Page 57 of Just One More Affair
“We ran scans and besides a concussion, there’s nothing alarming about the results. We used staples to close the wound. He’ll have a nasty headache and some side effects of that but otherwise he’ll recover just fine.”
Charlie didn’t hear anything else he had to say. Her legs began to shake and dizziness assaulted her. Spots floated in front of her eyes and she recognized the signs. She was going out. A glance told her the nearest chair was too far, so she tugged on Noah’s sleeve and lowered herself to the floor, putting her head between her knees.
“Jesus.” Noah bent down and she heard the rest of the family’s chatter, but all she could do was breathe and think,thank God.
Jared was going to be okay.
***
Jared loved hisfamily but if one more sibling walked in—he’d seen his father, then his brothers with their wives—he was going to scream.
Remy and Raven strode in after Fallon and Noah left, and Jared narrowed his gaze. “Nothing personal, but where the fuck is Charlotte?” he asked.
Raven inclined her head. “You tell him,” she said.
Remy stepped forward. “Charlie insisted the family come in first. Believe me, we tried to convince her otherwise, but she feels guilty and doesn’t want anyone upset with her. Or, to quote her words, more upset with her—though nobody’s mad. Everyone understands the situation.”
“Do me a favor?” Jared asked. “One of you go get her?”
Raven smiled. “I’ll do it. They’re enforcing the ‘two at a time’ rule. Remy, stay with your brother. I’ll be in the waiting room with your father and Lizzie. Everyone else has seen you and gone home.”
Once Raven had left, Remy pulled up a chair, sat down, and leaned forward. “I also think Charlie’s feeling out of place without you.”
Jared knew better than to nod, add to that shake his head or move much, because the pain was excruciating. The doctor had ordered a pain killer he didn’t want to take until he’d seen Charlotte. Then he’d be happy passing out since they insisted on keeping him overnight for observation.
Charlotte’s feelings didn’t surprise him. She wasn’t used to having a family who cared. People who, once they included you, never let you go no matter what happened.
A light knock on the door had him turning his head. Catching sight of her dark hair, he did his best not to wince. The last thing she needed to see was how much pain he was in.
“Come on in, sweetheart.”
Charlotte tentatively stepped inside and Remy rose from his seat. “I’m going to get going. Raven and I need to get back to the bar.” He shot Jared a meaningful look. He was leaving to give them time alone.
“Thanks for coming.”
Remy patted his shoulder, obviously aware of what a concussion felt like, and said goodbye, then added, “I’ll make sure your car is taken care of,” Remy assured him.
“Thanks, Bro.”
With an incline of his head, Remy walked out and Jared turned his attention to Charlotte.
“Sit down,” Jared said in as strong a voice as he could manage.
She did as he asked. “Jared, I am so—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t be sorry. Shit happens in life. I’m just relieved I’m the one who was hit over the head and not you. If you’d gotten out of the car, I don’t know what I’d have done. So please stop apologizing.”
“Okay.”
“Now slide in closer.”
She lifted herself and dragged the chair nearer to the bed.
“Did the police get the guys?” he asked.
She nodded. “Another squad car saw them running from the scene. And they took my brother in, too.” Her eyes grew glassy and sad. “I’m honestly glad. He needs help and he’s not going to get it at a luxury detox place. He has to face the consequences of his actions and addiction, and if it means getting clean behind bars, so be it.”
He doubted it was as easy for her as she made it out to be. She was protecting him because of his injury when he wanted to be the one to look out for her.
