more than this | grayson dolan (book one)

twenty one

"Stella?" A distant voice calls out to me. My mind floats back into consciousness as I look down at the sidewalk I'm laying on.

Blood is consuming my entire right leg while the gash is still cut open on my thigh. My head moves up to see Grayson rushing over toward me. His porsche is stopped in the street with the driver's side door open.

"Holy shit, what happened?" He bends down in front of me.

"I'm fine." I gasp as I struggle to sit up.

"Are you serious? We need to get you to the hospital." His large hand wraps around my arm in an attempt to help me up.

"No." My eyes immediately widen as I shake my head. I would never be able to afford hospital bills, and insurance isn't in the picture. "Don't take me to the hospital."

"Why not?" Worry takes over his face.

"I'm okay, Grayson." I mumble while letting out a sharp breath.

"My dad has to take a look at this, he's home." He places his hand on my lower back and tries to guide me over to the car. I limp to the passenger seat as he gently places me into it.

My eyes move down to my exposed flesh, feeling my stomach turn at how deep the cut is. Grayson hops back into the driver's seat and steps on the gas pedal.

"How did that happen?" He frantically questions.

"I fell." I simply shrug and hold my hand over the blood.

"There's no way that happened from falling. The cut is really deep and you're bleeding out."

My skin starts to feel cold as I watch the color drain out of my skin. I'm already losing too much blood. Grayson notices and speeds even faster than he already was.

When he pulls into the driveway, he doesn't even bother to turn the car off. He hops out of it and looks toward the house.

"Dad!" He screams out while going over to the passenger side. "Help!"

My droopy eyes watch Sean rush out the front door. "What's going on?"

"Stella is bleeding really bad, her thigh is cut." Grayson explains while wrapping his arms around my back. There's no point in trying to stand up, I simply let him carry me. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I lean my head against his chest and shut my eyes.

"Bring her inside, now." Sean instructs while running back through the doors.

Grayson simply nods and carries me into the large house. My eyes flutter back open to witness Sean frantically running around. He quickly throws on a pair of scrubs along with gloves.

"Put her on the table." Sean informs him.

"The kitchen table?" Grayson furrows his eyebrows.

"Yes, clear it off."

Grayson nods and brings me into the kitchen. I can't believe I'm about to get blood all over their white marble table.

Sean quickly covers the area with thick towels while Grayson holds me in his muscular arms. Once everything is set up, he lays me down on my back.

"We should really get you to a hospital." Sean says as he examines my thigh.

"She doesn't want to go." Grayson shrugs.

"No hospitals, please." I begin to beg.

"Okay, but I'm going to need to stitch you back up. Is that alright?" Sean looks at me.

"Yes." I murmur and stare at Grayson.

He quickly walks out of the kitchen while Grayson runs a washcloth under hot water. He begins to lightly dab on my wound.