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I pull in a deep breath as another wave of hysterical crying jag threatens to erupt. Blowing it out slowly, I tell my man the truth, “He... he tried to touch me. I'm okay, but I can't stay here. I want to come home.”
Home.
To him and our girls where I feel safe.
“I'm on my way, baby,” he growls, and I can hear him moving, no doubt already heading for his truck. “Stay where you are, baby. I'll be there in ten minutes.”
“Okay,” I whisper, relief washing over me. “Please be careful.”
After ending the call, I take a few moments to compose myself. I breathe in deep breaths and slowly let them out. Once I’ve got myself pulled together, I climb to my feet and unlock the door. Heading over to the sink in the corner, I look at my reflection in the mirror that hangs above and panic hits me for a whole otherreason. “Oh, God.” I rush to turn on the faucet and splash the cool water on my face.
I can’t let Thorn see me like this. There’s no telling what he’d do.
It takes me a good five minutes to put myself back together and then I quickly head to the nurses’ station.
Hearing my footsteps, Harley looks up and the smile that was on her face falls away.
“Oh my, God! Oak? What happened?” she asks, jumping out of her chair and rushing towards me.
I look around to make sure nobody’s around then pull her back behind the counter. “I need you to cover for me. Thorn's coming to pick me up,” I whisper, keeping my voice low.
Her eyes narrow. “Did something happen with Dr. Creepy?” I nod, not trusting my voice.
Harley's face hardens, and she squeezes my arm. “Go. I've got you covered.”
“Thank you,” I say, my voice cracking.
“Always. But, Oak? You need to report this.”
I know she's right, but the thought of making an official complaint makes my stomach turn. I hate confrontation and starting a war with the head of Emergency Medicine isn’t what I want at all, but I can’t keep doing this either.
Giving Harley my eyes, I make her a promise. “I’ll go see Mrs. Thompson, in HR, first thing tomorrow morning.”
Harley nods. “Good. Now, go. I'll let the charge nurse know that you weren't feeling well and had to take off.”
“Thanks, Harley,” I squeeze her hand and head for the exit.
Just as I step through the hospital’s sliding doors, Thorn's truck is pulling up to the curb.
Seeing him, even with his jaw clenched and eyes full of fire, makes me feel safe for the first time since I left him this morning.
I climb into the passenger seat and before I can even buckle my seatbelt, Thorn's hands are on my face, gently turning me to look at him. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
My eyes close as I lean into his touch. “No,” I whisper. “I'm okay. He just scared me.”
A low growl rumbles up his chest and my eyes open.
“I’ll kill him. I swear to God, Oakland, I'll?—”
“No,” I cut him off, placing my hands over his. “Please, Thorn. I just want to go home.”
His eyes close and he sucks in a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “Okay, baby. You can have your way for right now, but we have to talk about this when we get home.”
“I know.”
The drive home is silent, but I can feel the tension radiating off him.
I know sitting on his hands goes against everything he stands for, but I'm grateful for his restraint.
