Doctor Green returned a while later as I sat biting my nails anxious to leave and Cassa kept updating me on Cal. “Shame says that Blythe has added you for access to his room and he says everyone has a code word for security and he will send me that.”
“Okay.” I say when Doctor Green comes back in with my discharge info.
“Now, I know you will be in ICU for the next little while, but please get some rest. It’s just passed three now and it’s been about six hours since you were knocked unconscious so I think it’s okay if you rest.”
She shines her flashlight one more time in my eyes to ensure that my eyes are still dilating. “I have a prescription that you can fill here since I know you’ll be here.” She looks to Cassa. “I know you aren’t family, but I want no fuss by nine. She needs rest and that’s that. Let her go see him and get peace of mind then to bed. Someone will need to be with her for the next forty-eight hours. She will be in the sling and the wrap for her shoulder about three weeks.”
She looks back at me. “As for the tears and the intrusion, they will heal up in a few days. No sexual intercourse for three to six weeks depending on your comfort. I have added some crisis services for you in your discharge paperwork. Don’t let this asshole win sweetie. Get the services if you need them.”
I nod and stand finding the wrap on my shoulder which traps my arm to my chest annoying and uncomfortable which pisses me off. “You ready?” Cassa asks as she loops her arm through my uninjured one. I nod and look up toward the mirror, gasping the minute I see my face and the damage that son-of-a-bitch made.
“Cass…” I whisper, tears welling. “I can’t go see him like this.” I say tracing the split on my swollen lips. I stare at the cut with stitches along my scalp from when he threw me into the window face first. My nose is bandaged over the bridge and luckily won’t need to be set considering the fracture is minute. My eyes however are both black, like I colored them in with eyeliner.
“Sweetie, you were assaulted, that is why you look like this. Let me be clear though, Jen. You are strong as fuck as Noah would say. You didn’t flinch as they poked and prodded at these wounds. This will heal, just like the rest so don’t let him in your head now.”
Her eyes are focused on me with a knowledge that until now only she could understand. Instead of crying, I straighten my spine and nod.
“Yeah, fuck him.” I say, my voice shaky.
“Fuck him!” She says it stronger than me, but I know I will be that strong one day.
I get to the ICU waiting room as everyone rushes me. The crowd has died down which I am sure was more the staff’s demands than the whole crew. I was happy to see Asa and Sam sitting with the guys and Mya. “Are Blythe and Derrick with him?” I ask as everyone hugs me. I can’t find Noah though and he is the one I need.
“Yeah, they went back about an hour ago.” Mya says, sitting beside Sam who keeps rubbing her back. He stands when she gets up to get her purse and he hugs me close, softly.
“You okay Pet?” I understand the question, there was no denying my shredded pants and panties as they all gathered around. If this wasn’t a lesson in humility there wasn’t one.
I nod and just hug my friend. “Where is Noah?” I ask, looking around the room.
“Bathroom.” Raleigh says as he dries his eyes before kissing me on the head. “You look epic bitch.” He says and I laugh even though it hurts.
“It’s the new Smokey eye.” I say with soft humor before looking at him. “Jealous?”
Tears fill his eyes as he nods. “Totes baby.”
“Jen?” I hear Noah’s cracking voice behind me… Knowing he was here, that he would be here for me regardless unhinged me as I fell apart when he reached me.
Everyone gave us room as he held me, there on the floor in the private waiting area of the ICU. He said nothing as I cried, none of them did. They were stoic and still as oaks while I fell apart in front of them.