Evan
My head’spounding and having to lay perfectly still in the MRI machine didn’t help, but I’m relieved I get to go back to my room now.
As I’m rolling, I spot Noel sitting in the corner. I’m happy that I’m not hooked up to the machines again. It’d be embarrassing to have her see my heart rate spike because she’s in the room.
I’ve seen her around recently. She’s come into Sip Happens a few times with this tall guy. I go a little green at the thought.
Maybe he’s her boyfriend, but then why would she agree to come with me?
I can’t help but hope they’re related instead. They do look a little alike, but not totally.
A buzzing sound breaks into the atmosphere, and Noel huffs and rolls her eyes.
I get situated in the bed with the help of the nurse.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“No. My brother is mad at me for going off with a stranger.”
The nurse’s eyes bounce back and forth between us, but she leaves the room with a shake of her head.
Not her circus either, apparently.
“Okay, then, let’s not be strange,” I say sitting up a little. She giggles, and my guy tightens. It’s the most magical sound I’ve ever heard, but there’s a tightness to it that I can’t put my finger on.
“Ask me something.” I motion with my hands.
Noel stands and moves the chair closer to the bed. Having her near has my heart clicking faster in my chest.
“Why don’t you like doctors and hospitals?” She drops her voice and cocks her head. She genuinely wants to know.
I want to smack myself upside the head. I shouldn’t have said that. But at the moment, I was scared. Legitimately scared. I’ve never been knocked out before and when you come to, weird things go through your head.
“I spent a lot of time inside hospitals when I was younger.”
Sitting taller in her chair, Noel stiffens, and her eyes widen. “You were sick?”
“My dad.” My head pounds. The lights in the room have dimmed, but they still feel too bright. I work to keep my focus on my angel.
Scooting her chair closer to me, I hold back a smile. “I’m sorry, Evan. Is he….”
Shaking my head slowly to avoid a blood vessel from bursting in my head, apparently potentially an issue right now, and I’m supposed to stay still. “Two years ago. He had cancer for so long that I never knew a time when he didn’t have it.”
Her hand grabs mine, and her soft skin grounds me into the present. She is so gentle and empathetic that I’m grateful she decided to take a chance on a stranger.
“Is your mom still here?” she asks.
“She lives in Charlotte. They divorced when I was in elementary school. I took care of Dad after that when he got sick.”
Her hand squeezes mine tighter. “Sounds like it was hard.”
I lift my hand to my head as if I can contain the pain and stop it from exploding. “You know, I think I’ll take a nap.”
Her hand strokes my arm, and my skin sizzles from the contact. “Okay, but they’re going to wake you up every hour for a while.”
“Okay.” I have to know. “Why did you decide to come with me?”
She shrugs as if it weren’t a big deal, even though it is to me. “You saved me and my job by stopping the robber. I kinda owed you one.”