“Alliance Medical Group, how can I help you today?” A woman’s voice answer’s the call cheerfully.

“Hi, my name is Hannah Dunaway. I wanted to see if Dr. Newton possibly has any openings for today,” I say weakly. “I’m having a bad headache and wanted to get it checked out.”

“Hmm, let me see.” She goes quiet for a moment, and I can hear the quiet tapping of fingernails on a keyboard. “He doesn’t have anything today, unfortunately. But Dr. Singh had a cancellation today, so I could get you in to see him if that’s alright. How soon could you get here?”

“Soon.” I swallow hard. “I can leave now.”

“Great! I’ll get that all set up for you.”

She takes down my info quickly to confirm the appointment, and once it’s all set up, I end the call.

The hallway tilts alarmingly around me, and I consider for a second whether it’s safe for me to drive myself there. With my phone still clutched in my hand, I consider texting Declan and asking if he can pick me up to take me, but I rule it out quickly. He literally just told me he’d do anything for me, and I know he’d drop everything in a heartbeat, but I don’t want him worrying about me, and I know he’s got practice right now. I don’t want him getting into any more trouble on my behalf.

I’ve handled tough situations before. I can handle this too.

Moving carefully, I make my way out of the building, focusing on every step I take until I get to my car and sink into the driver’s seat. The sun’s bright rays pierce my eyes, sending daggers of pain through my skull and making the little halos that are dancing chaotically in my vision even worse. With shaking hands, I slam down the sunshade and reach for my sunglasses tucked into the glovebox. Instantly, everything feels somewhat more tolerable as the world around me darkens.

You can do this, Hannah. Just go slow and everything will be fine.

Gripping the steering wheel like a lifeline, I dig my key out of my purse and push it into the ignition to turn the engine. The noise and vibration of the car starting makes me wince in pain, but it’s tolerable, especially once my body adjusts to it.

“Okay, okay. You’re okay,” I mutter as I put my phone in the mount hanging from the windshield and open the maps app to pull up the location of my doctor’s office.