Jeremy replayed what happened after the fight had ended for the Doctor who nodded and looked at his watch.
“We should have the X-ray back in a few minutes, if there's anything suspicious I'll be running more tests, but you may go in and see him now if you'd like.”
After making sure I was going to stay vertical, Jeremy let go and walked back to the group.
“Miss? Do you need a wheelchair?” The Doctor asked looking at my swollen stomach and pale face.
“I'm fine, just please take me to see him.”
We walked down two halls and into a room. Brandon sighed in relief and reached an arm toward me. “Come here sweetheart.”
I grabbed his hand with both of mine, no longer caring about the tears still falling down my cheeks. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine, just feel like I got my ass beat.” He huffed a laugh.
“This isn't funny. You weren't waking up Brandon!”
“I know.” He pulled my arm closer to his body, “Come here.” He kissed me twice and held my face in his hands. “I'm sorry, he was dirty, I wasn't expecting that. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again though. That's the first time I've had someone do that.”
I pulled away abruptly, “Again? No! Brandon, you can't fight again. Do you know what it was like seeing you like that? Unresponsive on the ground? I can't lose you too.” I sobbed and fell into the chair next to the bed.
Brandon tried to get off the bed, but the IV was keeping him there. “You won't lose me sweetheart, I promise. I'll be more careful.”
My entire body was shaking hard, I was trying to take calming breaths but it wasn't an easy thing to do. I thought watching Chase die on the ground was the worst thing I would ever experience in my life. I was wrong. Seeing Brandon like that, and thinking I was going to lose him too, that was the worst moment of my life by far.
There was a knock on the door, “Mr. Taylor?”
I looked up to see the Doctor walking in. I wish he had more emotion, his face looked like he could easily be delivering good news or bad news.
“It looks like you're going to be okay, you have a major concussion and we're going to have to keep you for a while to make sure nothing happens. But there isn't too much swelling, so that's a good thing. I do need to stress something though. You fight often, is that correct?”
Brandon nodded.
“I can't tell you what to do, but it would be wise for you to consider retiring from your fighting. Hits like the one you received tonight, can easily cause much more severe damage. Permanent damage. You were extremely lucky tonight, but since you suffered from a hit like the one tonight, even a minor one can cause damage if received the wrong way.” He looked over a couple papers, and stayed looking at them as he spoke again, “We'll monitor you for the next four hours, and if you seem to be recovering fine, you can go home. Any questions?”
Brandon looked at me, and spoke softly. “No. Thank you Doctor.” After he shut the door Brandon continued to watch me silently cry and hold my stomach for a few minutes, “Harper –”
I shook my head and moved farther from his reaching hand.
“Hey guys,” Jeremy said as he walked in, “sis, you mind if I talk to him for a bit?”
I didn't say anything, I just stood up and walked out. Brandon called my name twice but I kept walking. When I got back to Konrad, Breanna and Kevin, I relayed what the Doctor said, and how Brandon planned to keep fighting. Konrad went to the bathroom and Bree held me while we waited for Jeremy to come back. Thankfully guys don't talk long, and he was walking back into the room in no time.
“He wants to talk to you.”
I nodded and walked back down the halls, the door was cracked and I heard Brandon's rich voice filling the room.
“I’m sure it looked bad, but I really am fine.”
“You don't get it man. You weren't there that night with Chase.” I realized it was Konrad and stepped closer.
“I know that, but this is the first time something like this has happened, and it wasn't even during the fight. I make really good money, more than enough to support her and our family. I can't just stop because of one hit.”
“You won't be supporting them if you take another hit like that and it paralyzes you.”
“I won't.” Brandon groaned.
“Look you can do whatever you want. Despite what Harper says tonight, she loves you enough that she would never actually stop you from doing something you wanted to do. But your girl wasn't the only one who thought you were gone. It was like a complete flash back of that night for all of us. People normally wake up from smelling salts, you didn't. You didn't even move.”