Page 46 of SEAL of Valor

“I think I can try.” Closing my eyes, I breathe deeply as his calloused fingers slide down over my hip. Tears prick the corners of my eyes, and I fight to maintain my composure. This might be some of the worst physical pain I’ve been through.

“It’s not out of place, but it could still be fractured. We need to get you to the hospital for an X-ray.”

“No. Just give me ice and a few minutes, please? I’d really rather avoid going out in this storm if I can.” The idea of going back to the emergency room so soon after taking my mom makes me cringe. Besides, if it’s fractured, it will still hurt this badly later, right? If it’s not, time will make it better.

“Reese—”

I open my eyes and look up at him. “Please?”

Once more, the battle between doing what he thinks is necessary and what I’m asking for plays out on his handsome face. And once again, he concedes. “Fine. But if you’re not feeling any better in an hour, I’ll drag you there kicking and screaming.”

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t think I’ll be doing much kicking,” I retort.

The corners of his lips lift, and he shakes his head. “I’ll get you some ice.” Less than a minute later, he’s returning with a cold pack. After handing it to me, he takes a seat on the coffee table and runs both hands over his face.

“You okay?”

“I’m not the one who could have died tonight.”

“Nah, I’m fine. I’ll walk it off and be good as new.” I take a deep, ragged breath, hating the way the ache in my side makes me feel vulnerable in a place where I’ve decided I need my guard up.

But do I really?

“Why don’t you go get a shower?” I ask him. “I imagine you’re pretty uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine. I need to call your mom and let her know what happened.”

I hold out my phone. “Hand me mine, and I can do it. That way, you can get a shower, and I can assure her my leg didn’t fall off. She might not believe it if it doesn’t come from me.”

Weston lets out a deep breath, then reaches into my jeans and withdraws my phone. It’s soaked, but at least it’s still working. “Call out if you need me. I’ll have the door cracked.”

“Sounds good.”

He hands me my phone, then heads down the hall. Instead of calling my mom right away, though, I lean back and close my eyes.

That could have been bad.

I haven’t taken a fall like that in—well—ever.

“Reese?” Weston’s tone is full of concern.

“What?” I open my eyes as he rushes toward me, a dry shirt in his hand. “I’m fine, sorry.”

“Don’t do that. You need to stay up for a while.”

“Yes, sir,” I reply, hoping to ease some of his tension.

“I brought you this. I imagine your shirt isn’t super comfortable.” He holds out the t-shirt, so I take it, fighting the urge to press it to my nose and breathe deeply.

“Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll change while you’re in the shower. Then I’ll call my mom.”

He nods and turns away, heading back down the hall.

As soon as I hear the bathroom door close, I take a deep breath and arch up enough to get the wet shirt off. After tossing it to the floor with my jeans, I slip the soft fabric of his t-shirt over me, then lie back, breathing ragged.