Mariah: The M Series: Book Two

by Ryanne Anthony

  As I opened the door to the stairwell, I heard a loud bang, followed by glass breaking, then Marcus' loudly exclaimed ‘FUCK!’

  * * *

  “Why are you so flustered, Cookie?” Lisa asked while I drove us home.

  No way was I telling her about Marcus and my Peds floor adventure. After that little episode, I hid out in the women’s locker room, thinking the whole thing through over and over as I showered, praying I could forget it ever happened when I dressed. I certainly wouldn't appreciate my fiancé behaving in that manner and I felt incredibly guilty for my part. Like I said so many times, that girl was, and never would be, me.

  “I don't know... happy to see Nathan, I guess.”

  “I'm happy, too!” Lisa sighed the grinned. “I can't wait to see him!”

  Her cell rang and I tuned her out as she talked to her mother. I vowed to speak to Nathan about this while he was here. He'd know what to say to help me get over Marcus while trying to get past my guilt.

  Marcus. I shuddered in my seat thinking about this afternoon's indiscretion.

  So much for forgetting.

  * * *

  We arrived home and after she changed, Lisa handed me her car keys and kindly suggested I pick Nathan up alone, to give us a chance to talk. She had to go to her mom's; her stepfather’s parents were in town and they wanted to see her as well as the two her mother had with her stepfather. Nathan today, T3 and Ethan tomorrow and all three will be here for at least two weeks, at the same time.

  By the time Nathan’s plane landed, I was so excited to see him that I was practically jumping in my seat, waiting for him to enter the terminal as I glanced over the incoming passengers. I jumped up when I finally saw him.

  “Nathan,” I yelled. He looked up and around, then he spotted me and smiled. I ran to him as soon as he cleared the baggage check. He dropped his bag and caught me.

  I cried into his neck, happy to have something, someone familiar after so long. “Oh, Deet, I'm so glad you're here!”

  He hugged me tightly, with one hand on the back of my head. This only made me cry harder. It's how he always held me when I was upset and crying.

  I missed it so much and would’ve appreciated it greatly over the last few weeks.

  “Hey, hey Bug... what's this? What's wrong,” he asked as he rocked me, still holding me firmly. He pulled back to look into my eyes. He’s always said he can tell how much pain I'm in and what type by looking into my eyes. I held my head down, too ashamed to let him scrutinize me.

  He gripped my chin with his thumb and index finger and lifted my head. His eyes flashed relief moments after I finally caved and let him observe me.

  “You've fallen for someone,” he said matter-of-factly.

  Damn, I thought, as I sniffled. He was way off this time. Usually, he hit it on the nail.

  “What? Deet, no! I just missed you is all.”

  He handed me a pack of tissues. Doctors. They never are far without them.

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  He smiled, picked up his bag and wrapped his other arm around my shoulders as we walked toward the exit. I cleaned my face and tossed the tissue into a receptacle. I pull out another and dabbed my eyes. When we got outside, he started to grill me.

  Still holding on to my shoulders, Nathan murmured, “All right, Bug. Who is it?”

  I continued looking at the ground. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  “Mariah, it's Nathan you're talking to and this is not the relationship we have. We don't hide anything from each other, no matter what it is. Besides, a rug lies better than you. Come on, truth time.”

  I took a deep breath. “He's a doctor in Pops' office.”

  “Unh-huh. And what's the problem, he doesn't want you? He can't be that stupid.”

  “No, that's not it.” I blushed and nudged him for the compliment. “I know for a fact he wants to have sex with me, but that's all he wants... Nathan, he's engaged.”

  He froze and looked down at me. “What the–? He's not stupid, he's fucking dumb!” He looked at me in horror. “Mariah, you... tell me you didn't–”

  “No! No, Nathan, of course not... well... almost,” I murmured, grimacing.

  He dropped his bag and puts both hands on top of his head, gaping with a disappointed look on his face.

  “Christ, Mariah,” he yelled. “I let you out of my sight for five minutes and this... that person is not you!”

  “I know! I know,” I pleaded, grabbing his arms. “I am so ashamed of myself.”

