“That’s gotta hurt considering the hate you feel.” The guy smirked, and I nodded.
“Ain’t going to lie, it’s a bitter taste.” I squinted at his name badge. “Gonna let me in, Sailor?”
“Yeah, although I might record this for posterity.”
“I know how to kill you in a dozen ways that won’t be detected,” I whispered as I passed him.
Sailor blanched before laughing again as I entered the room.
“Fuck off, whichever of you assholes it is,” Stone growled from the bed.
“Fine, that saves me saying thanks,” I responded, and Stone’s eyes flew open.
“April! Stay! I thought it was one of those idiots.”
“Which ones?”
“The club’s been assholes. They’ve been bringing me gifts,” Stone complained as he hefted himself up. He motioned to a pile of random items on a chair. I smiled as I saw two crash dummy helmets, padding, a ream of cotton wool, a large ‘Hero’ badge, and a pair of oversized dark glasses.
“At least they care.”
“Yeah, I can do without that shit,” Stone grumped. He squinted at me and covered his eyes.
“Is the light too bright?” I asked, and he nodded gingerly.
I moved to the window, pulled the blinds, and turned off all the lights except a small lamp. “Better?”
Stone released a groan of relief that sent shivers through me. I’d once heard that same noise in a different situation. Ruthlessly, I shoved the memory away.
“Did you get hurt? All anyone could talk about was how that bitch tried to kill you and how you’re pressing charges,” Stone asked as he checked me over.
“I’ve got bruised knees and elbows, but you took the brunt of it. Thank you, that ambulance would have seriously injured me,” I managed to say in an even tone.
Stone looked at me, and a quiet chuckle escaped. “That really fuckin’ hurt you, didn’t it?”
“Oh, you’ve no idea,” I replied, and Stone chuckled again before wincing.
“Use the pain relief. A fractured skull is no joke. Have you had nausea or felt shaky?”
“April, I don’t need another nurse,” Stone said, and I stiffened.
Well, fuck you too!
My thoughts must have shown on my face because Stone started babbling. “I didn’t mean it like that. People won’t leave me alone in peace and quiet… crap, that’s not what I meant either. They keep coming in and poking me with shit. Worse, Sailor stands there watching over them and making everyone nervous. I’ve a head injury, so why do they need to keep drawing blood and jabbing me?”
“Wow, whiny much?”
Stone glowered. “I hate hospitals.”
“Okay. Anyway, I wanted to say thanks. You didn’t have to do that,” I said.
“Yeah, I did. I owed you,” Stone argued. “April, can we talk?”
“No! That’s not happening. You and I aren’t going to be friends. Stone, you broke me, and you did it on purpose. You saved me from being squished, and I’m grateful, but there’s no us. Once Clara is healed, we’re leaving South Dakota. Stick in your lane, I’ll stay in mine,” I replied.
Stone geared up to argue. I wasn’t prepared to hang around and let Stone offer explanations about his appalling behaviour when we broke up.
“Thanks for saving me. Have a good life, Stone.” I hurried from the room even as he called my name. Sailor glanced over as Inodded to him and headed for the elevator. There was nothing else to say. I’d done my task for the day.
