Brian had retrieved a spare T-shirt from the go-bag he kept in his vehicle, and now, he tossed it into his brother’s lap.“Figured you could use that.”
Grimacing, Sean pulled off the useless gown.“Thanks.Can I get out of here yet?”
“As soon as they get the test results,” Grace told him as she picked up the T-shirt.Bunching up the fabric, she helped him put it on, sliding it up his left arm so he didn’t have to move the injured shoulder more than necessary.
Between the two of them, they got him into the shirt, and then Grace leaned down to gingerly give him a brief kiss.
Lifting his good arm, he stroked her hair.“Thanks.”He smiled.“For the help and the kiss.”
“My pleasure.”Her relief at his teasing was evident as she finally relaxed for the first time since she’d heard he was being taken to the hospital.“How do you feel?”
“Aside from getting hit by a car, I’m good—sore but good.”He looked at Brian and the sheriff.“Any luck with the witnesses?”
Griffin shook his head.“No.They didn’t have much to add to your report.”
As he finished filling Sean in, the doctor returned.“Agent Malone, you’re a very lucky man.The scan was normal, so I’ll release you.Since there’s no sign of a concussion, I think the reason you passed out was the pain from the dislocation.I’ll give you a prescription for painkillers because I’m sure you’ll need them when the Demerol wears off.Ice your shoulder on and off for the rest of the day.You’ll be sore for a few days, but if it goes longer than that, I suggest you follow up with an orthopedist.”
“I’m a physical therapist, Doctor,” Grace said.“I’ll take care of his shoulder and take him to an ortho if needed.”
The man smiled broadly at her.“Perfect.I’ll send the nurse back in with the discharge papers, and then you can get out of here.”
“Those are the best words I’ve heard all day, Doc,” Sean said.“Thanks.”
Twenty minutes later, Sean carefully lowered himself into Grace’s car, keeping his bad arm tucked into the sling the nurse had given him.Grace would take him back to her place to recover while Dan drove Bonnie home.Brian and Griffin said their goodbyes, then headed back to the Sheriff’s Department to meet up with Montoya and Lynch to compare the rest of their notes.Brian assured his brother he would either call or stop by Grace’s later to fill him in.
Starting the car, Grace backed out of the parking space and steered toward the exit.“We’ll stop at the pharmacy on the way home.”
“I don’t need the prescription filled.I’ll be fine,” Sean sighed.
“Uh-uh.I can hear the pain in your voice, and it will only get worse when the Demerol wears off.You heard the doctor.Trust me—you’ll thank me later.”
Grace was happy he didn’t argue with her.He could be a tough guy at work, but this was her field, and she knew he would be hurting later.And the last thing she wanted was to see him in agony when it could be eased with medication.Stubborn man.
Instead of staying in the car and letting her run into the pharmacy, Sean insisted on going in with her.While she stood in line waiting for his prescription to be filled, he found the over-the-counter pain meds and grabbed a box of Tylenol.Grace rolled her eyes when he handed it to her.“Fine, but I guarantee you you’re going to want something stronger in about two hours.”
“We’ll see.”
Stubborn, macho man!My incredibly sexy, stubborn, macho man.
Grace shook her head.“Why don’t I run next door and order a pizza to take home?I only had a bagel for breakfast, and you have to be getting hungry.If you’re not, I can reheat it later for you.”
“I could eat some pizza,” he agreed.“Go order, and I’ll meet you in there when I’m done here.”
Grace leaned in and gave him a swift kiss.“Don’t you dare show up without the Vicodin, or I’ll have a headache for all of next week if you get my drift.”
She was half teasing and half serious.Starting tomorrow, she was going to do some physical therapy on his shoulder to help him heal faster, but the downside was that he would definitely be in pain without the narcotic.Sheriff Griffin had ordered him to stay home for a few days.They would keep him updated by phone, but they could survive without him for a bit.
“Yes, ma’am.”He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her.“You know, I like this take-charge Grace a lot.She’s turning me on.”
Chuckling, she sidestepped his subtle ass-grab attempt and lowered her voice so she wouldn’t be overheard.“If I remember correctly, there isn’t much that doesn’t turn you on.But I’ll be your Dominatrix if that’s what it takes for you to obey the doctor’s orders.Just don’t make me get out my whip, little boy.”
“Hmm,” he murmured as he stared at her mouth.“Dominatrix, yes.Whip?I’ll pass.”
“Then you better do what I say,” she ordered as she tried to control her smile and look stern.It was clear from his chuckling that she wasn’t succeeding.“Get your meds and meet me next door.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter18
