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I stand fro down the first nurse I see and ask her to check on Payton
“You stay out here I’ll get you when she’s ready,” the nurse says to me
I stand in the hallway as I wait for them to talk
After a few minutes, she leaves the room and motions for me to re-enter
Payton still looks hazy, but at least she isn’t backing away in fear again I head to the chair and sit down
I grab her hand again, unable to help it
She looks down at our joined hands, then back atThere is no witty retort No fire I never realized I crave
“How did this happen?”
I brush my thumb over her knuckle It’s the only one left untouched by rocky scabs “I’et to the bottom of it”
Without thinking of what I’ the my arm out so she doesn’t have to move a hair on her body to accommodate me Hope flashes across her face Brief Like a firework
“I promise you, Payton I know I told you I want to hurt you That’s why I wanted to talk to you I finally realized that what I was doing is no different than what my father did to Ivy I swore I would never be thatto tell you I’ht you anymore”
“You were going to give me the money”
“Yes I put in a call to Baker toyou home, and I’ll take care of you” I hold her hands steady, unable to bear breaking contact yet
“You don’t need to take care of me”
“I do I don’t trust anyone else I upped security You will be safe in ht”
“What do you mean?”
I lower my voice “I can’t talk about it here”
Her hand is still in et her attention
“I promise, I’ll make it up to you” I reach up and pull hair away fro I could’ve been the one in front of that car instead of her “I pro”
“What if I don’t want you taking care of me?” she teases, and I’m happy to hear the sound of it
“Nonnegotiable Your safety is my only priority,” I respond “Listen to me, Payton You have a concussion Sprained wrist Sprained ankle You can’t walk You can barely breathe You can’t be alone Heather can’t help you So that only leaves your sister”
Her jaw tightens at that suggestion
Just as I’m about to open my mouth to say more, the door to the room bursts open