“Men are dicks. Maybe I should just be a lesbian.”
“Bitches are crazy too,” I point out.
We’re up early the next morning and Macy is a bundle ofnerves as we step through the back door of Striking Back. “It’ll be okay,” I reassure her, squeezing her hand.
I called to explain her situation, and Ms. Den is waiting for her to arrive. “You have my number,” I remind her. “Call me anytime.” After we share a quick hug, Ms. Den sweeps her away to get settled. I spend the next few hours with the residents, laughing and chatting, playing a board game with the kids. I want to make the most of it. After all, this may be the last time I get to spend time here.
Just as I’m about to leave, Mason texts again.
-I’m leaving town for a few days. I’ve tried to give you some space, but we’re going to talk when I return. I miss you, Everly.-
A pain settles in my chest at the thought of never seeing him again, but it has to be this way. By the time he returns, I’ll have said goodbye to everyone at S.B. and be on my way to getting over him.
There must be some big event going on downtown because traffic is a bitch. I cut through a narrow alley to get to my car that’s parked a block away. I’m completely lost in thought when a sharp pain slices through the back of my head. “Stupid bitch,” a voice growls, and I’m shoved to the ground, my body slamming into the concrete.
“What?” I’m dizzy and my confused brain can’t comprehend what’s happening. My eyes adjust, showing me a close up view of someone’s discarded cigarette butt. When I turn my head to see my attacker, a black boot slams into my temple, and I dive into the welcome fog of unconsciousness
Voices reverberate through the mist, but I only catch bits and pieces of conversation.
“Cat scan.”
“Where the fuck were you?” That sounds like Mason. What’s he doing here?
“I’m sorry. I only lost sight of her for a minute.”
Darkness floats over me again. When I can finally force my eyes open, my breath catches at the sight in front of me. Mason is slumped in a chair beside my bed, his long legs stretched across the floor. He’s asleep with a frown on his face.
I need to sit up. My head feels full of angry hornets, fighting to escape. Just a small attempt to change position sends a wave of nausea through me and I groan as pain pierces my back. “Evie?” Mason’s eyes pop open. “Don’t move, love. You’re hurt.”
No shit. “What happened?”
The mattress sinks as he settles his big body beside me and takes my hand. “You were attacked. Do you remember anything?”
“I was walking from S.B. and someone hit me from behind.”
“Did you see who it was?”
“No, my eyes were blurry.”
Mason presses a hand against my shoulder when I try to sit up. “It’s okay, baby. You need to be still.”
Panicked, I reach between my legs, breathing a sigh of relief when I realize I’m still wearing my panties. “Attacked? Was I? Did he?”
Understanding dawns on his face and he embraces me, whispering in my ear. “No, love. He didn’t touch you. Apparently, he hit you in the head more than once. He ran when someone came to help.”
“I want to go home. Will you get my phone so I can call Ian?”
“He just left to get a coffee. He’ll be right back, but you aren’t going home. You have a concussion and two cracked ribs. They want to keep you overnight.”
The memories of the last few days sweep over me. He cheated. More than once. “I appreciate you coming, Mason, but I’m okay. You don’t need to stay.”
“Shut up, Evie. I’m not going anywhere. Now, does anything hurt?”
“Everything hurts,” I admit.
His warm lips brush my forehead. “I’ll get a nurse.”
My nurse is a plump pleasant older woman with a comforting smile. She adds a painkiller to my I.V. and shows me how to call for her before leaving the room. My eyes droop from the drugs, and Mason pulls the blanket over my chest.
