by Lee Wardlow
“You okay?”
“The light is bright.”
Zach gently placed Nova in the passenger seat. He was dialing his dad as he ran around the car and climbed behind the wheel. His mustang roared to life drowning out his father’s hello. He was backing out of the parking spot when he finally heard his father say hello for the third time.
“Dad, I’m taking Nova to the hospital.”
“Nova? What happened Zachariah?” Beau’s voice carried through the speakers on Zach’s phone. She could hear the panic in her cousin’s voice.
He put the car in drive and floored the car. “Zach, calm down. You need to get there in one piece.”
“It was my fault. She was sitting on my bed talking to me and I gave her a little shove and told her to leave. I was sleeping when she came in. You know how I am when I first wake up. She rolled backwards off my bed and hit the nightstand. There was so much blood, Dad. I hurt her.”
She reached across the seats and covered his hand with hers. “It was an accident Zach,” she reassured him.
“Let me talk to her,” Beau told his son.
“You’re on speaker Dad. You can talk to her.”
“Hey sweetheart, you okay?”
“My head apparently isn’t as hard as I thought,” she told him. Her voice was thick with emotion. “Zach thinks it needs stitches.”
“He’s had enough of them. He probably is right.”
She laughed. Then she started to cry. “My head hurts really badly.”
“I’ll be right there,” Beau told her. “Dallas and Tyler stopped by to talk shop. I’ll shove them out the door and leave.”
“Thanks.” She had to admit comforting Zach wasn’t what she wanted to do. She wanted to be comforted right now. Beau would take care of her and Zach both when he arrived at the hospital.
When they arrived she felt less dizzy so Nova walked into the ER herself. Zachariah had his arm around her though, to keep her steady. She could see his increasing discomfort as the woman at the registration desk took her information. Giving him the evil eye while she copied Nova’s insurance card and driver’s license.
Then a nurse came to get Nova. She was equally brutal to Zach. She hadn’t even asked her what had happened. She asked Zach to take a seat in the waiting room.
“My name is Linda.” She was pumping the blood pressure cuff on her arm. She had already looked at Nova’s head and knew she would need stitches. Her blood pressure was normal. “What happened to you sweetheart?”
“My cousin,” Nova looked over her shoulder. She could see Zach sitting in the waiting area playing with his phone. He was nervous. “He’s nineteen. I woke him, arms and legs flailing. He knocked me off his bed. My head hit the corner of his nightstand.”
“You two look nothing alike,” Linda told her. “Are you sure you’re related?”
“My sister probably looks more like a Daughtry than I do because I inherited the blonde hair from the other side of the family.”
“He looks pretty upset.” She was taking Nova’s temperature now.
“Zachariah was terrified.”
“Okay sweetheart, let’s get an x-ray of that head of yours to be sure nothing is cracked then we’ll stitch you up.”
“Thanks,”
It didn’t take long to find out that nothing was cracked as Linda had put it. Her brain was still intact, although she had a mild concussion. Her head took ten stitches to close. She couldn’t wash her hair for two weeks. She was pulling the strands that were soaked in blood and stained red and looking at the doctor.
“I can’t really teach my kids looking like this.”
“Just don’t get your stitches wet,” he teased her.
She rolled her eyes at him. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to wash this blood out and not get her stitches wet. They gave her something for the pain and a prescription to take home. Linda, the nice nurse pushed her in a wheelchair back to the waiting area. She groaned in frustration. There sat Tyler and Dallas Danner, Beau and Zach Daughtry waiting on her. She covered her eyes.
“What’s wrong sweetheart?” Linda stopped moving the wheelchair forward.
“Too many people,” she replied to Linda, “are waiting on me.” One too many in particular and where did his woman go? She needed a name because calling her his woman was just not cutting it.
Linda looked up and realized that Zach was no longer alone. “Sorry sweetheart. She began moving forward again. “Who gets the instructions for our girl here?” She asked. “You aren’t sending her home with the whiz-kid are you?”
Zach said yes at the same time his father and Tyler said no. She looked up at all three of them.
“Who is tall, blonde and yummy?” Linda whispered in Nova’s ear.
“Ex-something or other,” Nova replied with a wave of her hand.
“She can’t be alone for twenty-four hours,” Linda began.
“I’ll take care of her,” Beau, Tyler and Zach said at the same time. Then they all looked at each other.
Nova looked at them. She reached out to Zach. He took her hand and held it. “You have classes for the next three days. You are not missing them.”
“But I want to take care of you,” he offered.
“I know. I understand and appreciate it but I’ll be fine with Beau and Lupe to care for me.”
He didn’t release her hand. “All right. Want me to bring some stuff from the apartment to you?”
“That I would like.”
Linda got the men moving forward so Nova could go home. She had a raving headache at the moment. Beau ran to the Lexus in the ER parking lot and brought it to the curb. She started to get out of the wheelchair and swayed. Zach and Tyler reached for her. Both had an arm when their eyes met over her head. They glared at each other.
Zach wasn’t thrilled with Tyler Danner after the way he had hurt Nova. Tyler wasn’t thrilled with Zach at the moment for hurting her even if it was an accident.
