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Mal’s jaw clenched hearing me addressed by that name—Seth’s name. They’d all wanted me to change my name and were upset when Shawn was given the same name. They’d all thought it was that easy to forget any of it had happened. Like changing my name would somehow erase everything. Shawn was his son, no matter what name he had. I didn’t understand why they couldn’t comprehend that.
Mal stepped back to give the nurse room to maneuver the wheelchair closer. I kept my attention on her instead of looking at him. It didn’t matter, though. I could feel his eyes on me, which only served to feed into the anxiousness that had once again taken up residence in my stomach.
“I’ll be waiting when you get back.”
I gave a slight nod to acknowledge what he’d said before being wheeled from the room.
Chapter 13
Malcolm
Soon as Ginger and the nurse left the room, I took a seat on her vacant bed. Exhaustion came over me out of nowhere. She’d gotten so damned defensive when I asked what happened. It was a simple fucking question. How could we not wonder and worry about her passing out? Why in the hell would she get so pissed about it?
Ginger’s parents returned, stopping my trip down the rabbit hole of possible explanations.
Collin pointed to the empty bed.
“They just took her for the MRI.” I answered his unspoken question.
Sandy smiled and walked over with a cup of coffee and a cookie. “Got you something anyway.”
“Thank you.”
We sat and chatted while we waited for Ginger to be brought back. Once she returned, her parents talked to her for a bit, letting her know they’d pick up Shawn from Macy and get her car from Dr. Carr’s office. After they left, we ate and watched reruns of Law and Order.
“You don’t have to stay,” she said once the latest episode ended.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, I’m just saying I’m sure you’d rather sleep in your bed than in a crappy hospital reclining chair.”
I reached over to take her hand, and placed a light kiss on her knuckle. The other was bandaged to keep her from moving her wrist. She’d have to be fitted for a brace before checking out tomorrow.
“Would you like for me to leave?”
She shook her head no, which was a relief since I had no plans on leaving.
“You mind if I watch the game?”
“No, go ahead. It’ll be just what I need to put me to sleep,” she replied, giving me a smile for the first time.
“Aw, it’s not that bad. I still think I can convert you into a sports lover.”
“That would be a pretty amazing feat.” She grimaced as she settled down in her bed.
&nbs
p; “You need another dose of pain meds?” I asked, getting up to help.
Ginger moved slowly, trying not to put pressure on her wrist. “No. It only hurts when I move. If I could just learn to be a statue all would be well.”
I moved her short bangs to the side, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, letting my lips linger there for a moment.
“Seeing you in a hospital again, like this, bruised and battered…you have no idea how relieved I am that you weren’t seriously injured.”
I moved away, and she kept her eyes downcast for a moment.
“Sorry,” her voice was barely above a whisper. “I hate to worry everyone.”
