Page 70 of Dark Notes

He takes my blood pressure, listens to my heart, and then shines a light in my eyes.

“This is going to hurt. Take a deep breath for me.”

I do, as he presses on various spots on my chest, before telling me to turn over.

He does the same with my back, before helping me turn back again.

“I think you have a few broken ribs, but I’d need to do x-rays to be a hundred percent certain. And maybe a CT to rule anything else out.”

“How sure are you that I have broken ribs?”

He tilts his head back and forth as he thinks about his answer.

“Ninety percent, to be safe. I’m sure you have three, but the other two I’m not sure about.”

McKinley asks him, “He needs an x-ray then because they have to be wrapped, right?”

He shakes his head before he explains it to her.

“We don’t do that anymore, because it can restrictbreathing, which leads to pneumonia, or can even cause a partial lung collapse. They will heal on their own in about six weeks.”

McKinley looks at me. “You should have the tests.”

Dr. Walton chuckles because he knows me all too well.

“He should, but he rarely follows medical advice.”

Dr. Walton places everything back in his black medical bag.

“You look fine otherwise. You were lucky, Jagger. I expect you to make a full recovery with no issues, as long as you take it easy. Keep physical exertion to a minimum, for at least a week. I know you won’t listen to me for longer than that.”

The doctor goes to walk out of the room but stops.

“I’d offer you pain pills, but I assume you’ll still refuse them?”

I smirk at him. “Correct. If I need something, I’ll take an over-the-counter medication.”

Of course, when he leaves, McKinley is not happy with me.

“Why won’t you get the tests?” she asks, with a scowl on her pretty face.

“I don’t want to. I’m fine, baby. Nothing to worry about. The x-ray, saying yes, I have broken ribs or not, won’t change anything. Stop worrying.”

Her scowl only deepens. “Why won’t you take pain pills? That’s ridiculous.”

I tell her simply, “I refuse to take them, because that’s how a lot of heroin addictions start. It’s not worth the risk to me.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “You have not been drug free, Jagger. You snorted coke off a woman’s body.”

I laugh. “Cancel your google updates on me, or whatever the fuck you have. I wish you’d forget about that. And yes, I have done drugs. Not heroin. Not ever. I’ve seen what it does. As far as I’m concerned, cocaine is a party drug. Lots of drugs can be. Just a good time. Heroin is not a good fucking time. It’s a lifeender. I will not change my mind. Now come back here and give me comfort.”

She lays down beside me and stares into my eyes.

“I wish I could touch you. There have been many scary days in my life, but nothing like that.”

“You can touch me.”

Reaching her hand up like she’s going to touch, she quickly puts her hand back down. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

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