With Pete gone, Christopher takes a gentle hold of Jordan’s shoulder and guides him back down to the bed. “Okay, Son, you need to rest. You aren’t going to be able to do any good if you end up in surgery again.”
The door suddenly swings open and the doctor from earlier swans in. The wide, friendly smile on his face falters when he realises nobody else in the room is smiling back at him.
CHAPTER 26
Jordan
“Is everything okay here?” the doc asks, his eyes moving around each of us before landing on Jordan. “Glad to see you are awake and responsive, Mr Bell. Can we clear the room so I can check the patient? Two of you are welcome to come back in for a few minutes, but visiting hours are over. We would ask that you leave the patient to rest and come back tomorrow.”
“Well, doc, everything is not okay. I was shot and a teenager is in danger. Nobody is leaving until the police arrive and take my statement.” I keep my tone neutral but firm. There is no way this doctor is going to rush everybody out of here when there is a maniac with a gun running around the city. What if he goes after Blake or Eric next?
“We understand the policy and the reason for the rules,” Eric says, suddenly adopting his lawyerly tone. “However, in this circumstance I have to ask that you give Mr Bell some leeway. His parents have flown here last minute and have not yet secured a hotel. The police have been called to come and take statements now that Mr Bell is awake, and despite my earlier behaviour, which I do apologise for, I am Mr Bell's legal representative.”
The doctor looks at Eric, his expression dripping with disbelief. Can’t say I blame the guy; I have no doubt Eric was acting crazy earlier when he couldn’t get any information. Now that he can see I’m okay, alive and talking, the cognitive part of his brain has clearly re-engaged.
“I can see why you like him. That was hot,” my mom stage-whispers to me, making damn sure that everybody hears her.
Smirking at her, I turn to the doctor and hold my hand out to shake his. I’m hoping we can put my little outburst behind us.
“I know, right? You should see him in court, Mom.” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully at her. Turning back to face the doctor, I wait to see if he is going to try and kick everybody out again. They would probably have to call security to get my mom out, so really, it would be easier if they just agreed to look the other way.
“Okay. If you can all assure me that you will keep the noise down, and if Jordan here needs rest you will leave, then I guess you can stay.” The doctor pulls on medical gloves and steps up to my right side. “I do need you all to leave so I can inspect the wound. Perhaps you can all go and grab a coffee?”
Eric leans over the bed and kisses my forehead, turning to my mom. “Come on, Beverly. I heard you know a few stories about baby Jordan.” He sends a wink my way and I groan.
“Mom, don’t you dare!” I try to make my voice more… I don’t know…threatening. She can’t spill the beans now. It’s too early; he’s not in love with me yet. Without a doubt, she will scare him off.
“Oh, my dear Eric, I have so many embarrassing stories to share,” she answers, completely disregarding my warning. My boyfriend holds his arm for her to take and they both leave while she giggles.
“Did she just giggle?” I ask my dad, who is still standing next to my bed. I can’t help but notice the way his eyes are sparkling with amusement.
“I think you made your mother very happy with your choice of her future son-in-law.” He smiles and starts to back out of the room.
“Son-in-what?” I positively shriek at the suggestion, and he just raises his hands in the universal sign of surrender. “You should talk her out of that idea,” I call out after him, hoping he can still hear me on the other side of the door.
The doctor, who was patiently waiting for the room to empty, lets out a chuckle of amusement. “Families, right?” He walks up to my side and reaches over to gently cut off the bandage covering my wound.
“You can say that again.” I hiss when his fingers probe at the tender flesh of my shoulder. “Feels like you are digging for gold in my skin, Doc.”
“I’m going to add more painkillers to your IV so you can sleep peacefully. We’ll check again in the morning to make sure there is no sign of an infection settling in. The nurse will redress the wound. All being well, we can release you in a few days, but it will require some physical therapy on your shoulder to get back to a full range of movement.”
Laying back, I nod weakly. I’m not sure if it's the pain relief he’s added to my IV or just everything that has happened in the last half hour, but I am exhausted. Maybe if I have a quick nap they will wake me when the cops arrive. I can’t be sure, but I think I’m asleep before the doctor even leaves the room.
The next time I open my eyes, the room is much brighter than it was before. There are far too many people whispering all at once, so I can’t quite figure out who is in the room.
“He’s awake. Back away from the bed, Officer. Let me see my son.”
Uh, oh… that is my mom’s no-nonsense tone. I guess the cops have arrived.
Her voice softens as I hear her turn to address me. “It’s alright, son, take your time. If you need more rest just close your eyes. These nice officers will simply have to wait until you are ready.”
“It’s okay, Mom.” I slowly blink my eyes awake and find the two officers—or detectives, maybe—standing off to the side. “Have you caught him? Is Blake safe?”
“I’m here, Jordan,”
The sound of Blake’s timid voice filtering through the ringing in my ears has my head snapping to the other side. There he is. This kid I’ve only known for a few short weeks, yet already feel so close to, so protective of. The unshed tears in his eyes as he looks away from me make me frown.
“Blake, what's wrong? What happened? Did he hurt you?” I’m trying to sit up, but have to quickly lie back down when a searing pain steals my breath.
