by KL Myers
I’m back at the station working out, trying to get some of the pent-up frustration out, when Scott comes over to stand next to the bench I’m lying on.
“So you want to tell me what has you freaked the fuck out, bro?” I just look at him
“No.” One word is all I’ve got for him, but that fucker can’t let it go.
“I know you stop by to see that girl every time we are at the hospital. You don’t think I see you disappear for a few minutes every time? I haven’t asked, because frankly, it’s none of my business, but today is different, so spill it, jackass. Tell me what’s eating you.”
I don’t answer just yet. I finish my last set before I place the bar back in its holder and rise.
“Not much to say,” I tell him. “I just wanted to make sure everything was OK with her, and that’s all there is to it.”
With and evil smirk, Scott says, “Bullshit, you have never once followed up on any patient you have treated at a scene.”
My eyes shoot directly to his. “What are you saying, Scott?”
“You didn’t even treat this girl. You found her and called for help, so what’s the deal? You’ve taken an interest in her. I’ve only seen that look of concern on your face once before, and that was when everything went down with Brooklyn, bro, so what is it about this girl that has you looking like your kitten just got hit by a car?”
“Fuck you, dude,” I snap. “I don’t have a kitten, and if it got hit by a car, it’d be road kill, and that would be the end of that.” I give him a shit-eating grin and stand up.
“Look, I just wanted to make sure she was OK, that’s all.” I turn to walk away, then hoping he’ll let it go, I add, “I stopped by today and saw Betty. She told me the girl is fine. She woke up a couple of days ago. They want to keep her for maybe two more days, but then they’ll discharge her. Is there anything else inquiring minds would like to know?” I flip him the middle finger and walk away.
“I’m leaving the station and head home. My thoughts are everywhere but where they should be, and I don’t even realize I’m at the hospital until I put the truck in park. Damn, it’s become second nature to me to head here. I stare out the window, waging a war within myself. My head is telling me to get the fuck home, while my heart is telling me to see her. Against my better judgment, my heart wins, and I head inside.
All the way up in the elevator, I keep second-guessing my decision. I know I shouldn’t be here and that this will only end badly for both of us. Hell, I don’t even know if she will remember who I am. I try to justify my presence by just introducing myself and telling her I was just checking up to make sure she was OK. I don’t need her to know I was there every day and that I have been watching her since she woke up, so I put on my game face and exit to her floor when the doors open.
When I get to her room, I knock on the door before I walk in. She’s watching TV, but her eyes break away from the screen to see who is entering her room. I watch a smile break across her face when she sees me. My fucking heart skips a beat at that moment, and I stumble a step. I make it to the chair by her bed and sit down.
“Do you remember who I am?” I ask her. She nods her head.
“Yes, I remember you. You are the man who pulled over to help me. Thank you very much.” My heart is beating hard in my chest.
“My name is Braedyn,” I tell her, and she smiles back at me.
“Yes, I know that. Braedyn. Um, Braedyn Ellington?” I give her a quizzical look, unsure how she knew my name. Finally understanding the look on my face, she says, “I heard you make the 911 call, and you gave them your name”.
“I wasn’t aware that you heard me. You were touch and go there for a little bit,” I tell her.
“Can you fill me in on a little bit, please? Some of it is still hazy to me.”
“Sure,” I agree. Personally, I’d rather not relive that night, but she doesn’t need to know that. “Why don’t you start with telling me everything you remember, and I’ll fill in the area’s where I can?”
“I remember getting a call from my best friend telling me I left my purse at her parents’ home. I was at a wedding there for the night.” I can see she is thinking hard about exactly what happened. “When I found a wide enough area in the road, I started to turn around. It was so dark, but there was a vehicle coming toward me, and I remember thinking that they weren’t slowing down.” A look of fear crosses her face. “It was Colt, oh my god, it was Colt. He didn’t stop. He just slammed right into me.” Tears roll down her cheeks now. My heart is beating quickly, both in anger and with emotion that drives me to want to reach out and hold her, but I don’t.
I grab her hand and squeeze it tightly. “When I came up upon the accident, I saw a vehicle speed away. That’s when I noticed your taillights off the side of the road. I jumped out immediately to make sure everyone was OK.”
Sobs are causing her chest to jerk up and down. “Braedyn, if it weren’t for you showing up so quickly, I don’t think I would have survived. Colt was angry with me and threatened me. So, thank you again for being in the right place at the right time.”
“Rylee, I wouldn’t have left you there all alone.” Just the thought of walking away has my insides turned all around. Letting her be hauled off in the ambulance and not following was hard enough.
“After the ambulance arrived and took over, I rummaged through your car and found your phone. There were several missed calls from a Bailey and a Jace. I hope you don’t mind, but I called them to let them know what happened.”
Just hearing the hysterical cries from her friend Bailey shook me to my core. It was then that I found out she was the bride at the wedding Rylee had left, and after spending a few moments calming her down and letting her know everything was going to be all right, Bailey said she would follow up before she left on her honeymoon to make sure her best friend was OK.
