Chapter 3
Chapter Three
I try hard not to cry while Nurse Kristen helps me undress. I just feel so emotional. I was on the edge of a panic attack before I collided with Theo and fell to the ground. Now I’ve added to my problems. Not only is my head pounding and I have various scrapes and bruises, but I still don’t have a job, and now I’m not even out looking for one. I’m losing a day. I might lose more than a day.
Kristen is quick to get the gown on me, pile up my wet clothes, and tuck them into a plastic bag. I even had to remove my underwear and bra because they, too, were soaked.
The nurse grabs a small towel and pats my hair so that it’s not dripping, and then she helps me lie on my side and covers me with a blanket.
I’m still shaking when she opens the door to let Theo back in. I’m also slightly shocked he’s still here. If I were him, I would have taken off. He did his job. He brought me to the clinic.
“You don’t have to stay with me,” I murmur when he comes to my side.
He rubs my arm over the blanket. “I’m not going anywhere, Little one.”
I turn my head to look at him. “How do you know I’m Little?”
He smiles. “A hunch.”
I stare at him. I’m usually very careful to keep my Little tamped down except when I’m alone or at the Dungeon. It worries me that this stranger could tell.
“Don’t worry, Little one. I’m sure your Little is struggling near the surface because you’re injured. It happens. And I suspected because I have excellent Little radar. No one else would know.”
For some reason, his explanation calms me. I don’t feel like I need to be quite so careful. “Are you a Daddy?” I ask softly.
“Yep. And so is Dr. Rubio. Connor is his first name. I spoke to him in the hall. He’ll be in soon. He’ll take good care of you.”
For some reason, knowing that lifts a weight off my shoulders, too.
Theo continues to rub my arm. “You don’t have to hold back your Little, Layla. Relax. No one is going to judge you here.”
I sniffle. That’s good because she’s hovering at the surface, and my injuries are making it hard to keep her at bay.
“Deep breath, Little one.”
I try to draw in a breath, but it’s hard.
“Good girl.”
Goosebumps rise on my skin when he praises me. There’s nothing better in the world than a good girl .
He strokes my damp hair. “You have the prettiest hair I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve seen hair this light before.”
I know I have weird hair. It’s nearly white. Most people think I dye it like this, but I don’t.
I flinch when the door opens, interrupting my cocoon.
Theo moves out of my line of sight to reveal a man in a lab coat. I assume he’s a doctor. He pulls up a rolling stool and sits, putting him closer to eye level. “Hey there. I heard you had a run-in with Theo.” His smile causes laugh lines around his eyes. I instantly like him.
“It was my fault,” I tell him.
He chuckles. “Theo’s like a tree. He takes up a lot of space, and he’s immovable. I don’t advise sparring with him,” he teases. “How about if I check you out so we can see how much damage your collision caused.”
I sniffle and nod.
When he stands and guides my head forward to examine the back, I wince.
“Owie.” The babyish word slips out before I can stop it.
“Sorry, Little one. You have a pretty big goose egg back here, but the skin isn’t broken.” Dr. Rubio sits back on his stool.
I’m aware of Theo next to me. He’s moved down a bit, but his hand is on my thigh.
Dr. Rubio lifts the blanket back and holds up my arm next. “Kristen says you hit both elbows and landed on your bottom, too.”
“Yes, Sir,” I whisper.
The doctor looks closely at my top arm before bending to see the other one. “You scraped your elbows up good, but I don’t think you need stitches. We’ll clean those up and get some bandages on them.” He pats my cheek. “I’m going to look at the backs of your thighs and examine your tailbone now, okay?”
I swallow and hesitate before nodding.
When he rises to round to the other side of the exam table, Theo sits in the doctor’s rolling chair and holds my hand. His attention is on my face. “You’re being so brave, Little one.”
I bite my bottom lip as the doctor carefully lifts the blanket up to my hip. He moves the gown out of the way next. I can feel the cool air in the room on my naked bottom.
“Squeeze my hand, Layla,” Theo orders. “Tell me what your favorite kind of ice cream is.”
I whimper. He’s trying to distract me, but it’s not working. I hold my breath while the doctor examines the backs of my thighs. I’m fully aware that my butt is scraped up right at the juncture with my thighs.
“I’m going to clean these scrapes up, Layla,” Dr. Rubio says. “It will sting a bit. How about if I give you something to hold on to?”
I’m shocked when he reaches over me to hand something to Theo, and doubly shocked when Theo tucks a stuffed bear in my arms. “Hug this little fellow while Connor examines you.”
I purse my lips.
“You haven’t told me what kind of ice cream you like,” Theo encourages, stroking my neck.
I wince when something stings on the back of my leg. “Owie.”
“I’m sorry, Little one,” the doctor says. “I’ll be quick.”
I look back at Theo as Dr. Rubio rubs some kind of soothing ointment on my abrasions. “Uh… There’s only one flavor of ice cream,” I tell him.
He chuckles. “Is that so? What kind is it?”
“Blue,” I mutter.
Theo chuckles. “Blue? That’s not a flavor, silly girl.”
I nod. “It is so.” My Little is strong. I can’t tamp her down.
