Free Play It Again by Ashley Stoyanoff

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them, regarding me critically, a frown filling the space between
his eyes.
    “Hungover,” I say with a small, embarrassed
smile. “But I’m okay, steadier now, just a headache.”
    He lets out a humorless laugh. “Five stitches
isn’t okay. They clear you for a concussion?”
    I shake my head gingerly, the motion sending
shards of pain shooting through my skull. “Um … no,” I say. “The
doctor said I should sleep, but someone needs to wake me every
couple hours to make sure I wake up easily.”
    I feel Vance suddenly stiffen beside me, his
muscles cranking tight. “Let’s get her home,” he says, slipping his
arm from my waist, and opening the back door on Jase’s black sedan.
He looks at me, his dark eyes stormy. “Get in, Piper.”
    I eyeball him for a moment, wondering
what the hell has gotten into him. He’s been a moody, broody mess
since the ambulance arrived and carted me off. Everything about his
rigid muscles and the ticking of his jaw screams that he’s pissed
off. Whether it’s at me, or at the fact that I have a concussion, I
don’t have a clue.
    “Um …” I start, and then stall, considering
my options. “I should probably go to Kim’s.”
    Wes lifts a brow, his expression stern. “You
think that’s smart?”
    I shrug, not really sure why it wouldn’t be.
“She’ll wake me up.”
    He smirks, shaking his head. “She was out
cold by the time I got her home. Had to carry her up to bed, and
Jimmy wasn’t much better off.”
    “You’re going home,” Vance says, his tone
non-negotiable. When I don’t move, he leans in to my side once
more, his hand sliding to my lower back, and his thumb stroking my
skin through my thin shirt. “I’ll stick around tonight. Make sure
you’re okay.”
    I frown at Vance, and he gives me a look that
tells me he’s not going to listen to a single protest.
    When he gestures for me to get in, I oblige,
climbing into the back seat. I know there’s no point in arguing and
the truth is, I’m somewhat glad he wants to stick around.
    Okay, wait. I’m really glad. Ecstatic,
actually.
    The ride back to my house is tense and …
awkward. I want to jump out of my own skin. I don’t know what to
say, or what to make of Vance’s uptightness, and he isn’t giving me
any indication of what made him so unhappy.
    And as for Jase and Wes … well, they’re no
better, both looking just as broody as Vance.
    By the time we make it to my house, my head
is beginning to throb and the blood in my hair has started to dry,
turning crusty. A shower is in order before the freezing around my
stitches wears off.
    We make our way inside, and Vance disables
the alarm. I don’t bother to ask why Jase and Wes are coming along,
because I figure if the car ride is any indication, I won’t get
much of an answer.
    “I’m going to shower before the freezing
wears off,” I say, kicking off my shoes. “Is there anything I can
get you guys before I go?”
    Vance stares at me for a moment, and for the
first time since the ambulance showed up, amusement touches his
lips. “I’m here to look after you,” he says. “Not the other way
around.”
    “Right,” I say with a little nod. “Um, okay,
but if you need anything … just make yourself at home, okay?”
    He smiles. “Sure, Piper. Go on and
shower.”
    I make my way through the house, turning on
lights as I head to my bedroom, gathering up a change of clothes,
before locking myself in the bathroom and turning on the water.
    I shimmy out of my jeans, taking my panties
with them, and struggle to get my top off without catching my hair.
I don’t bother throwing the clothes in the hamper, just leave them
where they fall, and climb into the shower, letting the hot water
wash over me.
    I stand under the spray for a few minutes as
the hot water warms my skin and eases my taut muscles, before I
grab the shampoo and get to work, carefully massaging it in around
the stitches, and rinsing out the blood.
    It takes three washes