“You heard what the doctor said,” Dad says. “He doesn’t advise moving her for twenty-four hours. I don’t want to risk it.”
“Someone just tried to kill our daughter, Douglas.” Mom’s tone is borderline hysterical as I try to blink my eyes open.
“I am aware, Pamela! But moving her against medical advice could hurt her. I understand security is a concern, so let’s put a guard on the door and one inside the room until we can safely move her.”
“That won’t stop whoever did this. I’m not sitting around twiddling my thumbs while they try again,” Jase snaps, his words laced with concern.
“That’s not your decision to make,” Dad replies in a snotty tone.
You tell him, Dad.
“You shouldn’t be here, Jase,” Mom replies. “Nothing has changed in relation to your situation.”
I purposely keep my eyes closed now, wanting to listen. They might spill some secrets if they think I’m still sleeping.
“Try keeping me away, Pamela. Go on, I dare you,” he sneers. “Someone just took potshots at the woman I love. No one is keeping me away from Ashley right now.”
There’s a loud noise, and I jolt on the bed as heavy footsteps approach. “Is she okay? What happened?” Ares pants, sounding out of breath. “Jesus, fuck. What happened to her head?”
“You need to leave,” Jase says as Mom clasps my hand and says, “Ashley, can you hear me?”
I guess the game is up. I slowly open my eyes, wincing at the stabbing pain in my skull and the harsh bright lights.
“Turn the lights down,” Bree says as more footsteps race into the room.
I am pretty sure I must be in the ICU. I’m almost positive they only let two or three visitors in at one time. With the way my head is pounding and my body is aching, I understand why, and I fully support that rule. I’m guessing Luminary influence is at play, and that’s why there are no nurses around and my room is crowded with noisy idiots fighting with one another.
“Jase, is she okay?” Chad asks, panic clear in his tone. “The news is all over campus. It said one girl was killed and Ashley was shot. Is that true?”
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Ares says as Mom squeezes my fingers.
“I have more right to be here than you,” Chad retorts as I attempt to open my eyes again.
It’s less bright this time, but the sharp pain in my head remains.
“I disagree. After the stunt you pulled Saturday night, you have no right being anywhere near Ashley,” Ares says.
“Neither of you should be here, and you need to leave now,” Jase says.
“I want all of you out because this isn’t about you,” Dad grits out in a clipped tone.
“Shut the fuck up, all of you,” I croak, pushing the words out of my scratchy throat. “You’re making my head hurt worse.”
The instant silence is golden.
“How do you feel, honey?” Mom asks in a soft voice.
“Like I just got shot.” My vision focuses as I look at her. “Is that true? It all happened so fast.”
“You were extremely lucky, princess.” Dad comes around the other side of my bed. “The shot just grazed your temple.”
“You have a bad concussion, and you banged your hip when you fell, but it’s just bruised,” Mom says. “You’ll be sore for a few days, but there is no serious damage.”
“Did you see who did this?” Bree asks, coming up alongside me.
I am deliberately not looking at Chad, Jase or Ares.
“No. I had bent down to tie my laces when the first shot was made. That other girl, the one who got hit, that bullet was meant for me.”