“I told Bailey what hospital they had brought you to, and she said she would stop by before she left. That was the last I heard from her.”
Rylee looks confused. “I don’t even remember her stopping by, and no one told me she did.”
I reassure her. “I’m sure she did and they probably told her you were in good hands and that she should follow through with her plans.” Well, that would have been my advice to her if I had talked with her again.
“Braedyn, did you speak with Jace too?” she asks.
“Yes, I called his number as well and let him know what happened. He was actually quite pissed off and used a few choice curse words to let me know how he felt.” I remember thinking to myself that this guy was a tool. “You may want to call him and let him know you are OK.” I won’t tell her that the idiot came by several times but never stayed. Betty shared that with me the other day when I was in.
Her eyes lock on mine before she speaks again. “I remember being in your arms, Braedyn. Your voice telling me to stay with you and hold on, that help was on its way.” She closes her eyes for the next part. “I didn’t want to let go of you. I wanted to feel your arms around me, holding me and making me feel safe. I’ve never felt in my whole life as I did at that moment. Thank you, Braedyn, for everything.”
I squeeze her hand one more time. The electric current that zaps from her hand to mine and then straight to my heart has me pulling back into myself again.
“Well, I better be going. You need your rest, and I have things I need to get done. I’m glad to see you are doing OK.” I stand and turn to leave, but she stops me.
“Braedyn, do you think you could come back tomorrow and visit with me? I don’t have anyone to spend time with, and I don’t like being alone.” I know I should be saying no, but when I open my mouth to say the word, the opposite is what comes out.
“Sure, I don’t have any problems coming by if that is what you would like.” She looks surprised I said yes. “Is there anything you would like me to bring you?” I can see her think about it for a moment.
“Do you mind picking me up a book to read, please? I�
��ll pay you when I get out of here, I promise.”
“Sure,” I tell her. “What type of genre do you like?” Her eyes look away for a moment before she responds.
“I prefer romance novels, but you can just get me anything. I’ll read anything.” I smile at her and then reply, “I’ll find you something good to read. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Braedyn, and thank you again,” she says.
When I get home, I call Jeanette. She answers on the second ring. “J, it’s me. I need a favor.” I know better than to ask this favor from her, but I don’t have anyone else to call.
“Braedyn, what do you need? I’m not setting you up with any more of my friends, because you just break their hearts and then I have to listen to them whine for weeks. What is it about that cock of yours anyway that has them falling in love with you after one night?”
I start laughing. “It’s magic, J, it does all kinds of tricks and finishes with a treat each and every time.” I hear a sound of disgust from the other end of the line. “Hey, you asked. I’m just telling. But I do need a favor. There is this girl I met, who is in the hospital, and well, she asked me to bring her a book to read. I know Scott is always talking about those mommy porn books you read, and I was hoping you could give me a couple of names to work with, please.”
“You’re kidding, right, Braedyn? You are not going to go shopping for a romance book for some girl you don’t even know, are you?” I’m getting irritated.
“How do you know I don’t even know her?” I ask her
“Because you never keep them around long enough to get to know them, Braedyn,” she replies.
“Just give me the name of a couple of authors I can work with.” I have to grovel a bit, but then she tells me to look up Sylvia Day or J. Kenner, saying they both have great books I can find at Barnes & Noble. “Thanks, J, I appreciate it even though you were just a bitch to me.” She laughs and hangs up the phone.
While I’m out, I stop at the bookstore. I’m feeling kind of odd walking through the romance section, and if the guys were to see me right now, I would never live this down. I find both of these authors and grab a book from each of them, not sure of what I am looking at. I flip them both over to read the back cover. Hmm… a sexy and smart hot man with emotional struggles. Are those really words to describe a guy? She desired his touch more than anything and she too was emotionally damaged. What kind of book is this? Shaking my head, I look at the other book. A hot, bold, and controlling man who’d have any woman he wanted. I can’t help but smile, because if I didn’t know better, I would say they were writing a book about me. Decision made, this is the book I’m getting. Don’t know what the story is about for either of these, but hey, I’ll take the one that best describes me; and beautiful and brilliant sounds just like me.
When I get home, I throw the book on the coffee table, turn on the TV, and watch Sports Central while I order a pizza for dinner. Not much later, the delivery guy drops off my food. I pop the top off my beer and start flipping channels when my phone rings. “Hey, Scott, what’s up?” There’s a pause, but then I hear him speak.
“The wife says you called because you needed dating advice, so she gave you some. What the fuck are you calling my wife for dating advice for, dude?” Of course, she would say that.
“Bro, I would never call your wife for dating advice. She married you, so any advice she would give would be so bad I’d end up pussy whipped in a day.” I take a pull from my beer and wait for his reply.
“Hardy har har. Aren’t you the clever one tonight. No, really. What did you want?” The urge to fuck with him is killing me, but I don’t want to be on the phone all night, so I just lay it all out.
