I looked down at my screen, squinting when the light hit my eyes, making my head throb more. I tried her again, but it went straight to voicemail—which was full.
"Is your cousin okay?" Tolliver asked.
"I don't know. The call dropped," I muttered, lowering the phone. "Ror's phone probably died. She forgets to charge it sometimes."
"That sucks."
It did.
But…it may have also been a blessing in disguise.
My frustration quickly morphed into gratitude. I was glad I hadn't told her what happened. I knew my cousin, knew her heart. If she heard I was injured, she'd come running, but I didn't want that. I could only hope Aurora took my advice and got on the HERS tour bus without me. My introverted cousin, alone on a bus full of rockstars? I shook my head with a chuckle.
"What's funny?" Tolliver asked.
"Your face," I replied.
Instead of getting mad, he laughed. "Nice."
What was up with this guy?
My insults simply melted off of him. It was baffling.
And why did the sound of his laughter slightly ease my headache?
I was starting to think I really was concussed.
My eyes were drooping again. I knew I shouldn't sleep, but it sounded so nice…
"We're only a few minutes from the hospital," he said. "Think you can make it?"
"Yeah"—I yawned, leaning my head back—"I'm just going to rest my eyes for a second."
"No, don't do that. Stay awake. Okay?"
"Mmhm," I murmured, half-way to sleep already.
And then, someone started singing.
It was off-key.
Slightly familiar.
And a lot distracting.
My eyes popped open again, and I stared to my left.
"Are you…singing Chappell Roan?" I asked in disbelief.
Tolliver nodded, pausing only to say, "My sister loves her."
Then he jumped right back into his rendition ofPink Pony Club. It was surreal, hearing this big guy sitting in his big SUV, belting out the pop rock anthem, crooning about being a pink pony girl, dancing at the club in his heels. I blinked as Tolliversmiled back at me. He even had nice teeth. Weren't hockey players supposed to be missing a few of those?
"Is this keeping you awake?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Really?"
