“But…”
“No buts, Zoe.”
“Zoe, just shut up and sit your cute butt down.” Spencer grinned. “I’m driving.”
Carefully I settled into the wheelchair. Honestly, I felt like an idiot. I didn’t need a wheelchair. I could walk. I wasn’t in a position to argue. Well, not with Nurse Foreman, anyway. Spencer, on the other hand, he was another matter altogether. A moment later Spencer flung my bag over his shoulder like it weighed nothing at all and stepped behind me.
“Hang on!” I called out.
“What? What’s up, Zoe?” Spencer dropped to a knee at my side.
“I don’t know if I trust you pushing me.” As my words sunk through Spencer’s thick skull, a devilish smirk covered his face. I couldn’t stifle my giggle.
“Well, you shouldn’t. Not now.” He laughed, moving back behind me.
“Spencer McLaren. Don’t make me punish you,” Nurse Foreman warned.
He laughed. A deep, full belly laugh. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” he promised as he dropped a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Thanks for taking care of my girl.”
“Any time, Spencer. Now it’s your turn. You know where we are if you need anything. And Zoe…” She smiled a sad smile as she turned her attention back to me. “You take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.”
“I won’t,” I promised, startling myself with my honesty.
“And if this one,” she said, pointing directly at Spencer, who just grinned stupidly, “gives you any trouble at all, you just let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
“I think I can handle him.”
Her gaze flicked between us. “Yeah, I think you can.”
“Hey!” Spencer protested half-heartedly. “I’m still here, you know? I can hear you.”
“I know,” both Nurse Foreman and I replied at the same time with a laugh.
“Take care, Zoe.” She smiled. “Spencer, take her home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded before starting to push me down the corridor.
I wasn’t embarrassed…well, I didn’t want to be, but as Spencer pushed me down the empty corridor, I couldn’t help but duck my head and hope no one noticed me. The truth was I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. I looked a fright. Like if young kids saw me coming, I wouldn’t blame them if they ran away screaming.
Spencer remained quiet, which was unusual for him, but I was thankful. He pushed me through the hospital and the heavy glass automatic doors. I sucked in a deep breath and it hurt like a motherfucker. I’d forgotten how much my ribs hurt. But it felt so damn good to see sunlight. It warmed my cool skin, and somehow it gave me hope.
I wasn’t sure what time it was but somehow, after everything that had happened, it felt like I’d lost hours. It had to be mid-afternoon the sun was still high in the sky.
“Ready?” Spencer asked as he locked the brakes on the wheelchair.
“Yeah,” I answered automatically but it came out as more of a whimper. All my confidence had abandoned me.
Spencer stuck out his hand and helped me stumble to my feet. My legs were shaky beneath me and I prayed they’d hold me upright. For a moment we just stood. Both my hands were wrapped around Spencer’s arm, my breathing rapid and uneven.
I thought Spencer was going to say something, instead he remained silent. I’d never appreciated it more. I was quickly approaching breaking point. I was struggling. I was barely holding my shit together right now. I couldn’t stand it if he kept staring at me. Asking if I was okay.
After a few minutes of nothing at all, I looked up into Spencer’s face and nodded softly. With that he led me towards his car. Slow, measured steps made the trek across the car park feel like it went on forever. Spencer was patient with me. He helped me into his truck, dropping my bag onto the backseat before slipping behind the wheel.
Time was running out. I knew I had to speak up but my throat was inexplicably dry. Using all of the energy I had left, I forced myself to say something. “Spencer…”
“Yeah?”
“Can you drop me off at the motel?”
