by Jacki James
Alex said he’d checked and there was absolutely no reason we couldn’t be at a hospital function together. I even double checked with Casey to be sure, and he assured me there were many couples employed at the hospital, and that the only rule was that they couldn’t supervise their significant other. Linc assured me it would be fine. He was going, too. Everyone on the Emergency Management Committee was invited, and he also told me Mr. Davis was a great guy, but still, it worried me.
Alex had been reassuring me all week, but I was a nervous wreck. To make matters worse, he had to go straight from work, so I was meeting him there. The good thing was, I only had to survive for a couple hours, and then we could head over to Mark and Justin’s to bring in the New Year. They were planning a big party because they considered New Year’s Eve to be the day they first got together.
I double checked myself in the mirror and decided all my anxiety was internal and on the outside. I looked fabulous as always. I rolled my eyes at my own ridiculousness and left for the party. I pulled up in front of a more modest house than I expected. It was really nice, but it wasn’t one of those McMansions I anticipated.
I sent Alex a text telling him I made it here, and he responded that he was still about thirty minutes out. I sent Linc one next, and he didn’t answer which probably meant he was on his way. So I started hunting for someone I knew. I wandered around and chatted with a few people.
I’d just decided this wasn’t too bad when I looked across the room and froze. All I could think is that there was no way he was here. It isn’t him, it isn’t him, ran through my brain like a song on repeat. But when he looked over at me and tipped his glass in my direction, I knew it was him. Fucking Trevor Gibson. Shit.
He headed my direction, and I wanted to run, but I was frozen in place.
“Nathan, how are you doing? I was hoping to run into you sooner rather than later,” he said in a sickly, sweet voice.
God, what did I ever see in this man? Yeah, he was handsome in an elegant way, but it was obvious from a mile away there wasn’t a sincere bone in the man’s body. I wondered if this is what Lincoln had seen in him all along, and I’d been too young and stupid to see it.
“Trevor, I can’t say the same since I was hoping to never see your ass again. What are you doing here?” I made sure I sounded just as sweet as he did.
“I can see you haven’t changed,” he said huffily.
“Oh, I’ve changed, Trevor. More than you can imagine.”
“We need to talk,” he sneered. “I would prefer not to do this in front of all my new colleagues. I would hate to give them something to gossip about before I even start working,” he said with a spiteful grin.
I blanched, and my brain started spinning. Fuck. New colleagues? Trevor was going to work at the hospital? My hospital? There were so many things I wanted to say. But seeing him there, hearing him say he was going to work there, transported me back, and I felt like that young naïve kid who didn’t understand how the world worked.
“I see you didn’t know.” The asshole laughed. “I’m joining the staff in the Emergency Department.”
“Emergency Department,” I whispered. How could this keep getting worse? I’m not sure I could work in the same hospital as him, but there was no way I could work in the same department.
“Yes, the ED, and as I said, I need to talk to you, but let’s not do it here. Instead, how about we find a more private place, so I can explain to you how this is going to work.”
I looked around, and no one was paying any attention to us. But he was right. Whatever he wanted to say wasn’t something I wanted everyone to hear.
“I saw an office down the hall here earlier, so how about if we go in there? Come on, let’s get this over with,” he ordered as he turned and headed toward the hall. He never even looked back to make sure I followed. Because he knew I would, and I hated that part of me that turned and trailed after him.
He was in the room first with me trailing behind, and I pulled the door mostly closed but not all the way. The very last thing I wanted was to be shut up in a room with this asshole. He spun around to face me, and all pretense of civility was gone.
“Let me tell you how this is going to work. I’m not going to work with you. I told you when you left me in Dallas that you would be sorry.”
“And you made damn sure I was sorry, didn’t you? I think I already paid enough for not being willing to live with you and love you while you fucked half of Dallas, you prick,” I spat out.
And before I knew what was happening, he had me backed against the wall, looming over me. He loved to use his size to intimidate me. He wasn’t that big, it was just that I was so short. It was one of the things he always liked about me; I made him feel big.
