“Whoa take it easy.” Kris’s strong hand guided my head back to the couch cushion. “Maybe we should get you to the hospital?”
“No hospitals. I’ll be fine, I’m just a little lightheaded.” I hated hospitals and avoided them at all cost. The fear stemming from the years I’d spent in and out of the hospital visiting my father. In my opinion, hospital visits were overrated when you had Robitussin and Vicks VapoRub in your medicine cabinet.
“Okay, no hospitals. But can I suggest you head home?” Kris said. His soothing bedside manner put my nerves at ease.
“I have a lot of work to do.”
“Belen, it’s almost six o’clock, work can wait.”
There was a sense of finality that clung to his words making me bolt upright, ignoring the steady ringing in my ears. “Was anyone else hurt? Belvidere? Is she safe?” The details were all coming back to me now. The near misses as Belvidere darted across the mall. The horrified screams from shoppers. It was probably posted online for the whole world to see by now. How was I going to explain this?
“Belvidere’s fine and no customers were hurt.”
I nodded my head, letting out a relieved sigh as his words sunk in. “Thank God. My boss is probably going to kill me, but I’m glad everyone’s okay.
“Wait a minute. The deer thing wasn’t even your idea,” Kris said.
Chloe chimed in, “You know how this stuff works. Shit rolls downhill. And Belen is standing at the bottom of a very steep one right now.”
“Chloe’s right. They’ll find a way to blame me.”
“Well if they want to blame anyone, they can blame me. I should have grabbed the rope.”
It was sweet of Kris to take the blame. Honestly, what happened was a fluke accident and no one was at fault. I was certain I’d get a stern talking to and my boss would probably micromanage my work for the next few months, but eventually it would all blow over. There was no need for Kris to fall on his sword or candy cane.
“I appreciate that. But it’ll be fine.” Kris’s thumb was absentmindedly stroking my skin. I was only now aware that I’d been holding his hand for the last five minutes.
Aiden entered the room like a storm. “What the fuck?”
The sound of his voice made my stomach coil into tight knots. Aiden had a tendency to overreact and I was in no mood to try to stop him from spiraling. “I know things got a little out of hand.”
“A little?”
“Live animal, confined space, equals a bad idea,” I said.
“It was your responsibility to manage the situation.” Aiden chastised me. Yet another reason we broke up, he thought he could talk to me any which way. “Why is your head wrapped like a mummy?”
Reaching for my head, I wondered the same thing, looking toward Kris and Chloe.
Kris cringed with a hitch of his shoulders. “Like I said things got a bit crazy while you were out.”
“This is not Pavilion Grand’s fault.” Aiden pointed a warning finger at me.
“Are you serious right now?” Kris stood, his reassuring smile replaced by a scowl. “Fuck Pavilion Grand. Belen is hurt that’s all that matters.” It was amusing to watch angry Santa come to my defense. For Aiden, I was always an afterthought.
“I’m fine by the way,” I offered.
Aiden’s tone suddenly softened. “Are you?” Sitting next to me on the couch, he brushed a ribbon of hair from my face. He was such a phony. If Kris hadn’t shamed him he’d still be berating me.
“Yes.” I pulled away, his touch no longer had the same effect on me. Gone were the fluttering butterflies and goofy smile. Both were replaced by a stone in my belly and a bitter line to my lips. I attempted to stand but my knees buckled under me. Luckily, Kris caught me before I collapsed into a pile on the floor.
“That’s it I’m taking you home.” Kris’s tone was authoritative.
Aiden propelled himself from the couch. “I can take her.”
“No! No, I can take myself.” When I tried once again to stand unassisted, my knees quivered, forcing me to press my body against Kris to maintain balance. Even in this disoriented state I could appreciate the firmness of his physique. Every place I touched was solid muscle.
“Don’t be silly. Let me take you home,” Aiden insisted, reaching for my arm.
