38. Hunter

"Daisy. Hey, wake up."

Murmurs of Levi's sweet southern twang echo around my mind.

I blink my eyes open, then quickly shut them again.

It's bright. Too bright.

"Daisy. Hey, don't be mad but…"

Sighing, I force my eyes to open just enough to take in my surroundings. Don't be mad can't mean anything good.

I instantly recognize the vehicle we're in. It's Greedy's, but Levi's the one driving.

Instinctively, I crane my neck and look in the back seat.

"Where—"

Levi puts his hand on mine and squeezes. "We're at the hospital."

"Why are we here?" With a groan, I sit up and try to get my bearings.

Sure enough, we're in a parking lot, but I don't even remember leaving LCU.

"Greedy insisted I bring you in," Levi explains. "You were really out of it when I found you. How do you feel now?"

As if responding to his question, my lower abdomen cramps with such force I double over. It feels like a period cramp, but the pain radiates all the way to my back and even down into my thighs.

Whimpering, I tuck my legs underneath me and curl up in a ball, searching for some semblance of relief.

"I have awful cramps," I admit. "And my head is pounding."

I tenderly brush my hair back, wincing when I graze the tender spot on my temple.

"We think you hit your head," Levi tells me.

"We?"

"The girl who was with you when I picked you up. Elouise, I think?"

"Louie," I correct. "My roommate."

Levi nods. "She said you came back into the room early in the morning and she didn't know where you'd been. You passed out on the bed, but she thought you were crying in your sleep."

"I didn't go anywhere. I woke up with a killer headache, and I thought a shower might help."

I sniffle but instantly regret it when my head swims with pain.

"Where's Greedy?" I ask as another cramp rolls through me. I just want him to hold me. My head and my back ache, and my stomach is rioting. I feel that sickening hollowness that happens before I get the shakes. What I wouldn't give to curl up in the tub at the cabin or to have Greedy massage my low back right now.

"He's stuck golfing with his dad," Levi says. "They had a really early tee time, so they've already played eight holes. Greedy says he can leave after the ninth if we need him to meet us here."

I shake my head, defeated. "I just want to go home."

With a sigh, Levi takes off his ball cap and runs his hand through his hair a few times. Then he puts the hat back on his head and adjusts it from side to side. "I know, Daisy. But Greedy made me promise."

I don't have the energy to fight, and maybe he's right. Intense menstrual cramps aren't anything new for me, but I still feel like maybe I should get my head checked out.

"Will you stay with me?"

Levi nods. "Of course. I won't leave your side." He holds out my phone. "Do you want to call him before we go in?"

Thankful he thought to bring it and still in so much pain, I swipe away a tear and nod.

"Your new friend had me put her number in your phone," he tells me. "She made me swear that you would text her and let her know that you're okay."

I offer a weak smile at that. Louie was so great. Now I feel like I've ruined everything because of the stupid shower accident.

I click Greedy's name and wait with bated breath for him to pick up. I don't have to wait long before he's answering.

"Thank god," he says in way of greeting. "Tell me you're okay."

I sniffle, feeling a little sorry for myself. I'm in pain. I'm missing orientation. And Greedy's not here with me now.

"I think I'm okay. I have horrible cramps, and my period just started. Then I slipped and hit my head in the shower."

"We need to talk to housing at LCU and see if we can't get you a private bathroom or an en suite unit," Greedy grumbles.

"It wasn't the shower's fault, Greedy. It was just an accident." I yawn again, still so unbelievably exhausted. "Really, I'm fine," I assure him. I hate the idea of him worrying about me.

"Let Levi take you in to get checked out."

A wave of emotion rolls over me. He's so damn thoughtful, and I'm so damn tired. All I want is to fall asleep in his arms.

"Tem?"

"Yeah?" I sniff.

"I love you."

"I love you, too," I murmur, chest aching with sincerity. "One of us will text you when we get an update."

As I hang up, Levi exits the truck, rounds the hood, and helps me slide out. "I'll take you home as soon as they give you the all clear," he promises.

With a nod, I let him put his arm around my shoulder and guide me through the entrance of the emergency room.