, which implies that he already knows. Jeez. Of course, he’d bring it up. A blush creeps up my neck, and I hide my face in the elephant.
“Drake,” I answer, but it’s muffled and sounds like Dhmm.
Ross laughs. “I couldn’t hear you. What was that, Button?” I lift my face out of the adorable animal and look at him. The giant grin on his face giving away the fact he’s messing with me. He’s just trying to embarrass me.
“Drake gave it to me,” I grumble, then pout when he laughs at me again.
Wanting to mess with him for hating on my elephant, I let fake tears well up in my eyes. One slips down my cheek, and Ross immediately stops laughing when I bury my face in the elephant and cry, “W-why does everyone m-make fun of m-me?”
“Crap! Athena, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to- it was- it was just a joke,” his voice wavers, worried, and I hear a growl, then a smack sounds through the room.
“Now you’ve done it, idiot,” I hear Chase scold him. Another smacking sound reaches my ears, probably from Chase. I can’t hold my laughter in anymore, so I lift my head and let it out. They all turn to me with confusion, furrowed eyebrows, and frowns.
“I got you!” I laugh, pointing at each of them. It takes them a second before they realize I wasn’t crying.
“Dang, you’re good,” Ross mutters, his hand on his chest, looking relieved. It’s sweet that they care so much- another reason to give in to their offers of friendship. At that moment, Mason walks back in with a man behind him. Everyone straightens up, their eyes falling on the man in the white coat.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Brooke,” he greets me. I shake his hand and smile.
“Were you my surgeon?” I ask, and he looks at me strangely, as if it’s not something people typically ask. I feel like it’d be a pretty standard question, but I guess not. He tucks his clipboard under his arm.
“Yes, is there something wrong?” I shake my head and motion for him to move forward. He hesitantly leans in, his eyes jumping from me to my brother. As soon as he’s close, I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Thank you,” I murmur. I know the doctor was just doing his job, but he saved my life. I want him to know I appreciate him. Doctors don’t always get the thanks they deserve, but I will always thank them if I can.
“You’re welcome,” Dr. Brooke says, sounding a little uncomfortable. Maybe I shouldn’t have hugged him. He clears his throat, holds his clipboard back in front of him, and reads over it. “Due to the severity of your injuries, we will keep you here for another day or two to monitor your progress, but after that, everything should be fine. You’ll go home and resume school,” he tells me, and the tension eases when everyone smiles.
“Hey, Doc, do you think there are any cute nurses that’d look over my broken heart?” Ross asks, his hand over his heart in a feigned, sad gesture, which makes me laugh. The Doctor sends Ross a pointed look, rolls his eyes, and exits the room when he sees we don’t have any pertinent questions.
I feel a yawn coming, and I try to hold it in, but it escapes through my fingers. Everyone notices, and I nervously rub the red scars on my wrist because of the attention. Mason sits back in his chair with a sigh. “You guys should probably go. Athena needs to rest,” Mason explains. They all stand.
Each boy gently brushes their fingers over my shoulder with a “see you later” or “feel better.”
“Wait!” I call when they’re almost out of the room. “Mason, you need to go home, too. You have school tomorrow. You don’t need to miss anymore.” He groans, then glances at Drake, who is currently leaning against the wall.
“Someone needs to stay here with you,” Mason says. I look up at Drake. He’s looking down at the floor to give a semblance of privacy as Mason and I talk. Honestly, it would be nice to have someone around. I don’t want to be alone here. Hospitals aren’t exactly the most fun places.
Then something occurs to me. Since Drake won’t be going to school, he could stay.
“How about Drake?” I ask. Drake’s eyes widen in shock at my suggestion. He’s probably wondering why I’d want him to stay, especially with the way I’ve treated him. He doesn’t know it, but I’ve kind of grown to like the annoying yet caring guy in front of me. After all, who doesn’t want someone there for them? Someone other than family, I mean.
Mason looks between Drake and me. “Could you?”
“Yeah, sure. Your sister’s right. You need to go to school, and since I’m suspended, I won’t be missed,” Drake shrugs, and Mason hesitantly nods. Drake may have helped us, but I’m sure Mason is just nervous about leaving me alone. He’s not used to me needing someone to watch over me.
After waiting for a minute, probably from an internal debate, Mason grabs his stuff and makes his way to the door, but Drake stops him. “Mason, I have to leave when school’s done, though. I have to get to my job,” he says, and Mason nods. Job? I didn’t know he had a job. Anyway, Mason will probably be back by that time. It still doesn’t stop me from thinking that I’m not a child.
Even though I’d like to have someone here, I don’t need someone with me at all times.
“I’ll be fine if someone isn’t here for a few minutes,” I tell them. For a second, I wonder what kind of job Drake has, then I shake the thought away. If he wanted me to know, he’d tell me. I reach my hand out to Mason, who takes it and leans in. “Bye, Mase. See you tomorrow,” I kiss his cheek. He smiles and leaves.
