Chapter 5
ZOE
Something changed. Something around me. Suddenly the air was warmer and charged with electricity. I had no idea what was going on, but the crackle of energy pulled me from the depths of my slumber to hovering on the edge of wide awake. All I had to do was open my eyes and it would all be real again.
Slowly but surely the pain came back. My whole body protested as I wiggled and stretched out, taking up the length of the bed. Forcing my eyes open as much as I could, I felt lopsided. Like one eye was still shut. With trembling fingers I reached up and touched my own face.
“Careful,” a smooth, velvety voice cautioned me.
It was a voice I’d recognise anywhere. Summoning everything I had, I forced open my eyes and felt my breath catch as my eyes settled on the man leaning against the door frame.
“Hi,” I breathed barely audibly.
“Hey yourself.” He smiled, it wasn’t real. It didn’t reach his slate grey eyes. Right now I was so glad to see him that I didn’t care.
Relief flooded me. Spencer was here. I shouldn’t have even considered that he wouldn’t be. He’d probably kick my ass if he knew I’d doubted him. The bigger question was, why was I here? Why was I lying in a hospital bed freezing my tits off? What the hell happened?
Slowly and deliberately I squirmed, trying to sit up. But the more I moved, the more it hurt?and fuck did it.
“Let me help?” Spencer offered, moving towards me like I was a frightened, skittish animal. Every movement seemed deliberate, calculated. This wasn’t the Spencer I knew. Something more was going on with him. For right now, I’d let him be, but you can bet your ass I’d call him on it sooner rather than later.
“Thanks,” I accepted gratefully.
Stepping beside me, he wrapped his long, muscular arm around my back and in one swift movement, shifted me up the bed. I winced in pain. I wanted to cry, it hurt so much, but I didn’t want Spencer to regret helping. The warmth from his body was infiltrating my cold and weary bones, and the temptation to ask him to wrap his arms around me and hold me was almost too strong to resist.
After fluffing pillows and fussing about, Spencer stepped back and looked me squarely in the eye. “You okay?” his voice faltered.
“Yep,” I lied as well as I could, I knew Spencer didn’t buy it. I could see the disbelief in his eyes, but he somehow managed to bite tongue.
“Let me call a nurse.”
“No!” I barked more harshly than I’d intended.
Spencer’s neck snapped back and his jaw clenched. I watched as his fists balled at his sides. I could see the words bubbling in his brain, but thankfully none of them came out. The truth was I was more terrified than worried about the pain. The drugs they had me doped up on were keeping me pretty numb. I had no idea whether they were strong enough to kill the pain when he asked the questions I knew he was dying to. Thankfully, somehow he managed to show super human restraint.
“No probs,” he said through gritted teeth. “Want me to call Katie?”
“Shit, I completely forgot about the party!”
“I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“Yeah, but…” I trailed away.
“Don’t stress, I’ll let her know.” There was a confidence in his voice that reassured me.
For the first time I took in the man standing before me. It frustrated me that I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him. Right now he stole my breath. His jeans were tight in all the right places, sending my pulse soaring. The stubble on his jaw made my fingers itch. As soon as the thoughts crossed my mind, I felt my whole body freeze. Spencer had always been in my life, always there for the big moments…but for the first time I’d let myself imagine a future with him. A future that cast him in a starring role?and not simply the best friend role, either.
“It has to be the pain killers,” I mumbled, dismissing the confusing emotions.
“Sorry?”
“Nothing,” I explained, waving my hand away.
“Okay,” he conceded quickly. “You look like you’re in pain. Let me get someone.”
I didn’t want him to move. I needed him there with me. Somehow just having him in the room made everything better. I didn’t want to have to face this alone…at least not right now. I could read the apprehension in his eyes. I allowed myself to nod meekly. I couldn’t watch him suffer. That would hurt more than any physical pain ever could.
“I’ll be back,” he added gruffly as he shuffled out the door with his hands buried in his pockets.
