chapter tenThe dull bleep of the monitor was what Lauren woke up to. To her right, the sun leaked in bravely from behind the bland, tan drapes. Lauren tried to sit up, but once she tried, her head felt like it was in a vice. She reached up and rubbed the grogginess out of her eyes, noticing for the first time all the equipment attached to her arms. There were at least two IV units she was hooked up to.
Lauren heard the steel door on her left squeal open and a plump, ruddy nurse stepped in, her face buried deep in a clipboard. She glanced up and almost dropped her ballpoint pen. She grinned and immediately ran back out of the door. Later, she came back with a doctor.
"Miss Previns? I'm Dr. Hart," the man introduced himself. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit by a Mack truck," she croaked.
"Actually, it was a Jeep," he replied flatly, looking at the clipboard the nurse had been holding. "You hit your head on the dash bad. You had a concussion and lost quite a lot of blood. Other than that, just a few cuts and that's it. Any questions?"
"When can I leave?"
Dr. Hart grinned. "They all ask that...I want to keep you for maybe three to four days. Just to make sure you're fine and safe."
"Okay."
The nurse cleared her throat and announced, "Lauren, I believe you have a visitor. Give me a holler if you need anything. My name's Holly."
Lauren smiled. It was Brian, she knew it. She closed her eyes and told them to send him in. Lauren pulled the hospital sheets closer to her. She heard footsteps on the tiled floor and she peeked open an eye.
Nick.
"Go away," Lauren said immediately, "leave me alone."
"I came as soon as I heard," Nick ignored her demands.
"I don't want to see you. Where's AJ?"
"Where else? One room over."
Lauren gasped. It hadn't occured to her that AJ would have been injured at all. "Is he all right?"
"He just woke up two hours ago. He broke his arm and had a concussion like you."
Lauren frowned and fiddle with her blanket. She didn't look at Nick; she was too angry. "You caused all this."
"What?" Nick exclained incredulously.
"We were fighting because of you. You ruin everything."
"Listen, it's not my fault we happened to bump into each other. Of all people, you should blame that jackass AJ for not watching the damned road."
"Don't you dare talk about him like that! We could've died ---"
"Because of his reckless driving."
"Go away! Just leave! Go!" she yelled. Her head began to throb more and more. "Why did you even come?"
"Because I was concerned. I'm sorry if I come off as a prick for caring," Nick said, putting up his hands.
"Holly!" Lauren screamed.
Holly walked in the room and replied, "Yes?"
"Escort Mr. Carter out of here, please," she said mildly.
Holly took Nick's arm and told him, "C'mon, Love. Miss Previns needs her rest."
Lauren tiredly watched him leave and then fell asleep again, exhausted.