Dr. Rubio moves his attention to my tailbone, pushing around it. “I have to agree with Layla. Blue is an excellent flavor.”
Theo laughs harder. “Blue? You’re both bonkers.”
“Nuh uh,” I defend, and then I cry out as the doctor presses against my tailbone.
“I’m so sorry.” He holds my hip. “Can you be brave for me, Layla? I’m almost done.”
“Yes, Sir,” I whimper.
Theo’s brow is furrowed, and his jaw is tense as if the doctor’s exam is hurting him instead of me.
I grit my teeth as Dr. Rubio pushes against my tailbone a few more times. It hurts, and I clench my butt cheeks. I’m embarrassed that my entire bottom is exposed and he’s had to spend so much time examining it, but somehow having Theo holding my hand and whispering to me makes it better. He’s a great Daddy. I wish he were my Daddy.
Finally, Dr. Rubio covers my bottom with the gown and blanket. When he comes back around to my front, Theo starts to rise from the stool, but the doctor stops him with a hand on his shoulder. “You’re fine. No need to get up.”
Theo’s face is softening now that I’m no longer wincing.
Dr. Rubio strokes the top of my head and tips it back. He uses a pen light to look into my eyes. “Pupils look good. I don’t think it’s necessary to take any X-rays. I don’t believe your tailbone is broken, just badly bruised. Those take a while to heal. You probably won’t want to sit very often for a while.”
“Okay.” It’s not like I sit at work. I’m sure whatever job I get next will still involve me racing around serving people.
“As for your head, just to be cautious, I’m going to assume you have a mild concussion. Someone should monitor you for the next twenty-four hours. Do you have someone who can do that?”
I swallow. “I live alone.”
“I’ll do it,” Theo says.
I glance at him. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?” he asks.
“Because… Don’t you have places to be?”
“My appointment for today got cancelled right before we collided. I’ll reschedule my other appointments for tomorrow.”
I stare at him, mouth open. “But…”
He squeezes my hand. “No buts, Little one. I feel bad about knocking you down. It’s my responsibility to make sure you heal. Concussions can be serious, Little girl.” He narrows his gaze at me, his full-on Daddy tone brooking no argument.
Knocking me down? I ran smack into him. I knocked myself down. I don’t know why he’s taking any amount of responsibility for my clumsiness.
“He’s right, Layla,” Dr. Rubio says. “Someone needs to monitor you.” He turns toward Theo. “You want to watch for nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Make sure her pupils remain equal. I’ll give you a list of what to look for. If there’s any doubt, take her to the emergency room.”
Theo nods. “Thank you.”
I try to push to sitting. This can’t be happening. “I’ll be fine. I need to get home and then…”
Theo takes the teddy bear from between my arms and sets it on the table next to me as he helps me sit upright. He stops me from continuing to speak with a finger to my lips. “Whatever you were going to do today can wait a few more days, Little one.”
I wince as I put pressure on my tailbone.
Dr. Rubio pats my shoulder. “I’ve known Theo for years. You can trust him, Layla. I promise. Take it easy for two days. No running or sudden movements. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, try to eat soft foods until you feel better. I’ll give Theo a prescription for some acetaminophen that has a higher dosage than over the counter.” He moves toward the cabinet and returns shaking out a pair of loose, drawstring pants. “Kristen told me your clothes are soaked. These will at least cover you until you can get home.”
I take them from the doctor, but I’m still reeling. Theo is going to watch me? Where? In my tiny studio apartment? That’s not going to happen. I’d be too embarrassed to show it to him. Plus where would he sleep? There isn’t space for a guest.
Dr. Rubio says a few more things to Theo and then leaves, shutting the door behind him.
Theo scoots so the rolling chair is right in front of me. He sets his palms on my thighs over the blanket. “I know you’re nervous, Little one, but I can’t just leave you alone. I’d be worried all night.”
I bite my lower lip.
“Do you have someone you can call? Someone who would at least know where you are tonight?”
“Where will I be?”
“My house, Little one. I have plenty of space. You can stay as long as you want.”
At least he isn’t suggesting he come to my apartment. That’s not happening. But how can I just go home with a stranger?
“Do you have a girlfriend you can call, Layla?” he repeats.
I look down at my lap. “My friend Sophia is out of town, and my friend Amelia just moved away.” I’m pitiful.
“Amelia? I know an Amelia. Does she by any chance have a Daddy named Noah?”
I gasp and lift my head. “You know Amelia?”
His smile grows. “Not well, but Noah is a very good friend. I’m a realtor. I took over several of his clients when he moved permanently to Regression Island.” Theo scoots closer, setting his hands on my hips. “What a small world. See? It’s fate. If you still feel uncomfortable when we get home, I’ll call Noah so you can talk to him and Amelia.”
I lick my lips. “I’ve caused you so much trouble.” Tears escape to run down my cheeks again. Stupid tears.
“You haven’t caused me any trouble at all, Little one. In fact, I think we were meant to collide today. Do you know how long I’ve been looking for the perfect Little girl to call my own?”
My breath hitches, and then I hold it. Me? Be his Little girl? I must have hit my head much harder than I thought. I’m not lucky enough to accidentally run into a Daddy and keep him for my own.