They wouldn’t stay open.
“Easy, beautiful, I got you.” Coop.
Blink.
Cold air.
Blink.
“What the hell is going on?” Archie.
Blink.
Flashing lights.
Blink.
“Only one of you can ride with her.” Who?
Blink.
“I’m going,” Coop said.
“We’re following.”
Blink.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“This asshole was all over her.” Ian.
Ian was there, too…what happened to his voice?
Blink.
“We really need to get in touch with her mother.”
“I’m eighteen, and I’m not going. I have no idea where her mother is, and she hasn’t answered the calls we’ve made.”
Turning my head, I focused on Coop. He had his arms folded and looked pissed. Where…
“Hey,” the nurse said, pushing past Coop. Why was there a nurse here? My face hurt. “Take it easy, you’re at East Mercy. Can you tell me your name?”
“Frankie,” I said, and oh my voice sounded like I’d swallowed glass, and my throat hurt like hell. “Frankie Curtis. Was there an accident?”
We’d been at the dance. Had something happened on the way home?
“I’ll answer your questions in just minute, okay, hon?” The nurse gave me a really kind smile. Just past her shoulder, Coop stared at me with a tense expression. He didn’t look hurt. That was good. Where were the other guys?
“Is everyone okay?”
“One more sec, can you tell me how you’re feeling right now? Any pain? Any discomfort?”
“Face hurts.” I lifted my hand, and then paused at the I.V. in the back of it. Oh that was why it hurt. I tried for the other one and winced more. Oh that really hurt. “What happened to my wrist?” It was wrapped in some kind of splint and ace bandage.
“Any other pain?”
“Coop,” I focused on him. “What’s going on? Where’s Jake and Archie? Where’s Ian?”