Chapter 3
Chapter three
Elsie
"We need to get her out of town," I hear a deep voice say, breaking through the haze. The voice is close, as if they're standing next to me. A very sexy, burly voice. One I've heard before but can't seem to place at the moment.
I try to open my eyes, to see who is standing next to me. To see if I can recognize them. Instead, they stay closed, feeling too heavy, I can't seem to get them to obey.
"I could take her to my cabin in Rose Valley," the voice says, and that's when I realize that Matt is the one speaking.
I try to contain it, but can't. His voice washes over me, and no matter how much I hold back, it seems to have a mind of its own.
Maybe because I'm in a vulnerable position and am not able to push down these feelings of attraction.
My whole-body shivers, and my traitorous mind begins to conjure up images of his rough hands inspecting me. Making sure that I am okay.
"Phil. You should've seen it. Someone is after her," the mention of my father's name is as if someone threw a bucket of cold water on me. That's when it all comes back too. My apartment being trashed, the writing on the walls.
Who would do that? Is this some weird attempt to get my attention?
This time my body shivers with fear and not attraction. Tears well up in my eyes, and though they're closed, I can feel them escaping. How am I supposed to go home after that?
"Yeah, I'll watch over her and keep her safe while the police figure it out." He says, and in that moment I feel his eyes on me.
I grit my teeth to keep me from letting out a sob when I feel his eyes on me. He confirms it with his next words, "It seems she's awake. Let me talk with her and I'll have her call in a moment."
A few seconds later, I'm clenching my eyes shut when Matt says, "I know you're awake."
This time it's much easier opening my eyes. I stare at him, he doesn't say anything. Just stares back at me with his deep brown eyes. Though my brain knows this is not the time nor the place to do it, I still do. My gaze drifts down his body, taking him in.
Matt is a huge guy, I only know because my Dad and him love to compete on who is taller. Spoiler alert, it's Matt. Though my Dad is tall, which is where I get my height, he's about 6'4 and Matt is 6'7.
Not only is he tall, he's made of pure muscle. Someone who could just pick me up and throw me over his shoulder. He's wearing his typical flannel with jeans that fit his body perfectly.
I can't help but notice that his beard is peppered with grey, something that is new since the last time I saw him.
"You're awake," he says, and I can tell that he's keeping his tone controlled and neutral, but his eyes betray him.
A small smirk blooms across my lips when I see his gaze track down my body as if he's checking to make sure I'm okay.
Something he's never done before. In fact, most of the time I'm around him he keeps his distance, only speaking to me when it's necessary.
I only had his number because my dad gave it to me when I moved to Los Angeles, for emergencies. If someone breaking into your apartment and declaring that you're theirs isn't an emergency, I'm not sure what is.
"I am," I reply, sitting up more in the bed.
I'm about to ask him what he and my dad were talking about, when a knock on the door interrupts us. When it opens a doctor, who looks too young to be one, walks in along with my manager Cliff. The young doctor looks at me with a small smile, "How is our patient doing?"
"Fine. When can I get out of here?" I ask him.
"Elsie. You blacked out--" Cliff begins, but the doctor starts at the same time, looking down at his clipboard.
"It doesn't look like you have a concussion, your tests have come back normal.
Looks like you blacked out from an adrenaline crash.
As long as you're not feeling any pain, then we can start the discharge process. "
"Yeah, no pain. I just want to leave."
"Great. A nurse will be in to get you going," he says, smiling back up at me before leaving.
"Anyone else think Dr. Doogie Howser there might not be right?" Matt asks before looking back over at me. "Maybe you should stay a little--"
I don't let him continue, holding my hand up, I say, "No. I want to get out of here, and check into a hotel, while I look for a new apartment."
Matt furrows his brow and I know he's trying to figure out how to tell me what I overheard him say to my dad. But I don't want to go anywhere, I just want to play basketball and forget this whole deal.
Clearing his throat, Matt garners my attention. "Elsie, I was talking to your dad and we think it would be best for you to leave town while the police figure out who this guy is."
I shake my head. "No, I need to prepare for the next season."
This time it's Cliff that butts in, "Elsie, we have time for you to take a break. You don't need to be in peak shape until later, but I do need you to be safe. Next season won't be great if you're hurt."
Or worse. Those are the words that Cliff doesn't say. They just linger in the air. Anger builds up within me at the thought. I don't want to upend my whole life.
"I think I'll be okay if I just go to a hotel," I insist.
"Fine. I'll go with you to pack a bag," Matt says, surprising me because I sure didn't think he would give in so fast.
"Thank you," I mutter.
"Don't thank me yet, baby girl, you need to tell your dad first. And whether it's here or not, I'll be with you the whole time.
Your dad, Cliff, and I have already decided.
" he says, pushing a phone toward me, making me shiver.
The only thing I don't know is if it’s because I have to tell my dad that I don't want to leave or if it’s because he called me baby girl.
Not wanting to look too closely at my reaction, I reach for the phone and do the inevitable. Call my dad.