Tongue (Ruthless Kings MC #8) - K.L. Savage Page 0,44
the hospital called me. I can’t believe someone broke into your apartment. They said the stress made you have one of your episodes. Are you okay, sweetie? Any more hallucinations since last night?”
I rub my eyes, blinking away the sleep, and sit up. The mattress is hard and uncomfortable. “I don’t think so. I feel a lot better. They must have given me medication this morning.” The sun is shining in the room, illuminating all the shadows, and Tongue isn’t there. “I need to call the bookstore and tell Andrew what happened.”
“He knows. He’s already been by. He left you flowers. He’s a handsome guy. Is he the one that you’ve been … you know,” Aunt Tina wiggles her eyebrows and nudges my arm with her elbow.
“No, Aunt Tina. Andrew is a great boss, but he is … boring.”
Aunt Tina’s hands hold mine, and she pats them in concern. “Sweetie, you need boring. I’m worried about you. Your psychosis—”
“Is fine. It’s under control. A lot happened out of the norm yesterday, and lately in general. I’ve been under more stress. I’m okay. I promise.”
“I’m going to stay.” Aunt Tina stands and walks toward the window, spreading the curtains apart to allow more sunlight in. “You need me here, and you aren’t going back to that damn apartment of yours. You can forget that. That fucking freak. I swear, they better find the guy who did that. What if he’s following you?”
Then I guess I’m screwed.
“Tina Mullins?” a nurse stops in the doorway, holding a clipboard. “We have a few questions about insurance.”
“Sure,” Aunt Tina tells her, straightening her spine. Her brown hair is over her shoulder in a long braid, and she gives me a sweet smile. “I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.” She pats my ankle, then gives me a wink. “Maybe there are some single hot doctors out there.” She tugs the front of her shirt down so more of her cleavage shows. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck.” I give her two thumbs-up. Only she would be on the prowl while I’m in the damn hospital. I don’t know how to tell her that I don’t want to stay with her. The last thing I want is to be kicked out of my apartment, my home. I moved to Vegas to prove to my dad that I can live a normal life with my… issue.
I hate being reminded of my psychosis. My mental illness was at its worst when I was a teenager, but as I got older and accepted my fate, the doctors put me on medication, and I’ve lived a great life. There are good days and bad days just like with anything, and lately things have been amazing, until Tongue.
I rub my temples, annoyed at myself. It has to be my psychosis. I never see him out in the light and during the day except for that one time. One time is all it took for him to set his boughs in my mind, anchoring himself to my psyche.
I’m not having an episode.
Tongue is my psychotic break, and the longer I live without him, the worse the break gets.
“Are you ready?” Aunt Tina struts into the room, her black high heels clicking against the floor. “I brought you a change of clothes. Don’t worry. You’ll be out of that hospital gown in no time.” She checks her watch as if she’s about to be late for something and helps me stand. I hate feeling like a burden. It’s one of the main reasons I moved away from my dad. I’ve always been a burden because of my psychosis.
You know what? None of this would have happened if I’d never met Tongue. I wouldn’t be questioning myself. My home would be safe. I wouldn’t be in this damn hospital, and what’s even worse is I wouldn’t be angry anymore if he just showed up and stayed.
“Hey, why the sad face? It’s going to be okay. If you want, we will get you some help if you’re not feeling like yourself.”
I hold onto her shoulder as she tugs the sweatpants up my swollen knee. “No, I’m fine. Just tired. I’m ready to go back to sleep. You don’t have to worry about me, you know. If you have somewhere to be, go. I’ll be fine once I’m in the house.” I switch hands and press my weight against her other shoulder while she pulls my pants up and secures them around my hips.