The doctor touches my shoulder.
"Sir, I need you to step back so we can finish the assessment."
"I'M WITH HER!"
My voice crosses the room before I can control the volume.
The man takes his hand away and stares at me. One of the nurses stops what she was doing at the gurney, while the other checks the badge clipped to my jacket.
I realize what I just did.
I take a breath.
"I'm the registered companion. I just need to stay near her."
"And we need to work, Mr… Sands?" the doctor answers, apparently knowing my name now. "You can stay, as long as you don't interfere with the procedures."
I nod and move back to the head of the gurney.
Rhayne follows the exchange with her eyes. She's more awake than she was a few minutes ago, though she still has trouble keeping her head in the same position. Her fingers are still between mine, and she squeezes my hand when she realizes I'm not planning to leave.
"I'm here," I say, quieter.
The doctor goes back to the assessment.
