by Stark, Lola
He was on his bike when he left. There was a storm when he left. And that alone scared the living hell out of me.
He could be hurt and I’d not know. I spent approximately thirty seconds wondering if I’d driven him into the arms of some random skank, but decided that wasn’t a thought I wanted to travel down.
He had to have gone for a drink and gotten arrested. That was it; he’d gone for a drink, gotten into a fight and gotten arrested. Except, he must have been arrested across the other side of the country because I’d already called the police station and he wasn’t there. I’d also called Scarlett’s shop hoping he’d fallen asleep there, and my last resort, I’d called all the local hospitals. And nothing.
Radio silence.
Twelve Hours later…
I was rocking back and forth with the phone clasped to my chest, visible black rings under my eyes, and feeling like I couldn’t breathe.
The phone rang and I jumped without looking at the number. I quickly answered hoping for some news, any news. All I got was Trip’s sister, Haven, checking in; they’d been franticly searching from their end, but to no avail.
All I could think, while my eyes blurred with unshed tears, was what have I done?
Twenty-Four Hours later…
Tears streaming down my face, I took slow steps toward the door. I reached out and turned the knob. There weren’t many reasons a doorbell would ring at nearly two in the morning. I slowly cracked the door open to see two uniformed police officers looking somber and apologetic. The older of the two’s eyes fell to my stomach where I held a protective hand over it and he winced.
He winced.
“Ma’am,” The younger officer nodded at me. “Sorry for calling by this late but is this the residence of one Javerio ‘Trip’ Torres?”
Numbness took over as my body shook with silent sobs. My wet tears slid down my face hitting the arm holding onto my belly.
I did, however, feel my heart fall to the floor seconds before I crumpled to my knees and let out a long keening cry.
“Whoa! Are you okay, Ma’am?” The younger officer bent on one knee and watched me warily.
My heart hurt. This absolutely couldn’t be happening. This was not happening. “What—I—Trip?” I spluttered feeling a panic attack coming on.
“I’m afraid there was an accident involving Mr. Torres and we were sent to inform you.” The older officer stepped forward and started talking, “He’s okay, Ma’am. He’s been there for a while however. He had no identification when he was brought in, so it took some time to find out who he was.”
Dipping my chin, tears of relief came easily while I chanted mentally, No more fights, never again.
Then a thought settled into my brain. Why didn’t he tell them who he was?
My stomach dipped. A million of the worst possible scenarios flittered through my mind. I was now breathing short and shallow trying to wrap my head around it all.
“Is he okay? Really okay?” I asked quietly, terrified of what answer I might get, yet understanding in that moment what it meant to love somebody unconditionally.
As the officer nodded with kind eyes, my mind wandered.
No matter how bad this may be, I would stand by him. Picking myself up off the floor with a shudder, I pushed through the door still in my pajamas and made for the truck.
“Wait, Miss. Would you like us to take you to the hospital he’s been admitted to?”
“Oh, umm.” Shit! I didn’t even know where he was. I looked from Trip’s truck to the patrol car and back again.
“It might be best. I don’t think you‘re in any condition to drive right now. I insist.” The older salt and pepper haired officer steered me gently toward the back seat.
The entire drive I stared into space, scared out of my mind about what I was about to walk into.
“Right this way, please.” The plump nurse walked beside me. “You’re his Teeny, right?” she asked slightly amused. I was taken aback and my forehead scrunched in confusion.
“Pardon?” I asked.
She chuckled sweetly, “Since he woke up, he’s been asking to call his Teeny. I assume that’s you seeing as he’s described how stunning you are to anyone who’ll listen.”
“Is he okay? I mean—does he have…” I put my hand on her arm to slow her walk down. I needed to know what was wrong before I went in there. what to prepare myself for. Maybe he’d hit his head and had brain damage or something.
She smiled kindly, “He’s fine, honey. Just a little medicated. He has a few bumps and bruises, a broken pinkie finger and a couple of stitches on his head. The doctor has him on some strong painkillers so he’s a little out of it.” A giggle broke through as she shuffled us forward.
What’s so funny?
She pushed open a door and stepped through warily. And that’s when I saw him.
“Oh my God,” I gasped and rushed forward but stopped short of him. Trip was standing up over by the window. Butt naked.
The open, full-length, glass window, I might add. I looked back to a smirking nurse opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water.
“He refuses to wear a gown. Says he’s a dude and dudes don’t wear that shi—” she coughed, “…stuff. We’ve had security up here three times this morning to get him away from the window and cover up. I gotta say, I don’t mind the view. Your guy has a nice tush.” She was standing by the door not even attempting to do anything about his situation. I was still in shock. Seeing the cuts and bruises littering his body had my heart racing again. I moved forward a step when the nurse touched my arm bringing me to a halt.
“Wait for it.” The nurse looked from me and tipped her head to Trip. Before I could ask what the hell was going on, he did the funniest thing I’d even seen.
