21. Lachlan
CHAPTER 21
LACHLAN
I wake up and don’t know where I am for a moment. The pillow and bed sheet don’t feel right, and the room is painstakingly white and bare. It doesn’t help my case that my head is filled with cotton candy. I start to panic when June comes into my line of vision.
“Lachy... you’re awake.”
“Where am I?”
“At the hospital. You had an allergic reaction.”
“Oh, that’s right. They gave me a shot, and then I kinda passed out.”
“Yeah, the doctor said you would feel tired. We could have taken you home, but Ryan and Jake thought it was better if you stayed here overnight, just be safe.”
“Where are they?” I press the button to lift the back of the bed so I can see June better.
“They just went to get coffee.”
“What time is it?”
June looks at her watch. “Ten to six.”
I blink fast. “In the morning?”
“Yeah.”
“You stayed here all night?”
She runs her fingers through my hair, pushing the long bangs back. “Of course. Do you think I’d be able to fall asleep at home while you’re in the hospital?”
I never understood when people said their hearts were melting until now. My damn muscle feels like it’s turning into a puddle inside my chest.
“You must be bloody tired, and you have to work in a few hours.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “I’m fine. I’ll just have to mainline on coffee today.”
Ryan and Jake enter the room, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee reaches my nose. Jake has a full tray of tall cups in his hand, and Ryan carries a large paper bag, which I’m guessing has their breakfast. My stomach grumbles.
“Sleeping beauty is up.” Ryan smiles. “How are you feeling?”
“Don’t know. Just woke up. That smells good. I hope you got me some food too.”
“How can you think about eating?” Jake arches a brow.
“Hey, as long as it’s not quinoa, I’m fine.”
Ryan sets the paper bag on the table in the corner and out of my reach. Arsehole. “I’m so sorry, Lachy. I feel horrible.”
“It wasn’t your fault, but if you want my forgiveness, you’ll hand over whatever you have in that paper bag.”
June opens the bag and asks, “Do you feel like something sweet or savory?”
“Sweet. I’m definitely craving sugar.”
She walks over holding a chocolate-covered donut. “Here.”
I smile. “Thank you for feeding me, lass. Those eejits want to starve me.”
“Hey! I was the one who bought extra food for you,” Ryan complains.
Jake crosses his arms. “Only because you were feeling guilty about almost killing Lachy.”
“Guys...” June puts her hands on her hips. “Don’t start arguing again.”
Ryan and Jake turn to June, looking sheepish.
“Sorry, Peaches,” Ryan replies.
“Yes, I’m sorry too,” Jake adds.
I’m still chewing my donut when I ask, “They were arguing?”
June looks at me. “Yeah. Just a little bit. I had to put them in time out.”
A knock on the door gets our attention. “Good morning,” Melissa says. “Is it safe to come in?”
I frown. “Why wouldn’t it be safe?”
She walks over, looking as sharp as ever in her power suit. “It was a joke. How are you feeling?”
“Much better now that my beautiful lass fed me.”
Ryan throws his hands in the air. “I bought the donut!”
Melissa gives him a judgmental look. “How many cups of coffee have you had?”
“Two,” Ryan replies, sounding surly. Melissa raises an eyebrow. “Okay, fine. I had five, but I don’t know why you’re looking at me like that.”
“I think you should all go home. I spoke to the doctor, and he said Lachy is fine.”
“Yeah, I’m ready to get out of here, but... why did you come?”
Her expression turns serious. “I had to see what I was dealing with. News you’d been admitted to the hospital broke last night on a gossip site. They didn’t know the reason, so the rumor mill is going crazy with absurd theories.”
“Crap on toast,” June blurts out. “I think that’s my fault.”
Melissa tilts her head. “How so?”
“A teenager approached me when I was getting snacks from the vending machine and asked if I had come in with Jake and Ryan. I said yes without thinking, and when he started asking more questions, I sort of panicked and ran. I’m sure my reaction was super suspicious.”
“And that’s why you need media training,” Melissa replies. “It’ll help dealing with fans too.”
“Give June a break,” Jake interjects. “We were all stressed out.”
Melissa narrows her eyes. “I’m not chastising her.”
“It’s okay, Jake. I do want the training sooner rather than later.”
Melissa pulls out her cell phone. “I was going to schedule a meeting with our PR manager, but considering your case is different, I’ll train you myself.”
June’s relief is obvious. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”
“It’d be great if you trained June before our trip to San Diego this weekend.”
“Why?” Melissa frowns. “Wait, is she going with you?”
Ryan steps closer to June and throws an arm around her shoulder. “Yeah. I want her to come.”
Melissa closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose. “You guys are stressing me out.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t need to go,” June replies.
“Hell no. Yer coming, lass.”
Melissa looks at her phone. “June, can you meet me tomorrow after work?”
“Yes. What time?”
“Hmm.” She taps her phone. “At the arena at five? The game doesn’t start until eight.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Oh hell,” Jake blurts out. “We didn’t call Coach Haagen.”
I twist my face into a grimace. “For fuck’s sake. You had one job.”
Ryan and Jake turn to me, sporting equal glowers. “We had one job?” Jake asks.
I laugh. “It was a joke, you eejits. Now, can I have another donut, please?”
“You’re going to have another bellyache,” June argues.
“Lass... I’m fine. The quinoa allergy was a fluke.”
“Only you would want to stuff your face after almost dying from eating,” Melissa pipes up. “Jake, you’d better call Coach. I’m sure he’s heard the news by now. And get Lachy home. The longer he stays at the hospital, the wilder the theories about him will get.”
“Right. I’ll call him now.” Jake pulls out his cell phone.
“June, I’ll give you a ride home. It’s better if you don’t leave with the boys.”
“Oh... okay. Yeah. Good idea.” June turns to me. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
“You can’t leave without giving me a goodbye kiss,” I say.
Her cheeks turn bright pink, but she comes closer. “Only because you almost died.”
She presses her lips against mine, a chaste peck—at least, that was her intention. But I cup the back of her head to keep her in place, and coax her lips open with my tongue, needing a proper taste. I don’t care that Melissa is in the room.
“Good morning,” an unfamiliar female voice says.
June jumps back, and her face is now redder than before. She avoids making eye contact with the nurse who just came in. The woman stares at June for a beat with her brows furrowed, then fleetingly glances at Jake. Melissa looks downright pissed off.
Bloody hell. I think I just fucked up.