Going the Distance

by Christa Cervone

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “At any point you feel you need them, just hit your buzzer and I’ll have them for you.”

  “Thanks, Brett. But I don’t think that’ll happen.”

  “How’s the urination going for you? Have you been able to go?”

  “Yes, finally,” I’m relieved. “There was no way that thing was going back in again,” I laugh.

  “I hear you on that, man. Those things suck. Well, since you’ve urinated, you’ll probably be able to go home tomorrow.”

  “You think?”

  “I don’t see why not. You’re getting around just fine on your own, and you no longer need a catheter. I’m pretty confident Dr. Nelson will discharge you in the morning.”

  “That’s great news. I’m goin’ fuckin’ crazy in here.”

  “It was great to meet you, Gabriel. I’ll come by and see you before I leave tomorrow morning.”

  I stop him from walking out of my room, “You should come see my next fight.”

  “Fight?” Brett asks, intrigued.

  “Yeah, I’m a boxer. You didn’t know that?”

  “No, how did I not know?”

  “I’m not sure. Dr. Nelson and Dr. Willis never mentioned it? They’re all over my jock about it. And please, don’t give me a lecture about fighting so soon after an injury.”

  “Hey man, who am I to judge? It’s your life. I’m sure Dr. Nelson and Dr. Willis have their reasons for not wanting you to fight, and obviously, you have your own reasons for wanting to.”

  “I tried to explain to them that it’s my job. It’s how I make my living. But they go into all sorts of medical bullshit, and to be completely honest, I stopped listening to them after a while.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Brett laughs.

  I smile back at him. “So, if you wanna check me out in action, leave me your cell number and I’ll text you the details.”

  “Definitely! You may need a nurse in your corner.”

  I throw my head back and laugh, “Ha! That may come in handy.”

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” Brett throws out as he walks toward the door.

  “Hey!” I stop him again. “Can I ask you one more question?”

  He turns back around and gives me the go ahead, “Shoot.”

  “Do I have any restrictions?”

  “Restrictions?”

  “Yeah, you know, like heavy lifting, exercise, driving?”

  “I’m guessing you’ll have some restrictions.”

  “What about sex?”

  He smirks. “Ah, so your main concern is sex?”

  “Umm… yeah.”

  “I’ll check with Dr. Nelson in the morning. She’ll be able to tell you if you can have sex or not.”

  “Dr. Nelson?” my voice rises.

  “Yeah, she’s your doctor. She’d be the one to give you the thumbs up.”

  “Is there anyone else we can ask?”

  Brett gives me a confused look. “Why not ask your doctor?”

  “Uh…” I try to find the right words.

  “Is it because she’s a woman that you’re embarrassed to ask her about sex?”

  “No, it’s not because she’s a woman.”

  He tries to pry the reason out of me, “Well then, why?”

  I run my hand over my face. “I kinda have a thing with her daughter,” I blurt out.

  “Oh shit! You’re screwing Dr. Nelson’s daughter?!” Brett nearly shouts as his jaw drops to the floor.

  “Shhh… will you keep it down?! It’s complicated.”

  “Does Dr. Nelson know?”

  “I’m not really sure what she knows.”

  “Daaamn. Well, I’ll check with Julie or Dr. Willis tonight and see what I can find out for you, man.”

  “Thanks, Brett.”

  “Don’t mention it. And don’t worry, I won’t say a word.” On that note, he leaves.

  I begin second-guessing saying anything to him. What if he’s the hospital gossip, and by morning, everyone in the hospital knows about us? What will her mother think? Shit, what will Salem think if she finds out? Fuck! Why do I always think with my cock and not with my brain?

  I toss and turn for the better part of an hour because my mind’s racing a million miles a minute with different scenarios. Salem finds out I told Brett about us and she never talks to me again. Dr. Nelson castrates me in my sleep. Christ, maybe I will take the sleeping pills from Brett.

  I hit the buzzer and Julie appears within a few minutes. “Is everything okay, Mr. Vega?” I can tell she still feels aggravated toward me.

