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“We have to tell him,” came Rachel’s voice through the door.
“I don’t know,” came Lucas’s voice. “He’s pretty messed up. I think we drive him to the hospital first and then we tell him.”
“I’m with Lucas on this one,” Seth says while I grab a towel and rub it on my hair.
What are they talking about? What do they need to tell me? That I’m kicked off the team? I sigh and my shoulders slump while I lean against the sink, trying very hard not to look at my miserable body. I catch sight of a few bruises on my shoulder and hip.
“I don’t think we should keep this bottled up,” says Rachel, her voice sounding shrill and making my head hurt even more.
“He’s going to be upset either way,” I hear Seth say. “Might as well tell him after he’s had some rest and detoxed a bit.”
I roll my eyes and wrap the towel on my waist before grabbing the door and opening it. Everyone’s mouths immediately shut and all eyes turn to me. “What is it?” I ask, dripping water everywhere while I walk toward them. “Just tell whatever it is you’re hiding.”
Seth sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “Why don’t we get you into bed,” he says while reaching for me.
I smack his hand away, not liking the way everyone is looking at me. As if they pitied me. “I’m fine,” I say through clenched teeth. “Just tell me whatever it is you’re arguing about. I’m a big boy.”
Lucas shakes his head and turns around, grabbing his phone. “I’m going to call the hospital.”
“I’m fine!” I shout, but Lucas already has the phone pressed to his ear.
“Hello? Yes I need to speak to a doctor.”
I walk towards him, about to rip that phone from his ear and throw it out a window when Rachel steps into my path and grabs my arm. She easily guides me away from Lucas and towards my room. I don’t have the energy to push her away anymore. My head feels like it’s going to explode any moment and I’m too exhausted to fight.
Rachel pulls back my wrinkled blankets while I throw off my towel and crawl into bed. She settles in next to me, resting her back against the headboard and placing a pillow on her lap. I settle my head on top of it, sighing while she runs her fingers through my hair.
I really missed this.
I hear murmuring outside the room. Seth and Lucas are talking about something and I scowl, knowing Lucas is probably discussing the whole incident with Jerry. Like I really need them judging me right now. I lift my head, about to shout something at them when I feel Rachel’s hand sliding against my cheek and pushing me back into the pillow.
“Don’t worry about them,” she says while continuing her tender touches. “Just relax for now. You’re safe.”
“I’ve always been safe,” I say gruffly.
She doesn’t say anything and I allow the silence wash over us. My eyes drift close and Rachel taps her hand against my cheek. “Don’t go to sleep,” she says softly. “You might have a concussion.”
I groan and snuggle into the pillow while forcing my eyes open.
Seth stalks into the room and glances between us before saying, “Yeah, we’re taking him to a hospital.”
I shake my head. “No.” I struggle as Lucas enters and approaches me.
“You have to go, Hunter,” says Seth. “I have no clue how to help you.”
“But- but-”My mouth gapes open. I can’t tell them that there are drugs in my system, but I also can’t go. If I do, I’ll be in deep shit with the team… that is if I even have a team to return to. They still haven’t told me what secret they are keeping to themselves. “I can’t go,” I decide to stay, wrapping my arms around Rachel.
Lucas tugs at my shoulder and I scream. My arms tighten around Rachel’s waist as I hear her say, “Be careful with him. He’s in pain.”
“He’s being an asshole,” says Lucas.
“Come on Hunter,” I hear Seth say while tugging on my hand. “Let’s get you dressed and back in the car. We can’t have you dying on our watch.”
“I’m not going to die,” I groan. “Just let me be. I can’t go. Lucas knows I can’t go.”
I chance a glance and watch Lucas tilt his head back and rub his temples in frustration. “My dad knows a guy who can keep things… private. Alright? Does that work for you?”
I slowly, carefully push myself up, hissing when I feel stabbing at my shoulder. “Yeah, that’s perfect.”
