Page 50 of The Inn Dilemma

“Ouch. Stop.”

He raises a dark eyebrow at me. “Do you want it to get infected?”

“No.”

“Then let me clean it before I take you to the hospital. Even I can tell you’re going to need stitches.”

“Okay, Dr. Graves,” I say in a mocking voice.

Holt grits his jaw and narrows his slate-gray eyes at me. “You’re mean when you’re hurt.”

I roll my lips inward, feeling a little guilty for being so nasty to him. Holt is only trying to help me.

“Sorry,” I mutter. “It just stings.”

Gently, he presses another cotton ball to the cut. It hurts a little less this time. Then he hands me a towel full of ice.

“A bandage won’t stick to your hair, but press this against it as I take you to the hospital. It should help.”

“I don’t want to go to the hospital. This will heal eventually on its own.”

“It will heal eventually after you get stitches,” he pushes back.

I try to give him my best puppy dog eyes since they usually work.

“Let’s go.” He hooks a thumb in the direction of his truck.

I give up. “Fine.”

He gives me a triumphant smile and walks me over to his ancient truck. I like it when he smiles. Holt barely smiled when Christian and I first met him. Even though my brother is still the most serious person I know–other than Dad–he makes Holt smile too.

“Buckle up,” Holt says, clicking his own seatbelt.

Without complaint, I do what he says.The ride to the hospital feels like it takes forever. When we reach theparking lot, Holt is able to get a spot close to the emergency room entrance.

After checking in at the front desk, I sulk over to one of the chairs and sit down. Holt sits beside me, then rests his face in his hands.

“I’m sorry, Nova. This is my fault.” Up until now, he’s been fully in charge and confident since the moment I fell.

I press the towel he gave me to my head. “No, it’s not. It’s mine.” I shouldn’t have tried to do what I saw on that internet video while Holt was stuck with me.

Holt sits up and shakes his head. He stares at me, looking sadder than I’ve ever seen him. It’s weird seeing him like this. I don’t like it.

“It’s my fault, not yours,” I say, firmer this time.

He sets his elbows on his knees and rests his head in his hands.

“Nova Price,” the nurse calls.

I get up and follow her, but before the door closes behind me, I look back to Holt. He's sitting up straight again and staring at me with his face full of guilt. I feel even worse since I’m the one who put the frown on his face.

I sit on the bed, continuing to hold the cloth to my head.

After what feels like forever, the doctor comes in. “Hi there, Miss Price. I’m Dr. Hollinsbrook. One of my nurses got a hold of your mom and she said to do whatever we need to get you healed up.” He writes something down on the clipboard. When he looks up, he says, “She’ll be here soon.”

Nerves fill my belly. Mom is not going to be happy about this.

The doctor pulls my hand away from my head then narrows his eyes as he looks me over. “Sorry, Nova, but you’re going to need stitches. And we’re going to need to shave part of your hair to give them to you.”