Another yawn comes, and Drake sits in Mason’s chair, pulling it closer and peering at me. His eyes glint with curiosity as he stares. It’s a bit discomforting but interesting at the same time. I stare back. His blue eyes are so stark in contrast to his dark hair and the dark ink creeping up his neck and arms.
“I thought you didn’t like me,” he finally murmurs. Carefully, so I don’t hurt myself, I turn over on my uninjured side and hug my elephant.
“I never said I didn’t like you, Drake. I just- I have trust issues,” I tell him. “But you saved me, gave me flowers, and gave me this elephant. I believe I can trust you now,” I smile. He laughs and leans on the arm of the chair.
“So you’ll call off your guard dog?”
“What?”
“Your friend, Cinder Wolf, threatened us and told us to leave you alone,” he tells me. I’d almost forgotten because of all the problems. I bite my lip and rub my wrists.
“Oh, yeah. I’ll ask her to leave you alone.” He says nothing after that, so I grab the call button and push it. If he’s going to sleep here, he needs something more comfortable than that chair. It takes a minute, but a nurse finally shows up.
> “Do you need something?” She asks. Drake sends me a confused glance, his eyebrows pulling together to form a little v-shape between them.
“Can I get an extra pillow and a blanket?” She nods and walks out, giving Drake the chance to talk.
“Are you cold?” He asks, and I realize I am. Had it been this cold earlier? Whatever. That’s not the reason I asked for the blanket.
“No, they’re for you,” I offer a smile. “Mason slept on the couch last night, but they took the pillow and stuff. I figured you’d want to do the same.” He nods but doesn’t move. It’s a little awkward, him staying silent because I don’t know what to say. He’s only been in my life a short time, most of which I’ve been pushing him away, so now that I’ve accepted him, what should I say?
“Here you go. Please let me know if you need anything else,” the nurse announces as she walks back in and hands the items to Drake, who thanks her. With sleepy eyes, I watch as Drake pulls his jacket off and walks around my bed. He moves out of my eyesight, so I pull the thin sheet over my body and stare at the piece of clothing. His jacket that’s probably nice and warm and comfortable… and it probably smells nice too.
I shake the thought from my head. I can still hear him shuffling around, and when the sound stops, I know he’s laid down.
A second later, the light goes out, and everything plunges into icy darkness. I tighten my grip on the elephant and tuck my covers closer to me.
The longer I lay here, the colder it seems to grow. Seriously, do the nurses keep it negative fifteen degrees in here? A sudden shiver runs through my body, and I pull the covers closer to me, but it’s just a sheet and a light blanket. It doesn’t do much. You’d think that if they keep it cold, they’d provide something more than a sheet for comfort.
I grit my teeth to keep them from chattering. My body also begins to shake. As I lay there shivering, my eyelids grow heavy, and even though I try, I can barely keep them open. My eyes fall closed, and a sudden warmth covers me- a lovely heat.
Prying my eyes open a little, I watch Drake’s shirtless, tattooed back shuffling away. I lower my eyes and smile. He lays his heavy leather jacket over my torso, trapping warmth around me. He’s sweet.
My heart skips a beat, and I smile, letting my eyes close and finally allowing sleep to take me.
~*~
The light shines on my eyelids, and I open my eyes. Looking around, I remember that I’m in the hospital. Sighing, I carefully sit up and look around. Drake is asleep on the couch, shirtless, with his arm over his eyes. I really have to pee, but I don’t want to bother him, so I slide out of bed. Big mistake. The pain from my wound hits me, and I crumple to the floor.
“Athena?” Drake calls. I whimper in pain as I try to get off the floor. This is much harder than I thought it would be.
“Over here,” I croak, pain reaching into my voice. I hear shuffling, and a second later, worried green eyes are looking into mine.
“Are you okay? Why are you on the floor?” He helps me up, hands gentle on my waist. And- and I don’t totally hate it. I wince in pain and lean into him as he supports my damaged body. Heat creeps up my neck into my cheeks.
“I-I had to go to the bathroom, and you were asleep. I didn’t want to wake you, so I tried to get up myself,” I mumble, trying to hold back the wince of pain. “It didn’t work, as you can see.”
“You should’ve woken me. I don’t mind helping you, especially if you’re in pain,” he tells me and carefully scoops me up into his arms. I gasp, surprised, and wrap my arms around his neck. He better not drop me.
Drake carries me into the bathroom, making me blush again, and sets me on my feet. “Call me when you’re done,” he says, and I bite my lip in embarrassment. How much more dependent can I be? I had to have someone- namely a gorgeous, tatted-up bad boy- help me to the bathroom. I might die just from the embarrassment.
Chapter 12
Athena
After I finish using the restroom, I open the door and peer out. I don’t want to depend on someone all the time, so I hold on to the wall and walk... well, limp. The second I’m out of the bathroom, Drake scoops me up again. “I told you to call me,” Drake tells me, and I huff. He carries me to the bed and sets me down.
I sit back and scowl at him. “I could’ve done it.”
