that pain on for her. “Try not to worry about anything right now. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You need rest.”
“I need to be on set tomorrow.”
“No. You don’t.” I press my finger to her lips when she opens her mouth to protest. “You need to rest and recover. It’s not optional.”
She dozes again for a while. A nurse comes in to check on her, assuring me everything’s fine and they’ll be discharging us soon.
Someone raps their knuckles on the open door and clears their throat. “Chaser?”
I turn to find Benny filling up the doorway and walk over to shake his hand. “Hey. Thanks for this.”
“No problem.” He jerks his thumb to the left. “I’ll park myself in the waiting room. When you’re ready to go, say the word.” He holds up a plain, brown paper bag. “Brought some sweats for her.”
“Thanks.”
He peers around me. “Hey, Mallory. You doing all right?”
She blinks at him, then me before finally answering. “Getting there.”
“See you in a bit.” He waves at us and turns away.
“What’s Benny doing here?” Mallory whispers.
“Andrew sent him. Knew we’d need a ride.”
“Oh.” She yawns. “That was nice of him. I guess.”
I set the bag on the bedside table and pick through the contents. Nothing fancy. Plain gray sweatpants. Sweatshirt. White canvas shoes and socks. Benny probably stopped at the first store he saw and grabbed stuff off the racks. Still, I’m grateful I don’t have to leave Mallory’s side to search for clothes.
My mouth twists into a grin when I reach the bottom of the bag. Benny even tossed in a cheap, over-sized pair of sunglasses and a black baseball cap. I hold them up. “Benny’s got you covered.”
“Aw, that was so sweet.”
“Knock. Knock.” A soft voice draws our attention to the door. The woman holds up Mallory’s purse and another bag of stuff. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”
“That’s okay, Cindy.” Mallory waves her inside.
“Are you all right?” She leans over and pulls Mallory in for a gentle hug. “I was so worried about you. And Sean was a total dick. Wouldn’t tell us anything. He was livid that Pamela took off with you. I should’ve gone too. But he wouldn’t let anyone else leave the set. I’m so sorry.” Her quick, bumbling rush of words is way more information than Mallory needs right now. I gently touch her shoulder and she quiets down. “Sorry. How are you feeling?”
“Better than I was.” Mallory’s face twists into a grimace. “But still in a lot of pain.”
“Well, Sean said they’re going to shoot around your parts, so don’t worry about doing anything but getting better for the rest of the week.”
Week. Fuck that. She’ll take as long as she needs and Sean or whoever Shallow End’s director-of-the-week is can fuck the hell off if he thinks Mallory’s coming back a minute sooner.
After Cindy leaves, a different doctor examines Mallory and declares she’s ready to go home.
While I’m helping Mallory get dressed, an orderly wheels in a chair and promises to return in a few minutes.
“Wait here.” I set Mallory on the edge of the bed and help her put on her sneakers. “I’m going to let Benny know we’re ready to leave so he can get the car.”
She winces. “I’m not going anywhere. Trust me.”
Benny tosses the magazine in his hands to the side when I pop into the waiting room. “We’re ready to leave. Orderly’s got a wheelchair for her.”
“Cool.” He jumps up and I walk him over to the elevator. “Uh, look,” he mumbles, “There were some paparazzi waiting out front when I got here. I’m going to pull the car to the back entrance. Orderly should know where to take you. They’re used to this—”
“Wait a minute. Used to what? Paparazzi? For us?”
“Yeah, I think so.” He glances away.
“Shit.” That’s the last thing Mallory needs. “Okay. I’ll meet you around back. Thanks.” I slap his shoulder and return to Mallory’s room. She’s waiting in the wheelchair, her purse, and a few other plastic bags gathered in her lap while she finishes signing a clipboard full of forms.
She glances up with tired eyes and gives me a half-smile. “I already need a nap.”
“Let’s go.” I nod to the orderly. “We’re getting picked up out back. You know where to go?”
“Yup. That’s probably best, sir. Follow me.”
The day’s long gone. It’s dark. The mild air feels good after being in the stale hospital all afternoon. At the end of the long, curving sidewalk, Benny’s bright, red