Overboard: Swingers Second Chance Contemporary Romance Novel

by Moore,Mia

  The elevator arrived and he got on. She didn’t know it yet but her days of playing around were over. It’d be hard but they’d get past it. Almost losing her had proved one thing to him. He loved and needed her. As for her ‘needs’…well he’d take Viagra if he had to. He’d show her how much she meant to him.

  The elevator deposited him on the main floor and he walked to the cafeteria, now way too familiar to him. When would she be able to go home? If she needed a nurse, then he’d hire one. Between him and Peter, they’d look after her the other times.

  Okay, maybe she’d strayed and maybe, hopefully, it was just the one time. How much to blame was he for that? Not a pretty thought but reality usually isn’t. The thing that didn’t make sense though…is why the hell would she buy a vibrator if she was screwing around? Was the guy into some weird kink? Well, it’d be the last weird kink the jerk would have after he got through with him. Probably some schmuck who preyed on lonely women.

  He ordered a coffee to go and a soda for Peter.

  Peter apologizing was a good thing. He was growing up, showing respect.

  Would the doctor be through with her when he got back? He’d go see her for a while before Claire showed up.

  Chapter 10

  Abby stared at the ceiling of the room she now shared with an elderly woman. They’d given her something for the pain and it was making her body warm and floaty. Glen and Peter would be back the next afternoon. They’d protested leaving but there was school and work for Glen. Besides they looked like the walking dead.

  Her eyes closed and she tried to remember what had happened. Sure, Glen had often criticized her driving habits, saying she didn’t pay enough attention. “It’s the other guy you have to watch for Abby. Always assume he’s an idiot.” Well maybe this time, she was the idiot.

  My God, I could have been killed and I don’t even remember it. And speaking of which, thanks God for sparing me. I’ve still got a lot of things I want to do before I join you--see my son graduate, dance at his wedding and hold my first grandchild. And Glen…what would he do without me? He doesn’t show it but I know he loves me.

  She gasped. It was like an arrow had shot through her right eye, slicing her brain in half and poking through into her pillow. What the fuck? The car accident and Glen. They were somehow connected.

  ***

  The next morning, movement near her bed woke her up. One eye creaked open and a heavy woman wearing scrubs and some sort of shower cap was adjusting a tray above her stomach. There was a bang as a small white food tray was dropped on it. She opened both eyes, and watched the woman disappear behind the curtain where her roommate lay.

  Now a nurse was standing next to her bed.

  “Good morning. How’d you sleep?” Her face was almost touching the bed as she bent, her arms working below her. When she popped up, she held a plastic bag of yellow fluid. Oh. The catheter. She’d changed the bag.

  “Fine, I think. Still some pain in my head during the night.” She attempted a weak smile. This nurse was way too chirpy for the morning.

  “Would you like something to eat? Let me prop you up.”

  The bed under her back rose, forcing her into a sitting position. It was the first time in over three days that she’d bent at the waist and it hurt. Looking at the white glop in a small cup, the slice of dark toast and juice (the same color as the bag the nurse held, yuck) the pain wasn’t worth it.

  “Can I just get a coffee or water?” Her tongue was a sausage in her mouth, thick and dry.

  “You need your nourishment to get better Mrs. Henkel.” Again, the sing song chirpy voice like some mechanical doll.

  “What I need is some water.” She extended her hand to the side table where a blue plastic jug sat, beads of condensation on the lower half.

  The nurse frowned for a second but poured some water in a glass. “Would you like a straw?”

  She took the glass from the nurse and took a sip, savoring the cool wetness on her lips. Water had never tasted so good. She drained half of it.

  The nurse took the glass back and was about to adjust the tray of food for her to reach when Abby held up her hand. “No. Just a coffee, please.”

  The nurse’s lips pulled tight. “I’ll see what I can do.” She spun on her heels and left the room.

  “You’re being a pain in the ass. You know that right?” It was a hoarse voice, full of phlegm.

  Abby turned to look at the curtain dividing the two beds. “I beg your pardon. Did you say something?”

