Page 75 of Return to Me Always

Ben and Tyler walked up to my other side and sat in the two chairs that were already there, Tyler's huge body looking uncomfortable in the small seat.

"Did you tell her the best part?" Ben asked from his spot closest to me, his voice excited.

"Best part? What do you mean?" I asked.

"Kit Kat, didn't you wonder why Tyler was here and not in jail? And why there isn't a police officer guarding your door to make sure you—a dangerous, murderous fugitive—didn't run away?"

God, Ben cracked me up. And I realized I had completely forgotten that part. What was wrong with me? Had the concussion injured my mind?

"Honestly, I didn't even think of that."

Ben whistled and looked at my mom. "Are we sure she didn't damage her brain?"

"Yes," my mom said, rolling her eyes. "The doctors said the CT scan was totally normal. Nothing to be worried about."

A nurse made a loud noise by the door as she wrestled with some kind of cart. "Kat, you're awake. Good. Okay. Everyone needs to clear out for a bit."

What? Wait, I needed to hear whatever Ben had to say. What the hell had happened? Whyweren'tthe police here?

But everyone was already heading out the door while the nurse closed it behind them.

"How you feeling?" she asked.

"All right, I guess. A bit of a headache. Is that normal?"

"Yep, dear. For as hard as you hit your head, it sure is. But you'll be okay. No harm done. And you're a very lucky girl."

"What do you mean?"

She was busy adjusting the IV bags and checking my vitals so it took her a minute to answer. "Because that gun shot just went right through you. Could have punctured your lungs and done some serious damage. But all you have is a wound in the front and the back."

The nurse moved the sheets away and adjusted my gown to get to the bandages. As she removed the gauze and tape, I closed my eyes, expecting to see lots of blood.

"Lassie, it's fine," she said. "Look."

Scared to death, I peeked to my left. But she was right! Not a drop of blood. Just a row of neat stitches near the top of my shoulder. And it actually didn't even hurt much.

While she checked the sutures in back, she continued, "The only thing is to be careful in the shower till you get the stitches out in ten days. We'll send you home with dressing you can put over it while you shower for the next couple of days. No baths."

"Sure. No problem. Thank you."

She pulled back to look at me. "No. Thankyou, dear."

"Thank me? What for?"

"Well, I'm thanking you in advance actually," she said, smiling as she put on a fresh bandage.

"Okay? For what?" What on earth was she talking about?

"Well, I'm expecting a selfie with you before you leave."

A selfie? With me? What the hell was she saying? My brain really hurt. This was so weird. "Um, sure?"

She laughed. "I think your mum has a lot to tell you still. And those boys of yours."

The nurse made a funny sound in her throat like she was eating the most delicious meal of her life. Which reminded me.

"Is it okay for me to have food?" I asked, ready to beg if I had to as my stomach rumbled in agreement.

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