Placing his arms out by his sides, he stumbled a little before taking in a deep breath and belting out, “I’m a little teapot…”
I gaped. I tilted my head to the side and then I burst out laughing at the hilarity of it all. I had prepared myself for the worst and I found Trip high as a kite singing a kid’s lullaby. He was even doing the actions facing the window, just naked. Naked and singing about a teapot. He was okay. I could see it with my own eyes so I knew he was okay.
“…Short and stout!” he kept going.
Pulling out my phone, I shot a group message off letting his family know he was okay and I’d call soon with details, when suddenly, an idea hit me. It was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. So I went ahead and did what any normal person in this situation would do.
I hit record on my phone’s video camera and lifted it, taking in Trip’s performance as well as his spectacular ass. Something like this was too good to miss. Everyone needed to see it. I told myself it was all in support of him being fine. But my brain called bullshit.
“...Here is my handle. Here is my spout…” On the word spout, Trip openly and extremely obviously pointed to his dick. Laughing so hard that the phone shook, I watched as he kept up with his actions not even aware I was in the room. Snickering behind me was a group of female nurses all huddled together once they realized I was filming him.
A young male doctor walked into the room just as Trip finished his teapot rendition and cleared his throat causing the nurses to scatter. Slipping my phone away, I kept an eye on Trip trying to twirl like a ballerina but looking more like a monkey spinning in circles.
“You must be the famous Teeny then?” he smiled and stuck his hand out. He had a thousand-watt mega smile and a cute dimple in one side. His hands were strong and firm. I had a thing for man hands. I was also acutely aware that I was standing in front of a drop-dead gorgeous guy in my pajamas, no bra and a rat’s nest of hair sitting on top of my head. I felt the blush creep up my neck when my nipples peaked under my shirt. “I’m the resident doctor. You can call me Alex though.” His thumb rubbed gently over the back of my hand that he was still holding onto.
“I guess. I mean…I’m not famous. I’m just Teeny. I mean.
..I’m just me.” Flustered, I shook my head and stared down at my slipper-covered feet. Alex’s face was scrambling my head and looking at his chest hadn’t helped my hormones due to the fact he had a body like a God and arms to match. He wasn’t as hot as Trip but he had this air about him that would lure old ladies and desperate woman or just horny women. Apparently, I fell into that category.
I almost swooned when he put his hand on my arm and smiled down at me, “You’re as pretty as I thought you’d be.” The doctor coughed to hide his slip up. “I mean as he said you’d be.”
Good Lord, was he flirting with me? I wasn’t entirely sure seeing as it’d been a while since that had happened. “Oh,” was all I managed to squeak out before Trip cleared his throat behind us.
“Would you like a seat?” At the reminder of Trip, I checked myself. Shit, how could I be standing with Trip in the room—the man I had come to realize I loved—yet I was blushing at another guy? I was an ass, plain and simple. My hormones were controlling every reaction I had and it was not cool. “I’ll just get Trip settled first. He’s…umm, very under-dressed.” Turning, I shuffled toward Trip who was now glaring at the doctor with his hands on his hips and an erection that was more than a little impressive; the silver bar that was ever present catching the light and drawing extra attention. It appeared the drugs were starting to wear off and I was left with a very naked, very horny and rather pissed off Trip to deal with.
“Trip, honey, can you come put some clothes on now?” I asked stepping in front of him to conceal his lack of modesty.
“I don’t know. Is this jackass going to keep hitting on you?” he fumed and continued shooting daggers at the doctor. Oh dear, his jaw was ticking and the smiling, happy Trip was gone. He was now clenching his fists by his side.
“You have a problem though. One you need to cover up,” I hissed completely uncaring about his issue with the doctor.
Trip reached for me pulling me tight to his body and planted a heavy kiss on my lips. “My problem is there because you’re here. I can’t see you and not get hard. Deal with it,” he told me honestly while eyeing off the doctor over my shoulder. Holding me possessively to him, he was obviously proving a point.
A snort escaped me, “Next time, just piss on me. It’d do the same thing and probably save splitting your lip open again.” I noticed the cut on his lip had opened up from his caveman display.
With a grunt, he moved me behind him and shuffled to the bed sliding under the covers. He gripped my hand once he was settled. “Lay it on us, Dick, I mean, Doc. What’s the verdict?” I dug my nails into the side of his hand as a warning.
“Well, you seem to be in good health. Everything appears to be fine. Our only concern is the fact you had a head injury and were unconscious for a good period of time,” Alex told us keeping his eyes on the clipboard in his hands.
“My head’s fine. I remember everything I need to and I want to go home,” Trip said quietly letting my hand go and pulling the blanket up higher.
My heart sank. He really did think I didn’t love him.
Apparently, we were either as blind as each other or just ignorant. I hadn’t realized he loved me because I never thought it was even a possibility. He’d taken my silence as me not feeling the same. I needed to tell him how I felt, but I feared it might already be too late. The show he’d put on before was just that, a show, and only for the doctor. While it frustrated the hell out me, I was in no mood to be in the middle of a pissing contest. I was his. It was finally time to stop the games and the shitty sidestepping.
