“Good.”
Fox lifted an eyebrow. “Good isn’t a rating.”
Kat blew out a slow breath. “It’s low. One star? And only when I move too much.”
“Good. Are you taking the meds I prescribed you?”
“Sometimes,” Kat lied. She hadn’t touched them, but she knew if she said that, he’d lecture her, and she wanted to end this little exchange as soon as possible.
Fox pressed his lips together into a tight line, then shifted so she was looking right into his eyes. “Kat, I know you don’t want to be here, but I need you to be honest with me. I’m on your side. I’m not judging you, but I need to know the truth, though.”
The eye contact was too much, and Kat dropped her gaze the second she could. “I haven’t used them because I don’t want to, but the pain hasn’t been that bad.”
“Okay,” Fox said. “Can I see?”
Kat took a deep breath, then undid the ties of the gown. The nurse had said she could keep on her bra and underwear, which helped her nerves.
And wasn’t that stupid? Fox had seen her naked—everyone at Sanctuary had—so why did this make her so damned nervous?
Because thiswasdifferent.
Still, with trembling hands, Kat parted the fabric and locked her gaze on the ceiling tiles. She hadn’t looked at herself since it happened, and she wasn’t ready to yet.
Fox’s gloved fingers moved over her skin, clinical and professional, following the long cut she knew was there. “It’s healing well. No signs of infection or any issues. You’ve been keeping it dry?”
Kat nodded. “No baths, and I’ve worn loose clothing like you said.”
“Good. You can start with scar cream if you want in another month or so. I doubt there is anything cosmetically a doctor could do given the length of the injury, but it will fade with time. It’s closed well, so you can start with normal bathing again and clothing depending on your comfort.”
The burning in Kat’s eyes intensified, but she blinked it away. She wouldnotcry in front of Fox. She hadn’t cried yet, and she wasn’t about to start now like some damsel.
“All done,” Fox said as he moved back, and that was all Kat needed to hear before she yanked the gown closed, her knuckles aching with how tightly she held the fabric.
And of course, Fox noticed.
No matter how hard she tried to hold it together, to be the old Kat everyone knew and tolerated, she just kept falling short.
He opened his mouth, but Kat knew exactly what he was going to say. He was going to reassure her that it would take time, that she’d been through a trauma, that she needed to give herself a break. He’d hand her the card to some therapist and tell her to seek help.
She didn’t want to hear any of that.
“Why don’t I get dressed?” she interrupted to head him off. “I mean, I don’t normally get naked unless an orgasm or two are in the cards.” The joke fell flat.
What had she become a joke killer?
Fox didn’t even bother with a pity laugh. He shook his head. “Plan a night to come to our place for dinner.”
“I’m really busy—”
Fox dropped his voice into that commanding tone she used to love. “This isn’t optional, Kat. We’ve all given you time, but you can’t keep sulking. You think I didn’t see that you’ve lost ten pounds in the last few weeks? You think I don’t see those bags beneath your eyes? You either get something on the schedule to visit or you’re going to find out just how invasive your friends can get.”
Kat let her shoulders drop, knowing when he had outmaneuvered her. “Yeah, okay. I will.”
Fox nodded, as if pleased. “Good. Set up another appointment in a month with me, but if you have any issues before then, I expect you to call.” He didn’t wait for an answer—probably knew that if she did answer, it would just be snark—before he left.
Kat dressed slowly, pulling the sundress over her head. She wasn’t normally a dress person, but the fabric was loose, and it didn’t bother her wound. Hopefully she could go back to her beloved leggings soon.
A knock on the door as she slid on her boots had her calling for them to enter, figuring Fox wanted to lecture her about something else.
Except, when the door opened, when she saw who it was, she froze.
She had hoped to never see that face again.