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Anyway…
“You outta here?” Levi says, stepping into the small exam room and instantly heading toward my sister.
“I am.” Walking over to the chair that houses a bag containing my clothes, I grab my personal belongings and step toward the restroom.
“I’m going home with her,” I hear Abby say as I close the door, rolling my eyes.
It takes me a few minutes to get dressed, but when I’m comfortably back in my scrubs, I finally take a gander at my reflection in the mirror. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I look like I took a two by four to the side of the head. The goose egg is a hideous shade of purple and protrudes from my head like someone stuck a ping-pong ball on my melon. My eye makeup is smeared, reminding me of an all-night bender from back in college.
“Nice,” I grumble, reaching for a paper towel to try to wipe away some of the black.
When I do the best I can (or more accurately, when I become too tired to worry about it anymore), I rejoin the party in my little ER room. “Well, what did you all decide on my behalf?” I ask, dropping down into the chair where my bag was sitting.
“I’m going home with you to make sure you follow instructions and don’t drop in the shower. Levi is going to have Tuck drop him off at the office to grab your car and take it home. Nick is going to his house to pace the floor and be pissed that he’s not at your place, taking care of you,” Abby says with a smile.
“I just said I’d be more than happy to stay with her since this was my…since I don’t mind helping,” Nick returns with a huff, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. “I mean, I’d stay on your couch, of course.”
“And while everyone would appreciate his offer, I don’t have anything going on and you’re my sister. Plus, Levi is coming over when he gets off work to check on you.”
Glancing Nick’s way, I find his attention locked on the floor. I get up and walk his way. “Thank you for caring enough to want to help. Abby won’t leave it alone until she’s completely basking in the Mother Hen role,” I reply, shooting for a bit of humor.
“I do not Mother Hen,” she huffs behind me, making both Nick and I smile.
“Well, if you’re going to be okay at home, then I’m good with that,” he whispers, his eyes dropping to my lips. Reflexively, my tongue darts out and wets them, his eyes dilate and darken.
“I’m going to be okay,” I confirm, and before I can stop myself, I step into his personal space, wrap my arms around his neck, and hug him, my cheek pressed against his shoulder. His arms meet at my back as he pulls me tightly against him, his head coming down to rest on my head.
It’s oddly comfortable.
And probably a little inappropriate, considering the work thing.
But neither of us seem to care.
As he said before: first and foremost, we’re friends.
“Thank you. For everything.” Emotions clog my throat and I have to blink back the tears. I’m not sure why I feel like crying, only that I do. Relief, maybe? The stress of the night finally catching up to me? A sense of gratefulness that I had someone who helped me, and family to help take care of me?
That right there is a big one.
I don’t have to be alone.
Abby goes to get her car, while Levi and Tuck take off to retrieve my vehicle back at the office, which leaves Nick and I standing just outside the Emergency Room entrance. He’s holding my tattered purse, in a completely masculine way, mind you. The image makes me smile. And remember.
Josh used to carry my purse.
Before I can rip off that particular scab of pain and start to bleed all over the concrete, Abby pulls up and grants me a mental reprieve. As soon as the car is in park, Nick walks to the passenger door and opens it. When his eyes connect with mine, they’re both weary and alive.
“Your chariot,” he says, giving me a little grin.
“Thank you,” I reply, stepping to the door. Before I climb inside, I throw my arms around him one more time and hug him. He doesn’t hesitate to comply.
“You’re welcome, Meghan. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks to you,” I whisper, pulling back slightly. And because I have no control over my mouth, I lean upward on my tiptoes and place a gentle kiss on his cheek. It’s slightly scruffy from his five o’clock shadow, but I find the feeling a bit intoxicating and exhilarating. My lips start to tingle.
Without saying another word, or waiting for his reply, I slip into the passenger seat of Abby’s car. Nick hands me my purse and shuts the door. He steps away from the vehicle and watches as we slowly pull out of the circular drive and onto the street.
My eyes instantly close and the weight of the day starts to settle in. It’s almost midnight and my body is starting to shut down. It only takes a few minutes to arrive home, and with Abby’s help, I settle into my bed, ready to let this entire day just melt away.