“You listen here, you little bitch. I didn’t come here because you were here. I came here because this is a great opportunity for my career, and I will not have you working here causing problems for me.”
“I never caused problems for you, Trevor. All I did was leave you.”
“Well, I wasn’t willing to take the chance then, and I’m not willing to take it now. So you’re going to quit. Move on. Just like you did before. I mean, seriously, you’re a fucking nurse. It isn’t like you can’t find another job, or that you aren’t easy to replace.”
I stepped to the side, so I wasn’t between him and the wall and from somewhere inside, I found myself. The Nathan who wasn’t a stupid young kid enamored with the handsome doctor.
“Fuck you, Trevor. I am not quitting. I love my job here, and you don’t have anything to hold over my head this time. So, no!”
He chuckled, and I had no idea what was coming next, but I was sure I wasn’t going to like it. He had that look on his face he used to get when he was about to be a dick. It was part derision, part I’m about to enjoy showing you how stupid you are.
“Really, oh Nathan, you silly boy. Don’t you think I asked around about you the second I found out you work there? And hospital staff is such a gossipy lot. You remember that, don’t you? How they love to gossip about pretty little fuck boys who don’t know their place? And from what I hear, you didn’t learn your lesson the first time, did you? But really? A security guard? I thought even you could do better than that.” He stopped for a second giving me a chance to take it all in, and then he gave the final blow. The one thing guaranteed to make me comply. “I won’t go after your job this time, sweetheart. Oh no, what would be the fun in that? This time I’ll go after his.”
I was about to respond. I honestly had no idea what I was about to say, but I was going to say something when the door burst open and Lincoln was there. I didn’t know how much he heard, but before I could say a word, he had Trevor pinned against the wall, his arm pressed against his throat. Trevor looked terrified, but I was too panicked to enjoy it. Alex. God, he worked so hard for that job. He loved that job, and he valued his integrity. Trevor would ruin everything for Alex just like he did for me years ago.
“Nathan!” Linc yelled at me, getting my attention.
“Yeah, what?”
“I asked if you were okay.”
I looked back and forth between Lincoln and Trevor and I did the only thing I could do. “Okay, Trevor, you win.”
I turned to look at Lincoln and said, “Tell Alex I said I’m sorry, but I just can’t do this. I knew it was a bad idea. But I’m so sorry.” And as the tears streamed down my face, I fled the room.
Alex
I walked into the house and greeted our host. There were very few men who could so completely slip between boss and a regular guy like Darren could. That was one of the things I’d liked the most about him when he’d been y commanding officer. I was about to comment on how nice his house was when my phone rang. I looked real quick figuring it was Nathan, but instead, I saw Linc’s name on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Where the fuck are you?” Linc asked skipping pleasantries altogether.
His tone put my whole bod
y on alert. “I just got to the party. I’m about to look for Nathan.”
“Don’t bother. He left. Just get back here to the office down the hallway to your left. I need you back here ASAP.” And he hung up.
“What the fuck?” I turned to Darren. “I need to get to your office.”
“What is it?” Darren asked, also on alert.
“No idea. Let’s get there and find out.”
We rushed down the hall with Darren leading the way and burst into the library. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing. Lincoln had some guy pinned against the wall and was growling at him not to fucking move. Lincoln’s cell phone was on the floor next to his foot. I was guessing that was where it fell when Lincoln had to stop the guy from ‘fucking moving’ while he was calling me. I had never seen Linc like this. He was a kind, big goofy cowboy most of this time. But not right now. Right now, he was fierce and pissed.
I motioned to Darren to let me talk to him.
“Lincoln, tell me what’s going on. Who is this guy?”
“What is going on, is Nate is gone. He took off, and this stupid fucker right here is Trevor Gibson.”
“Douche bag Trevor?” I asked trying to sort all this out.
