Page 71 of Doc Defence

“Are you okay?” She dashed to his side, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.

Frost stomped on his initial reflex urge to say yes and shook his head. “Not fantastic. A bit dizzy. Give me a moment.”

She rubbed his shoulder, and his eyes closed as he soaked up the sensation. “Take your time. I’ll bring the wheelchair right next to the bed.”

When she stepped away, breaking the contact, Frost felt cold. He watched as she efficiently sorted the chair out and manoeuvred it close to the bed. Realisation washed over him. He liked her more than he had ever liked any of his actual girlfriends, and they hadn’t even been on a date.

She was the first person who didn’t ask for anything from him, and everything he gave was because he wanted to. He wanted to get up early to make sure she ate. He wanted to look after her, and he wanted to give her things to ensure she was comfortable.

Without fuss, Hel helped him into the chair. He contrasted her efficiency with his ex’s continual histrionics. By now, Patricia would have been wailing, complaining and generally being a pain. He had been a total moron when he met and started dating her and a worse idiot when he let her come to Australia with him.

“Please keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, especially when your doctor is driving your wheelchair,” Hel joked and handed his crutches over for him to carry, then swung the Burra Wombats bag onto her back.

“You look like a proper ice hockey fan,” Frost commented, grinning at the thought of her watching him play. Then he corrected himself. Shit, that part of his life was over. She would never be standing there cheering for him.

“I even know some of the rules,” she announced proudly as she pushed him through the emergency department.

“Oh yeah. Which ones?”

“Well, there’s one. It’s something about the goalie, and interference and the other team and….” Hel trailed off.

“You have no idea, do you?” Frost chuckled at her rubbish attempt to explain a rule.

“Not a clue. I’m sorry, you all skate very fast one way, then skate very fast the other way and then someone scores, and then you all switch players. Or something like that.”

Frost’s chuckle turned into full-blown laughter. “I mean, it’s a good summary.”

“Precisely! I knew I was an ice hockey expert.”

Frost tipped his head up to look at her face. She was laughing too, her hazel eyes sparkling with joy. The neon overhead lights lit her red hair up from behind, the loose strands glowing like a halo around her head. He wanted to reach up and tug on those red curls but managed to keep his hands firmly gripped on the crutches he held.

“What shift are you working tomorrow?”

“I have the day off!” Hel exclaimed happily.

“That’s great.” It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her to do something with him. Then he realised how unwell he still felt and didn’t want to ask, then force her to stay at home with him doing nothing.

“Yeah. I’m knackered. I’ve got a million things I need to do, but instead of doing any of them, I was planning on buying some junk food, planting myself on the sofa and watching movies on your giant television. Do you want to join me?”

Frost bit his tongue to stop himself from answering too quickly. “Will the junk food involve popcorn?”

“Obviously,” Hel replied seriously.

“Buttered or sweet?”

Hel thought about it for a long moment. “Buttered. If we have sweet it’ll detract from the chocolate I’m planning on buying.”

“Excellent. Dark or milk chocolate?” Frost was grinning. His mood had soared when she asked him to join her.

“Ohhh. Asking the tough questions now.”

“Come on Hel, commit.”

“Well, I do eat a lot of milk chocolate, as the Twirls in the vending machine have been a particular favourite for breakfast when I don’t have time to eat.”

“That’s why it’s a good thing you moved in with me. You need a house husband.” The flippant words were out of Frost’s mouth before he could stop them.

“I really do. Are you applying for the job?” Hel shot straight back without a second’s pause.

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