Page 61 of Loved Out Loud
“Fine.” I squeeze it in and out of a fist a few times. “Not even a scrape.”
“Good. Sorry I didn’t get down there fast enough to help.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Any word on Hazel?”
“Darren said she’s resting with Jade at the hotel.”
I pull my phone out and shoot a text to her.
Me: What room are you in?
Jade: Her room.
Me: I’ll be there soon
Jade: You’ve gone viral.
Me: I don’t care
Jade: I didn’t think you would, just wanted you to know
Me: Is it going to make your job harder?
Jade: Nope. It’s all positive. Someone got a video of the entire encounter between you and the guy.
It’s not long before I’m knocking on Hazel’s door. Jade swings the door open and steps aside for me. Her hand splays over my chest as she quietly closes the door.
“She’s a little out of it right now. The doctor who checked her out gave her a sedative because she had a panic attack.”
I draw in a deep breath and blow it out. “Just a single dose?”
Jade nods. “Yeah. One Ativan.” She forces me to look her in the eyes. “You good? Should I stay?”
“I’ll be fine. Benzos weren’t my drug of choice.”
“Okay, I’ll come by and check on her in a little bit. She’s pretty sleepy.”
I give her a nod and walk into the room. My gaze immediately finds her tucked under the covers with her eyes closed. When I sit on the edge of the bed, they flutter open. Her gaze is unfocused as she blinks a few times.
“Hey, little Archer.”
She looks at me, and her eyes light with a mixture of happiness and relief. “Hi.”
“How are you feeling?” I move a lock of her hair behind her ear and look at the cut on her temple. I didn’t notice it before, but she also has a bruise on her cheek. I wish I could find whoever gave it to her and make them pay ten times over.
“Better now.” She scoots over for me.
“I should shower first.”
“Take me with you.”
Fuck.Why did that make my heart squeeze?
“In the shower?” I clutch invisible pearls. “I don’t think you’re in any condition for that, love.”
She rolls her eyes. “No. I meant I’d lay in your bed while you shower. Then you can cuddle me.” Her eyes widen. “I mean, if you want. You don’t have to cuddle me.”
