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“Jesus Christ,” he groans. “This boy has got to stop.”
I gulp and look at Doc with shame in my eyes. “It’s… my fault. I… I flushed his drugs this morning, so he took off to beat up my ex. And when we got back he and Knuckles got into a fight.” I swipe at the tears under my eyes and lift up one of Knox’s hands from the water. “So, this is from hitting my ex, but the head- all that’s from Knuckles.”
Doc pulls a pen from his pocket and twists the end so a little light turns on. He flashes it over Knox’s eyes, lifting his eyelids. “How long has he been out?”
“Um, maybe five minutes?”
“I think that’s probably more from withdrawal than being hit. Detoxing will make him sleep a lot.” He pushes on his cheekbones and nose in a way that makes me wince. “Nothing seems to be broken.” He takes Knox’s right hand and moves it a little this way, then a little the other. “This hand is bad. I’d like him to stay off the bike for a week or so to let it heal. The muscles are going to be sore for some time, and these cuts need time.” He reaches over Knox’s soaked body and picks up the other hand, inspecting it the same way. “This one will be fine. When he’s dry and in bed, let me know and I’ll come back to wrap his hand.”
Doc turns his attention to me. “What about you?”
“Me? Oh, I’m fine. Knox would never hurt me.”
He smiles for half a second, in an almost patronizing way. “No, sweetheart. How are you doing with everything else? Not physically. Mentally. You’ve been through a lot, even just today.”
“I’m fine, Doc. I’ve got this.” I lean over and get Knox’s left hand so I can wash it. “I don’t need anything.”
“Okay. If you do, don’t be afraid to ask.” He leaves with that.
Chapter Nine
Tree
Iwake with a jolt. Nell leans away before coming back. I blink to clear the blurriness from my vision, but I can only get a partially clear view. "What the fuck?" I groan. I'm sore all over, especially my head.
"How do you feel?" Nell asks in a voice that sounds like she’s been crying for a while.
"Rough."
"Yeah." Nell frowns, rubbing gently at my hand. "You look it."
Blinking some more of the fog away, I look around. I'm in my bathtub, fully clothed, submerged in water. Nell is trying to wash the blood from my knuckles.Knuckles. I let out another groan, closing my eyes and laying my head back against the edge of the tub.
"I fucked up. I fucked everything up."Layla wouldn't even recognize you if she saw you now."I didn't want to hurt you, Nell. I wanted to protect you."
"I know." She may not be scared of me, but she's certainly mad. That's okay. I'm pissed at myself as well.
"I can… wash myself. You don't have to help me."
She ignores me, dunking her rag under the water to wring out the blood before she goes back to cleaning me up.
"Nell. I can do it." I grit my teeth when she scrubs a little harder, making the ache even worse. "Nellie, I'm serious. I can-"
She slams the rag into my chest. "Fuck you!" I didn't realize she’s still crying until now. Her pretty eyes, so much like her sister's, are cloudy and red. "You scared the fuck outta me! So many times today! That's not fair. I shouldn't have to be worried for your life every time you walk away from me. Do you understand that? Do you?"
"I'm sorry, Nell," I whisper to her, gripping her hand tightly. "I’m really, truly, so fucking sorry for what I did today."
"It's not just about today. You have been teasing death for months now! You can't-" She closes her eyes, forcing back tears. When she opens them again, she looks more broken than I've ever seen. "Knox, you are the only one I have left. You can't do this shit to me."
I lay my head back, wracking my brain to figure out what I'm supposed to do here.What am I supposed to do? I've said I'm sorry, and she's still mad at me. How do I take this back?"I wish I had a time machine," I grumble.
"Don't we all?" Nell rinses my hand and picks up the other. "This one looks worse."
"I'm right-handed.” I’m grateful for the change in subject even if it doesn’t take us to a lighter one.
She washes my knuckles gently as she sighs. "Why did you go after him now? After two weeks, why today?"
My jaw clenches and unclenches a few times before I can answer. I’m still mad. David shouldn’t be alive. Anyone who ever hurt her should be dead. Nell is innocent, kind and gentle, she doesn’t deserve to feel fear or pain. "You flinched."
