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“Out,” the nurse and doctor said at the same time.
“Before we go, would you like this latte?” Rory asked, coming over beside the bed. “It’s still warm.”
The idea of drinking the coffee turned my already queasy stomach, but the promise of something warm to hold was too appealing to deny. “Thank you,” I said, reaching for it. The second my hand closed around it, I sighed appreciatively as goose bumps raced up my arms, the heat seeping into my cold hands.
The sensation was so soothing that I wilted back toward the pillow. I must have misjudged the distance or perhaps was still disoriented because I ended up flopping backward like a dead fish, making my arms and legs fling out in search of balance. Coffee splashed out of the little hole in the lid, splattering my hand and wrist, and I gasped.
The spilled coffee burned my skin, but honestly, that was the least of my worries.
“Where the hell are your pants?” Ben exclaimed, practically diving between us to block the show I’d unwittingly provided.
Memory-challenged, uncoordinated, and I’d just flashed the entire room. Just call me blessed.
“I don’t know!” I wailed, completely embarrassed.
“All right now.” Ben’s voice was soothing as he tugged the hoodie he’d given me over my lap, spreading it out like a blanket. “Gotta keep those long stems under lock and key.”
“Did you burn yourself?” Matt asked, appearing right beside me. He was so much quieter compared to Ben. He took the coffee I’d barely gotten to enjoy to set it aside. After a brief glance around, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and used it to pat all the spilled brew off my hand.
I stared at him as he worked, affection rushing over me just the way the goose bumps had before. I still didn’t remember him, but he didn’t feel like a stranger.
“Does it hurt?” he questioned, voice quiet.
I shook my head. “No. It’s good. Thanks, Matty.”
His lips curled a little with the nickname, and he dropped the end of his shirt to lean over and kiss the top of my head. “I’m glad you’re okay. Be careful.”
“Let me see,” Ben said, reaching between us to take my hand, inspecting it like he had X-ray vision and was studying even my bones.
“I’m fine.” I assured him.
“Well, I’m not.” He was gruff. “You just flashed the entire damn room.”
“We weren’t looking,” Win declared. “We aren’t like you.”
“Don’t you be telling my girl I’m a perv!” Ben snapped.
“I need to get that scan ordered,” the doctor announced.
“Can I have the coffee back?” I asked Ben, trying to hold back a shiver.
“No. You’ll just burn yourself again. I won’t have it.”
“I’m cold,” I confessed quietly.
All the tension drained from him, replaced by a soft sound, and he tucked the hoodie a little closer around me, letting his fingers brush over the back of my hand. “I got you.”
Straightening, he gently returned the cup, making sure I held it with two hands. Once it was firmly in my grip, he turned to the group filing out of the room.
“Anyone have any extra sweats in their car?” It was a surprise when several hands shot up.
“You all have extra clothes?” I mused.
“Swimmers always have extra clothes. And Speedos,” Lars told me. He had an accent, and I wondered where it was from.
“My duffle is in the Audi,” Matt said before I could ask. “I’ll get it.”
“Good looking out, bro.” Ben agreed.
