Layers(25)

“I’ll walk you to the door,” he utters, half to me, half to himself.

“Don’t bother,” I murmur, and yet he does. We walk through the corridor in mortifying silence, and it seems like with every step the wall between us grows higher. When we get to the door, he hugs me and inclines his head, resting his forehead on mine, his eyes studying me. Again these acts of affection. I can’t do this.

“Bye, Daniel.” I pull myself out of his embrace and our connection.

“Don’t go, Hayley … or at least let me drive you back. It’s too late and too cold.”

“I’m a big girl. Believe me, I can manage without you.” I can’t wait to get out of here and away from him. “Goodbye,” I snap and storm out. By the light coming from the house I know that he’s standing there looking at me, but I don’t give a damn; I just can’t wait to get away.

My mind is in such turmoil all the way home, all I want to do is get into my bed and sleep off the evening. I don’t even want to think about it, about him.

Utterly consumed by my irritation and my thoughts, I look ahead, without really seeing the road. Tearing me out of my thoughts, the scooter jerks beneath me and in less than a heartbeat my body comes in contact with hard asphalt.

I am frozen.

For a few minutes I lie on my side, hurt, shaken, and muddled, till everything around me dims.




~~~

Bright light prompts my eyelids to flutter, and I try to force them open as I hear a voice gently saying my name.

“Miss Grace. Hayley.” A nurse with big, soft, blue eyes smiles warmly down at me.

“Hayley.” A raspy, familiar voice comes from my other side. With a speeding heart and spiked nerves, I reflexively pivot to search for the man behind the voice. As a reaction to my hasty movement, sharp throbbing envelops my head. Daniel’s eyes meet mine and narrow; he bites his lip, grimacing at the twitch of pain that crosses my face.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice low, filled with worry.

For a silent second of eternity, I just look at him as he studies me with concern. Disregarding his question, I break our tense connection and return to face the nurse. Answering my apparent confusion, she explains that, as it seemed, I crashed the scooter. She adds that it was probably due to an oil stain or a small rock. I take a deep breath, processing this surreal craziness I’ve found myself in.

“You were lucky enough to get out of it with just a couple of bruises,” the nurse says as she presses a button, inclining my bed to an almost sitting position. She adjusts my pillow and offers me a glass of water. I take a few sips, still scattered, quenching my thirst while I listen to her.

Many questions run through my mind, but they all turn into one. What is he doing here?

“We’ll keep you here for a couple of hours just to make sure you’re fine, and if everything is okay, you’ll be able to go home.” She glances at Daniel and back at me. To my continuing silence she says, “Your scooter was brought in by Mr. Stark.” She tilts her chin toward Daniel.

The nurse rests her comforting hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be back with Dr. Spencer shortly. Try to rest.” Her smile is kind, genuine.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” She starts toward the door. As soon as she turns her back, I feel Daniel’s warm hand covering mine. Slowly, I turn my head to face him, pulling away slightly. Sensing my recoil, he tightens his grip.

“How?” is all I manage to say before he answers my question.

“They called me. Apparently I was the last number on your call list.” He squeezes my palm again. I slip my hand out of his grip; a pulse of heat keeps radiating where his skin just touched mine. He twists his mouth but doesn’t say a word, his stare a mixture of worry and muddled emotions.

“Are you hurting? Are you okay?” His eyes run over my face.

I nod, not even sure how I feel, and quietly say, “Thank you for bringing my scooter. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but please leave …”

“Hayley …” His dense voice is tinged with frustration.

I don’t need your pity, I don’t need your help, I don’t need you here. I. Don’t. Need. You. You made your point earlier, loud and clear. I shake my head, swallowing the pain this simple action causes.

“Hayley, I want to be …”

I cut him mid-sentence, slightly raising my hand, “Just leave …” My words are a sigh.

“I wanted to make sure you were fine,” Daniel says solemnly, captivating my eyes, holding my gaze for a long moment. I tear my stare away; my eyes remain downcast as I slowly shake my head. He lets out a frustrated sigh and turns on his heels, stepping out of the room, not before sending a last grim glance my way.

Till I am allowed to go home, I spend the time feeding my hurt ego and confused mind with visions from that night.





Chapter 10: Blast Effect


The smell of fresh brewed coffee teases my nose, encouraging me to wake up. I fetch my phone to check what time it is, and as the phone restarts an unread text message pops onto the screen. I minimize it, deliberately disregarding it, guessing who it’s from. It is barely eight thirty, I have plenty of time. I don’t have to be at work before noon.

Halfway through getting dressed, I check the bruises on my hip, the only visible evidence from the newly named “night to be forgotten.” On the spot, I decide not to tell Tasha, Ian or anyone else for that matter about the accident. The last thing I want is to be preached to about the scooter and safety.