Both men helped her to the car. “I’ll be over to Dad’s in a little while,” Zachariah told Nova.
“Don’t forget about me Zach. All I have is this bloody dress to wear.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“All right.” She let him close the door.
Beau went around the vehicle and climbed behind the wheel. “This has been interesting,” he said to her.
“I’m not sure I want to know,” Nova replied holding her head.
“As I explained, Tyler and Dallas decided to stop at the house on the way back to Savannah.” She already knew this part.
“Where was his woman?” She asked interrupting Beau.
“Her name is CeeCee.”
“Thank god, I finally have a name for her. So where is CeeCee?”
“At my house. Not too happy with Tyler that he’s so concerned about you.”
“Great,” Nova replied. “Beau, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure sweetheart. Anything.”
“What is CeeCee’s last name?”
Nova thought she knew her. The Governor of Alabama’s daughter. She had graduated law school, she thought where Tyler had gone.
“She’s who you think she is. CeeCee Magnus.”
“Was he seeing her when he was seeing me?”
Beau glanced across at Nova quickly. “I don’t know for sure.”
“What do you think?”
“I think that is a good possibility.”
“So CeeCee Magnus is a woman that could make his political career,” Nova said. She couldn’t stop the hurt in her tone. “The women whose ancestor owned one of the largest cotton plantations in the state of Georgia before the Civil War. She had a coming out party that cost more than my tuition in one year. She has pedigree.”
Beau reached across the seat and took her hand. “You have more.”
“What is that?” She asked, definitely trying to keep the tears at bay. Beau pulled into the local drugstore to drop off her prescription. “What do I have more of?”
“Charm. A beautiful smile. Love in abundance.”
“You have to say that. You’re like my well you’re like my father now,” her voice had gone soft when she said the words. “Cousin just doesn’t do our relationship justice anymore.”
He laughed. Then he turned off the car. “I’ll be right back.”
She heard her phone inside her purse. Somewhat surprised she had any battery left at all. She took out the device and looked at it; a text from Jamie Stone.
Hey Beautiful. Can’t stop thinking about you.
She smiled. I bet if you could see me now you would find a way.
Why’s that?
Spent the morning in the ER. My hair is stained red. Can’t wash
Hair for two weeks according to the doctor. I have 10, count them
10 stitches in the back of my head. Good news is they found my
brain. It is still in working order.
Oh and mild concussion.
Her phone rang. “Hi there,” she said.
“What the hell happened?” He sounded concerned for her.
“Hi,” she said reminding him that he had not acknowledged her.
“Hi. Now what the hell happened?”
“I went to Zach’s room to talk to him. He wasn’t in a talking mood. He was sleeping. It isn’t always a good idea to wake Zach from a sound sleep. He gave me a little shove. I fell backwards off his bed. Hit my head on the nightstand.”
“I don’t think he should be putting his hands on you.”
“Trust me, he feels terrible,” Nova reassured him.
“Head wounds bleed a lot,” Jamie said knowingly.
“Yes they do. I think my dress might be ruined. I thought Zach might cry when he told Beau on the phone.”
“Are you okay?” His voice was soft and tender filling her with thoughts of what it could be like if she let him in. She was biting on her lower lip.
“I am. Headache from Hell. Beau is picking up my medicine right now.”
“You’re staying with him?”
“I am. Zach has classes over the next three days and I’m supposed to be monitored for at least the next twenty-four hours.”
“Well you just let Beau know if he needs help monitoring you…I’ll be happy to assist.”
She chuckled. “I’ll tell him that but I don’t think that kind of monitoring is what the doctor ordered.”
“It might be the best medicine ever. Listen, I gotta run sweetheart but I’ll call you later.”
“I’d like that Jamie.”
When Beau and Nova arrived at his house. Definitely not Sugar Run but a nice house in the country with a sprawling lot filled with lots of trees. It was more contemporary which surprised Nova. The winding, paved sidewalk from the drive to the front door had lanterns along the walkway.
The front of the house was glass and steel. The double doors were painted black and steel as well. Beau opened the door for her. CeeCee was sitting in the sunken living room off to the right as they entered.
“CeeCee, I don’t think Tyler introduced you to Nova Daughtry. She is my cousin but is more like a daughter to me.” He reiterated her words from earlier.
“He did not.” She sounded bored.
“I’m happy to meet you,” Nova replied sweetly.
“Really? Why?”
“CeeCee,” Beau warned her. This was his house. Nova was his family. Nova laid her hand on his arm.
“I’m sorry that you feel the need to be rude to me when I have done nothing wrong to you,” Nova defended herself. “Could I have my medication?” She asked Beau.
“You’re sure you want me to leave you two alone?” Beau was glancing between the two women.
“We’ll be fine.”
“CeeCee, be nice to her. She has a concussion.”
“I’m always nice, Beau.”
CeeCee stood as she watched Beau head towards the kitchen. She stood because Nova didn’t sit down. “When did you date Tyler? I know that he’s dated you sometime in the past. He was too interested in what you were doing with that man with the bike. He watched you all day at that funeral.”
