Page 83 of Undeniable
Dr. Armstrong removed his surgeon’s cap. “He’s in and out of consciousness. He needs rest. I would recommend coming back tomorrow.”
Bailey raised up on her toes. “Thanks, Dad.”
Dr. Armstrong gave me a once-over. “Are you okay?”
“Just bruised,” I replied.
Satisfied with my answer, he said, “I need to go. Bailey, a word, please.”
I hugged my mom. “I’ll take you home. You can get your car tomorrow.” Because of the storm and how tired she appeared to be, I needed to make sure she got home okay. “Erik, can you follow the girls home?” I eyed Mazzie. “We can talk tomorrow.”
She nodded. “Sounds good.”
I really wanted to continue our discussion, but it was clear she wasn’t ready to spill whatever was bothering her.
After a quick kiss on Mazzie’s cheek, I watched her walk away with Bailey and Erik as the weight in my chest grew heavier.
“Is Mazzie okay, son?” Mom asked.
“Her mom was sentenced to a year in jail. But I don’t think that’s it. She heard what you said about marriage.”
“And that scared her?”
“Not sure.”
My mom flattened her hand on my face. “Son, be gentle with her. It’s probably a combination of her mom, her sister, and falling in love with you. All that is a lot to handle. Plus, you said she’s working two jobs. Give her some grace. And don’t think for a second she’s about to break up with you because Mazzie looks at you like you’re her entire world. I’m sure hearing me say something about marriage terrified her.”
“You’re probably right.”
But as my mother and I left the hospital, the heaviness in my chest felt worse than the bruises on my face or the throbbing in my gut. Whatever Mazzie was holding back felt big enough to break us.
28
Lucas
The next morning, I felt like I’d been shoved through a meat grinder. My stomach started to bruise, and my face was swollen like a balloon. I’d iced my face for most of the night, downed four Advil, and tried to sleep but couldn’t. I’d stayed in my room at my mom’s house, afraid that Shane’s goons might show up there to send another message. But all had been quiet. It also helped that my mom had gotten a security system installed like she’d told me she would. That put me a little more at ease.
I walked into Kurtis’s hospital room behind my mom, ready to scream and shout at my father. She’d ordered me to stay calm. “Yelling gets you nowhere,” she’d said.
But I couldn’t promise her anything. The pain gripping my body was enough to make me want to do something drastic to my convict of a father. My worst fears were coming true, except my mom hadn’t been physically harmed. She was an emotional wreck, though. She might not admit that, but I knew her tells.
Kurtis was hooked up to wires and machines, looking like death. Shane’s men had done a worse number on him than they had on me. His eyes were barely open. He had stitches from his ear to his jaw. One glance at his hands told me that he’d fought back.
“Priscilla,” he said in a hoarse voice, his swollen lips barely moving.
My mom shook her head as she stood beside his bed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “When are you going to learn?”
“Never,” I mumbled, standing at the foot of the bed with my jaw clenched.
Kurtis opened his eyes as wide as he could and regarded me. “Oh no.”
“Oh yeah. Compliments of Shane Blackwood.” I pointed to my face, anger radiating in my every word.
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked with regret. “Very sorry.”
“Start talking.” I gripped the footboard.
“Water?” He glanced at my mom, his voice barely a whisper.
