“Hell no.”
“Fine, but get ready for a nice little vacation. The department’s going to need all the details on the concussion, and you’ll have to be cleared by medical before returning to duty.”
“I’m OK.”
“Keep saying that. Celise, at least give her lidocaine for the staples.” Essex backed toward the door. “I need to make some calls, but I’ll be here when you’re done . . . unless you want me to stay.”
With a groan, I covered my eyes again. When I heard the hallway door open and shut, I peeked at Celise. “Give me the drugs.”
Essex returned when the doctor finally came in to discharge me.
Dr. Richmond read over her notes. “The headache may last a few weeks. Take the weekend off, and follow up with your regular doctor in seven to ten days to have the stitches and staples removed.” She looked at me over the tops of her glasses. “If the headache gets worse, if you have a seizure, new vision problems, arm or leg weakness, or new problems with balance and coordination, come back in. Do you live alone?”
“Yes.”
“Can someone stay with you tonight?”
I grimaced. It hurt too much to think.
“If not, it might be a good idea to keep you here for the—”
“I’ll figure something out.” Nothing in me wanted to stay in the noisy hospital. I hated hospitals.
The doctor didn’t seem sure she believed me. Hell, I wasn’t sure I believed me. “Head injuries are serious, Nyx.”
“I’ll make sure she takes it easy,” Essex said.
I would have glared at him if it didn’t hurt to look up. “When can I go back to work?”
“Typically one to two weeks. Who’s your primary physician?” she asked.
“Dr. Pratts.” I pointed to the ceiling. “She has an office upstairs.”
“Ah yes. I’m going to let Dr. Pratts make the final call on returning to work. She’ll also take out the stitches and staples after at least a week.”
“I’ll make an appointment tomorrow. Thank you, Dr. Richmond,” I said.
“My pleasure. Stay safe out there,” the doctor replied to both of us before turning back toward the nurse’s station.
Pain radiated through my left butt cheek and down my leg as I stood. Before moving, I took a second to let the pain settle and the dizziness fade. At the triage door, I looked around for Celise but didn’t see her anywhere.
“Looking for something?” Essex asked.
“My sister-in-law. Wanted to say goodbye. She must be busy.”
“Probably. The waiting room is slammed. Do you have everything?”
I picked up my phone and keys off the counter. “Where’s my weapons belt?”
“In my car. Figured I’d be driving you home.”
“I’ll call an Uber.”
He gave me the side eye.
“You’re on duty. There’s no sense in you driving—”
“Stop being so stubborn, and let me help you for once.” He held the lobby door for me.
Ready to argue, I turned toward him so quickly that the room spun. Black threatened to close over my eyes again, and I grabbed a fistful of his shirt.
He put his hands on my waist. When I focused on him again, his expression was begging, “See?”
He took a step closer. “Look, I know you can take care of yourself. If any of the guys were here tonight and needed help, I’d offer.”
To his credit, he was right. Unlike some of the other brass, I had no doubt Essex would always show up for his officers.
“I know, but—”
“But what?”
But there was also that other thing between us. That treacherous gray area where attraction rumbled like a loosely corked geyser. It had been there since the night we met, when he’d challenged the lonely girl at the bar to a game of darts.
Tonight, that gray area—along with everything else in the world—felt too unstable for me to be trusted.
He lifted my chin to look at him, and for a second, I couldn’t remember what we were arguing about. Head trauma is tricky that way.
“Officer Nyx!” a young woman behind him shouted.
Essex released my face as the girl from the traffic stop hurried across the waiting room. She dropped her phone and a half-eaten Snickers on the way.
She grabbed them and covered her mouth with her hands. “Thank god you’re okay.”
And then she hugged me.
I was frozen with my arms at my side. Over her shoulder, Essex was enjoying my discomfort. “Please don’t touch me,” I said.
She took a quick step back. “Sorry, I was just so worried about you. I’ve never seen that much blood in my life.”
“It happens with head injuries.” I squinted against the harsh halogens. “Thanks for sticking around to call for help.”
“Of course.” She laughed nervously. “They would have found out if I ran, right?”
I laughed and it hurt. “Yeah, they would have. What’s your name again?” My brain felt foggy.
She stuck out her hand. “Bess Lincoln.” She leaned forward and winked. “No relation.”
Essex chuckled. “We really appreciate your help tonight, Bess Lincoln, no relation.”
Bess nodded, looking a little rattled. She still wore her white work shirt, though it was now red with my blood. “All joking aside, I’m really glad you’re okay. If there’s anything else I can do to help—”
“Actually, there is. Can you give me a lift home?”
She blinked a few times. “Um, sure, I guess.”
I gestured toward her bloody top. “Doesn’t look like you’re going to work. Do you mind?”
“Of course I don’t mind.” She dug around in her purse, spilling a gum wrapper on the floor as she retrieved her keys. She jingled them in the air and picked up the wrapper. “I’ll just go bring my car around.”
“Thanks.”
When she was gone, Essex frowned. “Seriously? You’d rather get a ride home from a complete stranger with a shitty driving record than come with me?”
No. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“She owes me for not writing her a ticket.”
He laughed. “She dragged your ass out of oncoming traffic. I think you’re square. Try again.”
A wave of nausea washed over me, and I grabbed the wall to steady myself. “Seriously, I’m grateful for the offer, but I just want to go home and pass out. If I go with you, we’ll go over my interview again, and my nerves will never let me sleep tonight.”
My words took him back a step. “Oh. Nyx, I apologize if I’ve pushed too hard about the job.”
“You didn’t do anything. I appreciate you looking out for me.”
“You really shouldn’t be nervous—”
I wagged my finger. “See? Here we go.”
He grabbed my hand. “I only say it because I believe in you.” He held my gaze for a second longer than was probably appropriate.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
He dropped my hand. “Who’s staying with you tonight?”
“Umm . . .”