“Oh.”She looked mildly surprised.“Okay.That’s nice of you.”
I didn’t respond.I didn’t want to have to explain why I personally cared that Spencer had been hit by a car.It wasn’t that I had a problem with Bree knowing about me and Spencer, so much as I didn’t want to waste time talking instead of getting to the hospital.
Bree stepped aside as I approached.“I hope he’s okay.I’ll see you tomorrow, Chief.”
“Night, Bree.”I headed down the hallway and out of the station, trying not to panic.
He was alive, which was the most important part, but I didn’t know what “pretty banged up” meant.That could mean anything from bruises to broken bones to internal bleeding to things I didn’t want to think about.
For now, I’d think positive thoughts and focus on the fact that Spencer was still breathing.
CHAPTER NINE
Spencer
There was so much pain.Sharp.Dull.Aching.It seemed to exist everywhere at once.My body was one excruciating, throbbing mass.And there was too much light, pressing against my eyelids, leaking between the cracks.
I groaned and opened my eyes, immediately regretting it.The ceiling was white, the fluorescent lights merciless.I turned my head, which sent a spike of pain through my skull, and realized I was in a small hospital room.Something tugged at me when I shifted.I looked down and saw wires stuck to my chest, an IV hooked into my arm, and a monitor beside the bed blinking and beeping in a steady rhythm.
But the most surprising thing of all was the fact that Declan sat beside the bed.
He was asleep.Sitting in a chair that looked way too small for him, slumped to one side with his jacket bunched under his head like a pillow.His legs were stretched out in front of him, ankles crossed.He didn’t look comfortable.His jaw was tight even in sleep, and there was a crease between his eyebrows.
I stared at him, trying to remember what the hell had happened.Why was I in the hospital, and why was Declan here?My brain was working slowly, like a computer with too many tabs open.Then, ever so slowly, the memories began to come back.I remembered being at the Rusty Anchor, talking to Gil.I remembered walking home, the cool air and the smell of woodsmoke.The memory of the headlights and the accelerating engine right before impact.
I grunted in pain as my muscles clenched instinctively at the memory of being hit by the car.My ribs gave a vicious throb, and I sucked in a breath, which made it worse.The sound woke Declan.His eyes opened, and for a second he looked disoriented.Then he saw me, and he sat up fast.
“Hey.”His voice was rough from sleep.“You’re awake.”
“Unfortunately,” I croaked, my throat dry.
“That’s not actually funny.”His voice was gruff, and he had circles under his eyes.
“I’m in the hospital.”
“Yes,” he said.“You were hit by a car.”
“I remember.”I held his concerned gaze.“How long have I been here?”
“Since last night.”He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.His eyes moved over my face, assessing.“How do you feel?”
I winced.“Not great.”I licked my dry lips.“I… I thought I was gonna die.”
He reached out and took my hand, his skin warm and his grip reassuring.“But you’re okay.”
I started to shift so I could see him better and gasped as pain flared through my left side.“Shit,” I hissed, holding my ribs.
“You should stay still.”
“Yes,” I said in a tight voice.“I’m figuring that out.”
His thumb moved back and forth over my skin.“It’s no wonder you’re in pain, Spencer.You’ve got bruised ribs, maybe even a small fracture, and a mild concussion.Your hip’s a mess, and you needed stitches in your head.”He exhaled softly.“I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but you were damn lucky.”
“I know,” I mumbled.I did know that.I hadn’t been exaggerating when I said I thought I was going to die last night.When that car sped up, I was sure it was over.
“It’s a miracle you didn’t break any bones.”He shook his head, his eyes glittering.“Other than maybe that one cracked rib.”
I gave a weak smile.“I guess it’s a good thing I always drank my milk as a kid.”
