“I’m going to get dressed,” I say to no one, because these two are far too enthralled with each other to notice me hobbling between them to get to the bathroom.
When I step out of the hospital socks, the tiled floor is cold on my feet. Reaching behind to untie the gown is difficult, but I manage, allowing the grotesque, stiff fabric to pool at my feet.
I stare in the mirror, the evidence like a road map on my body. Purple and black bruises paint my skin with angry designs. White bandages cover the real wounds, the ones that cut deep and will leave the lasting scars. The mirror shows the real scars. The ones that go unseen unless you take a minute to see me.
Needing an escape, I dress as quick as I can and walk into the hospital room. Marek and Breaker’s heads are tucked close together. Seeing me, Breaker grins. Marek’s lips stay in a flat line.
“I’m ready to go,” I announce, pushing past them and flinging the flimsy, plastic bag over my shoulder by its string.
“Okay, let’s go,” Breaker and Marek say in unison.
Marek laughs hysterically as if something is funny. I step up beside Breaker, hoping he gets the hint.
“You’re fucking with me, right?” Marek snaps. The veins in his neck start to pulse with his anger.
“Listen, man.” Breaker presses a hand to my chest to keep me from strangling him. “You have practice anyway. You can’t miss anymore, or else Coach will have your ass. I promise I’ll get her safely to the dorms, and once practice is over, you can walk over there to check on her.”
“Or not, that’s fine, too.” I walk to the door, leaving Marek and Breaker behind. Seeing the nurse pushing the wheelchair towards my room fills me with relief.
“Stay with her, please,” Marek whispers. “We don’t know what’s going on, and I don’t like the idea of her being by herself in the dorms.”
“I can take care of myself,” I say, not knowing if he’ll hear me.
“I know you can, Palmer, but unless you want me sitting in your dorm with you, then it’s going to be Breaker.” He holds the chair arm as I sit. “You clearly trust him.” His eyes dart away, and he heads towards the elevator.
Breaker joins the nurse and me in the hallway. Marek is in front of the bank of elevators, tapping his foot and watching the lights above the doors. When the nurse starts pushing me, I ask her to wait a few seconds. Riding down in a small, steel cage with Marek isn’t something I want to do right now.
The doors slide open. The tightening in my chest makes me realize I’ve been holding my breath, waiting for him to glance at Breaker and me. When he does as I expect, he shakes his head, disappointment sculpting his features, then steps onto the elevator and disappears.
“He’s missed practices this week?” For certain, I shouldn’t be asking questions. The problem is, I’m curious.
“Marek doesn’t care about much.” He shrugs, and when another elevator opens, he steps back so the nurse can push me inside. “Football is on the top of that list. Or at least it used to be.” Breaker winks at me. “Now, how about some drive-through tacos? I’m starving. Are you starving? You look like you’re dwindling down to nothing.”
“Breaker, just get me out of here.”
The elevator doors open, and right outside, in the fire zone, is Breaker’s truck. I force a smile for the nurse and carefully slide forward and stand.
“Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
In under an hour, I’m showered and at my desk, enjoying the best tacos I’ve ever had. Breaker sits at the small table, not willing to get too close to me and thankfully more than happy to eat in the quiet.
Every so often, he glances up after taking a larger-than-life bite. Unease wraps around his eyes, darkening them from their usual green.
“What?” I ask, dropping my taco into the to-go container. “Do I have something on my face?” My napkin comes out clean after wiping it over my mouth.
“Sorry.” He shakes his head, glancing away.
“No, tell me. I need the honesty.”
His features soften. “Why did you call me today? Out of everyone, why me?”
“Delaney had a huge test, and I didn’t want to bug her.” Okay, that’s only half the truth.
“Okay.” He shrugs, disbelief in his smile, but he allows me to