“Don’t invite more trouble, Punc.”
7
Because You Have to Be
Savannah
Iwokeupandsaw someone holding my hand with their head hunched over it. I’d know that honey-blond head of hair anywhere.
“Ted,” I rasped.
His head snapped up and he aimed wide blue eyes at me. “Save your strength.”
I licked my lips. “Why are you here?”
“Nowhere else I want to be. Let me get the nurse.”
He must have pulled the short straw. Nowhere else he wants to be, my foot.
The nurse came in and told Ted to wait outside. He wandered off with his cell in his hand.
“What day is it?” I asked.
“Tuesday.”
I gasped.
She patted my arm. “Calm down. Your boss was here earlier. It’s all gonna be fine. Let me get Dr. Lester.”
Half an hour later, Ted came back when the doctor was done.
“Thanks for being here, Ted - I mean, Puncture.”
“Don’t thank me,” he grumbled.
“Why?”
“You never should have been attacked. So don’t thank me for being here. It’s every brother’s fault you’re here.”
“That isn’t right.”
“Rest. Cat should be here soon. She and Alanis were pulling into the parking garage when you woke up.”
“I’m sorry I was attacked.”
The way he stared at me should have unnerved me, but instead I found it to be oddly soothing because nobody had ever looked at me like that. Like I mattered… like I was precious.
He dropped into a chair. “Don’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault.”
I cleared my throat. “It’s nice that you stuck by my side here.”
“Nice?” he asked.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s… you’re just here because you have to be.”
The air felt heavy, and his expression changed. If I wasn’t mistaken, he looked stern. “Savannah, that isn’t the reason—”
“Thank God you’re awake,” Catalina said, charging into the room.