As furious as Linc was, he still smiled a little. But as mad as he was, it looked more menacing than amused. “Yeah. Douche bag Trevor.”
“Okay, Lincoln, you think you could let him go?” I asked calmly.
“Nope, I don’t, actually. Not until this asshole tells you exactly what I heard him telling Nathan. Come on, Trevor the douche bag Gibson. Tell Alex what you told him.” Lincoln pushed harder against Trevor’s throat, his eyes lit up with fear, but he didn’t say anything. Lincoln let up a bit, but Trevor just glared at him and still didn’t speak.
“You stupid, asshole,” Lincoln growled. Then he told us what the idiot with no self-preservation instinct refused to say. “He told Nathan he was coming to work at the hospital here, and he wanted Nathan gone. Told him that instead of getting him fired this time, he was going after you and your job.”
“Oh really. Did you now? And what makes you think you could pull that off?” I asked. I was furious, but I was also curious.
“I am a well-known Trauma Doctor. This hospital knows how lucky they would be to have me, and they’re not going to choose a freaking security guard over me. If I want you gone, you’re gone. Just like Nathan was in Dallas,” he said looking awfully arrogant for a guy backed against the wall with an arm across his throat.
“Commander?” I said to Darren standing behind me.
Darren stepped up and took charge as he always did so well. “Son,” he said placing a hand on Lincoln’s shoulder.
“Yes, sir?” Lincoln replied.
“Let the douche bag go.”
Lincoln immediately stepped back, and Trevor slumped against the wall.
“So, Dr. Gibson, I presume?” he addressed Trevor and Trevor nodded.
“You seem pretty sure that the hospital would be willing to get rid of employees in order to get you to come on board.”
Trevor pulled himself up and said haughtily, “Well that’s just one of the perks of being a doctor.”
“Well see, Dr. Gibson, that is where you’re wrong. It isn’t a perk of being a doctor at my hospital.”
“Yeah?” Trevor lifted his chin and crossed his arms over his chest. “And which hospital is that?”
“Oh!” Darren said, feigning shock. “Did I forget to tell you my name? I'm Retired Navy Commander Darren Davis. Of course, now people just call me Mr. Davis.”
The shock on Trevor’s face would have been comical if I weren’t so worried about Nathan.
“I believe you had an appointment with me on Monday morning to finalize your employment contract.” Trevor gulped and nodded his head, and then Darren finished it. “I don’t think there’s any reason to bother. I can tell you right now we won’t be bringing you on board.”
“What?” Trevor exclaimed. “Seriously, do you know who I am? How in demand my services are? You’re going to choose a freaking mall cop over me?”
“First of all, Mr. Doyle here is Head of Emergency Services for the county as well as the hospital. Second, our security force consists of dedicated highly trained officers, and they and I take their position very seriously, and last, to answer your question, no, I’m not choosing them over you. I’m choosing not to hire you because I value the integrity of my hospital. I’m sure you would not be a good fit with our culture. Now can you see yourself out, or do I need to have you escorted?”
Darren turned to me and said, “Don’t worry about this, you go get your boy.” He then resumed dealing with Dr. Douche.
“He went to the ranch, didn’t he?” I asked Lincoln.
He took a deep breath, and as he let it out, he nodded “Probably. He was so upset, Alex. He said to tell you he was sorry. He was crying, and he just took off.”
I nodded. “Okay, I’m going after him. Call your mom and let her know I’m coming. “
My poor, poor Sunshine I thought as I headed to the car. When I caught up with him, I was going to hug him so tight, and then I swear I was going to spank his lace covered ass for running away from me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Alex
I went by the house and grabbed clothes for both me and for Nathan. I was betting he hadn’t even changed before he’d headed out of town. Luckily, Sassy was at Nathan’s place, so Lincoln would take care of her until I got Nathan back here. I put the coordinates for the ranch in my GPS and got on the road. Lincoln had promised to call me as soon as his mom said Nathan arrived. Just to be safe, he was going back to their apartment, but I was almost positive Nathan would go straight to Patty.
