“Can you maybe tell me what happened when I came in? I’m a bit vague on details and asshole here is less than helpful.” Bridget pointed at Eli.
“Oh, sure.” Jerica’s smile faltered. “You came in with internal bleeding, which was the first thing we had to deal with. Once we got you stabilized enough, we took you back to have surgery and repair the puncture to your spleen. You were with us in recovery for a bit until we assessed the rest of your injuries, stabilized your arm, and wrapped your leg and ankle.”
Jerica pointed to each injury as she explained.
“Then we waited for you to be transferred up here since you weren’t waking up.”
“I wasn’t waking up?”
Swallowing hard, Jerica’s plump lips parted. “No. And we were worried you wouldn’t, but I suppose you just needed some time to recover first.”
“I guess.” Bridget wasn’t sure how to answer that. She wondered if anyone was even there when she was in surgery but decided she didn’t want to know the answer to that. Eli had already stated she hadn’t been there, but were Sharon and Edward? Would Bridget have even wanted them there? Yeah, she would have, in the long run, wanted them to have cared enough, but she was too scared to ask because she was pretty sure they didn’t. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Jerica stood still by the end of the bed. “I guess I’ll go back down to the ER, but do you mind if I check on you again? We just want to be sure you’re recovering well.”
Bridget nodded before any words formed on her lips and then inwardly cursed again at her instant agreement to whatever Jerica said. In seconds Jerica and Ann walked out of the room, chattering and shutting the door behind them. Embarrassed, Bridget didn’t even want to look at Eli, knowing she would say something.
“Well, that was…”
“Nothing,” Bridget finished for her.
Eli shook her head. “Oh no,thatwas something. I’ve seen that something before.”
“It was nothing,” Bridget reiterated.
“If you say so, but I’ve never seen an emergency room nurse come to check on a patient that isn’t hers anymore, and after her shift finished. This wasn’t an official call.”
Not answering, Bridget crossed her now IV free arm over her stomach and instantly regretted that decision, moving back to how she had been lying. What she would kill to be able to shift and lie on her side. She just wanted to move and get comfortable, or better yet, get the fuck out of Dodge and go home. This was far too uncomfortable and confining.
“Think about it, Bridget. It doesn’t have to be her, but if you’re interested in someone, and she’s interested in you, go for it.”
“How do you know Ann?”
“She stayed atIndigowith her partners.”
Bridget glared. “Partners?”
“Yup.” Eli scrunched her nose. “I don’t judge my guests, and they’re all very sweet.”
“So she’s…she’s gay.” Bridget whispered the last word as if it was curse, but that wasn’t how she meant it.
Eli raised an eyebrow at her. “Yes, but I don’t know how out they are, so bare that in mind while you’re shouting that word to a room with two lesbians in it.”
Bridget frowned. “I didn’t…I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” Eli heaved a breath and rubbed her hands over her face. “Do you need anything at the house? I can grab it when I come back tomorrow.”
“You’re coming back?”
“Bridget…” Eli’s look immediately softened. “You look like shit, like someone ran you over with a combine a couple times. You called me down here for a reason, and while you haven’t shared why, I’m not going to leave you to the wolves. I will stay as much as you need me to. I promise. If you need me to stay the night, I can do that too, but I’d really like to go home and get some clean clothes then.”
“Sarah’s not going to worry?”
“She’s finishing up her tour, so she’s not here. Bill said he’ll do whatever needs done atIndigoso long as I’m here. He gets this, you know.”
Bridget didn’t say anything, just stared at Eli in awe. “Thank you.”
“Do mind telling me why you called me? I wouldn’t think your ex-girlfriend you barely talk to would be the person you’d call when you’re on your deathbed at the hospital.”