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“C.C. did this to you?”
My jaw went slack and I couldn’t form two words, what did he know about Cole?
“It don’t matter,” he answered himself, “You’re going to get checked out.”
“I need to check the cash register,” I protested, even if I had a feeling nothing was missing.
I couldn’t remember what he’d said, but I knew the encounter had been personal. It wasn’t a robbery or a random event.
He found what he’d come for and his message was plastered against my scalp.
“I just need a shower,” I tried to negotiate, once I’d satisfied myself that the money appeared to be untouched.
Despite my many objections, Victor drove straight to the emergency room.
I allowed myself to be shown to a room and then made it my personal business to fall asleep as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to answer questions. I didn’t want to remember. I just wanted to go home and shower.
The nurses were super nice, many of them offering sympathetic glances as they worked on labs and aided in the stitching.
Once they finished, the nurse went to round up Victor.
I was overjoyed that he was home, even if he had to find me in such a state.
“You’re looking more alert,” Victor announced, drawing my attention to the door.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Cole.
I felt ridiculous with the tiny area of hair shaved, and couldn’t help but poke fun at myself, “Am I still pretty?”
“Don’t you never doubt it.” Cole grinned, despite the disgusted look Victor shot his way.
“Alright,” A peppy nurse with tidy hair and a warm smile stepped into the room, “Doctor gave you some prescription strength ibuprofen, I have a list of instructions to go over with you, and then you can be on your way with your family.”
The awkward gaze I fixed Cole with made the lady flash an apologetic smile, “Sorry, I shouldn’t assume.”
“You’re fine,” Victor excused, with a sniff.
He turned his attention to the hallway while the nurse went over my instructions, I missed most of them, I was too busy stealing glances of the vest my son was wearing.
I should have slapped the taste out of him, but I wasn’t sure I had the energy.
I allowed Cole to escort me outside, only for my feet to fail me when I saw Patrick’s car at the curb. I’d been so off I hadn’t realized what Victor was driving when we left the diner.
“You okay?” Cole murmured.
“Mhmm,” I forced a laugh that sounded fake to my own ears.
“I’m gonna get her home,” Victor announced once Cole had helped me to my seat.
He didn’t wait for goodbyes; he started moving the door while Cole was still standing in the way of it.
“Oh, uh… right. Of course.” Cole nodded, before marching toward his motorcycle.
“Victor,” I scolded, once he got behind the wheel.
He didn’t bother acknowledging me, instead he turned the key in the ignition.
The shock of his disrespect traveled through me like a lightning bolt. I shifted forward, grabbed the wheel from his hand and used it to heft myself up enough to pop him upside the back of his head.
