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“Try not to move your head too much,” he says.Now he tells me.
Everyone leaves, and I’m thankful for the quiet, but fuck if I’m not worried about Carter. She must be okay enough if it’s just a sprained ankle but it’s my fault she even has that. If she hadn’t been trying to defend me to Steve, none of this would have happened. I should’ve gotten the restraining order when I had the chance, not now when he was already hurting us. Sure, they reassured me he is behind bars but that will only be for what? A year? Maybe two? He doesn’t seem like the type to let go of things. So in my statement I requested a restraining order which was granted temporarily. I’ll have to appear in court when I am feeling better to make it permanent but that is a thought for another day. All I want right now is to see Carter.
“Oh, sweetie!” My mother comes rushing in with tears in her eyes. She’s much too loud for me, but I don’t stop her from hugging me. My dad is standing behind her, looking just as solemn.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you.” He’s holding back tears. I can tell. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen my dad cry before.
“I’m okay, it’s just a concussion,” I whisper. Even my own voice being too loud hurt my head.
“I’m so sorry I pushed you to be with him, I hadnoidea…” my mother’s voice trails as she looks at me. I’m sure I look as crappy as I feel.
“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “I just didn’t know how to tell you he was…likethat.” I sigh.
“Well, it’s all over now,” my dad adds.
“We heard you asked for a restraining order. We’re going to do everything to help you and make sure it sticks,” my mom says. She looks at me with tear filled eyes and wipes her nose in a small tissue.
“Thank you, Ma,” I smile.
“Lainey?” a voice says from the hall, and I stretch around my mom and dad to see Carter on a pair of crutches, smiling at me.
“Excuse me? Who are you?” My mom jumps into protective mode.
“I’m-” I cut Carter off.
“Ma, Pa, this is my girlfriend, Carter. She tried to help me today,” I explain.
My mother looks at me with a dropped jaw and my dad smiles proudly. “G-Girlfriend?”
“Yes.” I smile. Everything still hurts, but it is suddenly background to seeing Carter. She hobbles into the room and steps closer to me.
“I love your daughter,” Carter says quietly.
My mother doesn’t speak but her face softens. It might take her a moment to get used to things, but I know she’ll be okay with it. My dad is already smiling at Carter like he is happy to meet her so I know there aren’t any problems there.
“Why don’t we give them a bit?” my dad says.
“We’ll come back in the morning with stuff from the bakery.” My mom smiles. They both say goodbye to me and Carter before leaving.
“Sorry, I didn’t expect your parents to be here,” Carter says quietly, hobbling forward.
“It’s okay, they’re my emergency contacts,” I explain.
“Are you okay? Like really okay?” Carter asks softly. She takes a seat in the chair next to my bed. She takes her hand in mine and I instantly feel calmer.
“I’m okay with you here.” I smile.
“I’m serious, Lainey.” She frowns.
“I’m okay as can be. I just have a concussion, but nothing more serious.”
“You shouldn’t have jumped in front of me. It was supposed to be my concussion.”
“It was my psycho ex-boyfriend, Carter, I’m sorry you were even involved. I understand if you don’t want this anymore. If I’m too much of a risk to be around.”
“Will you shush? I’m not going anywhere.” Carter leans forward and kisses my hand. It’s a gesture not lost on me.
“Really?” I look into her deep eyes.
