Chapter 40
You’re one of us. And we protect ours. Always
As soon as we arrived at the ER, I saw a doctor who sent me for X-rays and an ultrasound.
The pain had receded a little, and I was certain nothing was broken.
Mason had been pacing the room for the last hour, pressing an ice pack to his bruised jaw, looking agitated, making sure I was all right every other minute.
When we’d first walked into the emergency room, the nurse was convinced we were there because my boyfriend had been beaten up.
He had been, but he had also refused to let the doctor check him, stating the cuts and bruises appeared worse than they were and that I was the one needing their attention.
From an outsider’s point of view, I bet we looked like a great pair.
“Okay, you’re making me dizzy.” I fidgeted with the hospital bracelet attached to my left wrist, waiting for him to turn around and stare at me. “Stop. No need to wear out the floor. I’m okay.”
“We don’t know. Nichols kicked you in the stomach, Mel. There could be damage. He’s twice your size, and he’s one hell of a kicker. Trust me, I’d know. I train with him for hours every week.”
“It hurt at first, but I’m all good now. You heard the doctor. He said he doubted there was anything broken.”
“I won’t relax until we know for sure. Why is it taking him so long to come back with the results?”
“Okay, Mase, here’s a new game plan.”
He cocked one eyebrow, looking unimpressed.
“What? I’m using words you understand. See? I’m speaking football now.”
“Oh, you’re speaking football?” He closed in on the bed and claimed my mouth in a soft kiss. “Is that so?”
I bobbed my head a few times. “I do. I learned just for you.”
He leaned back and chuckled, the sound addictive.
As I said earlier, we’d be all right. After all, we had each other. “Oh yes, that game plan. Instead of pacing like a lion in a cage, you go grab us something to eat. I’m sure I’ll be discharged soon. I’ll rest in the meantime. That pain medication they shot me with is making me sleepy.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Go. You’re much more relaxed when you’re fed. Trust me.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me, Shepard?”
I brought my thumb and forefinger together, not quite touching. “Just a teeny-tiny bit. You need a mission, and I’m giving you one. Now, go.”
“Fine.” He slipped his arms into his jacket and fixed a black beanie over his head.
“You look pretty hot right now. A bit badass, but very attractive.”
“You think?” He moved closer to me, pulling my lower lip between his teeth before kissing me.
I melted a little against him. Seriously, Mason Pierce owned my heart, and I had no intention of asking him to ever give it back. “Mm-hmm. Very, very ‘bad-boy’ kinda hot.”
“Mexican?”
I shrugged. “Whatever. It can even be food from the cafeteria downstairs.”
“Ugh, I’m not that desperate. I’ll get you the real stuff. Anything for you, love.” He kissed me again. “I’ll be right back. Don’t miss me too much.”
“See you soon.”
He left, and I’d only been out for like ten minutes when the doctor finally walked in.
“Hey, Melinda. How are you feeling?”
I yawned and slapped a hand over my mouth. “Sorry. I feel like my abdomen is one giant bruise, but all things considered, I feel fine.”
He studied the chart in his hand. “The X-ray results came back. Nothing is broken. The ultrasound showed nothing to be worried about and no internal bleeding. I would like to book you for an MRI and a consult just to make sure we missed nothing. You received quite a hit. The bruise will look spectacular, but it’s all normal. ”
“A consult? What’s wrong?”
“It’s just a precaution. I’m sure it’s nothing. You shouldn’t worry. You’ll get a call on Monday to schedule an appointment.”
“Am I discharged?”
“Yes. A nurse will be with you in a minute. For the pain, take over-the-counter pain medication if needed. Take a few days off from swimming. I’ll write you a note just in case your coach asks for it. No work either. Take the weekend off.”
“O-okay. Thanks. Anything else?”
“A lot of rest. It’s the best medicine.”
When Mason came back, the scent of tacos following him, I was dressed and sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, ready to go.
“You’re free to leave?” He placed the bag next to me and removed his beanie, raking his fingers through his hair.
“Yes, all good.”
“I think I’ll ask them to keep you overnight. It would make me feel better.”
He pivoted to exit the room, but I moved to my feet and cupped his cheeks with my hands to prevent him from going. “Mase, it’s okay. I’m okay. We’re okay. There’s no internal bleeding, and nothing is broken. I’ll just have a nasty bruise.”
He pressed his forehead against mine. “You shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
“I’m glad I did. No way would I have let him beat you up. He was mad at me. You were just an innocent bystander. He could have killed you if your brother and Devin hadn’t arrived when they did.”
“Wanna tell me why you never told me that Nichols has been harassing you?” His hands were balled, and his back was ramrod straight.
“We said no more lies, Mel. I consider withholding vital information that could have put my girlfriend in danger to be lying. Just so we’re clear about the definition of the word lie. ”
I covered his hand with mine, and some of the tension drained out of him, like I had a superpower that could steal his anxiety away. Flipping his hand over, he laced our fingers.
“I thought he was the kind to bark but not bite. I never told anyone—except Cassie and Donovan, but only because they witnessed him having a tantrum the other night—about what I saw at the library. I don’t care about the name of his mother or his sexual orientation.
Why would I have screamed it for everyone to hear?