  “Any chance I can get those pills Brett was tryin’ to give me earlier?”

  “Are you in any pain?”

  “Pain? No, I can’t sleep.”

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes with something for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  Julie returns within about fifteen minutes. “Here you go, Mr. Vega,” she places the pills on the tray in front of me, then stands quietly watching as I swallow the pills. “Is there anything else?”

  “No, I’m good. Thanks,” I answer quietly.

  “Those should start kicking in in about twenty minutes to a half hour,” she informs me as she turns to leave. “Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Vega, the answer to your question is yes.”

  “Yes?” I’m confused.

  “Yes, you can have sex.”

  “Oh… thanks,” I reply, more than slightly embarrassed.

  “Sweet dreams, Mr. Vega,” Julie grins as she leaves the room.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” Brett pronounces as he stands over me. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “Yeah, with the help of the sleeping pills,” I yawn.

  Being totally sarcastic he mocks, “I told you.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

  “I just came by to say goodbye,” he extends his hand out, “since my shift’s over.”

  “Thanks for everything.”

  “Don’t mention it. Here’s my cell number, definitely text me when and where your fight is. I wanna see you in action.”

  “Will do!” I nod my head.

  “Dr. Nelson should be in to see you shortly,” he adds as he leaves the room.

  Great, I can’t wait to hear what she has to say. Hopefully, she tells me I can go home. I need to get the fuck out of here and get back to training.

  I pick up my cell. Holy shit! I have ten missed calls and twenty new text messages. As I begin to scroll through, I see that Jimmy, Adrian, and Kitten have all texted me. The majority of their texts are “How are you feeling?” “Get some rest!” and “If you need a ride home, let me know.”

  The very last text I come across is Blaine’s.

  Blaine – Hey, Saint. It’s Blaine. I just heard about your accident. I hope everything is okay. Please let me know if you need anything.

  I can feel the anger brewing inside of me as I clench my teeth. I just keep thinking that he doesn’t deserve Salem and he’s a cheating fuckin’ bastard.

  “Mr. Vega?” a voice startles me.

  “Oh, hi, Dr. Nelson,” I drop the cell phone onto the bed.

  “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Pretty good, actually.”

  “That’s good to hear,” she smiles. “No headaches?”

  “Nope. Headache-free,” I express confidently.

  Reaching for my chart, she states, “I heard you were up wandering the halls last night. And you took a shower?”

  “Yup.”

  “And the catheter is out?”

  “Yes,” my relief is obvious.

  “That’s great. I’d like to give you a quick examination, and if everything looks good…”

  “I can go home?” I interrupt her mid-sentence.

  “Yes, Mr. Vega, you’ll be able to go home,” she snickers. “But there will be some restrictions.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “And, I’m sure you probably won’t listen to one of them,” she counte
rs with an amused smile on her face. “I’m going to get the discharge paperwork started. I’ll be back shortly.”

  Even before Dr. Nelson has left my room, I’m texting Jimmy to come and get me.

  Jimmy – You got it. I’ll be over there soon.

  Me – Thanks.

  When Jimmy arrives, I’m sitting on my bed and ready to go. “Finally!”

  “Dude, you called me like fifteen minutes ago. I got here as fast as I could.”

  “I need to get outta here,” I stand up and head for the door.

  “Alright, your chariot awaits you outside.”

  “How’s Jase?” I ask as we walk down the hall.

  “He’s doin’ really good. Both Steph and I’ve been watchin’ out for him. Steph even cooked him dinner and ate with him last night.”

  “Good, he’s had me worried.”

  “He’s stronger than he seems, Saint.”

  “I have no doubt he’s strong; he’s my brother. It’s his addiction I’m worried about, and he’s only been clean for a few months. I’ve been tryin’ to get him to go to his meetings.”

  “He’s been goin’ all by himself. Steph and I drove him and picked him up last night.”

  “You did?” I stop dead in my tracks, looking Jimmy up and down. “Jimmy,” I pull him into a hug, “thank you for keeping an eye on him.”

