Page 115 of I Never Stopped Loving You

“Hey,” I say as she steps closer and walks beside the bed.

“Hey, yourself. How’re you feeling?”

“A bit tired still, but other than the pounding headache, I’m fine.”

“What is your pain level at?” the nurse asks as we turn another corner and then wait for the elevator.

“Body? Like a four, but my head is at least an eight.”

“The meds aren’t helping?” Willow asks as she takes my hand.

Sparks tingle across my palm, and I know she feels them too as she squeezes my hand tighter.

“Not really. It’s fine, though. I hit my head, so I’d assume I’d have a headache for a while.”

“Yes, but the medication we’ve been giving you should be easing some of the pain. I’ll talk to the doctor and see what he thinks we should do.”

I can see the worry on Willow’s face, so I give her hand a gentle squeeze before kissing the back of it. She releases my hand as the nurse wheels the bed into the elevator then she steps inside as well.

“I’ll be fine, Willow. Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious.”

“It could be, sir. So you need to stay relaxed and not do anything overstimulating.”

I can see in the reflection of the elevator’s wall as she side glances at Willow before looking back down at me. It’s more of a glare, but Willow completely ignores her, which only seems to piss the young nurse off more. I wonder if now that I’ll be on a different floor, I won’t have to have her as my nurse. The older one was kind, but this one always seems to have an attitude since she saw Willow cuddled to my side.

“I’ll be fine,” I huff.

I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just let me ride in a wheelchair up to the room. She said something about the risk of a seizure, but I feel fine. Once we’re out of the elevator, Willow returns to her position next to my bed and takes my hand. I love that she’s basically staking her claim on me. Is my little rabbit feeling a bit protective? It’s kind of hot.

“Here’s your room,” the nurse says as they wheel me into a spacious room that looks almost like a hotel suite, if it weren’t for the multiple machines that they are about to hook me up to.

“Thank you.”

“Did you need anything else, Sir? The doctor highly recommends that you not leave the bed. If you need to take a shower, please let one of us know, and we can come to assist you.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll be out by morning,” I say confidently, but she grimaces.

“Sir, if your pain level is still high tomorrow, they will recommend you stay longer. You have a grade two concussion. It’s more severe than you realize.”

“I’m aware. I played football in high school. I’ve gotten a concussion before.”

“You did?” Willow asks.

“Yep. I think I’ve had two grade one concussions.”

“I meant you played football,” she laughs.

“Oh, yeah. I was a wide receiver. The one who runs down the field to catch the ball.”

“I know football, Noah. My grandpa was a huge Cowboys fan. I watched almost every game with him.”

“Oh wow. Well, good. That’s another thing we have in common.”

I can barely hear the nurse scoff as she leaves the room, and Willow just laughs.

“Did you know her or something?” she asks.

“No. Not that I know of.”