I smile because he instantly gets it,gets me, and I love him even more for it. “Exactly! Like come on guys, we get the point, I’m alive!”
He chuckles even harder at my antics.
“But it’s a little more tolerable with you here. You’re a good distraction.”
He turns his face towards me, giving me the full blow Rowan Pierce effect, his smile on full display, dimples and all.Man, he’s pretty.
“I wish I could distract you in other ways,” he says as he wiggles his eyebrows up and down and then winks. So cute but so cheesy sometimes.I love it. I love him.
“I think the nurses would frown upon fraternization with a patient,” I tease.
“They wouldn’t have to know. I can be quick.”
“I think there’s something that would give me away.” I look over towards the monitor that displays my steady heartbeat. A heartbeat that wouldn’t be so steady if we decided to throw caution to the wind.
His gaze follows mine. “True. We wouldn’t want you to have any more reasons to hate it.”
Suddenly the door to my room opens. We both look at each other, then bust out laughing. It isn’t until the nurse walks over that our giggles subside.
“I see we are feeling a little better?” She has a kind smile as she watches the two of us.
“Yes, much. So much so that I think I’m good to go home.”
She checks my IV line. I was pretty dehydrated when I came into the ER, along with disoriented, so much so that they wanted to admit me, mostly out of an abundance of precaution because of my medical history. “They want a cardiologist to check you out in the morning, and as long as everything looks good, you will be out of here in no time.”
I smile politely because I figured that was what her answer was going to be. Doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed or frustrated.
“Is there anything you need before I go?”
I shake my head, and she leaves the room. It isn’t until the door softly clicks behind her that Rowan speaks, “I’m worried, Daredevil.”
I know he is. I can tell by the expression that hasn’t left his face since we got here.
“I’m fine, I promise. I felt a little off at first, but I feel back to normal now.”
“How are we supposed to know what kind of damage she caused? Like, there isn’t some page out of a medical book for bodily harm caused by possessions.” His other hand runs through his hair nervously.
“It’s okay, Rowan.I’m okay.”
“You keep saying that, but you didn’t see it.” He blows out a frustrated breath before closing his eyes and trying to collect himself. “I mean, she had full control over you for the better partof ten minutes. And when she left your body—” His body visibly shakes as he relives the moment.
“You looked like the life was drained out of you. Millie, I’ve never been so fucking scared.” He swallows deeply as his eyes start to well with tears.
“Shhh,"I try to soothe him. “I’m right here, and I’m okay,” I say as I pull his arm towards me. He comes willingly, and as I scoot over to make room for him, he gently folds his big body into the cramped and uncomfortable bed with me.
I take his hand and place it directly over my heart. I give us both a moment to feel the steadythump, thump, thumpunder my breastbone. The sensation helps ease the tension in his shoulders.
“I know it was scary, and I’m so sorry you had to see that. But—” His eyes snap to mine and narrow, but I just ignore him and continue. I know he’s not going to like what I say next, but it needs to be said. “I’m not sorry it happened.”
“Millie—”
I shake my head and continue, “Lucy deserves peace, and Anna deserves to know Lucy doesn't blame her.”
After my little episode and I was settled in the hospital room, Rowan caught me up on what happened. I have no memory of the possession. I was only left feeling disoriented and like I had run a marathon, my body sore and fatigued. Of course, we didn't tell the doctors anything about the possession, only my symptoms, deciding it was safer to play dumb, at least for now. I have a feeling it's going to be hard to talk him out of telling my doctor back home, but that's a problem for another day.
Anna came with Rowan to the ER and waited for hours until I was assigned a room before visiting. She told me how much she appreciated that I sought her out, and she was sorry for what Lucy had done to me, but she was also thankful.
Thankful to be able to speak to her friend one last time. When she broke down in tears, it took everything in me not to sob right along with her. The amount of pain and guilt that she is carrying around is heartbreaking.
