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Charlotte turns red in the face, suddenly bashful and I know I just put her on the spot. She looks like she’s one second of way from clutching her pearls and telling me I’m being too forward. “T...Troy,” she stutters, then stops when the doctor walks over to us.
“Is he okay?” Charlotte breathes and the doctor nods.
“But your friend ended up with a minor head injury...”
“Is his memory intact?” I interrupt, then curse inwardly because that came across as too eager.
Both the doctor and Charlotte stare at me, and Charlotte gets a confounded glimmer in her eyes. “Yes,” the doctor continues slowly, “he’s fine, but we’re keeping him here for a couple of days. Have you notified his family?”
“I have,” Charlotte says quickly. “They live a couple of hours away, but they’ll be here.”
I give Charlotte a long look. She’s being helpful again, too helpful.
“Good,” the doctor nods, “you can go in and see him if you want.”
Flashing a smile, Charlotte clasps my hand and rises. I reluctantly follow, dreading seeing Robbie because I don’t know how he’ll react. He could throw a fit and I’m surprised he hasn’t asked to speak to the cops.
Nobody saw me push Robbie. There are no witnesses, only word against word.
But I don’t have the clean track record my cousin does. If the law gets involved, they will easily take his side and I rub the back of my neck, feeling aggravated. I should’ve handled this better, should’ve waited for a better opportunity but the fucker provoked me.
I hated the way he talked about Charlotte as if she was going to be his in the end, the way he looked with his flowing locks and expensive clothes...so sure that Charlotte would come to her senses and realize who the better choice is. I stretch my neck side to side, struggling to remain in control and my hand is holding Charlotte’s harder than intended.
We walk into Robbie’s room and he turns his sallow face toward us. Dark circles linger around his eyes and there’s a flicker of hatred in them when his gaze lands on me. Charlotte must’ve noticed it, because she lets out a small pant.
“How are you feeling?” she asks nervously. “That was a nasty fall.”
“I’m cold and my head feels like it’s about to explode on me.” The expression on his face turns suffering, probably in an attempt to coax sympathy from Charlotte. “Sit with me.”
Charlotte nods, sitting on the edge of the bed, and to my relief she doesn’t try to hug him. She doesn’t even stroke his arm and it makes it easier to breathe. “We were so worried when you fell. I was panicking and Troy...he could barely get his words out,” she murmurs and Robbie’s face hardens.
His eyes flare to mine and I stare back.
Why the isn’t he calling the cops? What is he waiting for?
I stand in the doorway with my arms crossed and Charlotte glances at me from the corner of her eye, probably wondering why I’m keeping my distance. But Robbie is a ticking time bomb right now, and I need to be careful.
“Troy, do you mind if I talk to Chuck alone?” Robbie asks in a cautious voice and my insides seem to turn to stone.
“Take your time,” I rasp, giving Charlotte one last look, before I walk out.
He’s going to tell her. And if she believes him and decides that she doesn’t want me, then I’ll strangle him right in that hospital bed and I won’t care whose watching.
****
Charlotte
“So, look at you,” I say with a grin, “Mr. Survival...”
“Stop talking,” Robbie hisses and I raise my brows in surprise. He lowers his tone. “We need to get out of here, we’re in danger.”
Gawking, I glance around, wondering how hard Robbie really hit his head. “Danger? Here?”
“Things aren’t what they look like,” Robbie blurts conspiratorially, “Troy, isn’t who you think he is.”
I playfully lower my voice. “Is he a spy?”
“This isn’t funny,” Robbie barks and I straighten, giving him an assessing glance because I’m not feeling his tone. “I’m serious. That psycho hurt me and he’s going to hurt you.”
