"It’s not. It’s magical, swoon-worthy even. Live a little, Sade… while I save your life."
I doubt I’m dying, but a small part of me feels that if I were, this wouldn’t be a bad way to go. He hoists me up a little further, one arm beneath my knees and the other behind my shoulder blades. He really does smell like the ocean, and not in a sea salt skin sort of way—but I nuzzle into his chest and inhale, anyway.
sixteen
Max
Creative Distractions
Carrying Sadie into the Mage Hollow hospital wasn’t something I imagined this morning when I had hoped to see her. It definitely wasn’t in the plan I had for our "one fun thing" of the day. But sometimes life’s like that, throwing curveballs or oyster knives when you least expect it.
Approaching the desk, Sadie swats at my arm. "Max, can you put me down now? People are staring at us."
"Excuse me, my friend here cut herself, and I think she needs stitches." A nurse who’s probably my mom’s age looks from me to Sadie over the rim of her purple glasses.
"Does she need a wheelchair?" She purses her lips, searching Sadie’s bottom half for the cut.
Sadie holds her hand up. "No, I can walk. He just insists on being a storybook character right now."
The lady rolls her eyes but waves us back as a round of grumbles comes from the waiting room full of people. I guess blood wins out over seasonal allergies today.
"I’m Vera. I’ll get you checked in and pull some vitals. Gretchen will be in to do the rest before Dr. Toccio sees you," the same lady from the desk explains while stepping through double doors and into a small patient room.
I settle Sadie onto the bed, sliding a large maroon chair over toward the side of it and plopping down. Vera takes her blood pressure, checks to see if she has a fever—she doesn’t—and removes the gauze to take a closer look.
I’m not a doctor, but I’ve had enough injuries to assume she needs stitches. The wound is still seeping, but not as badly as it was before.
"Can you tell me your full name?"
"Sadie Marie Wells."
"How did this happen?"
Sadie looks at me and quietly laughs. "He doesn’t know how to shuck an oyster." She points her finger at me, wincing slightly from the movement. "I was trying to teach him."
Vera gives me a once-over, frowning. "And your face? What happened? Do I need to be concerned about the two of you?"
Now, it’s my turn to chuckle. We look like quite the pair: two black eyes and a fresh cut in need of sutures.
"Just an accident, unrelated," I say, waving her off. Vera huffs, turning back to the computer she’s clacking away on.
"Any medical history that I need to be aware of?"
"No, I don’t think so."
"Insurance?"
"Yes, I have it. My card isn’t in this wallet, but I work for the Golden City Flames. I can bring it by this week or call in the number."
"That’s fine. Congratulations on winning the cup."
"Oh, um, thanks. It was great." Sadie glances at me from the corner of her eye. We’ve never discussed where she works, not really outside of the one conversation about her leave of absence. I’m curious what it’s like, how it feels to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed of.
"Are you pregnant?" Vera shifts gears.
Sadie’s cheeks turn red at the question. "No?"
"Is that a question? I’ll need to give you some medication. We need to know if you could be."