Page 123 of Tempting the Player
Knox sets the extra coffee on a cart at the end of my bed and gives me the same once-over Hendrick did. “You scared the shit out of us, Hollywood.”
“Ted is in custody?” My head isn’t as fuzzy, but it’s still taking me too long to make sense of it all.
“The police arrested him,” Hendrick says softly. “It didn’t take us long to figure out he’d slipped you something when we found you. You were so out of it. Scared the shit out of me.”
“Ted filled us in on the rest,” Knox says.
“He did?” It surprises me that he’d admit to it so easily after the lengths he went to try to keep me at his apartment.
“He had a little encouragement after Hendrick beat the shit out of him.” Knox smirks.
My attention snaps to my boyfriend, and my eyes widen.
“I punched him once,” Hendrick clarifies.
“Right. My bad. It must have been the hityougot in.” Knox flashes a proud grin at me. “By the time we got to him, one more is all it took. He would have given up his bank passwords to avoid getting hit again.”
I squeeze my eyes shut trying to focus on everything they’re saying. “Nothing makes sense right now.”
Hendrick brushes my hair back and rubs his thumb along my jawline. “Get some rest. There’s nothing else you need to worry about right now.”
I nod and curl up on my side with Hendrick’s hand still cupping my face. The fear and unpleasant memories threaten, but they’re pushed back by the exhaustion of the day. I link my pinky finger around his.I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe, I repeat to myself over and over as sleep pulls me under again.
* * *
The hospital releases me the following afternoon. Hendrick basically carries me to his truck and then drives below the speed limit to his house.
When he comes over to help me out of the passenger seat, I hold my hand up. “I got this.”
I’m not sure if I do or not, but I need to try. That feeling of not being in control of my body is going to haunt me for a long time to come. It was exactly like the nightmares I’d have as a kid after watching a scary movie. In the dreams I’d open my mouth to scream but no sound would come out.
I think it physically pains him watching me take slow, measured steps up the driveway. The front door flies open when I’m five feet away.
Flynn stands there staring back at me and then rushes forward. There’s an awkward beat where he seems unsure of what to do next, but I smile at him and then he closes the last bit of distance between us and hugs me.
“Easy,” Hendrick warns him.
“It’s fine.” I raise my arms and hug Flynn tighter. “I’m okay. Better than okay. Just a little tired.”
“Jane!” Brogan shouts, drawing my attention back to the doorway. He and Archer stand in it, flashing matching smiles.
“I told you guys not to crowd her when she got here,” Hendrick mutters.
Flynn loosens his hold on me and steps back.
“Don’t listen to him,” I tell them. “This is the best greeting ever. I’m going to demand it every time I walk in from now on.”
“Careful what you wish for, Hollywood,” Knox says, joining us.
“Did you guys clean?” I ask as I walk into the living room and take in the space. Not a beer can or dirty sock in sight.
“In case you wanted to hang on the couch today while you recuperate,” Brogan says.
“Hendrick threatened us,” Archer adds.
I bite back a laugh. It feels good to be back here.
“I can’t wait to steal the couch and make you all watch reality TV, but I am so tired I think I need to lie down for a bit. Thank you for this.”
