Chapter Four –
My eyes fluttered open as my fingers clawed against the starchy, cheap sheets under me. Weird – these don't feel like my silk sheets at all. Wait, where the hell was I? My back jolted from the lumpy pillow under me, blinking myself awake as my head throbbed violently, scanning my surroundings. My right leg was elevated, my ankle wrapped in bandages but not casted. It was a spacious, brightly illuminated private hospital room, its spotless accommodations furnished with a long, bright red couch; a modish, glass coffee table; and a needlessly excessive fifty-two-inch screen. I sighed, physically cringing at the abrupt replays of last night's horrifying events milling across my mind. I looked down at the bandages on my wrist and hesitantly lifted up the hem of my oversized, floral-printed hospital gown, squinching my eyes towards the scrape of my left leg. My expression softened, nodding to myself as I studied the exquisite stitch work of the unnamed doctor, the scrape survived by a thin, neatly sealed line.
I sighed, my eyes brightening as I looked to my right at the huge bouquet of sunflowers and lilies, garnished by beautiful baby breaths, wrapped in shiny, rainbow tinfoil. It was Will's go-to assemblage, and what had started out as a sweet gesture quickly became an irritating, half-assed explanation of his absences. Snatching the folded card clipped to the foil of the bouquet, I shook my head, exhaling in brewing contempt as I skimmed through Will's message, which was almost certainly dictated to someone over the phone.
“Katrina, babe – Sorry to hear about your little accident. You have to learn how to be more careful. I'm sorry I couldn't stop by to see you. Ronnie's back in town and we're celebrating the team's win. He says hi. Love, Will.”
I rolled my eyes and chucked the card to the side, straining my body at an awkward angle as I reached for the basket of mini-muffins and cupcakes next to the bouquet. My tummy rumbled in agreement as I disregarded the floral arrangement, opting instead to rip off the plastic from the basket of sweet treats. I popped a chocolate chip muffin into my mouth, groaning contentedly as the sweet pastry crumbled beneath my lips. I undressed another muffin with walnuts and stuffed it into my mouth, savoring the sweet medley of flavors.
The door swung open, my eyes rounding in surprise as Freddy stepped through the door, sporting his basketball jersey and baggy jeans, his face dark with genuine concern. I chewed hastily and swallowed, dabbing at my lips as I sat up on my pillow, my eyes widening as the mysterious motorist trailed in after him, his helmet in his hands.
“Freddy, what're you doing here?” I smiled, turning towards the man next to him, “Sorry, I don't even know your name –”
“Ms. Woodley, this is my brother, Trey,” Freddy announced, the corners of his lips twitching mischievously, “You doing alright?”
“Brother?” I repeated, my eyes bulging in disbelief, their eerily-similar blue eyes blinking back at me.
“So you're the Ms. Woodley I've been hearing so much about,” said Trey, his husky voice sending a chill down my spine, a knowing smile playing on his lips, “This town's smaller than I thought.”
“Trey,” I said carefully, swallowing, “Oh my god, I don't even know how to thank you – wait, where's Maddox – what happened?”
“Trey caught up with the asshole,” explained Freddy proudly, “Some drunk, old prick named Marvin Scott – but he took care of that, too. He'll be in contact with you shortly. Anyway, Trey called me up when he got back to you and you were out cold. Your dog's a sweetheart – don't worry, he's fine. We went through your phone and called your sisters. They stopped by a few hours ago to check in on you, but you were knocked out, so they took him home.”
“I can't even begin to thank you guys,” I projected my overwhelming gratitude once more, shaking my head, my chest swelling.
“Don't sweat it, Ms. W,” Freddy beamed, turning towards the door, “Anyway, I've gotta run, I got one chapter left on that mango book you keep busting my nuts about.” He glimpsed at my muffin basket, hinting.
“Go ahead, Freddy,” I grinned, tossing him two muffins from the basket, “Thanks again.”
I cleared my throat, once again feeling pink flourishing in my cheeks as Freddy left the room, leaving me with his unfairly attractive brother. Trey stroked his stubble as he paced forward wordlessly. My heart skipped in my chest as he lifted my arm, inspecting the rough scrapes specked across my flesh, my chest fluttering as his fingertips traced against my skin.
“Doesn't look too bad,” he noted, smiling, “I'm glad you're all patched up. Can't stand the assholes that hit-and-run, much less shitfaced assholes behind the wheel.”
“I'm just a little sore,” I answered, my voice cracking, “But I'll be alright. I'm a trooper.”
“I bet you are,” Trey grinned, letting go off my arm as he turned towards the door, his brows raising as he spotted the flowers on my table.
“Don't mind those, it's from my boyfriend,” I blurted, biting down on my lip in aggravation as his face fell slightly.
“Ah, okay,” he nodded meaningfully, winking, “Well, alright. I gotta run, Miss. I'm glad you're okay.”
I gulped as he reached for the doorknob, my heart ringing in my ears as I called out after him.
“Katrina! Call me Katrina.”
“I'll see you, Katrina,” said Trey, glancing back at me from behind his shoulder.
“You'll come see me again tomorrow, won't you?”
Trey paused, a slow smile unfolding on his lips, his eyes twinkling.
“Definitely.”