Page 187 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Sophie leans over and hugs Maddie. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

The doctor walks in and looks at Maddie. “I wanted to go over your CT scan results with you. Is it okay if they’re in the room?”

“Yes, they’re family,” she says.

“There are no signs of swelling or bleeding, which is a miracle considering how hard you were hit. So we’ll keep an eye on your vitals, and if everything looks good and stays steady throughout the night, you’ll be released tomorrow.” He pats Maddie’s hand with a small smile. “Sounds like you took a pretty hard fall, so enjoy the meds while you can.”

“I feel like I got my ass beat.” She musters a laugh.

“Do you have any questions for me?”

“I’m good, I think,” Maddie speaks up. “Just tired.”

“You might feel like that for a few days,” he warns. “It’s normal. If you need anything or start feeling worse, let us know, okay?”

“I will,” Maddie says.

Sophie and Mason say their goodbyes after the doctor leaves, and then it’s just Maddie and me.

“Are you leaving too?” she asks.

“Hell no.” I pull the chair closer so I can sit next to the bed and still hold her hand. “I’m staying here with you until you’re released. It’s the least I can do so the guilt doesn’t eat me alive.”

“Guilt?” She looks confused.

I kiss her knuckles. She slides her hand across my cheek and smiles.

Bowing my head, I say, “You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.”

“I already told you this wasn’t your fault, Liam.” The fact that she’s consoling me has me feeling bad because I’m supposed to be the strong one for her.

“Well, I feel responsible as fuck. Someone’s after me, and you got hurt in the crossfire. I’m gonna find out who did this and make them pay,” I promise.

She furrows her brows and shakes her head. “No. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

The room grows quiet before she flips through the channels, then stops onDirty Dancing. “Remember this movie?”

“How could I forget it?” Our eyes meet again.

“You ever had sex in a hospital room?”

I glare at her. “You literally have a concussion and were knocked unconscious a few hours ago.”

She shrugs and lifts her eyebrows. “Well, my lower region feels just fine.”

“You are so bad.” I smirk, wondering if she’s playing with me or not. “We could get caught.”

Laughter escapes her. “That hasn’t stopped you before. But I guess you’re right, although it’s tempting.”

“I might need to call the doctor back in here and make him double-check that you don’t have brain damage or something,” I tease.

She takes my hand again and interlocks our fingers. “I love you. Have I told you that today?”

“You have, but I never get sick of hearing it. Love you too, baby.”

We continue watchingDirty Dancing,and Maddie whispers every line, which makes me smile. Concussion and still has it all memorized.

I lay my head on the bed, and she runs her fingers through my hair, calming me when I should be calming her. I could’ve lost Maddie today, and the thought alone nearly destroys me.