Page 21 of Embers in the Dark

“Like we discussed, we’re waiting for someone to come down to take you for a CT scan. The ER is a bit behind tonight, but they should be here soon to take you over.” Dr. Berkett is busy looking through my electronic chart, while the nurse moves through the room grabbing supplies.

“Um, can I have my friend come in from the waiting room?” I ask.

“Yes, I see no problem in that now that we’ve done our assessment that should be fine,” the doctor says.

“Thanks.” I grab my phone to text Tucker.

“Once we have results from the CT, I’ll come by and speak to you. It will most likely be a while.” Dr. Berkett gives me a small smile and heads back out of the room.

I’m scrolling through my phone for a while when I hear a familiar voice behind the curtain.

“Baylee, it’s Tucker. Can I come in?” He sounds so shy right now.

“Yes, I’m decent,” I call out.

He moves the curtain open and soon his hulking frame is taking over the opening in front of me. It’s amazing how largeTucker Malloy truly is. No matter where he is, he turns heads. Even here, I can see the nurses at the station looking over at him. It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes.

With that ginger hair, he has a sexy Viking way about him. He’s got a thick neck, with muscles trailing down his shoulders and arms. Years of firefighting, carrying gear and heavy equipment up flights of stairs, have only added to the beauty that is Tucker Malloy. I better be careful or I’ll start drooling. If I look past him, I bet the nurses are doing just that.

I better get ahold of myself because if I’m not careful, I’ll be where I was months ago, falling right back into my crush on him. No. I’m turning over a new leaf. This is about focusing on my career goals and finishing out my degree. I’m getting my shit done so I can move forward. I’m sayingfuck Mylesand all the shit he put me through, not just tonight, but throughout our relationship.

“You doing okay?” He looks up at me. The worry etched in his eyes is so genuine it’s almost like I could misconstrue it for love.

“No broken ribs. I’m waiting for a CT scan right now,” I say.

“Alright.” He brings his lips to a tight line, like he’s holding back from saying more. “Listen, about what you said earlier. Are you sure staying with me is best, Bay?”

“Yes. I accepted a transfer to Orange University. I would stay with my parents, but I don’t want Myles looking for me there now,” I explain.

“And your brother?” he says.

“In a one-bedroom apartment? No thanks,” I throw back.

“Understandable.” He chuckles.

“Plus, I do not need that kind of big brother protection breathing down my neck. But if you don’t want me around, I’ll find another way. There’s no university housing available, but I can try and find some other place to stay last minute,” I explain.

“No, it’s fine,” he says, scratching the back of his head, looking around the small room. “I have an extra room with a bed. It’s okay. We’ll make it work. I’ll just have to figure out what to say to your brother.”

“Why would Danny give a shi—” I’m about to inquire about my brother’s objection when I hear commotion in the hall and then the curtain swings open to my parents’ and brother’s gasps greeting me.

“Oh, my sweet girl!” My mom comes toward me, tears in her eyes.

I gave Tucker permission to let them know I was in the hospital once we got to the waiting room. I guess they started their drive the moment they heard. My mom and dad come running toward me, while my brother stays back, his face hard as stone. He looks over at Tucker and they exchange a look I can’t decipher.

What is that about?

It’s just my parents and Tucker in the cramped space, but I’m feeling suffocated.

My mom pulls away and looks me in the eyes. “What happened? Tell me who did this to you?”

That’s another thing… I didn’t let Tucker tell them who did this to me until they arrived. I didn’t want them to have all the information until they got here just in case they overreacted. Which, apparently, they would have.

The emotional roller coaster is hard to contain and the tears begin to well up. I blink, trying to keep them from falling from my eyes, but I fail miserably.

“Myles,” is all I choke out and my mom gasps.

“I’ll kill him,” my dad seethes.

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