“I would be more comfortable if you stayed overnight just to keep an eye on you and make sure you have no neurological problems. It’s a precautionary measure that I strongly suggest you accept.” Dr. Alex looked at Trip who was wincing but nodded anyway. “Okay, I’ll have the nurse come in and give you some more pain medication. Your head should stop hurting over the next few hours. In the meantime, you need only take something to take the edge off.” Trip looked toward the window clearly dismissing us. The doctor wrote something down, turned and left the room leaving us alone with an awkward silence.
“Thanks for coming. I’m okay so you can probably go now,” Trip whispered not looking at me.
I felt my nose sting and the tears pool in my eyes. He didn’t want me here. I had messed this up, but I was wearing my big girl knickers and it was time to step up. “No!” I burst out, “No, I won’t go anywhere. I’m staying right here. And you’re going to give me a chance to explain.”
His head snapped back like I’d slapped him across the face. He glared at me but didn’t say a word, so I decided to push on with my speech. “You didn’t even give me time to answer you before you stomped out of the house like a petulant child.” I put my hand up at him when he opened his mouth to cut me off. “I had things to say to you and you didn’t let me.“ His scowl stopped my rant in its tracks.
He scoffed, “You cried. I handed you my heart and you fucking cried. You don’t feel the same. I got that, but don’t sit here now acting all high and mighty like I did something wrong. Excuse me if I didn’t want a play-by-play of all the reasons why you don’t want me,” he snarled, his face a mask of anger that didn’t hide the underlying hurt he was feeling.
“I do though. That’s just the thing. I love you. I just lost my words. I never thought it was possible for you to feel like that about me. Besides the fact, we’re all wrong for each other, damn it, Trip. I do freakin’ love you.” I ranted at him. Tears streamed down my face and I was pretty sure I looked like ass.
Trip’s eyes searched my face while I kept up the rambling. “I—you just didn’t give me a minute to tell you that. I was crying because, well, I cry! That’s what I do! Not before, but now, I cry all the damn time. Shit, I cry when the fabric softener commercial comes on! I cry when we’re out of pickles! I just cry and I—” My rant died as Trip pulled me down to him and kissed the words right out of my mouth. He slid his tongue across my bottom lip and bit down gently tearing a small gasp from me. Before I knew it, his hands were in my hair and he was devouring me.
He pulled back just enough to growl against my lips, “You love me.” A statement. Fact.
He pulled me down onto the bed beside him. Lying face-to–face, pressed as tightly as my swollen belly would allow, I nodded and leaned my forehead against his. Squeezing my eyes closed, I focused on regulating my jagged breathing.
“You scared me. We couldn’t find you,” I mumbled relaxing when his hand ran slowly over my hip. “I was terrified. The police came to the door and I thought…” Closing my eyes, I whispered, “I thought you were gone.”
The tears started again at the mention of my early morning visitors. “Shhh, Princess. I’m okay.” He pushed the hair off my face and kissed my forehead ever so gently. “I’m not goin’ anywhere. I’m right here.” I couldn’t even feel badly that I was curled up crying in his arms because they were warm and safe. They held promises I couldn’t even believe I deserved. Promises that I had craved since I was a young child and alone.
“What happened?” I sniffled against his neck where I had dropped my face.
“I’m still not entirely sure, but the police told me a driver clipped the front wheel of my bike. It was raining and only just daylight. I don’t remember much of it, but I do remember that I flew through the air, and next thing I knew, I woke up here.” He rubbed a thumb softly up and down my arm and went on, “I was brought in here but I had no wallet or phone, nothing to identify me so they couldn’t tell who I was until I woke up and could talk. The only thing I managed to get out was your name before I passed out again. I guess they tracked you down and that’s it; that’s all I know.”
I fell silent wondering where he’d been the entire night. I had just gotten up the courage to ask when a nurse poked her head in the door and smiled brightly, “I just need to check a few things before I give you some pain relief.” She shuffled in and set to work taking Trip’s temperature and blood pressure. I shifted
to move off the bed and out of the way when Trip’s hold tightened and he whispered, “I was up at the lookout, alone. All night. Just thinking.” His gorgeous eyes implored me to hear him and understand. He was beaten and bruised in a hospital bed, yet he was comforting me.
“I’ve gotta get home and get dressed. You made me leave the house in pajamas, no bra and slippers. I look like crap.” I snuggled back into his side making no attempt to leave. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe and wanted. The irony of it was, the person who had originally made me feel lost and out of touch, was making me feel like I was home for the very first time in my life.
The nurse quietly fluttered about poking and prodding Trip before pushing a syringe into his IV. He tightened his arms and kissed the top of my head before mumbling, “I love you.” Before I knew it, his breathing evened out and his arms went soft.