Page 26 of Echoes of You

“I’ll be fine. Promise.”

I moved into the booth but didn’t take my eyes off Maddie.

A few seconds later, Doc joined me. “You’re quite protective of her.”

“She’s been my best friend since we were five, and someone just beat the hell out of her. How would you be?”

“Point taken.” Doc pressed the intercom button. “Hold your breath until I say.”

Maddie did as instructed. There was a click and a whir.

“You can breathe normally,” Doc said.

She repeated the same thing two more times with Maddie in different positions.

“All done. Why don’t you head back to the exam room? I’ll take a look at the images. They’ll have to go out to a radiologist for the official report, but I’ll be able to get a rough idea. You can go ahead and get dressed.”

“Thank you,” Maddie said.

I curved my arm around her shoulders and guided her down the hall, stopping outside the exam room. “Do you, uh, need help getting dressed?”

Maddie’s cheeks flushed. You could always tell exactly how she felt because her creamy complexion gave it away. “No, I’m good.”

“I’ll be out here. Just yell if you need me.”

She nodded and slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

The seconds felt like millennia. I paced in front of the door, needing to move. That feeling of wanting to crawl out of my skin dug in deep. Like some sort of creature lived inside me and was battling to break free.

“You can come in,” Maddie called.

I was through the door in under two seconds. “You okay? Did that hurt too badly?”

“I’m okay. I swear.”

But I didn’t miss the strain around her eyes. I brushed the hair away from her face. “I’m so sorry, Mads.” Sorry didn’t even begin to cut it. Rage pulsed deep. I wanted to gut that asshole.

“Okay,” Doc said, coming into the room. “I’ve had a look at the films.”

Maddie pulled away from me to look at the doctor, and I felt her distance instantly—the vital warmth that was her very being. Something I’d missed with every part of me.

“Good news or bad news?” Doc asked.

“Bad news,” Maddie answered.

“You’ve got three broken ribs.”

Three? That waste of space had kicked Maddie so hard he’d brokenthreeof her ribs. Her face flashed in my mind, only this time it was contorted in pain, begging him to stop.

“And the good news?” Maddie pressed as if she could feel my darkening mood.

“They are simple fractures that should heal on their own. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do for broken ribs—rest and no strenuous activity. I’d like to see you again in a week to check your progress. I’m going to write you two prescriptions. One for an anti-inflammatory and another for a painkiller. That should help take the edge off.”

Doc grabbed a pad from her coat pocket and scrawled a few things on the sheet before tearing it off and handing it to Maddie. “The pharmacy is closed now, so I’m going to give you a dose here. Have you had dinner?”

She shook her head.

“I’ll give it to you to take with you. Eat something first, then take this.” Doc pulled a key out of her pocket. “Be right back.”

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