Page 35 of Shatterproof


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Would anyone buy that?

Statistically speaking, people with high pressure jobs – such as mine – are notorious for getting taken down by stress, I just always assumed it would be directly work related when it happened to me, not…whatever…this…shitshow turning into a fuckshow is.

A tiny knock on the door precedes a young woman’s face peering around the edge of it. “Is our patient awake?”

“Very,” I absentmindedly croak, encouraging the female to enter the room.

“Good,” she sweetly says, words pink and light and practically flowing through the air which is a nice change in comparison to the ones that have been recently attacking. “My name is Ali Raysarkar, and I’ll be your nursing assistant.”

An array of colors from the busy hallway instantly begin to barge themselves around the blockade; however, Slater slyly steps out of the way to not only shut the door but to provide the CNA appropriate room to work.

The instant it’s closed I mouth him my thanks.

He bashfully beams, nods, and rests his back against it.

“Let’s check your vitals, okay?” Ali asks as she arrives at my bedside. “We’ll start with the basics of your name, date of birth, and the year.” Once she’s been provided with the information from me, she nods in approval. “That’s good! Your head injury may be less severe than they originally thought.”

“She’s still gettin’ a CT scan,” Slater informs yet again with no room for rebuttal.

“How about you let amedical professionalmake that declaration, Wahl?” Harv less than politely insists.

“Iama medical professional,” my best friend viciously bites back. “Still licensed and still certified in this state,sir.”

“Being an operative capable of CPR is not the same thing and you know that.”

“Actually, Harv, Slater’s a certified paramedic.” Looking away from where the nurse aid is beginning to take my blood pressure and up at him occurs next. “It was required when he was a PJ and when he retired, he made sure to keep the certification up to date as to be able to provide the best care possible for whatever civilian may need it during R&R.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I manage to catch my best friend arrogantly grin.

Why do I get the feeling the two of them are now keeping score?

And why do I wanna know who’s winning?

And how do they determine exactly what constitutes as a point?

And am I the game or the referee?

“Blood pressure is high and your heart rate a bit elevated,” Ali states, returning my stare to her, “but given you could cut the tension in this room with one of niece’s Play-Doh knives, I think it’s safe to say that’s probably why.”

She’s correct.

Point for her!

“Dr. Kurtzman will be by shortly to discuss your status and touch base regarding next steps as well as possible discharge; however, in the meantime, I have just a few questions.” Her statement is followed by logging in to the nearby computer. “Do you currently have any head pain?”

Something tells me she’s talking about theactualache and not the emotional one being caused by the two men doing their best not to childishly glare at one another.

“Yes,” I quietly reply, allowing her to keep my focus.

“It’s expected with the injury we were informed you suffered upon being brought in.” Her fingers quickly glide across the keys. “Any nausea?”

Not brought on by whatever happened to me, I’m sure.

“No.”

“Vision issues?”

A playful point is delivered the direction of my glasses. “Just the regular ones.”

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