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It takes Daisy forever to fill out the forms and finally she gives them to the receptionist and we wait some more. My girl remains quiet, unfocused, reaching up to touch her cheek every couple of minutes, wincing. The cut on her cheekbone looks worse than I thought and maybe she will need stitches.
“Does it hurt?” I ask, leaning in close so I can murmur into her ear.
She pulls away a little, like she needs the distance. “Yeah. I didn’t even realize how bad it was until I woke up this morning.”
“Why?”Tell me, Daze. What happened?
“I did something stupid.” She shakes her head, her gaze lifting to mine, and fuck, there are tears shining in her eyes. “I got mad.”
“Mad at who, baby?” I touch the side of her head, my fingers tangling in her hair and this time she doesn’t pull away.
“My dad.” She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Myself.”
“What happened?”
“Daisy Albright?”
We both glance over at the woman in dark pink scrubs with a file clutched in her hand, holding the door open that leads to the examination rooms.
“That’s me,” Daisy says weakly as she stands up.
“Come on back, hon,” the nurse chirps cheerfully.
“Want me to go with you?” I ask.
Daisy shakes her head, smiling down at me. “No. I’ll be okay.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
“You can leave if you want. There’s a good coffee shop down the road.”
“I’m staying,” I say firmly.
“Okay.”
I watch her walk across the waiting area and through the door the nurse keeps open for her, my heart panging the moment the door slams shut. I glance over at the receptionist who greeted us, catching her watching me, and she looks away hurriedly.
Damn it, I hope like hell she doesn’t think I hurt Daisy. Does that chick recognize me? I am a fucking Lancaster, which right now isn’t working to my advantage at all.
Lancasters don’t go to the local urgent care to take care of their medical emergencies. We have private doctors and top of the line insurance coverage because money isn’t a factor. We can afford whatever we need and a Lancaster always gets the best medical care.
I have zero experience in situations like this. I’ve never been to a chintzy urgent care like this before in my life. What am I supposed to do?
How am I supposed to act?
Leaning back in the chair, I kick my legs out, watching the mother sitting across from me holding a fussy toddler. The old man sitting in the next row of chairs over, his head hanging, mouth partially open.
Pretty sure he’s asleep.
Reaching into the front pocket of my hoodie, I find my AirPods case, and I slip them into my ears, turning on some music.
Tuning out the world.
FORTY-THREE
DAISY
The nurse is kind,with her gentle voice and gentler questions. I do as she says, standing on the scale. Letting her take my blood pressure. Answering her questions about my health.
