“That wasn’t bad at all,” Daphne said.
“The idea of it is far worse than the tube itself,” Patch said.
“I think throwing up so violently is worse than anything.”
“It’s scary, and rightfully so,” he agreed.
“If you’re finished, I’ll help her get cleaned up and changed into a new gown,” the nurse said.
“I’ll do it,” I said. Daphne opened her mouth to protest, but I stopped her. “I don’t care about your vomit.”
“That’s because you love me,” she said and gasped. “I didn’t mean to say that. It’s the drugs.”
“Well, you’re not wrong,” I told her with a small smile.
“You can’t say that to me now, when I’m sick as hell and covered in my own fluids.”
“I didn’t say anything,” I said.
“We’ll check on you in a bit,” Patch said and ushered the nurses out of the room.
“There’s stuff I want to say, but I’m about to be down for the count,” she slurred.
“Then let’s make this quick,” I said and started cleaning her face and arms with a washcloth. I’d barely gotten the gown on her when her head lolled to the side. “I do love you,” I said quietly and placed a kiss on her forehead.
“I heard that,” Ink said.
I shook my head and laughed. Of course he did.
21
DAPHNE
Ispent five days in the hospital before I was allowed to go home.
“I cannot stress this enough,” Patch said. “You no longer need hospital level care, but you are not well. I’m not clearing you to return to for a week, and that will be light duty. I need to see you in my office in three days to check your labs. Make sure you drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.”
“Understood,” I said. “I never want to feel like that again, so I’ll happily do whatever you say.”
As soon as we got home, Dice helped me into the house and tried to guide me to the couch, but I had other plans. “I know I need to rest, but I won’t be able to until I’ve had a shower and wash the hospital off of me.”
“Daphne,” he started. I could tell by his tone that he didn’t agree with me.
“It’s not up for discussion. You can stand in there or whatever you need to do, but I am taking a shower.”
“Fine,” he sighed. “Let’s go.”
He turned on the water while I quickly stripped off the clothes Ember had sent to the hospital for me. “Remind me to thank Ember for packing a bag for me.”
“I already thanked her, but you’ll have your chance soon, unless you take too long.”
“What?”
“She’ll be here with Diablo soon.”
I wasn’t one to take excessively long showers, but I’d been looking forward to a shower since I found out I was being discharged and was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as much as I wanted to. It worked out okay in the end though, because I was ready to get out as soon as the basics were done.
“You might have to help me get dressed,” I said weakly. “I think I used all the energy I had.”