Page 19 of Fool Moon First Aid

“Wait,” I shout, pushing my tray aside and swinging a leg over the bed. The room spins slightly, a vivid reminder of why I’m here in the first place.

Instant regret.

Ava

I gasp as pain shoots through my leg. Dr. Walker is back at my side in an instant, his large, warm hands gently placing my foot back on the bed. He glares at me, his eyes full of frustration and concern. Hello, I’m the victim here—the innocent sufferer in this whole drama.

“Ava,” he says, his voice now a gruff whisper. “Stay.”

I widen my eyes, realizing the absurdity of what just happened. He just used my dog training methods…on me. I’m so flabbergasted that all I can do is open and close my mouth, looking like a fish out of water.

Slowly, he leans down into my personal space, his presence overwhelming. I lean back as far as I can go into the pillows. He inhales deeply, as if trying to detect something beyond the clinical smell of the room. “Rest, luna, because tomorrow, your journey to recovery begins.”

“That sounds ominous,” I say through clenched teeth, the pain in my leg now a dull throb. It’s slowly dissipating, as the drugs kick in more. Wait, did he just call me luna?

That has to be a trick of my drug addled brain.

“It should,” Dr. Brody Walker says, standing tall and imposing like a tower of strength and concern. “You have a visitor.”

“All this buildup just to tell me I have a visitor?” I roll my eyes, sinking back into the stiff hospital bed that creaks under my weight.

I also need to use the bathroom. But the thought of just attempting to have to use the restroom is making me wonder how long I can hold my bladder.

“Knock, knock, boss bitch.” Eloise strides into the room, her black gothic dress flowing behind her like a dark wave against the sterile ambiance of the hospital. She sashays to the chair Brody just vacated, her eyes drinking in his retreating form with an admiration that’s both bold and unapologetic. “I hope I’m interrupting something juicy.”

“Not at all,” Brody replies, his voice holding a note of amusement that contradicts the seriousness of his doctorly demeanor. He takes a step back, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the dull linoleum floor. “I’ll see you in the morning, Ms. Martinez.” He nods at Eloise, a gesture of respectful acknowledgment, before leaving.

“Well, well, well, you tramp,” Eloise teases as she scoots the chair closer, the wheels squeaking slightly. Her bright green eyes, lined with thick black eyeliner, sparkle with mischief. “Really, Ava, injuring yourself for a date? Even for your dramatic standards, that’s next level.”

“Bean,” I grumble, lying back against the thin hospital pillow. A flicker of worry crosses my mind as I consider Brody’s advice about taking time off. Six to eight weeks feels like an eternity in pet clinic time. “She decided to explore the highest bookshelf.”

“That snake is a menace,” Eloise hisses, her dark lipstick standing out starkly against her pale skin, giving her a vampiric allure…which was probably the point.

“How was your date?” I ask, attempting to divert the conversation from my snake induced injuries.

“You’re not wriggling out of this that easily,” she chides, leaning back in the chair with a dramatic flair, “but I’ll let it slide for now because I am dying to talk about me, myself, and I.” She lounges back, letting out a theatrical sigh before suddenly sitting up, her eyes alight with excitement. “I lost count of the number of orgasms I had. Ever heard of a vampire’s kiss?”

“I think I’m too pure and innocent for such tales,” I joke, my curiosity piqued, despite my cluelessness. I’d give my best Dracula impression, but it’s more likely to induce laughter than fear.

“It’s when a vampire goes down on you and bites either side of your kitty nub,” she whispers with a hint of scandal and a lot of excitement.

I wave a finger in the air, my mouth agape in mock horror and amusement. “Hold up, rewind that story.”

Eloise shakes her head at me, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. “Oh yes. The bean. Nature’s fruit snack. The devil’s doorbell. He bit the sides, Ava, and oh my gosh…” She trails off, then dramatically collapses onto the floor like a fallen starlet. “I’m a slave for them,” she sings.

“Just make sure you stay hydrated,” I advise, leaning over the side of the bed to see her lying there in melodramatic bliss. “So how many drinks did you have?”

“Just a few.” She winks, springing back up onto the chair with a dancer’s grace. “Now, about that ambulance call…”

“Quick to change the subject, aren’t we?” I shake my head, amused and intrigued by her stories. “You really can’t let me live vicariously through you for a moment, can you?”

“No secrets until I get the full scoop, boss babe,” she declares, leaning forward on the edge of her seat, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“I ended up with wolves for paramedics,” I start, ready to dive into my own bizarre tale.

She squeals, cutting me off before I can get another word in. “Did they scent you and decide you’re theirs forever and ever? Tell me everything!”

“Well, no,” I respond, surprised that hadn’t even crossed my mind until now. “Is that actually a thing?”

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