Chapter 30

Cami

My head was pounding, and I was still groggy when I heard rustling in my room. Forcing my eyes open, I found Xander watching me. “What are you doing?”

“Just checking on you,” he replied. “I know you said I don’t need to wake you up, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to look in on you a few times.”

“What if I’d been sleeping naked on top of my blankets?” I asked.

He grinned. “That would have been a pleasant surprise.”

“Perv,” I accused groggily.

“Don’t worry,” he replied with a soft chuckle. “I would have quickly left the room, but I didn’t think you’d sleep naked with me here.”

He had a point. I didn’t usually sleep naked anyway, but I definitely wouldn’t with Xander sleeping in the room down the hall from mine. When I tried to sit up, I cringed from the pain. It wasn’t going to be a fun day.

Xander was immediately at my side. “Are you okay? Do you need me to help you to the bathroom or get you some water? Should I run out and grab some Tylenol?”

I caught myself before I made the mistake of shaking my head. “I already have some if I need it. It’s not that bad.”

His look said he didn’t believe me. “You look like you’re in a lot of pain.”

“I’m okay. Once I get moving, and I’m distracted, I’ll feel better.”

He nodded. “Would you like to go back to sleep?”

“I think I’m going to try eating something,” I replied. “I’m so hungry that I’m starting to feel a little queasy. I didn’t get a chance to grab dinner last night.”

“What are you in the mood for?” he asked. “I’ll run out and pick something up.”

Normally, I’d insist on making breakfast. I prefer my cooking to most of what I can get in a restaurant, but I wasn’t up to cooking, and cereal didn’t appeal to me.

“I would love an omelet with bacon, avocado, tomato, and jack cheese,” I told him.

“Hash browns? Toast? Pastries?” he asked.

“Just the omelet, but I guess it usually comes with all that,” I replied.

“I’ll eat whatever you don’t want,” he assured me before heading to the bedroom door. “Do you have an extra toothbrush I can use? Maybe I could use your hairbrush, too?”

“Sure.” I walked toward the bathroom and handed him a new toothbrush and a hairbrush.

“Any dizziness when you walk?” he asked, his focus on me.

“No dizziness,” I assured him.

“Do you remember what day of the week it is?”

“Thursday,” I replied without hesitation. “I only have four appointments today, starting at ten.”

Xander frowned. “The doctor said you need to rest today. Can you reschedule? Or are these some of your patients who need to see you today?”

I considered my schedule before responding. I could move three of my appointments. They were all doing reasonably well, but one needed her weekly sessions to remain consistent. She was a six-year-old girl who’d recently lost her father. She was terrified of being away from her mother and having a hard time dealing with her grief. I couldn’t cancel on her. “I have to be there for one of my appointments. It’s at four.”

He nodded. “I’ll let the band know I’m not going to be able to make practice today so I can drive you.”

“Are you sure they’ll be okay with you canceling? I could ask Bentley or Piper to drive me. I’m not trying to avoid you. I just hate that you’re canceling practice.”

I’d need to look at my discharge paperwork to see if I had any driving restrictions, but even if I didn’t, I’d need a ride to my office since that’s where my car was parked.

Xander took a step toward me but hesitated, his gaze locked with mine. “When you called me last night, it scared the hell out of me. Just let me take care of you a little, if not for your sake, then for mine.”

I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around Xander’s waist, resting my head against his bare chest. His arms slipped around me, and he kissed the top of my head. “Thank you for everything.”

“You don’t ever have to thank me for taking care of you. It’s my pleasure.” He pulled away and headed toward my bedroom door. “I’ll be back soon with breakfast.”

For a long moment, I just stood there, playing over everything that had happened in the last few days. I was lucky to have Xander in my life.