"Julie, honey, as much as it pains me to say this, we really need to talk about this another time. Preferably when you know what the hell youre saying. Ask me these questions when youre not three sheets to the wind and Ill gladly answer them for you complete with visual aids and an in-depth description. "
"Nathan?"
He sighed. "Yes?"
"Im gonna go to sleep now. "
He leaned down and carefully pushed her hair away from her face. "Thats a very good idea, honey. "
She literally felt her eyeballs roll back into her head as the room went black around her.
Chapter 25
Julie next opened her eyes she had the sensation of having cotton balls stuffed underneath her lids. They positively scratched across her eyes. Her mouth hadnt been spared the cotton ball treatment either.
"Oh, youre awake. "
"Serena?" she croaked, turning her head toward her friends voice.
"Yes, sweetie, its me. How are you? Oh my God, you had me so worried. "
Serena sat in a chair pulled up next to the bed, her hand curled around Julies arm. Luminous blue eyes shone with concern, and Serenas forehead was creased with worry.
"Im okay. Promise. Just a little stiff. "
"Is there anything I can get for you, Julie?"
Julie turned to see Damon standing to the side, his eyes also mirroring his concern. It was damn nice to have friends. Good friends. People who dropped things at a moments notice when one of their friends were in need.
Damn it, she wasnt going to get all weepy again. Must be the freaking medication.
"Id love some water," she said around her scratchy throat.
Damon pulled one of the paper cups from a canister by the sink and poured it half full with water. He went around to the opposite side of where Serena sat and carefully slid his free hand underneath Julie.
"Let me help you. Dont try to do too much at once," he murmured.
Grateful for his strength, she leaned forward and sipped hungrily at the water. When she was done, he eased her back down.
"Better?"
"A lot. Thank you so much. "
He smiled at her. "No problem, Julie. Serena and I came as soon as Nathan called us. "
Her forehead crinkled. "Where is Nathan, anyway?"
"Pop and Connor brought his truck, and he went down to grab something to eat with them. "
She frowned. "Have I been out that long?"
Serena smiled and squeezed her hand. "Yep, several hours. Doc was by, said you were doing just fine and you could go home when you came around as long as you were feeling up to it. Scans came back okay. "
"Oh, thats nice. Bed. " She sighed at the thought of curling up with a soft pillow.
"Youre coming home with me and Damon," Serena said firmly.
"I am?"
"You are," Damon said with a smile. "Or so Serena assures me. Shes informed me you have no choice in the matter, and truly, we have plenty of room. My staff will fuss over you and spoil you endlessly. Think of it as a holiday. "
"I hope you werent trying to talk me out of it with that speech," Julie said with a tired grin. "Sounds far too marvelous to pass up. "
The nurse sailed in, a middle aged doctor on her heels. "Oh good, youre awake. Have a nice nap?"
Julie smiled crookedly. "That was some good shit you gave me. I could have slept through a hurricane. "
"You ready to get out of here, Miss Stanford?" the doctor asked in a distracted voice as he scribbled on his clipboard.
"Yes, sir. "
"Your tests all came back fine. Youll have some swelling and residual stiffness tomorrow. Bruising too, so dont let that alarm you. Ive prescribed muscle relaxers and pain relievers. A few hot baths probably wouldnt hurt, and you can ice the shoulder afterward if it bothers you too much. Follow up with your family doctor in a few days, and if you have any nausea, dizziness or sudden pain, come back to the emergency room immediately. "
Julie smiled and reached for the scrips. "Thanks, doc. I appreciate it. "
He smiled back and patted her arm. "Take care and stay out of traffic awhile, eh?"
"So thats it?" Julie asked when the doctor stepped out. "I can leave now?"
"Yep," the nurse said. "I need to finish writing your discharge papers. If you want to get dressed, Ill be back in just a minute to give you your copies and you can be on your way. "
Julie looked down at her hospital gown. "Oh boy," she murmured.
Serena reached down and picked up a duffel bag from the floor. She held it with one finger and grinned at Julie.
Julies shoulders sagged in relief. "What would I do without you?"
"Die a fiery death, no doubt," Serena murmured.
Julie shook her head at Damon. "She has such an ego. "
Damon grinned. "Im afraid Im not very good at tamping down that ego of hers. I encourage it way too much. "
"Oooh, Serena!" Julie latched on to her friends hand and tugged it upward into better light. A huge diamond solitaire sparkled on her ring finger. "Its gorgeous!"
Serena beamed almost as bright as the diamond. "I know. Damon has such wonderful taste. "
"Of course he does. He chose you," Julie said loyally.
"Youll get no arguments there," Damon said.
"Not that I dont love you, Damon, but if you dont mind, could you step out so I dont flash you when I crawl out of bed to get dressed?"
Damon grinned. "Not that it wouldnt be worth it to stay, but Ill slide on out and leave you girls to it. Are you sure you dont need any help? I dont want you to fall. "
"Serena can help me, and if I fall flat on my face, all I ask is that someone cover my bare ass before you call for the orderlies. "
Damon chuckled as he walked to the door. "Ill be sure and do that. Ill be back in a bit. Ill get the car pulled around, and I have a few phone calls to make. "
"You sure youre up for this?" Serena asked doubtfully.
"You know you could always spend the night in the hospital just in case. "
"They just kicked me out, Serena," Julie said with a laugh. "This isnt like a hotel. You dont get to stay unless they tell you to. Besides, hello? Going to your house. Thats better than a resort. All thats missing are the really cute cabana boys. Think Damon could hook me up?"
"Damons done enough hooking up for a while," Serena said dryly.
Julies smiled faded. "Oh yeah, Nathans here. I should wait until he gets back. He was so sweet to me after the accident. I dont want to go while hes eating. "
"Of course not. Just take your time getting dressed. Here, let me help you. "
With Serenas assistance, she struggled out of bed and when her feet hit the floor, she wobbled and weaved like a drunken bobblehead.
"Damn, either Im still riding the effects of those drugs or my head got hit harder than I thought. "