Page 50 of Bones
“Lemme know if you want any more.”
The gentleness of Griz’s voice almost unraveled me, and I had to turn away before I lost it. I sipped my broth and pretended to study the shelf of tinctures, my eyes burning.
“Be right back with your mattress,” I heard Griz add to Trey before he left.
Thank the gods Trey didn’t try to talk to me, resuming his post by the door. A few minutes later Griz and Mac showed up with a mattress and blankets. I hovered on the other side of the exam table, watching as they set up Trey’s bed near the door. Mac glanced up at me and approached. He stopped on the opposite side of the table, fidgeting. The scar on his face seemed to stand out more than usual from his tan skin.
“I’m sorry,” Mac said in a low voice. “Lana was one of mine and I take full responsibility. She’s been exiled, along with the two men she hired to attack you.”
I eyed him.
“How are you feeling?” he added.
“Give you one guess,” Griz interjected.
A tiny spark of amusement flashed through Mac’s eyes. “Fine?”
“You got it!”
I crossed my arms across my chest.
“For a healer, you sure do a shit job at taking care of yourself,” Mac said.
I glared at him, struggling to keep my temper in check.
“I closed the clinic,” Trey said. “I’m gonna make sure she rests now.”
“I am—” I started, but Mac held out a hand, his palm facing me.
“Do not say ‘fine,’” he said sharply. “You’re not fine. You were attacked and almost raped.”
I cringed away from his blunt words, my breath catching.
“Gods, Mac,” Trey muttered.
“Pretend I’m the doctor. I’m asking you if you’re alright. You wouldn’t want a patient to lie to you, would you?” Mac pushed, leaning toward me, both hands on the table. “I know Trey stitched up your head, but are you hurt anywhere else?”
I pressed my lips together, horrified that my eyes welled up with tears.
“Bones,” Mac’s grey eyes seemed to soften, and that was worse than his glare, “c’mon. Talk to me.”
“I know how to handle it,” I spit out, hating that my voice shook.
He frowned, but then the understanding dawned darkly on his face. “Will you talk to Trey? Or Griz? Someone you trust?”
“Trust?” I exploded, my hold on my temper snapping. “Like how you said I couldtrustyour fuckin’ crew? Trust like this?” I gestured to my face. “I’m so fuckin’ sick of you all pretending that you’re sodifferent.For the record, I'd rather still be with Juck. At least he never pretended to be somethin' he wasn't." That was a bald-faced lie, but I wanted to lash out and hurt them.
Sure enough all three flinched.
“I said I can handle it. Now leave me the fuck alone!”
The silence after my tirade seemed deafening. Trey and Griz weren’t looking at me, both standing tensely and looking pained. Mac, however, held my gaze with an intensity I couldn’t quite name, a muscle in his jaw ticking.
“Alright,” he finally said, “g’night.”
With that, he turned and strode back out.
Griz sighed and followed Mac. “Night, Bones.”
