Taming the Beast

(Caroline’s POV)

“Good, now you said there was a hospital downstairs right? Take me there and whatever doctor is on hand can look at me there. Sound like a plan?” I suggested. He swallowed as his nervousness started evaporating.

“Okay,” he croaked out again. He scooped me up before quickly carrying me through the kitchen and down the stairs. His mom went ahead of us and got a room ready for me. The doctor came in only a few seconds after Keegan set me down in the examination chair. It was a middle-aged woman with slightly graying hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She was hefty. I guess with all of those guys to take care of, she had to be.

“What seems to be the problem?” she said, mostly to herself as she moved around to examine the back of my head. After a second, she came back around and smiled at me. “Good news, you're going to be fine. It’s very small, barely noticeable. Put a little Tuff-Skin on that and it’ll seal up by tomorrow. I think you may have a mild concussion as well, so just don’t do anything strenuous for a few weeks, like no sports, being upside down, running, and no more wrestling,” she said, winking at me. I thanked her gently and tried to keep down to oh-so-obvious blush that tinted my cheeks. Glancing over at Keegan, I noticed that he was still shaking his leg nervously.

“Why was there so much blood?” Keegan asked her. She turned and smiled at him.

“Any cut to the head is going to bleed a lot. There’s more blood circulating in our heads and faces because of our brains,” she answered sweetly. She grabbed a jar of something and put a swab in the honey colored liquid. It looked sticky. She held it up to me. “This is the Tuff-Skin. I’m not going to lie and say it will be painless. It’s going to sting a lot. Afterwards, you can wash it out tomorrow night and you should be good as new,” she said. I nodded weakly before I waited as she disappeared behind me. She wasn’t lying. As the sticky liquid hit my scalp, I yelped and let out sharp breaths as my eyes watered.

“Ow,” I whined. It hurt a lot actually. It was over a little bit later. She gave me a few more instructions about eating and sleeping, and watching out for my concussion in general. I thanked the doctor before she left. Keegan just sat in the chair, staring at the floor and shaking his leg. He looked so worried. I reached out to touch him, but he shot up and out of the room before I could. My heart hurt a little at the rejection.

doing?” I heard his mom right

and I forgot that she… I forgot, mom. I went too far. I-I,” he trailed off into a sob. It sounded like he was panicking again. A tear escaped my eye listening to him. He was scared for me, I

hurt her on purpose. You would protect that girl with your own life… hell, we all would,” his mom said. I smiled lightly at the thought. I eased off of the chair and made

I could think about was that I couldn’t lose her. Maybe… maybe this was a sign. Maybe we shouldn’t push our luck with the

friends happy. If you let her go now, you’re never going to forgive yourself. You're worse off

pairing me up with Natasha. She’s like us and she would be here, no questions asked,” he said defeated. I covered my mouth with my hand to keep the loud gasp from escaping my lips.

ugly attitude. You’re my son, and I love you, but you’re

know. I just don’t know what to do. This isn’t easy,” he sighed. I stepped out of my hiding place inside the room

easier for you,” I choked out hoarsely

dizzy and my head was spinning, but I didn’t care. I gripped the counter when I reached the kitchen. I took deep breaths and closed my eyes. Once I regained myself, I walked into the living room to see the guys trying to clean my blood out of the carpet. They all looked at me curiously and worried