One of my best friends is gay, for God’s sake. ”
He let go of my hand and draped an arm around my shoulders. “You still should have told me.”
“No. You would have tried to fix it, and I didn’t want you to risk your spot on the team for him. He isn’t worth it. What will happen to him now?”
“I called Craig when I went to grab food. If we file an official complaint, he’ll get charged with assault.
Right now, he’s at the precinct. It turns out his uncle is friends with the governor.
If we don’t press charges, he’ll probably just get a warning.
Even if we do press charges, he might get nothing. ”
“So, he was telling the truth about having friends in high places. I can’t believe he won’t be prosecuted. He assaulted us and fucked up your face.”
“He’s suspended from the team until further notice. At least, there’s that. Craig called our dad, and he should get in touch with us tomorrow. He’ll get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry. Come on, let’s get you home and fed. We’ll decide what to do another day.”
“Mason, are you kidnapping me?”
“Sure I am, Shepard.” He helped me put on my jacket and even zipped it up for me.
“I can do this. I’m not invalid.”
“I know. Let me do this for you. Just this once.”
“Fine.”
He grabbed my hand in his and the bag of food in the other. Together, we left the ER and made our way outside the hospital toward the parking lot, the cold breeze sweeping across our faces, sending tendrils of my hair flying.
Mason halted midway and turned to face me. He removed his beanie and placed it on my head, tucking my hair inside. “Better. Tell me, what did the doctor say?”
“They wanna run some more tests. He said I shouldn’t worry, so you’re not allowed to worry either. Deal?”
“I don’t like the sound of it.”
“Mase.”
“Fine. Deal.”
We entered Mason’s house a little after ten.
It felt like forever since we had been dancing in the living room while setting up our camping gear or having a cupcake batter shower.
A wave of nostalgia hit me. I was looking forward to a night of fun with our friends, and Evan Nichols had spoiled everything because some of his half-kept secrets had been revealed.
“Careful,” my boyfriend said, helping me as I removed my shoes and hung my jacket on the hook by the front door. “I think dinner will be cold.”
“We’ll heat it up. Or we can go camping-style and eat it like that. I don’t mind.”
“Are you hurting?”
“No. The pain meds are still doing their job. Let’s just say I’m glad I don’t have a meet tomorrow, or else I’d be sore.”
“You’re not supposed to joke about getting beaten up.”
“Yeah, well, I won’t cry either.”
Hand in hand, we reached the kitchen but stopped in our tracks. The entire place had been transformed into a fairy garden.
Hundreds of tiny lights had been hung from the ceiling, every piece of furniture—Bob included—and wrapped around the banister leading to the second floor.
The tents we didn’t have time to pitch earlier had been set up in the living room.
A buffet was spread on the kitchen table, and all our friends were there, beers, coolers, and wine glasses in hand, waiting for us.
“Welcome home,” Cassidy called.
My eyes brimmed with happy tears. “How long have you guys been here?” I asked, a hand cupping my pounding organ at the sight of everyone we cared about gathered, even though they didn’t all know one another.
“Since you guys left. We finished prepping everything.” Rutherford exchanged a bro hug with Mason before glancing at me. “Mel, if you’re tired and you wanna be left alone and rest, it’s okay. We’ll follow your lead.”
I turned to look at Mason.
He stared at me with so much love pouring out of him that I was about to cry.
“Did you know?”
He shook his head. “Nah. My brother said nothing when we talked earlier.”
Donovan neared me and pulled me into a side hug. “Any news? How are you holding up?”
“I’ll have a massive bruise, but otherwise, the doctor said I’m fine.”
He nodded before releasing me. Jules hugged me next, followed by Amber. Even Cassidy, who wasn’t much of a hugger, did the same.
“I’m sorry we didn’t arrive earlier,” Craig said next, wrapping his arms around me gently. “I’m really sorry, Mel.” He spoke so low, his voice filled with emotions, I bet no one else could hear what he was saying.
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
“I still feel responsible. You’re one of us. And we protect ours. Always.”
“Thanks.”
“Mase looks awful…like he lost a boxing match.”
I leaned back, and a small chuckle passed my lips. My abdomen stretched, and I grimaced in pain. “I told him this badass version of him suited him and was sexy.”
“You shouldn’t have. His ego will grow even bigger.”
“True. But this time, it deserves a little boost.”
“I’m relieved that your sense of humor is intact. Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
He stepped back and tugged at my hand. “Come sit. We have enough food to feed an army. We couldn’t find the cupcakes Mason said he’d bake, so Cassidy made a batch. We thought a little sugary treat could do everyone some good.”
“Cool.” No way would I admit we had licked the batter off each other’s bodies earlier. “Thanks, guys.”
Camping night was nothing like we’d planned, but in a sense, it was even better.
Mason had offered for me to sleep upstairs, but I yearned to be amongst our friends. A while later, alone in the tent set up in the kitchen, safe in Mason’s embrace, I relaxed, knowing nothing could harm me anymore tonight.
“I love you.” I kissed the tip of his nose, and he smiled against my chin.
“Love you more. Now sleep because I need you to get better.”
I closed my eyes, and for once, I didn’t feel like contradicting him.