Page 71 of Stolen Voices

It wasn’t a dream. I move to rub my head, but the tug on my wrist from the IV stops me. My range of motion is limited with the cervical collar on, but when I wiggle my toes, I take consolation, knowing I can still walk.

The hospital room door opens, and a familiar smiling face walks in.

“There you are, superstar,” Doctor Taylor says, using a soft voice I very much appreciate. She’s wearing a white medical coat, with a stethoscope around her neck this time. “We’ve really got to stop meeting like this.”

It hurts to laugh, but with the brace around my neck, I manage with little pain. “I’d really like that.”

“Me too.” She walks over to the bed and lays her warm hand on mine, proving cold doctor’s hands are a myth. “Do you remember what happened, Callie?”

“Yeah, I, uh… I fell doing a stunt at rehearsals.” I wince at the memory of falling. My stomach flips, and a wave of nausea rolls through me.

Doctor Taylor hands me a cup of ice chips, observing my movements. “Callie, I’m going to start with doing a vitals check, and then I’ll fill you in on what happened. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Taylor opens her tablet, making notes as she reads the ECG, takes my pulse, checks my oxygen levels, and listens to my lungs. She flashes a penlight in my eyes, and I wince. She explains that she’s checking for signs of concussion, but I want to shove that light up her ass. It’s so damn bright it makes my eyes burn and my head pound.

“You gave us a scare there for a minute. I’ve never seen Eli so distraught before. He was going out of his mind with worry.”

Eli.How could I forget about him?

I search the room for the man.He’s not here. His absence is like a weight on my chest, making it hard for me to breathe.

He left.He promised he wouldn’t leave.

Tears sting my eyes. I don’t know if I’m more disappointed in him for breaking his promise or myself for taking his absence so personally.

“Oh, hun.” Taylor takes a seat in the visitor chair beside me. “Breathe. Eli’s coming right back. He didn’t want to leave you, but he said there was something he needed to do. He made me promise to be here in case you woke up before he returned.”

He’s coming back.

Her words bring a tidal wave of relief as I breathe like she asked until the ache goes away and my breathing returns to normal.

“Thank you.” There are so few people I trust, and twice now, Taylor has gone out of her way to care for me. Sure, it was at Eli’s request, but she didn’t have to check on me or be so kind.

“You’re welcome.” Taylor’s smile is genuine, and it puts me at ease as I lie in bed, vulnerable and hurt. I don’t let anyone see me like this. I can’t, for so many reasons.

“If there is anything I can do for you—tickets, an appearance at your niece’s or nephew’s birthday party—please let me know. I’m so grateful for your kindness and discretion.”

Taylor chuckles. “You sound like Eli.”

“I do?”

“Oh yeah. For as long as I’ve known him, Eli has collected and exchanged favors with people.”

My eyes widen in surprise at this new bit of information.What does she mean, trades favors? Like, sexual?

Taylor blanches at the look on my face. “That sounds so bad. It’s not like that. Nothing nefarious, I swear. Eli’s a good guy. The best. Think of his favors more like him trading goods and resources. It’s how he pays his gratitude forward.”

“Wow. I, uh, didn’t know.”

“Few do. He doesn’t like people getting the wrong idea.”

“I get that.” I’m guilty of thinking the worst, which is dumb.

I know what kind of man Eli is, and he would never blackmail someone. He might be rude and a little cocky, but not once have I heard whispers of him being anything but professional and well respected in the business.

“Now, to business.” She opens her pad and pulls up my chart. “Luck was on your side, Callie. The X-ray didn’t reveal any breaks or fractures. Your head CT came back clean, which means no brain bleed. Your heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure are all in the normal range. How do you feel?”