  “You. Asking Nurse Chippy for coffee. You’ll regret it. It’s just watered down dishwater they give you. I’m Esther, by the way.”

  “Hi Esther. I’m Abby. So you’ve tried the coffee I take it. The food looks like shit.” It was weird talking to the curtain.

  “It’s dog shit. What are you in for?”

  She smiled. Esther made it sound like she was in jail. “Car accident. What’d they get you for?”

  A cackle and then, “The big C. It’s in my liver and spreading. Teach me not to guzzle a bottle of wine a day. Oh, but it was fun at the time.”

  “I’ll bet. Sorry about the cancer though. Are you in pain?” Abby’s gaze dropped and her eyebrows knitted together.

  “All the time, honey. I’m going to buzz Nurse Chippy and get her to pull the curtain back. Maybe she’ll bring your coffee with her.”

  “Good idea. I feel like I’m talking to a sheet.”

  “Did you just call me a shit? Honey, you don’t know me well enough.” Again the cackle.

  “And you don’t know me well enough to call me honey.” She laughed softly. If she had to spend time in the hospital, Esther sounded like a good roomy.

  Nurse Chippy waltzed into the room without the coffee, again wearing the scowl. She almost tore the curtain off the track, she pulled it back so hard.

  “My coffee?” Abby scowled at the nurse. What did Chippy have to scowl about? She wasn’t the one lying in pain without a decent cup of coffee.

  She turned her head dismissing the nurse to look at Esther, just in time to see her flip the bird at Chippy. The lined, brown spotted face looking back at her had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Even with the wrinkles and tube extending from Esther’s face, it was clear that with her bone structure, she’d once been a beautiful woman. The white hair framing her face had thinned but there was still body in it.

  “Oh, you’re just a kid. Sorry about your accident. How’d it happen? Don’t tell me. You had a bottle of wine didn’t you?” The old woman smiled revealing a set of teeth that were too large for her small face.

  “I wish. Actually I don’t remember it. The last memory is eating ice-cream with my girlfriend.” Her mouth pulled up at the side in a lopsided grin.

  “That’s a good memory. I’d stick with that if I were you.”

  Abby’s head jerked to the side looking straight at Esther. Oh my God, she’d started to sing ‘Memories’ and was murdering the tune.

  “Ah memories. That’s all I got now. Memories and regrets.” The old woman started into a fit of coughing.

  Abby waited for the spell to pass and then asked, “Regrets?” Having come close to dying, what would she regret at the end of her life?

  “Yeah. Regrets that I didn’t dance more, laugh more and screw more.”

  Abby’s eyes opened wide at the last one. It was odd hearing an elderly woman use that term. She didn’t know what to say.

  “Don’t be like me, Abby, on your deathbed with regrets. Live and love life with every bone in your body. If the beds were switched, what would be your regret?” The old woman’s blue eyes were piercing, looking through her.

  Abby was silent for a minute. “Fun. I’d regret that I hadn’t had more fun in my life. And that includes sex. Never daring to say the hell with it and do what I wanted to do, living up to everyone’s expectations while ignoring my own fun.”

  “You married? Kids?” The old woman asked.

  “Yeah for almost twenty years to the same g
uy. We’ve got a wonderful son who’s seventeen.” She sighed picturing their faces.

  “How’s your sex life?” Esther chuckled. “Or do you have one?”

  “Almost none. And it could be better.” Why was she telling such personal things to an old woman she’d just met?

  “I thought so. Ever thought of having an affair?”

  Abby was silent for a few moments looking at the blanket covering her stomach. “Never. But I’ll be honest, I was starting to look at men like I was single again. That’s horrible isn’t it?”

  “That’s natural if you ask me.”

  Abby sat quietly looking off at the far wall. She’d been given some kind of second chance here. Was she going to squander it and have regrets like Esther? There were things in her life that sucked. Her job—having to eat crow and cow tow to the upper class there, when what she’d like to do was be honest and say what she thought.

  And Glen. She still loved him but... They never laughed or talked anymore. And the sex, well it had been weeks. The only orgasms lately had been self induced, fantasizing about tall dark strangers.

