Pain slams into my face, and I feel myself fall backwards. I hear somebody shout my name, but I can’t focus on it. All I can focus on is the pain pulsing through my face. “Tess.” I think it’s Slater’s voice, but it all kind of feels a little fuzzy. Somebody pulls me into a sitting position and curses. I reach up and try to staunch the flow of blood coming from my nose. “Quint!” Slater roars from right next to me, startling me. I finally manage to open my eyes, but I can’t see through them because of the tears tracking down my cheeks. Something is held against my nose to stop the flow of blood.
“Tessa,” I hear Evie cry.
“Stay back,” I hear Zane say in a low, urgent tone; and I can’t make sense of it.
“Is she okay?” Evie asks.
I can’t make heads or tails of anything except the pulsing pain. And then Slater is right there. “Hey, I’m going to get you inside, okay?”
I think I nod. I’m not really sure why he’s asking until I suddenly feel strong arms come around me and lift me. It shocks me so much, I don't think about the pain in my nose for just a moment. “I’m sorry it hurts.” His voice is soft and so much gentler than I’ve heard from him before. I’m pretty sure he carries me inside because it’s much quieter now.
“You don’t have to carry me,” I tell him. Or, I try to tell him. My voice sounds funny.
“I’m going to put you on the couch and get something for the pain.”
He lowers me a moment later, and I feel the soft couch underneath me. I instantly try to get up. “I’ll get blood everywhere.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
I’m pretty sure it does, but I don’t argue. My nose is killing me, and I have a headache developing. I need whatever pain killer he can find. He comes back a moment later. “Here.” I blink open my eyes and take the pain pills and the water bottle. I swallow the pills and hand him back the water but pause midway. “What happened to your shirt?” He’s shirtless right now, and that sight is enough to make me forget I ever got hit in the first place.
“It’s currently being used.” Then he puts something cold on my nose, ending our conversation about his lack of shirt.
“Ow.” I try to pull away, but the cold follows me.
“Believe me; you’re going to want ice.”
I don’t, but it hurts to talk. It hurts to do anything. So, I don’t. I lean back against the couch and let the ice and pain pills do their magic. I hear the door to the backyard open. “Hey, Man, you good?” I recognize Zane’s voice, but I don’t open my eyes.
“Why are you asking him?” I get out. “I’m the one with a busted nose.”
I hear a low chuckle. “Sorry, Tess. You’re right. How are you feeling?”
“Like somebody tried to flatten my nose.”
“Sorry,” Zane says, and I can hear the apologetic tone. “Is it safe for Quint to come in?”
His words confuse me. “It’s fine for everybody to come in,” I say behind the ice on my nose.
It’s quiet a beat. “Slate?”
I finally manage to open my eyes. I take in two things at once. First, Slater is standing in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest. Second, Zane is standing over by the door, eventhough he’s talking to Slater. “What’s going on?” I manage to get out, but my voice still sounds really nasally. I figure it’s from all the blood. Zane looks over at me, but Slater moves so Zane can no longer see me. “Slater?” I ask in confusion. He turns around, and I look up at him. His eyes are darker than normal, and his jaw is locked, like he’s mad. I glance over at Zane, and he gives me a look...like I’m supposed to understand whatever it is he’s trying to convey. I don’t.
“Evie wants to come check on Tessa,” Zane says quietly. “I just need to know it’s safe to let her come in.”
“Safe? Why wouldn’t it be safe?” I look between the two of them. “I don’t know why you’re all acting weird, but let Evie come inside for goodness’ sake.”
Zane looks back at Slater, but I miss whatever communication they have. But Zane opens the door. “Come on in,” he says in a gentle voice that’s only reserved for my bestie.
“Tessa,” Evie says as soon as she comes inside. “Are you okay?” She walks towards me, but Slater steps in front of her. Suddenly, Zane is standing next to Evie. The whole thing is bizarre, and I wonder if the hit my nose took is somehow affecting my brain. Whatever it is, I’ve had enough. “Slater, move.” He looks down at me, and I frown up at him. I don’t even have to force it; it’s just my resting face right now. He finally moves to the side, and I watch as Evie approaches me. She gives Slater a wary glance before dropping down next to me on the couch.
“I’m so sorry you got hit. Can I see?”
I pull the ice pack away from my nose. She grimaces. “Well, at least it stopped bleeding. I guess that’s the last time you use your face to stop the ball, huh?”
“Not funny, Evie.”
She gives me a small smile. “I really am sorry.”
