“I do, though.”
My throat was dry. I gulped anxiously. I reached for the water on the stand next to the bed, but Giles was faster than me. He grabbed it and held the straw to my mouth before I could object.
“You don’t have to baby me,” I said before taking a long sip.
Giles chuckled, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “You just had a serious accident. Sorry for treating you like you’re a little fragile.”
“I’m not fragile at all. In fact, I can’t wait to get back out there.”
His face broke out into a full smile, showing off his white teeth. “You don’t think your ankle is going to slow you down?”
“Psh, this? This is nothing.”
“Okay, Florida. Whatever you say.”
The door swung open, and two different doctors entered the room.
“All right, it’s time to get you in a cast so you can be on your way,” The older one said in a comforting tone. “Sir, if you’ll just wait outside.”
“Nope, I’m good right here.” Giles leaned back and crossed his arms.
The doctor rolled his eyes at his stubbornness but didn’t object.
* * *
“You are all set,”the doctor said, admiring his handiwork. “Now, whatever you do, make sure this doesn’t get wet. If it does, you might have to come back in and get it set all over again.”
“Got it, thank you.”
“I’ll have someone bring in your discharge paperwork, and you should be good to go home. Also, you’ve got another visitor in the lobby. Should I send her in?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
Seconds later, Bev burst through the doors and was at my bedside, giving me a gentle hug.
“Mattie, thank god you’re alright. We were all so worried.” She glanced at Giles and then back to me with a knowing twinkle in her eye.
“I’m sorry I caused such a panic today.”
“It’s not your fault,” he interjected. “If that stupid skier hadn’t run you off the hill and then proceeded not to tell anyone...” He clenched his fist, and his eyes darkened.
“Well, it’s over now.” Bev patted my shoulder. “I’m just happy you’re safe and sound.”
“Speaking of that, the doctor said that since I have a concussion, someone needs to monitor me tonight. I wa—"
“You’ve got a concussion?” Giles rose from his chair and was at my side, examining me. “I thought it was just the ankle.”
“They said it’s minor, nothing to worry about. I can go home as long as someone is monitoring me. So, Bev would you min—”
“No,” Giles interrupted me, shaking his head. “You’ll stay with me. I’ve dealt with concussions before.”
It felt like there was a ball in my throat that I couldn’t swallow.
Stay with him?
I couldn’t stay at his house. My cheeks flushed at the thought of it.
“That’s okay, really,” I insisted hurriedly. The last thing I wanted was for Giles to see me in my ratty pajamas, completely couch bound.
