She lifted as many as she could and hurried back. On the way, her wedge rolled on an uneven paving stone, causing her to fall forward and to the side. The wood fell from her hands as she scrambled to catch herself. Instead of hitting the ground, she slammed into one of the damaged tables, her palms burning onimpact.
A moment later, the reality of somethinginher thigh lit up her pain receptors. She bit down the scream and breathed like a raging bull through her nose. Moving in any direction was impossible. Forward would send the wood deeper into her flesh. Backward would release a flood of blood. And either side would tear a larger hole. Her legs were numb and her head wentfuzzy.
“London?” she called, her voice sounding far, far away. In a haze of pain, she watched as blood oozed out of the wound, soaking the light wood. Her arms began to shake. “London?” The volume increased, fueled by irrational thoughts of dying right there. Although passing out was a realoption.
The air compressor shut off just as she called his name one more time. He turned to her, made a quick assessment, and hurtled two tables to wrap his arm gently around her for support. Heavens, he was big and strong and so heart-meltinglytender.
“Holy …” He stared down at her leg. “How inthe…?”
Maia gritted her teeth as tears blurred her vision of his neck. There was a thick vein just under his beautiful skin that throbbedquickly.
“We’ve got to pull itout.”
She fisted her hands, unable to lift them off the wood for fear of falling farther forward. “Ican’t.”
He cursed. “April!” His bellow could be heard two statesover.
April jumped. “Sheesh. You don’t—” Whatever reprimand she was going to hand out died on herlips.
“Go inside, get a package of clean paper towels and mymom.”
April nodded once and was off faster than the RoadRunner.
Sweat pooled in unmentionable places. The driver and Kristi rushedover.
“What can I do?” asked Allister, thedriver.
April arrived, panting, and thrust the package of paper towels at London. He handed them off to Allister, who watched with great concern. “Openthose.”
Allister tore the plastic and did his best to keep his dirty hands off the whitetowels.
Mom arrived with a first aid kit and did a mom-like inspection. “This isn’t going to cut it. She needsstitches.”
“Yep.” A rim of white appeared around London’s pressed lips. “Okay, honey, I’m going to take you off ofthere.”
Maia tried her best to hold back the ocean of fear. The pain was already intense, and she didn’t think she could stand taking it up a notch. A whimper sounded in the back of herthroat.
London clenched his eyes shut. “I can’t do this if it’s going to hurtyou.”
Karen leaned across the table from the side so she could put both her hands over the top of Maia’s and make direct eye contact. Her soft, earthy scent mixed with a peony-based perfume overpowered the tangy smell of fresh blood, allowing Maia to draw a full, deep breath. “You’re strong, baby girl. You can do this. Trust my boy.Okay?”
Maia blocked out all the worried faces around her as London’s firm hands encircled her leg. His fingers were long and strong and warm against her trembling skin. She needed him so badly right now, needed his inner strength. He’d always been tough, always been able to take a hit on the field and come right back. He was a fighter. She imagined herself alongside him on the field, and drew on his bravery. With a small nod, she whispered, “Doit.”
London pulled her leg free. There was a moment of reprieve as her body adjusted to the change, and then a volcano erupted in the wound, spewing hot blood over the edge of her jagged skin. She trapped her cry of agony behind her teeth, muffling the sound but not extinguishingit.
London scooped her into his arms and pressed his forehead to hers. “Hang in there, honey. I promise it’s almostover.”
Maia wrapped her arms around his neck, doing all she could to focus on the feel of being in London’s arms. She pressed her palm to his cheek, willing her mind to block out thepain.
Allister used a white towel to apply pressure to the wound. Shehissed.
“Aw, love.” London’s voice sounded like he was coming undone. He needed her to be brave, and that fueled herresolve.
She lifted her head off his shoulder. “April, call ahead to the hospital and tell them we need a private room.” The press would go nuts if they found out. They’d probably find out anyway, but there was no sense clogging up the emergency room entrance withpaparazzi.
London lurched into a fast walk towards the parking lot. Allister, the driver, hurried to keep up so he could keep his hand over the gash. The poor guy had to take three steps for every one of London’s. A trickle of sweat traveled down the side of his face. April, Kristi, and Karen all followed closelybehind.
“Kristi, head back to the hotel and pick up a change of clothes. Find me some flats and loose-fitting pants.” She had to walk out of the hospital on her own two feet. Days and days of promotional appearances stretched out before her. Her mouth became a desert just thinking of standing onstage tomorrownight.
