Page 45 of Hidden Nature

“Since I imagined I’d torn a muscle and might spend some time in the OR again, I’m not going to complain. Much.”

“What’s your pain level now?” The tall brunette had clear, direct blue eyes. And they locked on Sloan’s. “I’ll add it’s stupid to lie to a doctor. Don’t be stupid.”

“Between seven and eight. I have the prescribed pain meds at home. I haven’t needed them, but I’ll take one.”

“Good. Not stupid. You had an excellent surgeon.”

“I know. I’m grateful. And I’ll contact him tomorrow and confess.”

“The problem with being a human is we make mistakes.”

The problem with being Sloan, she admitted as she—very carefully—got back in Drea’s car—was she just hated making them.

Before she strapped in, Drea handed her an ice pack.

“Where did you get this?”

“I have my ways. Twenty minutes on. It’ll take thirty or so to get home. Might as well start now.”

Sooner started, sooner finished, Sloan thought, and slid the pack under her sweater.

“I’m going to contact Dr. Vincenti’s office in the morning and arrange a video consult. If he wants you to go in, Mom can take you. My schedule’s tight tomorrow and so’s Dad’s, but hers is a little more flexible.”

Drea made the turn, started home. “Dad doesn’t have a recliner, which didn’t strike me as odd until now. My nurse informant said that’s a good way to sleep elevated. But we have plenty of pillows, and you’d rather sleep in bed anyway.”

“You’re organizing me. This is another of your tricks.”

“You’ll be back to organizing yourself soon enough, so I’m taking it while I can. I like the power.” Drea lifted her shoulders, jiggled them. “It may be better than sex.”

“You’re not having any sex that I’ve noticed.”

“I could say too busy, which is true enough, but mostly? Nobody recently hits the mark. If I’m going to have sex, I want to date first, and unless somebody at least hits somewhere on the target, it’s too much trouble.”

She glanced over. “How was sex with Matias?”

“Good enough.”

“Ooh, ouch.”

“I know, right?” Sloan started to laugh, but it hurt. “And I’m not saying that because he dumped me while I was in the hospital. Sex was okay. Just okay. Actually, everything was just okay, and looking back, just too easy and convenient. I guess on both sides.”

“Then you’re in the hospital, and it wasn’t easy and convenient for him.” Drea glanced at her sister. “You wouldn’t have done that to him.”

“No. You know what’s weird? I wish, I honestly wish, he’d broken my heart.”

“That’s not weird.” Drea shook her head. “No, not even approaching weird. You wanted more from him, from yourself, and you didn’t get it. He only hit the outer rim of your target, and who doesn’t want a bull’s-eye?”

“I’m retiring my target for a while.”

“I like leaving mine out there, just in case. You never know who may hit, or when.”

By the time they got back, her father’s truck sat in the drive so Dreacould take his slot in the garage. Before the garage door closed, their parents stepped in.

“Everyone stayed until Drea called. So much relief,” Elsie added. “I’ve got your bed all ready for you.”

“Here, baby.”

“No, Dad, no carrying. Walking’s fine. It’s encouraged. I’m just a little slow. I’m just really sorry this put such a damper on everything.”

---