  Did Glen have fantasies? Okay, so he doesn’t have sex with HER anymore, but maybe he still has fantasies. Maybe he jerks off in the shower the same way she masturbates when he’s downstairs watching the stupid TV. If that was the case then they were living pretty sorry fucking lives. There’d be regrets for each of them on their deathbeds.

  No. She’d been given a second chance and there’d be no regrets in that part of her life. She wouldn’t be like Esther, whose snores were loud, for such a tiny woman. She looked over at the frail old lady.

  There were going to be some changes when she got out of the hospital. That was for damned sure!

  Chapter 11

  It’d only been a few days of working all day, going home, grabbing a shower, changing and picking up something to eat, to share with Abby, and then falling into bed exhausted. He’d be glad when she was home and the hospital visits were done. It was killing him.

  He stepped out of the shower and threw a bath towel around his waist. When he entered the bedroom he glanced at the closet, just like he’d done ever since he’d picked the bag up from the auto wreckers. He sighed and reached for the pants he’d worn at yesterday’s visit.

  It was still hard to get his head around that bag of sexy clothes and the vibrator; laying there like some kind of boogey man he didn’t dare face. Try as he might, when he looked at her, really looked at her, laying all bruised up in that hospital bed, there was only innocence. She was either a very good actress or the memory of her affair and boyfriend was gone. And if that was the case, maybe he should forget it as well.

  Yeah right, like THAT was going to happen. He shook his head and slipped into his sweater. He looked at himself in the mirror and his hand flew to the ketchup stain near the collar. Shit. His fingernail scraped at it and he was able to remove the dried paste. There was still a dark spot, but he could live with that. The face looking back at him from the mirror was sad, stomach sinking to his ankles. How appropriate.

  He turned and left the room, passing Peter on the stairs.

  “Tell Mom I wish I could be there but I’ve got a midterm tomorrow.” His son’s voice floated in the air behind him.

  “She’d rather see you studying, trust me.” He plucked his coat from the wooden hanger in the closet. “See ya later!” He opened the door and went out into the winter’s dark, early evening.

  Driving to the downtown he noticed several fast food joints. The waistband of his pants dug into him and he shifted in his seat. Maybe he’d try for something a little lighter and healthier tonight. As if on cue, the large Subway sign appeared on his left. He pulled into a vacant spot and rushed in to place his order. The place was clean and bright with pictures of various meaty sandwiches that made his mouth water.

  While he waited for the teenage boy to make two sandwiches he looked out the plate glass window. There was a flower shop across the street and they were still open. He frowned. Should he pick up some fresh flowers for her? He pictured her face lighting up in a beacon of love and appreciation. There was nothing he could do right now about the boyfriend. And then there was their son. Somehow they’d have to get past this for his sake.

  “Be back in a minute.” He called over his shoulder before sprinting across the street.

  Inside the heady aroma of the shop, he spotted an assortment of roses in a large tin bucket on the counter. Sure, red was her favorite, but… that vase the day she got hurt… those flowers were yellow.

  “I’ll take three of your yellow roses.” Five minutes later he was again sprinting across the street, this time carrying a paper wrapped, flower package.

  ***

  The smell of the hospital always irritated his nose— a combination of ammonia cleaning products and alcohol to mask the sickness and pain. Never mind, it won’t be for much longer, hopefully. He glanced up at the ceiling of the elevator carrying him to the floor she was on. Thank you, God. Just one more favor please. Help me to get over her cheating. Help my family.

  The elevator dinged ending his silent prayer. He smiled knowing she’d be happy about the flowers as he walked along the bright corridor.

  He opened the heavy hospital door to her room and froze.

  A young man, a frigging GOOD LOOKING young man was sitting close to Abby’s bed talking to her. He couldn’t be more than thirty years old! That must be him!

  THE BOYFRIEND.

  Abby’s head swiveled to stare at him, still standing in the doorway.

  “Glen! Don’t just stand there. I’d like you to meet Ted Hogan.” Her voice continued blah, blah, blah.

