“Um…” I can feel how hot my face is. This is so embarrassing. “I was kissing someone when it happened.” I can’t bring myself to say his name. What if this gets out on my record or something? I can’t have him getting in trouble.
“Talk about bad timing.” She snorts. “Are you sure it was just an accident and no one hurt you?”
“Oh gosh no!” I say quickly while shaking my head for good measure.
“Okay then, we can call them back in a little while. We’re going to need to get you into a gown and get that paperwork finished up.” She nods toward the iPad on the end of the bed.
“Anything in your medical history I should know before the IV?” She pushes the computer away and comes to the side of the bed.
“I’m on medication,” I whisper, even though we’re alone in a closed off room.
“What kind and for what?” She’s slightly disinterested as she flips my arm left to right, looking for a vein.
“Xanax, for an anxiety disorder.” I lick my dry lips.
“Do you take it for panic attacks? When was the last time?” she asks in quick succession.
“I take it twice a day.”
Her eyes come up to mine. “Okay, any alcohol or drug use?”
“No, none,” I answer hastily. I hope she doesn’t think I’m lying.
“Any other medical conditions besides the anxiety disorder?”
“No.” I shake my head, meeting her eyes. That’s what my therapist and Dr. Tobin call my issue, so I’m not lying.
“Okay, your veins look good. We need to get you out of these clothes. Do you want me or your friends to help you?”
“Um, I think I can manage.” I really don’t want a stranger helping me, and asking Oswald and Memphis might be worse.
My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I lean to the side, careful not to move my foot, and see a message from Memphis.
“They want to know when they can come back.” I look at the nurse.
“It’s up to you, like I said. They’ll have to wait here when you go to get X-rays anyway.”
“I guess they can come back and help me,” I tell her, but I have every intention of doing it myself before they get here.
“Okay. Put this on so it opens in the back. I’ll leave an extra you can wear like a robe.” She drops some folded fabric on the end of the bed she got out of the cabinet. “I’ll bring them back once you get that paperwork submitted. You can leave your undies on, but take off your bra if it has an underwire.”
“Okay.” I lean down and finish up the rest of the form, which goes easily after my medical history, then hit submit.
Now for the sucky part. Getting my shirt and bra off is easy. I slip one gown on, and my back is freezing within seconds. My teeth start chattering again.
I’m dreading taking my pants off.
The door opens as I lean back on the bed, unbuttoning my pants. I lift my head to see Memphis’ stormy gaze land on mine. I have a second to think this is the first time he’s seen me without a bra and it’s in a stupid hospital gown, then Oswald walks in right behind him with the nurse in their wake.
“Decided to go at it alone?” She eyes me with a hand on her hip.
“Um…”
“What do you need?” Memphis touches my shoulder.
“I have to take my pants off. Do you think you could just cut them?” I’m not joking at all. There is no way I can get my foot through the material and not die.
“Let me grab some shears.” The nurse heads out of the room.
