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Chapter Thirty
Baxter
I don’t hesitate to take Raven back to my hotel suite instead of sending her back to the house. I understand her hesitation; I only hope that the guys can spruce it up enough that she feels comfortable to go back, especially as Phoenix has made the place a home. If I thought she’d let us buy her a new place, I wouldn’t think twice. She’d never allow it though. She must have been really desperate to give in to Rebel’s offer in the first place.
In the hotel room, dressed in what I can only assume is sweats belonging to one of the guys, she looks small and lost. She stares at the huge bed and shudders, before moving over to the sofa and curling up in the corner, making herself as small as possible. I hate it.
“Pop?” I ask her, offering her a can, which she wordlessly takes. I put the tv on and flick it to the movie channel. Too late, I panic about what might come on TV, but when I see the ghost of a smile pass her lips, I look to the screen to see it's one of the Harry Potter movies. Good. She loves that shit and it can’t do any harm.
I take a seat on the sofa, sitting at the far end. I feel uncomfortable, unsure what to say or do.
“You hungry?” I ask. She shakes her head no. “Tired?”
“A bit,” she replies.
“Do you want the guys to come over? They’re texting like crazy to check in on you.”
She looks around, as though she’s searching for her phone and suddenly she freezes, like it’s just hit her why she doesn’t have it anymore.
“I have a new phone for you. It’s all set up, on charge and ready to go.”
“Thanks,” she croaks.
“I’ll tell the guys to stay away tonight.”
“Please.”
I rattle off a quick text, knowing that my message won’t go down well, but not really caring. I just want to make sure she’s okay.
“Can I get you anything? Do you want a bath? A shower?”
She bites her lip, unsure.
“Maybe...a bath?” she words it as a question,
“Absolutely. Want to wait here while I run it for you?” I ask. She nods, and I race into the bathroom to sort it for her. Somehow she seems more fragile here than she did in the hospital bed. I fucking hate it. I’d give anything to make her feel whole again.
When the bath’s ready, I head back into the room to find Raven staring blankly at the TV screen, fat tears rolling slowly down her cheeks.
“Babe? Are you-” I hesitate. Of course she’s not okay, dickhead. “The bath is ready. Do you need...anything?”
“No,” she replies, getting to her feet and shuffling past me like a zombie. I leave her to it but keep a close ear out to ensure she’s okay.
“Babe, do you want clean sweats or something to sleep in?” I call through the closed door.
“Don’t mind,” comes her muffled reply.
Right. I grab some of my stuff out of the drawer and toss it onto the bed. She can use it if she wants. Or not.
My phone rings - Tilly - and I send it to voicemail. I check the time and realise I need to call Phoenix before she goes to bed. I dial Cordelia’s number.
“Baxter,” Cordelia’s clipped RP tones come over the line. “How is my granddaughter?”
“She’s been released from the hospital,” I inform her.
“Is she home?”
“Not yet. We’re doing some work on the place, so she’s staying at the hotel with me for a few days.”