  He studied me for a moment. Shaking his head, Nathan picked up his bag, took my hand and we started walking again.

  “Where's the car,” he asked.

  “Another block up. Are you mad at me, Deet?”

  He gave me a long look, then sighed. “No, Bug. I'm pissed at your situation and this asshole you're hooked on.”

  When we made it to Lisa's SUV, Nathan threw his bag in the backseat. He sat in the front passenger seat then I reached to start the car but he grabbed my arm.

  “Not yet. Talk to me. What's going on, Bug?”

  I stared at the steering wheel. “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything. From the beginning.”

  I turned to him and told him everything that's happened so far and Nathan's eyes danced as he listened. I turned away from him and became crimson when I mentioned that day's activity.

  “Start the car, Bug. Let's go.”

  I looked at him. He was smiling!

  I frowned. “Huh? I thought we were talking.”

  He chuckled, fastening his seatbelt. “Nothing to talk about; the guy's in love with you and, what’s even more incredible, you are with him.”

  “WHAT? Where did you get that from? We've only known each other a week!”

  “Come on, Bug!” He chuckled again. “How can you not see it? It's right there in black and white.”

  I shook my head. All those hours at the hospital had finally caught up with him. I started the car and soon pulled into traffic.

  “You've lost your mind, Deet.”

  “HA! No way! You know, that sentence, 'This is not over'? Classic. That's love.”

  “He's engaged, Nathan. He only wants my body.”

  “Yeah, his situation is fucked up but still... he's in love with you,” he said confidently. “I’m sure he wants way more than your body.”

  “We've only known each other for a week,” I repeated, shrieking, as panic gripped me. “Geez, you need a nap, Doc. A long one. And that's my professional opinion.”

  He laughed again. “Okay, okay. God, I can't wait to meet this guy. Someone's finally broken through the ‘leave me the fuck alone’ wall you erected. Wow. This guy must be made of iron!”

  I punched him in the chest. “Shut up, Deet!”

  “Ow,” he whined and rubbed his chest in mock pain.

  I willed him to change the subject. He did.

  “How's my girl,” he asked quietly.

  “Ah, now that's a fella in love.” I glanced at him. “Deet? Are you blushing?”

  “No,” he denied and sunk in his seat.

  “I'm glad for you, Nathan. Maybe someday, you can be my brother for real.”

  He blushed again and sank lower. “Can you just... watch the road, for Heaven's sake?”

  * * *

  We stopped to have dinner, my best friend and I, and I was grateful all talk of love and relationships went on hold. We chatted about everything else that was going on in our respective lives, and just laughing and being free. I loved it and missed it and was glad we had him for two weeks.

  After we went to my apartment, where I parked in the lot at the back of the building. Nathan grabbed his bag and we slowly moved to the door. Once again, Nathan walked with me hip to hip, his bag in one hand and his free arm around my shoulder; my arm held his waist.

  “Lisa's just as excited to see you as you are to see her,” I offered, bumping his hip.

  “Is she? Are you sure?”
/>
  “Oh, yeah. No doubt.”

  “I hope so. I love her, Bug.”

  “Please tell her soon. I believe she loves you, too.” I glanced at my watch. It was almost nine. “Ooh, she should be back any minute, now.”

  His smile turned into a big grin. “Thanks for introducing us. We would never be if it weren't for you.” He leaned over and kissed my temple. “I love you, Mariah.”

  I bumped him again as I looked up at him and smiled. “I love you, too, Nathan.”

  “You should have told me you were in love with someone else,” an angry voice snarled behind us. “This afternoon never would've happened had I known.”

  Not again. Shit.

  Nathan and I turned. Marcus was standing behind us looking like he was having a hard time holding on to his ire.

  Ire, hell. That man was beyond incensed.

  “Is that him,” Nathan asked quietly, stepping a little in front of me.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  Marcus looked so delicious in jeans and a fitted black t-shirt. I could see his chiseled abs through it. My sex sang to me and my thoughts wandered. I wanted to…

  Ugh! Snap out of it Hollander!

