“Let me go find a nurse.” Connor said before pressing another soft kiss to my forehead and walking out of the room.
He was so gentle with me, almost as if he was afraid to break me, which, again, confused the fuck out of me. I liked that side of him, the one he didn’t show anyone else. Where his only concern is me and making sure I’m okay. But then I hate myself for that since I don’tneedanyone to look out for me. I’m sure Jake would disagree, and I’m starting to feel like Connor was feeling that way, too.
Growing up, I never really had anyone who looked out for me other than Jake, and now… Connor. It makes me wonder if maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to let someone else care for me, to not have to carry everything on my shoulders and pretend I was okay for everyone else’s sake.
The rattle of the door pulled me out of my head as I saw Connor, Jake, and my doctor walk in. He was holding a tablet and looking at it through his reading glasses before he looked up at me and gave me a warm smile. “I hear you’re ready to get out of this place.”
“Please.” I begged. It was almost 3:00 a.m., and I was ready to get out of here.
“I think I can make that happen. Nothing crazy tonight, and I want you to take tomorrow off to rest.”
“Oh, I’ll be okay.”
“Miss Flynn, that wasn’t a suggestion. Although you feel better, your body is still healing.”
“Okay.” I shrugged.
“Perfect, let me go get your paperwork, and we’ll have you out of here.”
I nodded at him, but I was already thinking about all the things I would miss at work tomorrow and everything I would have to do to catch up the next day. I mean, if I did go to work tomorrow, it’s not like he would know. Plus, he can’t really stop me. Doctors don’t have that much control over their patients. If I got tired, I could go home then, but taking off a full day wasn’t going to happen.
“Don’t do that.” Connor glared at me.
“Do what?”
“Tell the doctor you’d take tomorrow off while actually ignoring him. You’re not going to work tomorrow.”
“Yes, I am.”
“For fuck’s sake, Emma,” Jake groaned. “Did you not hear him?”
“Yeah, I did, but I have things I need to do.”
“Like rest.” Connor pointed out.
“Like work.” I snapped.
“Emma.” He glared again, while Jake looked between us, opening his mouth and closing it. I was surprised he hadn’t told Connor off for talking to me this way.
“You can’t make me.” I rolled my eyes.
Connor’s whole body tensed, his pupils dilated while he took in a sharp breath. I know he wanted to say more, but with Jake here, he was holding off. I didn’t want to hear it anyway. Whatever comeback he had, he could keep it to himself.
“I don’t think you should be alone tonight,” Jake spoke up. “Just to be safe but I’m already staying in a hotel because of the issue with the water. Can you stay with a friend tonight?”
“Yes,” I lied.
“Great, I’ll drop you off.”
“No, that’s okay,” I assured him. “I have to stop by my house first and grab some stuff. I’ll have them come get me. Just drop me off there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then. I’ll… leave you guys to whatever this is. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready to go.”
Jake gave Connor a quick glance, and that’s when I figured out that he wanted Connor to ride my ass. He wanted him to tell me what to do because he knew I wouldn’t listen to him. He was passing me off like I was a little kid that needed to be scolded. Once the door was shut, Connor walked over to the bed and sat in the chair. He stared at me like he was studying my whole face and locking it into his memory, but there was no way thisman really still wanted me. He just liked to have power, and he thought he would get that from me.
