TIED (A Fire Born Novel) by Laney McMann Page B

warmth surged from my stomach, my head spinning. He caught me as I fell.”I’m driving you to the hospital.” He steered me, on my unsteady legs, through the crowd.
    Finding it difficult to stay upright, I could only say, “I’m fine.”
    “No. You aren’t.”
    Benny trailed behind us. “I’m coming, too.”
    “I don’t need an entourage, Ben.” My words slurred.
    “I go where you go.” She shimmied through the crowd of people with us, staying at my side.
    “Since when?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Since always.”
    Clean air welcomed us on exiting the bar, the full moon shining in the distance, making the stormy weather from earlier seem out of place. Max’s arm tightened around my waist as we made our way through the parking lot, as though he feared I might collapse. He opened the car door, hovering while I climbed in.
    “Don’t tell Devon where I am.” I lifted my brow and glared at Benny.
    She stood gaping as if she was trying to form some kind of response—probably about my car. Before she could say a word, we drove away.
    Stark white walls and florescent lights blinded me on entering the hospital. Max demanded he call, so Dr. Jessup would be alerted to my coming in.
    “Why are you making such a big deal?” I complained as we walked through the maze of hallways and inside the doctor’s office.
    “Big deal? You almost passed out. So it’s a big deal. Just sit down and stop arguing with me.” The door opened, and Max fell silent.
    “Good evening, Layla, I hear you’re not feeling well?” Dr. Jessup held my chart, and closed the door shut behind him.
    “Just a little dizzy.”
    “She almost fainted a little while ago,” Max said.
    “I see. And you are?” Dr. Jessup asked.
    “Max.” He stood and extended his hand. “We met when Layla was first brought in.”
    The doctor shook it. “Oh, yes, of course. You were in quite a state of panic, if I remember correctly.” Max blushed as I glanced over at him. “Well, normally I would wait to speak with your mother, but considering the lateness of the hour, we’ll just take a quick look.”
    Taking a look is code for MRI claustrophobia.
    Being elevated into the giant tubular machine for my MRI, while it knocked and banged with deafening volume, wasn’t half as bad as attempting to master my anxiety and not scratch my way out.
    “It appears as though everything has healed nicely,” Dr. Jessup said after the exam. “There doesn’t seem to be any signs of lingering trauma. Have you been resting as ordered? Under any additional strain? Any unusual stresses? School problems?” He glanced toward Max. “Boyfriend problems?”
    I tried not to laugh. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
    Max shot me a glare.
    Dr. Jessup offered a gentle smile and patted my shoulder. “My advice to you, again, is to take some time off. Get some rest.” He walked to the door. “Head injuries need to be taken seriously.”
    I nodded, wiping the growing grin from my face.
    “Max, it was good to meet you again.” Dr. Jessup paused. “Perhaps you could help Layla take a break?”
    “Consider it done, sir.” Max answered him formally and turned to me with an evil grin.
    As Dr. Jessup left, I said, “No breaks.” I held my hands out. “I have a show to prepare for.”
    “We’ll see.” His words dripped with sarcasm.
    “Yes, we will. You can’t just walk back into my life and pretend everything’s the same as before.” I rose to my feet. “You can’t act like we’re back to normal.”
    “Watch me.” He stood up beside me and smirked.
    Same old Max. The same as Benny and my mom. I’d forgotten how protective he was. Great. Another guardian.
    I eyed him as we ambled back through the hospital hallway and groaned when I caught sight of Benny and Devon exiting the waiting room.
    “Don’t even start.” Devon rolled his eyes. “You think I’m not going to find out you went to the hospital? And then not follow you?” He crossed his arms.
    I didn’t respond.