Drake pulls on a black t-shirt, and I blush. I forgot he was shirtless, and to make things more embarrassing, I might’ve been staring. Like a crazy person. I don’t look away, though, as his shirt falls over his taut abs and defined muscles... stop it, Athena! What is wrong with me?
“Sure. You would’ve ended up on the floor like earlier and hurt yourself more than you are now,” he scoffs with an eye roll, and because of the throbbing pain in my side, I know he’s right. He sits next to my bed and clicks the call button. Drake mumbles something about food and leaves the room. After a minute, a nurse walks in, and his eyes scan over my body. He smirks.
“Hello, beautiful. How can I help you?” He asks, and I look down, feeling uncomfortable. He’s at least ten years older than me and shouldn’t be hitting on me, mostly since I’m a patient.
“Uh, I- my side hurts. Can I have some pain medication?” He steps closer, so I move away when he touches my arm. I keep my eyes away from him as he flicks on my morphine pump. The IV runs, and I sit back, watching the medicine work through the clear tube and into me. I close my head and lay back. The medicine works fast. My pain goes from a seven to a three in a quick drop, and I silently thank whoever invented painkillers.
A finger brushes my cheek, and my eyes fly open to see the man smirking at me. He’s too close and acting too familiar with me.
“Don’t touch me,” I order, grabbing his wrist and shoving it away.
“Oh, feisty. I like feisty,” he tells me, moving his hand to grab my wrist. I pull my arm, but his grip tightens. What kind of hospital is this?
“Let go,” I order, but he just moves closer. I move my head away, dodging his attempt to kiss me. Where’s Drake when I need him? Where is the other nurse I had? I figured she’d be the one to respond when I called.
“Step away if you know what’s good for you,” an angry voice demands from the doorway. Speak of the devil. Or the angel? I can’t tell anymore. I crane my neck to see Drake glaring at the nurse. His hands are white-knuckling the tray he’s holding, the thin line of his lips expressing his growing anger.
I pull my arm, but the man doesn’t let go. “Drake,” I call as my wrist begins to ache. His eyes flicker to me, then soften. He sets the food tray down on a counter and walks to my side.
“I said let her go,” he growls, grabbing the nurse’s hand and yanking it. I gasp as the nurse’s hand pulls me forward, sending a sharp pain up my side. The nurse lets go, and I clutch my side. I hear skin-on-skin contact and look up to see Drake raising a fist to punch the nurse again.
I clutch my side and shift to my knees. “Drake, stop!” I yell. He looks up with angry eyes. “Stop, I’m okay,” I tell him, trying to push sincerity past the pain. “Please don’t get thrown out!” He hesitates for a moment before he lets the nurse go with a growl.
“What’s going on here?” Another nurse yells as she enters the room. Her eyes fall on Drake then move to the man lying on the floor. “I’m calling security!” She leaves the room, and Drake moves to my side. He pulls my hand into his, gently pushes me to lay back, and glances at my side.
“Are you okay?” I nod. It hurts- still, it's nothing I can’t handle.
“Escort him out,” the woman’s voice demands, and I immediately squeeze Drake’s hand. The security guard grabs the man and hauls him off the ground. The woman hurries over and stands next to my bed, checking me quickly before she looks at the guard. What she says next shocks me. “That’s the second time this man has snuck in and harassed patients. I want him banned from this hospital!” The guard nods, grabs the man, and drags him out of the room.
“Wait, so he’s not a nurse?”
“No, he is,
but he’s new. He’s snuck in before. We think he was planning to drug the patient, but one of her nurses came in before he did anything,” she says, and my eyes widen.
“Didn’t you contact the police?” Drake asks, and I nod in agreement. How did the police not do anything?
She sighs and checks my vitals, the medicine levels, and the heart monitor stickers- or whatever they’re called. “We couldn’t prove anything last time because he didn’t physically hurt or drug the patient. I’m going to call the police, personally,” she tells me, and I nod. Good. They need to do something about this.
With Drake standing so close to me, I can feel the anger rolling off of him in thick waves. I squeeze his hand, which makes him look down at me.
“Well, I’m fine,” I tell her, and she nods as I continue, “You can make that call.”
She walks to the door but turns around before she leaves. “My name is Alice. Please call me if you need anything,” she tells us, and with that, she leaves. I peer at Drake, who still looks mad, so I tug on his hand.
“Thanks for saving me... again,” I whisper. Drake says nothing, just nods. It seems like he’s doing a lot of that lately- saving me.
Sighing, I let go of his hand and lay my head back. I should’ve been able to protect myself. This injury isn’t going away quickly. I close my eyes and think about what happens next in my life. How am I going to fight if I can’t even walk? How long until I’ll be able to fight? It’s not like I can just ask the Doctor. If I can’t fight, I’ll never get enough money to get out of that house.
For comfort, I grab the elephant that Drake gave me and bury my face in it. Frustration bubbles up, and I want to scream. There’s so much to think about. So much on my plate. I have no choice. I have to get us out of that house before Alisha separates us.
Not So Cinderella Page 11