"Thanks, I—what are you doing?" I said.
Before I knew what was happening, he had one arm under my legs, the other around my back, and was striding toward the parking lot. The guy had lifted me off my feet like it was nothing. Which it absolutely wasn't. Mom always said I got my generous hips and ass from her side of the family. How he managed to carry me like this without breaking a sweat was a mystery. Did I hit my head harder than I thought?
"You hit your head pretty hard," he said, and I looked at him in confusion.
"Did you just read my mind?" I asked.
"No. And I am taking you to the hospital."
"But…"
"No buts," he said. "I've seen guys take softer hits than the one you just did. We need to make sure you don't have a concussion."
"I'm not getting in a car with you," I argued.
"Why not?"
"Um, let's see: because we just met? You could be abducting me? You're a basketball player with terrible aim,andI don't even know your name? Take your pick," I said.
For some reason, that made him laugh.
"What is funny about this?"
"Nothing," he said, getting himself under control. "It's just you're so talkative."
I jerked my head back. "And?"
"I'm trying to figure out if that's your normal or a result of the possible concussion."
"Not that it's any of your business, TDI, but I talk the appropriate amount, using the correct number of words, no more, no less."
"Noted."
He readjusted me in his arms, pulling me tighter against his chest, causing me to gasp.
"And just so you know, I wasn't complaining," he said. "I like the sound of your voice."
That brought me up short.
How was I supposed to respond to that?
"Just take me to my car," I said with a sigh. "There's this big, amazing, life-changing opportunity, and I can't miss it. Plus, if I'm not there, my cousin, Aurora, will kill me."
He was already shaking his head before I finished.
"Hospital first."
"I—"
"You can't drive like this, and I need to make sure you're okay."
"I don't even know what kind of driver you are," I sputtered.
"A good one," he said, gently setting me on my feet beside a big black SUV. He reached over and opened the door. "I got a 100 on my driver's test. Also, I'm not a basketball player. I'm a hockey player."
"Explains the bad aim," I muttered.
He chuckled. "And my name's Tolliver. Not TDI. What does that mean anyway?"
