The girl is being tackled to the ground as she screams and writhes in pain. Roxy is holding the bear mace, covering her eyes with her arm. That’s when it hits me. I start coughing and tearing up. My arm hurts so bad, and there’s blood. So much blood. I gasp as the air fills with the residual mace.
“Roxy!” I scream, reaching for her with a bloody hand.
“Fuck. Vi!” Roxy sounds panicked. “We need medical. A paramedic. EMT. Now!”
My hearing gets bubbly, like I’m underwater. I think I might pass out any second. Before I close my eyes, I mumble, “Roxy, don’t tell Cas.”
The world goes black.
I’m conscious when they load me into the back of an ambulance. Roxy climbs in with me, and I listen as the EMTs instruct her on strapping in. They give me morphine for the pain, and soon I’m floating in and out, listening to Roxy swear over and over it’s going to be alright.
When we arrive, I’m immediately taken from Roxy since she’s not next of kin. It doesn’t matter that she identifies as my sister. The system doesn’t care what we call each other.
The emergency room works quickly to assess my injury. The very young, very attractive doctor comes in to stitch me up. They give me some additional anesthetics and pain meds, then he gets started. I spend the entire time blathering on about hooking himup with my best friend. When he finishes, I ask if I can see her. He nods. “Soon.” Then he leaves me alone with a nurse who gets me comfortable and tells me to rest.
I have no idea how long I’m out for, but when I wake up Roxy squeals. “Vi, I’m so glad you’re okay,” she sobs.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Oh no, pump the brakes a little, missy. First you’re going to tell me why the hot ER doctor knew I was single and needed a dinner date tonight.”
I chuckle. “They drugged me.”
“Vi,” she says sternly.
“I hope you have fun at dinner. I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m pretty sure they’re keeping me overnight given all the drugs they gave me and the fact it’s dark out,” I answer, avoiding meeting her gaze. “I think what you really mean is thank you.”
Roxy laughs. “Don’t thank me yet. It’s all over the news.”
I suck in my breath between my teeth with a whoosh. “He knows, doesn’t he?”
“Oh he knows, and he’s pissed. I begged him not to get on a plane and screw up the tour. It took me so long to talk him out ofcoming, and even now I’m not entirely sure he’s going to listen.” Roxy’s confession hits hard.
“Rox,” I sniffle, my emotions hitting me hard.
“Yeah, babe,” her voice is soothing and soft.
“I want to go home,” I whisper, wishing more than ever I had my dad still.
“I know. Let’s talk about it after you sleep off some of these drugs. Get some rest. Do you want me to stay?” she asks.
“No. I mean yes. But first go on your date, and then will you come back here?”
“Of course. I’ll call and give everyone an update. Get some rest and I’ll bring you something yummy for dessert when I get back.” She hugs me tight.
“You scared me today, Vi. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m sorry. I love you. But hey—“
“Yeah, Roxy?”
“At least you got to use your bear mace.”
Roxy cackles. “Yeah, there’s that. And it was so worth it.”
We say our goodbyes, and then I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Chapter twenty-three