  “There’s no need to thank me. It’s what you do for someone you care about.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t even know Jase.” I loosen the grip of my hug slightly.

  “I may not know Jase all that well, but I know you and how much he means to you.”

  I can feel my eyes beginning to well up, so I pull him into me again, not wanting him to see me cry. I’ve never voluntarily let anyone see me cry. Jimmy and Stephannie’s kindness amazes me; they’ve gone out of their way to take care of my little brother. “Thank you,” my voice waivers.

  Jimmy pushes me back by my shoulders. “Are you crying?”

  “No,” I deny quickly, turning my back so he can’t see.

  “You know, it’s okay to cry,” I feel his hand on my shoulder, comforting me. “You don’t have to be strong all the time; you can let your guard down with me.”

  “I’m not cryin’,” I insist with a sniffle. All sorts of emotions are swirling around in my head. I’m not sure if it’s the accident, Jase being back in my life, or Salem and the effect she’s having on me. I quickly wipe away my tears.

  “It’s alright, I won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with me,” Jimmy chuckles as he slings his arm over my shoulder and we begin walking to the elevator.

  After a short elevator ride down to the lobby, we exit. Stopping, I lean up against the elevator wall; even after a full night’s sleep, my body feels exhausted. I fight back a yawn. “Where to?” Jimmy asks.

  “Home.”

  “Really?” he’s shocked. “I thought for sure you were gonna say Frankie’s, and that I’d have to fight with you to take you home.”

  “I wanna go home, take a shower, and change. Then you can take me to Frankie’s.”

  He shakes his head, “No can do. I’m under strict instructions to keep you at home for the rest of the week.”

  “From who?”

  Jimmy gives me a “you-know-who-I’m-talkin’-about” stare.

  “Of course, fuckin’ Frankie,” the irritation in my voice is obvious.

  “He’s doing it for you, ya know. He wants you to get some rest.”

  “Rest?!” I nearly shout. “I think I’ve slept more in these last forty-eight hours than I’ve slept all year.”

  “He doesn’t…” Jimmy’s words stop abruptly, and he glances over at me nervously.

  “He doesn’t, what?”

  “Nothin’. Forget I even said anything.”

  “It’s obviously not nothin’ if you’re mentioning it.” I grab him by the arm.

  “Ouch! Let go of me, Saint.”

  “Nope, not until you tell me.”

  “There’s nothin’ to tell.” His eyes are skirting all over the place, like he’s trying to hide something. He’s always been a terrible liar.

  “Jimmy, I know you’re lying,” I growl, clenching his bicep tighter.

  “Alright, alright,” he winces in pain. “I’ll tell you, geez.”

  Finally, I let go of his arm. “Well?” my patience is wearing thin.

  “Frankie doesn’t think you should fight ‘Maniac,’” Jimmy’s words come out rapidly, like the faster he says it, the less impact it’ll have on me.

  “He what?!” I roar.

  “He thinks you should take some time off and let your body heal. He wants you to bow out of the fight.”

  “Bow out?! Heal?! I’m fuckin’ fine! Does it look like there’s anything that needs to fuckin’ heal?!” I extend my arms out and do a complete spin, showing him there are no visible injuries.

  “Hey man, don’t shoot the messenger. It’s not my idea.”

  “I’m fighting,” I stand firm.

  “I figured you were. Has the doctor cleared you?”

  “Fuck the doctor. She’s talking all this fuckin’ mumbo jumbo bullshit I don’t even understand. I feel fine, and I’m sure by the fight, I’ll feel a thousand times better.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I’ve already signed on to the fight card and I’m not back…” I stop abruptly as my attention turns to the parking lot.

  “What? What’s the matter?” Jimmy looks around, puzzled.

  A smile blooms across my face. “She’s here.”

  “Who’s here?”

  Ignoring Jimmy, I begin walking across the parking lot, my pace getting faster the closer I get to her.

  “Where the fuck are you goin’? My car is over there,” Jimmy shouts at me, pointing in the opposite direction from where I’m headed.

  Salem is leaning up against her car, smiling at me. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be taking a final.”