“How long have you been dating Tyler?” Nova countered.
“Our first date was last May. We saw each other casually until about a month ago,” she answered. She had her arms crossed over her chest staring at Nova waiting for an answer. Tyler cleared his throat. Nova glanced over her shoulder.
“Tyler and I were only casually seeing each other long before you,” Nova replied. “I’m going to the family room to lie down now. I have a massive headache. If you’ll excuse me.”
Nova slipped around CeeCee. She was barely keeping the tears at bay as she walked down the long hallway. Her sandals tapping against the polished, hardwood floor. She met Beau coming from the kitchen. He handed her a glass of water and a pain pill.
“Why do you look like you are about to cry?”
“I’ll explain later. I just need to lay down for a while.”
“All right,” he agreed letting her pass by him.
The pain medicine put her right to sleep. Beau covered her with a blanket when he went to check on her. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. He and Dallas had prevented Tyler from coming back here to see her.
She knew the truth now. He had been sleeping with her and dating CeeCee. Beau had only recently found out when Dallas told him the truth. He thought Nova was over Tyler so he hadn’t told her. Beau caressed her cheek. Maybe she wasn’t over Tyler after all.
When Zach arrived he went back to the living room to see her. He lifted her feet and put them in his lap. Nova rolled to her back. “What time is it?” She was raspy and still sleepy from the pain pill.
“Four,” he replied.
“Did you bring me clothes?”
“Right there.” He pointed to the chair where her small overnight bag sat.
“Are you just getting here?” She asked.
“No, I’ve been here for hours.”
“Liar. I’ve been lied to enough.”
Zach rubbed her feet. “Dad told me.”
Nova covered her face with her arm. “I’m an idiot.”
“Nope. You really liked him. It was a dirtbag move on Tyler’s part.”
Nova sat up and scooted down by Zachariah. He slipped his arm around her and held her close. He kissed her head. “I’m really sorry for hurting you.”
She slipped her arm across his belly. Rock hard six pack abs. Girls loved Zachariah Daughtry. She didn’t really know what he thought of girls. “I know you are.”
Beau entered the family room and stopped. “This is how I like to see you two. Not at each other’s throats.”
“We don’t usually argue Beau,” Nova replied. “I just nag him to the point he gets pissed at me and shoves me off his bed.”
He rolled his eyes at her. Eyes that were the same color as hers. “I said I was sorry.”
She gave him a little squeeze.
“We had a tough time convincing Tyler he needed to leave without talking to you,” Beau told her. “I imagine he will be calling you. I just wanted to forewarn you.”
“I imagine he has nothing to say that I want to hear. Beau he was dating her, whether casually or not while he was coming to my apartment.” She decided to be a little discreet about their activities although she knew Beau knew what they were doing. Hell, the whole family knew what they were doing. “Two months, he was seeing both of us.”
“I got that,” Beau replied. “CeeCee didn’t believe you, by the way but she appreciated the fact that you tried to spare her feelings.”
“I did,” Nova replied. “Why should she feel as badly as I do? It wasn’t her fault any more than it was mine.”
“No Nova it wasn’t. Honestly, I don’t think Tyler meant to hurt either of you. I really think he’s torn.”
“Dad, what’s he torn about? He deliberately used Nova. He never had any intention of it going anywhere with her.”
“I think he’s not sure of the
whole political career that Dallas sees for him. His passion is law. He and I have spoken about it a time or two.” Beau sat down in a chair across from Zach and Nova.
“Dallas wants the House of Representatives first. Then the Senate. Maybe Governor someday. Who knows maybe even President. Tyler has the charm and magnetism of a Kennedy. That is what is driving Dallas. Tyler could succeed where he failed.”
“He hasn’t learned anything,” Zach told Beau.
“Maybe not.” He wasn’t going to badmouth his best friend.
“I’m sorry that he hurt you,” Beau told Nova.
“I allowed him to. I won’t make that mistake again.”
Chapter 7
Beau was right. Tyler repeatedly called her until later that evening. So did Jamie until she finally caught his call.
“I was beginning to wonder about you.”
“I was resting,” she told him. “I silenced my phone and forgot to take it off silence.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Well I’m out of the bloody dress. Hair still feels gross. The headache is a little better so I guess I’m doing well.”
“How long are you staying at Beau’s?”
“Probably tonight and tomorrow night. If we can get the blood out of my hair without getting the stitches wet, I’d like to return to school on Monday. I think I might frighten my students with the amount of blood in my hair right now.”
“I would offer to help but I am heading out to D.C. in the morning.”
“For the project we talked about?”
“Yes,” he replied. “I’m meeting Dallas and his cronies on Friday morning. I could be gone for a while.”
“What’s a while?” Nova found that she was disappointed that Jamie could be going away for a while. They wouldn’t be getting to know each other as he had suggested. As she wanted.
“A week definitely. If things go well a month to start.”
“That long,” she said. Nova couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice.
“You going to miss me?”
“No.” She lied. She was just beginning to wonder about Jamie Stone. He was friendly and quick witted. He was charming, almost rakish.