"You're awake," he says, and I can tell that he's keeping his tone controlled and neutral, but his eyes betray him. A small smirk blooms across my lips when I see his gaze track down my body as if he's checking to make sure I'm okay. Something he'snever done before. In fact, most of the time I'm around him he keeps his distance, only speaking to me when it's necessary.
I only had his number because my dad gave it to me when I moved to Los Angeles, for emergencies. If someone breaking into your apartment and declaring that you're theirs isn't an emergency, I'm not sure what is.
"I am," I reply, sitting up more in the bed.
I'm about to ask him what he and my dad were talking about, when a knock on the door interrupts us. When it opens a doctor, who looks too young to be one, walks in along with my manager Cliff. The young doctor looks at me with a small smile, "How is our patient doing?"
"Fine. When can I get out of here?" I ask him.
"Elsie. You blacked out--" Cliff begins, but the doctor starts at the same time, looking down at his clipboard. "It doesn't look like you have a concussion, your tests have come back normal. Looks like you blacked out from an adrenaline crash. As long as you're not feeling any pain, then we can start the discharge process."
"Yeah, no pain. I just want to leave."
"Great. A nurse will be in to get you going," he says, smiling back up at me before leaving.
"Anyone else think Dr. Doogie Howser there might not be right?" Matt asks before looking back over at me. "Maybe you should stay a little--"
I don't let him continue, holding my hand up, I say, "No. I want to get out of here, and check into a hotel, while I look for a new apartment."
Matt furrows his brow and I know he's trying to figure out how to tell me what I overheard him say to my dad. But I don't want to go anywhere, I just want to play basketball and forget this whole deal.
Clearing his throat, Matt garners my attention. "Elsie, I was talking to your dad and we think it would be best for you to leave town while the police figure out who this guy is."
I shake my head. "No, I need to prepare for the next season."
This time it's Cliff that butts in, "Elsie, we have time for you to take a break. You don't need to be in peak shape until later, but I do need you to be safe. Next season won't be great if you're hurt."
Or worse.Those are the words that Cliff doesn't say. They just linger in the air. Anger builds up within me at the thought. I don't want to upend my whole life.
"I think I'll be okay if I just go to a hotel," I insist.
"Fine. I'll go with you to pack a bag," Matt says, surprising me because I sure didn't think he would give in so fast.
"Thank you," I mutter.
"Don't thank me yet, baby girl, you need to tell your dad first. And whether it's here or not, I'll be with you the whole time. Your dad, Cliff, and I have already decided." he says, pushing a phone toward me, making me shiver. The only thing I don't know is if it’s because I have to tell my dad that I don't want to leave or if it’s because he called mebaby girl.
Not wanting to look too closely at my reaction, I reach for the phone and do the inevitable. Call my dad.
Chapter four
Matt
What is wrong with this woman? She is fucking infuriating. Why is she making this so difficult?
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, holding it for a few moments before slowly letting it out.
A technique I learned while I was in the Marines. Or maybe I should say because of the Marines. When I was younger, I had a temper and would let it loose easily. Pushing everyone around me to the brink.
When I was sixteen, I beat a kid at school to a bloody pulp after he said some stupid remark. I mean it was so fucking stupid, I can’t even remember what it was he said.
I do remember that being the last straw for my dad, and he sent me off to military school. I learned a lot and was able to focus my energy in a different manner.
Mostly.
I was the Infantry Squad Leader while in the Marines. It was my job to lead our squad into combat. It was imperative to stay calm in our line of work.
If I led with anger, people could die. I had to lead with a clear head. At the time though, it was something I struggled with. Until one of my captains when I was in Iraq gave me some sage advice.
