“Jake, thank God you’re okay.” Mac goes over to the bed and takes his hand. His other hand is clutching the towel across his face, so only his eyes are visible. I shift my weight from one foot to the other and have no idea what to say.What’s happened to his fucking head?
“It’s all over, Mac.” His voice is muffled, and I glance at his brother and catch him gritting his teeth and glaring at the ceiling. What’sthatall about? I know Jake can be melodramatic, but the poor bugger looks wrecked. “I can’t face anyone like this.”
“You’re doing great.” Her tone is soothing, and it shouldn’t surprise me. After all, this is what she’s working toward. Being a doctor, reassuring patients. This side of her has never struck me before, even though she’s as outgoing as Lucas. Maybe she wants to be hands-on when she’s got her degree, instead of going into research like her mum did, as I’ve always assumed she would.
“I look like Frankenstein’s monster.”
“You’re getting the best care, Jake. Your leg will be as good as new before you know it.”
Jake clutches her harder, and I step toward the bed. Not because she can’t take care of herself, or that I gave my word to Lucas to watch out for her. It’s because I have this crazy need to give her moral support.
Like she needs that from me, of all people?
Doesn’t matter. I brought her here. I’m responsible.That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Chapter Two
Mackenzie
What’s wrong with his face?All I can see are Jake’s panicked eyes staring at me.
“It’s not my leg.” His voice is hushed, and an uneasy shiver skates over my arms. It’s not that I’m squeamish—how ridiculous would that be for someone going into medicine? But obviously, there’s more going on here than a broken leg. I just can’t figure out why Baz didn’t tell Lucas. Or Will and me when we arrived, if it comes to that.
“Let me take a look.” I’m surprised how calm I sound. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.”
I hope.
Will hovers beside me, and by his grim expression, he’s expecting the worst. But no matter how bad Jake’s injuries are, they’ll be bandaged. I have the insane urge to reassure Will of this, but then I come to my senses.
“Jesus, Jake,” Rafe grinds out, but when Will and I look at him, he hunches his shoulders, scowls, and turns to glare out the window.
Jake takes a shuddering breath, and his fingers clench around the towel before he slowly tugs it off his face. It’s like watching a climactic scene in a movie, and I can’t help holding my breath. He’s obsessively proud of his pretty boy looks, but despite the derision slung at Atomic Fire from some sections of the media, he has an amazing voice, and their original work is bloody brilliant. Scarred or not, the band could go nuclear—as long as Jake’s voice isn’t damaged.
The towel drops to his shoulders. I blink, disbelieving, and Will leans in so close his breath brushes my cheek.Whoa. Too distracting. I edge away before all my good intentions to treat him like any other of my brother’s friends turn rogue.
“Huh.” He straightens, and his voice snaps me back to the present.What am I doing thinking about him, anyway?I shove the hypnotic scent of his cologne to the back of my mind, ignore the treacherous surge of animal lust from my libido, and concentrate on Jake.
There’s a massive bruise along his cheekbone, and a couple of cuts mar his otherwise unblemished skin. Despite myself, I lean closer to examine them. They don’t even have stitches.
Thisis what the big emergency is about? I fight to keep my thoughts from showing.He’s only eighteen.
I was only eighteen during my gap year, when I volunteered for three months in a village in Africa. We got worse cuts than this on a daily basis just byliving.
“I know. It’s hard to even look at.” He grabs his towel and pins it to his face again. I resist the urge to glance at his brother. At least now I understand Rafe’s frustration.
“I’ve seen worse,” Will states.
I shoot him a glance, secretly impressed by how reassuring he sounds. “It doesn’t look too bad at all,” I add, with what I hope is an encouraging smile.
“That’s right,” Will agrees. “You look fucking fantastic.”
Hold on. Wasn’t thatmyline? Our gazes clash, and he gives me an apologetic half shrug, which for some insane reason makes me want to laugh.
“What if I’m scarred for life?” Jake clenches the towel, and it’s far harder than it should be to drag my attention from Will.
Remember why you’re here.Too many kids will be disappointed if I can’t persuade Jake to change his mind.
“You know what?” I sit on the edge of the bed and wait until he gives me his full attention. “Girls think scars aresosexy. Bad boy dangerous.”
