She waited for the door to shut before turning to face me, biting her lip. As she took a step closer, I knew I had to explain before things went too far.
“Listen, there’s this girl. She’s been here with me since I was admitted, but she had to step away. If she comes back, will you tell her that I was discharged and give her my number? She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. You might have seen her before.” I knew I was failing to get through to her. Her hand was massaging my thigh over my hospital gown and with the way she was leaning in, I could see down her scrubs.
“Anything for you, honey.” She tried to hike up my gown, but I stopped her. This wasn’t why I got her alone.
“Not to be a dick, but this isn’t happening. Can you help me or not?” I stood carefully and started to get dressed. The one time I have a hot, willing nurse would be the one time that I couldn’t care less.
“Mmmhmm. Brown-eyed girl. Gotcha. You sure I can’t help you out there? Bedside manner is my specialty.”
“I’m good to go, actually.” I knew I would have to find another way to talk to Stella again. Whatever I felt wasn’t going away and I felt empty with her not around.
Grabbing my stuff, I tried walking out the door, but she shook her finger at me, making me sit in the wheelchair she’d brought with her.
When I got downstairs to the car, Tyler had a cheeky grin and gave me a high five after he got me settled into the front seat. Dumbass could think whatever he wanted. I had one goal, and it didn’t need to be publicized just yet.
“That didn’t take you long. I didn’t mind waiting, bro.”
“Shut the fuck up. Now, can you take me to my place? I’ll be fine after that.” If I was honest, the pain meds were making me drowsy as shit and all I wanted to do was lay my head down. After that, I was going to figure out how to talk to Stella again.
“Sure thing. I can hang around; make sure you don’t pop a stitch or whatever if you need. The boss man gave me the day off when he found out you were shot and in the hospital.” He looked over, and I knew he was going to milk the excuse. I didn’t need him to babysit me, though.
“I’ll call you if I need anything. Don’t worry about me.” I laid my head on the headrest. We weren’t at my place yet, and I needed to close my eyes for just a minute.
I awoke to Tyler pulling my right leg out of the car. “What the hell?” My voice was groggy. I had just closed my eyes…
“I’ve got places to be. I’ve tried waking you for the past fifteen minutes. Get out.” He held out his hand to help me out, but I needed to do this on my own.
“Just give me a second.” I used the side of the car and the door to brace myself, but my stomach was screaming at me to stop. By the time I made it to the couch, my lungs were dying for air and I never wanted to move again.
“I can be here in twenty minutes, just make the call,” Tyler hollered as he left my place.
Peace and quiet. My body was fighting me, and it wasn’t long before I was out for the count.
THE SOUND OF MOANING woke me up. I was delusional. My eyes fought to stay closed in fear of what I’d see when I opened them. “Go home,” I breathed out as I turned to my uninjured side.
“No love, bro? Polly thought we should make sure you didn’t need help when you woke up. Ain’t that sweet of her?” Tyler called out from my recliner behind me. Her moans had stopped, mostly.
“Polly Pocket?”
“I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be pissed or happy with that nickname. How are you feeling, Tate?” Polly spoke up but was still breathless. Turning to see what was going on, I quickly wished that I was still asleep. Polly was sitting on Tyler’s lap with a blanket over her lap.
Her pants were on the floor beside them.
“I’m fine. Seriously. Has my phone rang at all?” I looked on the table but wasn’t quite sure where it was.
“Only Payton with her eight texts and four phone calls. I told her if she missed me, I’d fly out to give her a little lovin’, but she didn’t take the bait.” He was laughing now and I had almost forgotten about his drunken trip to his room with Payton. I had been livid when I had seen them together. But when I had realized that her intentions were purely innocent, I couldn’t stay mad at her. She was trying to be a good friend by getting his drunken ass up to his room to sleep it off before his wedding.
“Is this shit on the news? How’d she find out?” I slowly sat up and figured I’d have another hour before Payton got on a flight to Chicago. I didn’t need that.
“It’s everywhere now. All the news stations are covering the ‘high school reunion massacre.’ They still haven’t come forth with all the names of the victims yet. She just needs to know you’re safe,” Polly told me in a gentle tone. She was in the process of pulling her pants back on after retrieving them.
Standing up, I walked into the kitchen and found my phone on the island. First Payton, then I’d have to figure out my next move with Stella. Reading her texts, I knew Payton was full-on freaking out.
