“Could the fall have harmed the baby?” I ask again. It’s bad enough that Alyssa is hurt, I’ll never forgive myself if I caused her to lose the baby.
“If Ms. Martinez is pregnant, it’s very early. At the moment, there is only a tiny ball made up of cells. Chances of any harm from the fall is low to none.” To Alyssa, he says, “If you feel any cramping or have blood loss, again, come straight back to the ER.”
“How long does it take to get the results?” I ask.
“You’ll get news in a day or two,” he informs me. “In the meantime, Ms. Martinez, you need to rest.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hofstein,” she says.
When the doctor leaves the room, I turn to her. “Your boobs are tender, and you feel sick? Why didn’t you mention this to me?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “There’s nothing to tell. Tender boobs can be because I’m almost due for my period. Meeting you and Lily at her school made me nervous enough I felt queasy. That’s all it is. You don’t have to look so scared. I’m not pregnant. In two days’ time you’ll have proof. Then you can go on with your life like nothing has happened.”
Go on with my life like nothing has happened?How the fuck do I do that? When she consumes my every thought. My body craves to be near her. My heart beats only for her.
Before I can say anything, a nurse bustles in with a silver cart and equipment to take blood. After she collects the sample, she pushes the cart out of the room. As soon as the nurse leaves, Harper races into the room.
“I came as soon as I could.” She props herself on the edge of the bed. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Did Lily get home from school okay?” I ask. I hate that I had to rush away from her. Her white face seeing Alyssa on the ground tore through at my heart. I had to reassure Lily that Alyssa was okay even though I didn’t know if it was true.
“Yes, Finn picked her up, and she’s at our house helping him with Avery.” Looking at Alyssa, she asks, “What did the doctor say?”
“I have a concussion.”
“Oh no! That’s terrible.”
Alyssa shrugs. “It’s no big deal.”
I scoff. “A concussionisa big deal.”
“You poor thing. Are they keeping you overnight?” Harper asks.
“No, they’re getting ready to discharge me.”
“Then you’re coming home with me so I can keep an eye on you,” Harper says. “You can stay in our guest bedroom.”
“That’s unnecessary. You have Avery to care for. You don’t need me to burden you.”
Harper taps Alyssa on the hand. “You are not a burden. We’d love for you to stay. We can pretend it’s the old days when we shared an apartment.”
“I hope you have thicker walls. Man, I remember some nights when Finn stayed over. You really gave the headboard a workout.” She giggles then screws her face up and places her hands on the side of her head.
I move to the other side of the bed. “Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?” I take a step toward the door to find someone. She claps onto my hand, stopping me.
“I’m fine. I have a headache, and laughing feels like my brain is bouncing around in my skull.”
“You’re coming home with me,” I say.
Alyssa pulls a who-are-you-to-demand-where-I-stay look, but I don’t give a fuck.
“I promise I won’t make her laugh,” Harper says.
“That won’t be a problem, because she’s coming home with me.”
Alyssa gives me a hard stare. “I know for sure you’ll give me nothing to laugh about. But if I need a babysitter, I’d rather go with Harper.”
