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Right next to Zoe.
    “So…what happens now?” Zoe asked, her voice no louder than a murmur.
    “Well, now you go home, have a long hot bath and a nap, and we can try to get back on track,” I promised her.
    “Not quite…” a voice echoed from the door. “If it isn’t almost trouble,” Nurse Foreman smiled from the doorway.
    “Oh,” Zoe’s face fell and my heart sunk.
    “Where’s the other troublemaker?” Nurse Foreman asked with a sly smile. Damn small towns.
    “Troublemaker reporting for duty,” Kane grinned widely as he breezed into the room, arrogance radiating from his every pore.
    “Kane!” Zoe’s face lit up and the whole room felt it. They had to have. All of a sudden everything felt lighter, easier, simpler. Zoe was smiling. Nothing else mattered.
    “My God, Zoe! How do you put up with so much ego and testosterone in one room?”
    “In small doses.”
    Everyone laughed and it sounded perfect. In that moment I knew I’d do whatever it took to keep Zoe smiling. It sounded awesome.
    “So, what happens next? Can I get out of here any time soon?” Zoe asked timidly.
    “Boys?” Nurse Foreman asked, raising her eyebrows. I didn’t care what she wanted…I had no intention of leaving.
    I watched as Zoe’s gaze flittered over Derek and Kane before settling on me. It didn’t take her long to concede. “It’s okay, they can stay.”
    I felt guilty. I didn’t want Zoe making herself uncomfortable just to placate us. We could handle it. Right now, I wasn’t sure she could.
    “You sure?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay. Well, you can go home. You probably just want a long hot shower and get some sleep, and that’s exactly what you should do. Your body needs time to heal. Take the time. Pushing yourself won’t help, not in the long run. Other than that, here’s a prescription for some pain killers for your ribs. Unfortunately, broken ribs are painful, but there isn’t much we can do to fix them. You’ll need to get your stitches removed in ten days. As for some tests…” her voice trailed away. I knew there was something she wanted to say but she was worried to say it in front of us.
    I heard Zoe suck in her breath and hold it. She was afraid too. Without thinking I shifted and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, offering her my strength. “It’s okay…” she lied. I knew it was a lie. Her shoulders shivered under my touch.
    “You need to follow up with your GP about the HIV tests.”
    “HIV tests?”
    “Zoe, I know it’s a lot to take in right now, and we tested you already, but with HIV you need to have regular follow up tests. I’m sure you’ll be okay, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
    “Yeah,” Zoe whispered.
    I watched as Kane shifted stealthily around Nurse Foreman and took position at Zoe’s other side. It felt right. My Zoe was safe between my brother and me. No one would ever get near her now.
    Turning her attention on us, Nurse Foreman smiled. “Right, boys. Out! Zoe needs to get dressed so we can let her out of here. I’m sure she would appreciate a moment…”
    “No troubles,” Kane agreed, dropping a kiss on Zoe’s head before strutting out the door.
    “Zoe, if you need anything, or if this boof head gives you any trouble, just call me,” Derek assured her with a squeeze of her foot.
    “Thanks, Derek.” Zoe forced a smile.
    I watched as my brother and best friend shuffled out of the room, but I had yet to move a muscle. I was thankful for their support and their discretion, but then Nurse Foreman’s attention turned on me. “Spencer…can you give us a minute?”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
     
     
    ZOE
     
    This was a nightmare. But it was worse than that. It was a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. There were pregnancy tests and HIV tests and broken bones. Not to mention the stitches and scratches. And Spencer. And Kane. And Derek. It was all too much.
    “Zoe?” Spencer’s voice shook me from my thoughts.
    “I’m fine. I just