  I shook my head. “Marcus, what are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you,” he answered, too quietly. “I thought I may owe you an apology plus explain certain things. Had I known you were... entertaining, I would have made an appointment. Does he know about your almost liaison with Wexler?”

  I dropped my jaw, stunned. “Are you calling me a slut, Marcus?”

  He shrugged. Slow and cold, he said, “Take what you want from it.”

  I glared at him and everything darkened as nausea gripped me. “You son of a –” I started, but Nathan turned and held up a hand.

  “No, Mariah. Calm down. Relax and breathe,” Nathan urged slowly, then he turned to speak to that ass-wipe that was standing over there seething.

  “Look... um, Marcus, right? I can't stand here and let you refer to Mariah that way. You've got everything all wrong and besides, it's just not fair. Mariah is a lady in every way. I believe you owe her an apology.”

  “I don't think so,” Marcus muttered then turned to walk away.

  A limo pulled up and Lisa jumped out, grinning ear to ear. “Nathan,” she yelled then lady-runs to Nathan. As she ran past Marcus, she gave a breathless, “Hi, Doc!”

  Laughing, I moved out of their way. She jumped right into Nathan's open, waiting arms. The smile on his face could’ve lit a million candles. His love for her was written all over his face.

  “Oh, Nathan... I missed you so much,” she groaned against his mouth.

  “I've missed you more, sweetie,” he replied.

  Grinning, I turned toward home and saw Marcus watching me intently. I got instantly pissed and my grin vanished. Marcus looked at the ground.

  “Shit,” he muttered as he kicked a rock. He actually had the nerve to look up at me, apologetically.

  I glared at him as nausea took over my stomach again. “Fuck you, Marcus,” I said as I started toward our front door. I stopped as a familiar pain shot through my head.

  “What's happening,” a winded Lisa asked.

  “Way to uphold my whole 'Mariah is a lady' argument, Bug.”

  “Bug,” Lisa and Marcus asked at the same time.

  “Shut up, Deet,” I shouted as I started to walk away again.

  Ugh, we behaved so well during Mom’s wedding activities.

  “Deet,” they asked in unison again.

  I paused once more and gasped as the nausea deepened. Lisa squiggled out of Nathan's arms and rushed to my side.

  Her hand went to my back and rubbed. “Cookie, what's wrong?”

  “Marcus implied I was a slut,” I whispered to her, my eyes welling.

  Lisa inhaled sharply when she registered what I'd said. Suddenly, my back is forgotten and Lisa whirled around to Marcus.

  “Don’t, Twink,” I pleaded. I attempted to grip her arm but she snatched it away from me.

  “How dare you speak to my sister that way? What the fuck is your problem, asshole,” Lisa yelled, swiftly marching over to Marcus. “I did not help you in order for you to insult Mariah that way! Answer me! What the fuck is your problem?”

  Nathan ran up and grabbed her from behind. He easily picked her up and walked the opposite way of Marcus. She was attempting to flail and rant but Nathan had a firm grip on her arms, waist, and mouth. When he thought he'd gotten her a safe distance away from Marcus, he put her down and attempted to calm her. She folded her arms across her breasts and tapped her Jimmy Choo-ed foot.

  I looked at Marcus and he was just standing there, looking thoroughly amused.

  “She was about to kick my ass,” he said, laughing.

  “Ya think?” I rolled my eyes at him. I still didn't find any-fucking-thing funny and I wasn’t about to pretend I did. “He should have let her. You deserve a good ass beating right now. Your opinion of me was completely unfounded, not to mention wrong.”

  Marcus stopped laughing. “Mariah... please let me apologize.”

  “No, Marcus! Go away,” I yelled at him. I pinched between my eyes as pain shot through my brain. A fucking migraine. Not now! “Ow! No... no,” I groaned.

  “No,” Lisa shouted. “I know that all of that and now, I don't care! She's my sister, Nathan! He, of all people, will not talk to her that way! No one fucking will!”

  I heard her heels stomp in an echo on the sidewalk. I had to get her to stop.

  I gripped my head. “I'm okay, Twink, s-stay with Nathan.”