  A war drum pounded in his ears, drowning out the familiar sound of her voice, now the buzzing of an irritating mosquito. His eyes narrowed and focused on the man sitting close to Abby. So that’s the son of a bitch that’s nailing my wife. She likes them young, huh?

  His feet moved forward, eyes never leaving…TED. Oh yeah, like he’s her TEDDY BEAR. I’ll beat the stuffing out of him, wipe that stupid smile off his yap.

  “Glen?” again the whining voice of his wife.

  “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.” His voice was a low growl directed at Teddy Bear.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. But it’s been busy and— ” Ted’s face had gone scarlet, his eyes wide.

  “Shut up. Get the hell outta’ here.” Glen was now standing next to the bed, across from Ted.

  “GLEN! What’s the matter—“ Abby’s voice was high pitched.

  “I sent flowers! We tried to— ” Ted was getting to his feet, already buttoning up his winter jacket.

  “If I ever see you again, I’ll knock the stuffing outta’ you, TED!” Glen leaned over the bed, extending his index finger, jabbing it and almost hitting Ted’s nose.

  Ted’s head jerked back, avoiding the finger that looked like a knife. His mouth was hanging loose under eyes that were round. He risked a glance at Abby. “I’m going! I’ll see you later Abby.” He was moving quickly towards the door, making his escape.

  “The hell you will!” Glen turned and yelled after him.

  “Glen, what the hell is going on? Why’d you treat Ted that way? What’s gotten into you?” Abby was straining upward, clutching at the sleeve of Glen’s jacket.

  He pulled his arm away from her and threw the flowers on the bed. The Subway sandwiches landed on the hospital tray beside her, before he stormed to the window.

  Where is that son of a bitch? What kinda’ car does he drive? I’ll make him sorry he ever met Abby. Smarmy fuck. His breathing was ragged, muscles taut, flexing his fingers and making iron fists.

  “Glen what’s wrong with you? You’re acting like an idiot and you’ve probably just cost me my job.” The anger in her voice seeped through his consciousness.

  What the hell right did SHE have to be angry? And what’s this got to do with her job? Wait. She’s having an affair with a guy she works with! She never mentioned the na
me Ted before. Oh yeah. She’s smart, hiding it that way. Well he’d caught them red handed.

  He turned to face her. Look at her, all surprise and innocence. She’s good all right.

  “Enjoy your sandwich. I gotta go.” He stormed out of the room, leaving a shell shocked Abby.

  Chapter 12

  He emerged from the main door to the hospital just in time to see a black Honda Civic squeal its tires racing by. That was him! He raced down the steps to try to catch the license plate number but he’d left his glasses in the truck. Damn.

  It didn’t matter. He knew the car and where Teddy Bear worked. He’d be paying a little visit to Ted. Maybe tomorrow. It figured the smarmy little weasel would be driving a small car, probably matched his dick, probably one of those hybrids. Well, when he got through with TED he’d be a hybrid too. He’d be pissing through his navel.

  He needed a drink. Fuck it. He needed a shit-load of drinks. And if he got shit-faced tonight, he’d call in sick tomorrow. That was another little weasel he’d like to pound into the ground. The little shit, Carl. Christ, he’d had it with taking everyone’s shit lying down. First, Weasel Carl, and now Abby and her boyfriend. He’d had it with everyone. His feet thundered across the icy pavement towards his truck.

  He could use a night out. A guy’s night, laughing with a buddy. Maybe The Wolf could use some company. When he was inside the cab of his truck, he plucked his cell phone from his inside pocket and dialed Barry’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Barry. Want some company?” This was unusual for him to go to Barry’s apartment. He’d only been there twice and the first time had been to help him move in. It was a cramped one bedroom shit box in a bad section of town.

  “Sure Buddy. What’s up?”

  “I just feel like getting loaded. That’s all.” It was weak and even though he’d get plastered, he’d try to keep Abby’s affair to himself. But then again, Barry’d strayed. That’s what broke them up. Maybe he could shed some light on the situation.