  “I’m done.” Pushing herself off the car, she takes a few steps toward me.

  “How’d you do?”

  “I aced it!” she replies with a huge smile.

  “Of course, you did! Brainy and beautiful,” I say lustfully, as both my hands engulf her face; my eyes are burning into hers as our lips meet. The hunger inside me builds as my tongue delves into her mouth.

  She pulls away in protest, looking over my shoulder, “What about your friend?”

  “When I’m with you, there is no one else,” my lips press against hers again, not wanting it to end. “How’d you know I was gettin’ out?”

  “I have my resources,” she lets out a coy laugh.

  “Ah, yes, Mommy Dearest.”

  She presses her index finger against my lips to quiet me, “Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.”

  “Who am I gonna tell?”

  Salem’s expression turns serious. “I don’t know. But with all the HIPAA laws, she could lose her job.”

  I grab her by the waist, pulling her body into mine. “You’re secret’s safe with me.”

  “How did you sleep last night?”

  “Pretty good. But I would’ve slept better if you’d been lying next to me.”

  “I highly doubt that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The two of us in that tiny hospital bed? You’ve got to be kiddin’ me.”

  “Ahem,” I hear from behind me.

  I look over my shoulder. “Oh shit, Jimmy. I’m sorry.”

  Jimmy scowls at me.

  “Salem, you remember my friend, Jimmy? You met him at Frankie’s.”

  “Oh yes, I remember meeting you,” her eyes narrow as she glares at Jimmy. “You’re the one who called me a ‘Gingah.’”

  Jimmy’s face instantly turns bright red in embarrassment.

  I howl with laughter. “Yeah, that’s Jimmy.”

  “Nice to see you again,” he responds sheepishly.

  “Indeed,” Salem smirks.

  “We should go, Sain
t. Frankie’s gonna be waiting for me. I’ve got after school duty this week.”

  “Oh…” I groan, looking from Salem to Jimmy.

  “I can bring him home, Jimmy,” Salem suggests.

  “Really?” I try, unsuccessfully, to hide the excitement in my voice.

  “Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?” Jimmy asks politely.

  “Yes, I’m sure. And no, it’s not too much trouble at all.” A devilish grin appears across her face as she looks at me out of the corner of her sparkling blue eyes.

  Oh, sweet Jesus! Please tell me I’m gonna find myself making sweet love to this beautiful woman in less than twenty minutes. “I’ll see you later,” I tell Jimmy, completely forgetting how pissed off I was at Frankie less than five minutes ago. There’s only one thing on my mind now, and that’s Salem and me, alone. I’ve been given the thumbs up to have sex, and nothing is going to stop that from happening. I can already taste her sweet skin on my tongue. I look at her. She and Jimmy are making small talk, and I can’t help but fantasize about us. My face between her perfectly toned thighs, and feeling them tightening around my head as they quiver, her soft moans becoming more desperate and eager as she climbs further and further toward climax. Christ, I’m gonna consume every inch of her body.

  “I’ll catch you later, Saint,” Jimmy snaps me out of my daydream.

  “What? Huh?” My thoughts have me all wound up, and the wood I’m suddenly sporting is pressing up against my shorts; there’s no doubt it’s noticeable. I look at the back seat of her tiny car, wondering if the two of us can fit back there. I’m not sure I’m gonna make it back to my apartment without having a piece of her.

  “Are you okay, Gabriel?” Salem looks worried. “You look flushed. Should I call my mother?” She digs through her purse for her phone.

  “No,” I begin to laugh as I stop her from searching. “Please don’t call your mother.”

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “Because your mother can’t help me. It’s you that I need,” I growl into her ear as I pull her into me.

  “Ohhh…” she smiles, and I can feel the heat from her cheeks as she blushes.

  “On that note, I’ll see you later,” Jimmy calls out and walks away. I completely ignore him; my eyes are on Salem.

  Salem waves, “Bye, Jimmy.” I hear him say something back to her, but I can’t make it out, and I honestly don’t care. All I care about right now is how much I want her in my bed.