Page 66 of Lying to the Boss

Everything is blurry and the light hurts but I fight through it because I want to know what the hell is going on. I can’t remember anything. I don’t even know where I am.

In my head, I speak. I open my mouth and ask where I am, but I hear the words that come out and they sound more like the adults from that Peanuts show.

I hear something else that sounds like that too, then a blob moves in front of my vision. It leans closer, and I’m able to see that it’s not a blob. It’s a person. Someone I don’t recognize with big green eyes. Female. Blond hair pulled back neatly.

I blink a few times when I see her lips move and hear sounds but can’t make out the words. She smiles kindly, and when she speaks again, I’m able to read her lips.

“How are you feeling?”

“Tied…” is what comes out, though I meant to say tired.

She nods. “Sleep more, if you need.”

The words make a little more sense but not fully.

Maybe I should go back to sleep, but I want to know what is going on, where I am, and what the hell got me here.

“Nuh… No…”

The woman moves, taking a small step away and I get a better view of her. I see a magenta-colored outfit and a name badge hanging from a pocket on her shirt.

Nurse? Am I in the hospital?

She brings a small cup and straw toward my mouth.

“Sip. Just a little,” she says, and I hear it that time. Loud and clear like my ears finally remembered their job.

I take the sip, and even though it’s water, it’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted in my life. I didn’t realize how dry my mouth was. I lick my lips and take a breath.

“Where am I?” I manage to ask as I blink some more, my vision clearing with each one.

“You’re at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. You were in an accident. Do you remember any of it?”

I wrack my brain and don’t recall an accident. I know I spent the weekend with Lane, but that’s the last thing I r—

“Lane,” I blurt out. “He okay?”

“He’s waiting for you outside the room, along with your parents.”

Fuck.

“Once you’re feeling up to it, I’ll let them in.”

“Just Lane.”

“All right. I’ll let him know.” She smiles, tucks me in a little better, checks a few of the machines, and then she’s gone.

A moment later, I hear the familiar slap of Lane’s expensive shoes on the floor. He comes around the same side the nurse was just on.

“Tage—”

“You’re okay,” I say, looking into his deep brown eyes.

“So are you. Fuck, I was so worried about you, Tage.” He takes my hand, squeezing it.

I frown, noting not a single scratch. “We weren’t together?”

He frowns. “No, we weren’t,” he says carefully.