“Girl in the hospital wanted a romance book. I know your wife reads that shit, so I called. End of story. Gotta go.” I hang up before he can ask any more questions.
***
I’ve had a restless night’s sleep, but that is par for the course ever since I met Rylee. I’m having a hard time getting her off my mind. After a nice, hot shower, coffee, and some toast, it’s time to head to the hospital. I grab the book off the table, jump in the truck, and make the trek across town.
“Good morning, Rylee, did you sleep well?” I ask her when I walk in. She nods her head up and down but doesn’t say a word. I hand her the book I got, and she looks at the cover. Slight disappointment crosses her face, but she immediately covers it up.
“What’s the matter? Is this a really bad book or something?” She blushes and then says, “No, it’s a great book, but I’ve read it once already.” I can see she is a little uncomfortable talking about the book.
“I can exchange it if you like?”
“No, no, that’s OK. I’ll read it again. It’ll give me something to do until they release me from this place.”
“Any word on when that may be?” I ask her.
“No, not yet, but I’m expecting the doctor any time now,” she says
Just as I’m about to ask when he normally comes in, he arrives to tell her he is letting her go tomorrow and wants to know if there is someone he should call to pick her up. “No, thank you,” she replies, “I’ll be taking a cab home.” Like that is going to happen. Over my dead body.
“Doc, I’ll pick her up tomorrow and take her home. If anything should change, I’ll leave my number at the nurses’ station, so they can call me.” I exit the room to find her nurse and leave my number. When I return, the doctor has left, and I take the opportunity to ask her some questions. “Rylee, don’t you have anyone to call?” I ask her.
“No, my best friend, Bailey, is still out of town on her honeymoon. My parents live in Texas. The only other person I think would take me home is my friend, Jace, but honestly, I’m not quite ready to deal with him and I don’t want to burden you any more than I already have.
“Well, you’re not burdening me. I’ll gladly take you home tomorrow and make sure you get settled in.” I expect an argument, but she doesn’t reply, which surprises me but also makes me happy. I visit with her for about thirty minutes before I say, “Rylee, I know I just got here, but I need to get going. I just wanted to drop off the book for you.” I can see the disappointment in her eyes.
“It’s OK, Braedyn, I appreciate you coming by and keeping me company, even if it was just for a little while.”
When I arrive the next morning, Rylee is already impatient and ready to go. “What’s the hurry?” I ask her?
“I just want to get out of here and get home. I’ll feel better at home.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Will you go find the nurse, please? She was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago, and I’m still waiting.” I leave the room to find a nurse to come and assist her with getting dressed and removing her IV. When Rylee is ready to go, I follow her wheelchair to the exit and ask the nurse to wait while I get my truck.
When I pull up, I realize there is no way she will be able to get in on her own with a cast on her arm, so I bend over to pick her up. My heart skips a beat when I lift her into my arms; it’s like she fits perfectly there, causing a feeling of unease in my chest. Her arms wrap around my neck, and she whispers, “Thank you.” It’s a sucker punch right to my gut, and my cock immediately stiffens while I place her in the passenger seat.
“No problem,” I reply as I close the door before I walk around to my side and get in.
On the way to her house, we pass mine. I don’t know why I feel the urge to share with her where I live, but I do. When I pull into her drive, I get out and help her into the house, make sure everything is OK, and then turn to leave. I’m about to walk out the door when it hits me that she hasn’t been here for over a week and that she probably doesn’t have anything to eat. Without saying anything, I walk to her fridge and open the door. I pick up the jug of milk and notice it expired a couple of days ago. I twist the lid off and smell it, and fuck, it's spoiled. I pour it down the drain, open my phone, and start a list.
Milk, bread, and eggs. Those are the basics that need to be
purchased, which is the least I can do for Rylee. “Rylee, you have nothing to eat in your fridge. I can stop by the store tomorrow and drop a few items off.”
“Its OK, Braedyn, I’ll take care of it tomorrow. You don’t need to bother. Tonight, I’ll just call for takeout. I’m really not that hungry anyway.” I start to argue with her, but she cuts me off “Braedyn, you have done enough for me already. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything Right now though, I’m tired and I just want to lie down. Do you mind showing yourself out?”
“I left my number for you on a piece of paper on the table. If you need anything at all, I mean anything, call me.” Leaving it at that, I head to the door and let myself out. I hate leaving, knowing she needs me even if she refuses to admit it.
***
I spend the day doing all the errands I had originally planned to do, and by the time I’m done, it's after ten o’clock before I get ready to settle in for the night. I think about Rylee all alone in her home and can’t help but wonder how she is doing. If she is OK and if she ate dinner. Then I start thinking about her getting ready for bed and if she was able to undress and dress with her arm in that cast. I don’t know why this goes through my mind, maybe because I know she has no one to help her if she needs it. I can picture her trying to get her shirt and bra off. I know the nurse had to help her get dressed, so who is going to help her get undressed? It’s then that my thoughts start running wild.