About an hour into the drive, I got a call from Linc letting me know that Nathan had arrived at the ranch. He said he’d told Patty I was on my way, but she wasn’t going to tell Nathan. She said Nathan tried to tell her he was okay.
My emotions were like a roller coaster on the drive. I was furious with him because he left me, but I was worried about him because I had no doubt that facing Trevor had been horrible for him. I loved him because he was willing to sacrifice his job and his happiness to protect me. And I wanted to wring his neck for even thinking for a second that I would let that happen.
As I pulled through the gate and drove up the drive, I could see Patty on the front porch waiting for me. I barely made it up the steps, and she was hugging me.
“Alex, I’m so glad you’re here. Are you doing okay?” she asked as she stepped back and looked me over like she needed to see for herself that I was okay.
“I’m fine, Patty. Or at least I will be when I get Nathan back home where he belongs. Is he inside?”
“No, he took off about thirty minutes ago. I can’t believe that asshole threatened my baby boy again. Lincoln told me what happened when he called. Please tell that boss of yours I said thank you.”
“I’ll tell him,” I assured her. I looked around and Nathan’s car was still in the drive, so he couldn’t have gone far. “So where did he go?”
“I’m not sure. He said he needed to clear his head and that he would be back in a little bit. Then he saddled up Sugar and took off.”
“Ah, I bet I know where he is then. Do you mind if I take one of the ATVs?”
“You go right ahead, and Alex, thank you for loving my boy.”
Nathan
I was sitting on my rock, looking out over the valley and listening for the sounds of the wild horses, but I didn't hear them tonight. I was completely alone. I’d panicked and walked away from the best man I’d ever known, and I was pretty sure the only man I would ever love. I was sitting here trying to convince myself that I didn’t have any other choice. If Alex lost his job because of me, he would come to regret it and resent me. Which means I did the right thing. But if I did the right thing, why did it feel so much like I was wrong?
I wanted him to wrap me up in his arms and tell me he didn’t care about the job. That h
e chose me. I wanted him to call me his sunshine and to kiss me until I didn’t hurt anymore. I had hurt for so long. First, from my parents kicking me out, and then from Trevor’s betrayal. But over the last few months, that pain had been replaced with something precious. It was like with every date and every kiss and every word he had slowly stitched my heart back together. He’d made it whole again. How was I supposed to let him go when I could feel him in the scars those stitches left on my heart? Because of him, I knew what real love was, but I couldn’t keep him because… because why?
Why couldn’t I keep him? We might have to find different jobs. I would be more than willing to change hospitals if it meant I could keep Alex. I loved him, and because of that, it wouldn’t be too much of a sacrifice, not if we would be together. My heart rate increased, and it was getting harder to breathe as my thoughts began to race. If I felt that way because I loved him, then odds were, he felt the same way. I loved my job at the hospital, but I loved Alex more and Oh. My. God. I’d walked away.
I’d walked away from him and he loved me. He was probably worried and angry, and I was such an idiot. This was so bad. Why hadn’t all this occurred to me on the way here instead of now when I was a couple of hours away and had already been gone long enough for Linc to deliver my message? Tell Alex I’m sorry. I just can’t do this. What a shitty ass message. You know what I really wanted right that moment? My cat. Sassy could always tell when I’d had a bad day and needed some kitty time. So that was it. I wanted my man and my cat, and I’d left them both in the city and ran.
But I was through running. I would go back. Explain what I was thinking and remind him that I love him and he loves me. And then I would pray that he would be willing to give me another chance.
I was trying to think of a Nathan is an idiot, win Alex back plan when an ATV roared down the trail. I stood up, dusted off my pants, and prepared for it to either be Patty or Mike on the ATV, but it wasn’t. When a big muscled body got off and started toward me, my breath caught. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but they weren’t. It was Alex. Here. And I figured at that point, fuck it, what did I have to lose, and I launched myself at him.