He catches my wrist and presses a kiss to my palm, his eyes never leaving mine. “You're too good for me, lass.”
“Maybe,” I agree.
He chuckles, then winces, grabbing at his ribs, likely broken. I go back to cleaning his face.
His hands are the worst, knuckles split open, raw and bleeding, swollen to twice their normal size. Bone is visible in some places.
“Jesus, Ashland.” My eyes sting with tears.
“I've had worse,” he says casually.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
I clean every knuckle carefully, trying not to hurt him, but I know it must sting.
There's a knock at the door. “Bianca? It's Caitlin. The doctor’s here.”
The door opens, and an older man with white hair and a medical bag enters. I can tell by the way he doesn't evenblink at the blood that he's seen this before, probably many times.
“Ashland McCarthy,” he says with a knowing look. “I see you've gone back to the ring, lad.”
“Doc,” Ashland greets with a nod.
“Let me take a look.” He sets his bag down and turns to Ashland.
I don't move though. My hands are still wrapped around Ashland's. Just because the doctor is here doesn't mean I have to go.
“Miss, I'm going to need you to step back so I can examine him.”
“I'm fine here,” I say.
“Bianca,” Ashland starts.
“I'm notleaving.”
Caitlin appears in the doorway. Bronwyn and Kyla are behind her, and suddenly we're all crowded in this small bathroom.
“Love,” Caitlin says gently, “let the doc work. Come—we'll keep you company.”
“No.” I tighten my grip on Ashland's hand. When I blink, warm, fat tears fall down my cheeks. “I need to make sure he's okay.”
“Bianca?” Bronwyn says softly. “He’s not going anywhere.”
“What if they find something worse? What if something's broken?”
“Lass.” Ashland's voice is low and soothing. “I'm alright. Let him check me over, eh? You can stand right outside the door. If anything's wrong, you'll know right away. Okay?”
“But what if?—”
“Nothing's wrong. I'm fine.” He winks at me, though it looks painful with his swollen face.
I bite my lip and look between him and the doctor. Bronwyn comes forward and takes my hand gently.
“Come on.”
Reluctantly, I let her pull me away from Ashland. I pause at the door, looking back. He's watching me, his expression soft despite the damage.
“I'm fine, love. Promise.”
