She gingerly touched the bandage on her head. Tender. Too tender.
Voices drifted from somewhere else in the house, low murmurs punctuated by the occasional laugh. Brooke sat up slowly, her ribs aching from where she’d been kicked. They’d done X-rays; nothing was broken, but she was bruised and needed to take it easy. She stood, testing her balance. Her head protested, but the world didn’t spin. Progress.
The hall bathroom was her first stop. The mirror told a tale that brought tears to her eyes. The bandage covered part of her head. Bruises spread along her jawline, and a small cut marked her cheek. “You, my dear, are a mess,” she whispered to her reflection.
After she finished in the bathroom, she returned to her room to change into sweatpants and a top Gina left for her, along with a pair of heavy socks. Deciding she looked as good as possible considering everything, she padded down the hallway to the kitchen.
Tyler stood at the stove, spatula in hand. Gina leaned against the counter with a coffee mug, dressed in scrubs. Nick sat at the table, wearing work clothes.
“Morning,” Brooke said from the doorway.
Three heads turned. Tyler’s expression shifted immediately—concern mixed with relief.
“Hey.” He set down the spatula and crossed to her in two strides. “How are you feeling? Is your head okay? Did you sleep?”
“I’m fine. My head hurts, but I slept okay.”
His hand came up like he wanted to check her bandage, then it dropped. “You’re just in time, I’m making eggs.”
Brooke made her way to the table, shooting a glance at Gina. “Gina’s letting you cook?”
“He insisted,” Gina replied. “I tried to tell him I’m not much of a breakfast person...”
“But I convinced her I make amazing cheesy scrambled eggs.”
Brooke sat at the table beside Nick, who studied her with the same worried expression he’d worn last night.
“I came over to check on you,” Nick said. “I’ve got a side job I’m supposed to do today, but I wanted to make sure you were okay first. I can push it off.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“She says that a lot,” Tyler observed from the stove.
“It’s a family trait,” Nick said. “Stubbornness runs deep in the Davies bloodline.”
“I’m working triage today. I’ve got a twelve-hour shift starting at nine,” Gina said. “I tried to find someone to fill in for me, but...” She shrugged. “I’m going to try a few other people, see if I can at least get off early.”
“Thanks,” Brooke said. “I’ll probably get myself together and head home.”
“I’d rather you didn’t,” Gina replied. “Wait until I get back, okay? Or stay another night. That might be best.”
Tyler set a plate in front of her—scrambled eggs, toast, and a handful of grapes. Her stomach betrayed her with a low, appreciative rumble.
“Thank you,” Brooke said.
He passed plates to Nick and Gina before settling into the chair across from Brooke with his own plate. For a few minutes, they ate in comfortable silence.
“You’re right about the eggs,” Gina admitted. “They’re delicious. More savory than I expected.”
“My secret ingredient,” Tyler replied, before taking a sip of coffee.
“Secret, huh? I think I’ll need the recipe.” Gina glanced at her watch. “I need to scoot.” She met Brooke’s gaze. “I really do want you to stay here today.”
“I can stay and keep an eye on her.” Nick offered.
“Don’t you have that job?” Brooke asked.
Nick shrugged. “I can skip it if you need me.”
