The Carter Family Screw Up [Carter Brothers - Book 2]

Thirteen - "A bullet wound?!"

Did he just call be beautiful?

My stomach fizzed with butterflies and I lost the ability to speak for a moment.

He led me into the back room and I saw a guy around our age with dark hair, clutching his side. There didn't seem to be any blood or bruises on his face so I was confused as to what they wanted me to do.

"Rory, this is Maggie - she's going to help you." Daniel said.

"So you're the one he won't shut up about." He said; his voice strained in pain.

"Shut your mouth, Rory!" Daniel said through gritted teeth.

He talks about me?

"...and lift up your hand. Show her." Rory lifted his hand to reveal a bloodstained patch of his t-shirt with a small hole in it.

"Hand me some gloves." I told Daniel and after putting them on, I gently lifted Rory's shirt to see what this injury was. I looked closer and gasped.

Is that a..

"A bullet wound?! You didn't tell me he was shot!!" I yelled at Daniel. "What were thinking?! This is insane! I-" Daniel cut me off to stop me freaking out even more.

"Calm down, Sweetpea, it'll be fine."

"Don't 'sweet pea' me, Tattoo Boy! This guy needs a hospital! I was barely able to stitch you up yesterday and-"

"Yeah but you did it, right? And you did a great job. Look, if there was anyone else we could call, we would. Hospitals are bound by law to report gunshot wounds and I'm sure I don't need to tell you how much shit that will cause. I'm sorry, Maggie but you are the only one who can help him." 

His eyes were pleading. He was clearly worried about his friend. But this isnt like sewing a few stitches - If I screw up, I could seriously put his life in more danger.

'I trust you'.

I thought about Daniel's words from last night and looked at Rory. He was groaning in pain amd it was hard to watch. I looked back at Daniel for… I don't know... reassurence, maybe? And he seemed to know what I needed.

"You got this." He said, looking into my eyes.

What is this boy doing to my life?

"Well I can't do it here. God knows how many infections he could get from that sofa alone. Is there anywhere we can take him?" I ask.

"We can go to my place. My parents are out of town so we won't be disturbed." Daniel suggested.

"Okay." I agreed. Daniel got the Pete to help him carry Rory out of the room and I picked up Daniel's bag.

"Hey what's Rory's drink of choice?" I asked as we walked past the bar.

"Whiskey. Why?" Daniel said. I walked behind the bar and picked up a bottle of Jack Daniels and put it in the backpack.

"Hey!" The Pete yelled at me. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm about to try and save your friends life - call this payment." I told him. He looked at Rory then back to me

"Fine." He said. I wasn't looking for his permission, but whatever.

He and Daniel put Rory on the back seat, and I climbed in next to him, just in case. Daniel jumped in the front, telling Pete he'll keep him posted on how Rory is doing and left the club.

"You okay?" Daniel asked, looking at me in the rear view mirror.

"Peachy."

When we got to Daniel's, he and I got out of the car and helped Rory to the door. Daniel unlocked it and we took him inside.