  Lisa stopped. I panted as the pain shot again, then her heels began to clunk once more, faster. The sound was excruciating. I screamed, fell to my knees and covered my ears.

  “Nathan, help,” Lisa yelled.

  “Lisa, your shoes,” he shouted back.

  I looked over in time to see her pull them off then run toward me, barefoot. I shut my eyes tight, silently praying for the pain to stop.

  Five months without a migraine; not even a pain while my mother was gone on her honeymoon. As much as I missed her, I managed to maintain control and be pain-free. Today's pain had hit me faster than ever before and I had nothing to blame except all of the stress of the day.

  And your stupidity at wanting an unavailable man. Good going, Hollander.

  Mine? Hmmph. Whatever happened to ‘us’ as well as ‘our’ and ‘we’?

  Yeah, well…

  A wave of nausea hit me again and I was ready to hit the sidewalk. I was gently lifted and carried like a bride over the threshold, without a jostle. I relaxed as much as I could but still couldn’t open my eyes; the pain was too excruciating.

  The muted street lights hurt.

  Blinking wounded.

  Breathing was damn near maiming.

  Chapter Six

  Unbelievable Pain…

  I was aware of our front door opening and Lisa running around frantically shutting off every light.

  “Shit,” she muttered. “That cleaning lady moved the flashlight!”

  “I have a small one,” Marcus whispered near my ear. I realize then he was carrying me. “On my keys attached to my belt loop at my right.”

  “Got it,” Nathan whispered.

  I saw the small light come on and pain shot through my brain. I whimpered and a cold damp towel was gently placed over my eyes, effectively putting me in the dark again. Lisa's idea to keep wet towels in the fridge was a massively brilliant idea. Usually, nothing else was in there. Well, maybe juice and milk.

  Lisa whispered to Marcus, “Up the stairs, last door on your right.”

  Marcus eased us up the stairs, careful not to jostle me. When he got to my room, he slowly and gently laid me on my bed. My now warm towel was replaced by another cold one. I heard my drapes closing. I groaned. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard inside my brain.

  “I’m sorry, Cookie,” Lisa whispered.

  I heard the soft click of the night light in the corn
er.

  “Mariah,” Nathan whispered. “Where are your meds? I don't see them in your purse.”

  I groaned again and gasped. Pain was shooting through my head at the slightest move, slightest sound.

  “None...” I whispered and panted slowly as I started to sweat. Even my own voice was painful.

  “I'm a pediatrician so I can't write a script for her,” Marcus whispered. “We should get her to the E.R.”

  “I’ll write one,” Nathan whispered back. “I've done it before. I know exactly what she needs.”

  “You're a doctor,” Marcus murmured, surprised.

  “Yeah, Internal and Trauma are my focus. Lisa, where's the nearest pharmacy?”

  “A little over a mile away.”

  “Does she have any morphine?”

  “No, TSA confiscated it when we last flew here.”

  “Okay, take me to the pharmacy. I'll call it in on the way.”

  Lisa held my hand gently. “We'll be right back, Cookie,” she whispered.

  I gripped her hand. “Don't... leave... me... alone,” I whispered in a panic.

  “I'm here, Mariah,” Marcus softly assured. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  I thought he'd gone. I released Lisa's hand, relieved. “K,” was all I could muster.

  I was vaguely aware of Lisa and Nathan softly leaving the room. Shit, she forgot my clothes! I was starting to really sweat and the last thing I need was to become dehydrated.

  “I'll be right here on the floor next to your bed if you need anything, Mariah,” Marcus whispered to me again.

  “Clothes... over... heat.”

  I started to cry. Talking was shooting daggers all over my brain. Crying would only make it worse and I’d be in real trouble then. I panted, trying to control the tears.

  “Shh... it's okay. I'm going to start with your shoes and work my way up.”

  He sounded so professional.

  “K,” I whispered.

  I felt my shoes come off one at a time at a very slow, very careful pace. He had a good bedside manner; he had to be wonderful with the children he treated. He was just as good as Nathan. I assumed it must be the doctor training.