Payton: Tate. Please tell me you’re ok
Payton: This can’t be happening
Payton: I swear to God if you’re getting laid instead of picking up your phone, I’m going to be so fucking pissed
Payton: I just need some sign to know you’re ok. I keep seeing the reports of five people having been killed. They’ve shown bloodied people in gowns and bodies on stretchers. I can be up there in 5 hours if you need me. <3 Payton
Shit. Dialling her number, I hoped I had gotten to her before she boarded a plane. She had Emilynn to take care of now. She didn’t need to worry about me. On my top contacts, Cylas’ name was two spots above Payton. I fought the urge to break down as I heard her come on the line.
“Tate? Oh my gosh, are you okay? Are you hurt?” Her voice was frantic, and it made my heart hurt. I hated seeing her as anything but happy.
“I’m fine, Payt. A little sore but nothing major,” I said as calmly as possible. I also needed to get a hold of Graham, Matt, and Trevor. I wasn’t sure if they knew about the ones who died or not. I needed to accomplish so much, but I wasn’t sure how long I was going to make it.
“I had already started looking for flights. I never thought Tyler’s incessant requests for me to have his number would ever be beneficial. I didn’t know how to get in contact with you. Jesus, I’ve never been so scared. Well, in a while at least.” She got quiet for the last part. I knew what she was referring to her confrontation with her stalker. She was a survivor.
“Tyler’s here now and has fantastic bedside manner.” Just then, I felt a pillow being tossed at my feet and couldn’t help but laugh. Tyler was a great friend but not someone I would consider for being my in-home nurse. He was as gentle and quiet as an ox.
“All right. But you better call or text me every day until you’re for real better.”
“Bye, peanut,” I told her with a smile.
“Hey, I thought you were peanut butter and I was the jelly?” she questioned me, but I could hear her smile on the other end of the line.
“I like you being my peanut more. I’ll be your butter. Deal?” I asked.
“Deal. Get some rest, butter. I’ll talk to you soon.” With that, I effectively crossed one item off my list and was ready to conquer the next.
“Hey, Tyler. Have you heard from any of the guys?” I turned and walked over to the fridge, grabbing a water before heading back to the couch.
“Uhh, kind of. What do you know?” Tyler’s voice had changed. It was lower and full of concern. I watched him whisper into Polly Pocket’s ear, and she walked quietly to the guest bedroom.
“I know about Cylas if that’s what you’re asking about.” I knew it hadn’t quite sunk in yet that he was really gone. The past two days had been a complete clusterfuck of events and emotions. One of my best friends had been killed. Was he targeted or random? Why did it have to be him? Every time I thought about it, I wanted to escape and be alone. The problem was that it wasn’t an option, and I wasn’t ready to de
al with those emotions yet.
“Graham somehow broke his leg, and Matt wasn’t hurt, but he’s playing nurse to Hilary. I haven’t been in touch with Trevor yet. Graham was going to see a specialist today to see if he needs orthopedic surgery.”
The night was coming back to me. At least, bits and pieces were. Images of Hilary on the floor, how she pulled me toward her when Victor walked past us looking for movement. Rachel’s lifeless eyes staring back at me. Her features were so soft, her eyes looking straight at me while blood poured from the hole in her forehead. After holding Stella in my arms, I never saw the guys or anyone else. The smoke was too thick and the room was dark. I should have fought harder. I should have been there for Cylas.
Tears leaked from my eyes and I excused myself and headed to the bathroom. I spent a few minutes thinking about Cylas, how they always said the good ones died young. He had so much passion for life. He followed his beliefs and lived life as he thought was best. Cylas had taught me so much throughout the years I had known him and I’d never get to see him again.
I wanted to be comforted. Thoughts of Stella ran through my head and I was done waiting. I was going to find her, today. Walking back out, I asked Tyler, “The girl who was in my room with me, I want to thank her. You have any idea how I can contact her?” Polly was back in the room now but stayed quiet. I didn’t know enough about her yet to judge, but Tyler seemed happy with her.
“Bakery chick?” Tyler questioned.
“Huh? The girl who you walked in with originally. Stella.”
“Yeah. Bakery chick. She works down at Cakes, Cups, and Pops. I knew I recognized her from the hospital, but I didn’t know you two knew each other. She’s always there when I stop in,” Tyler said as if he didn’t just give me the exact information I needed.
How did I not know she worked there? I’d only been in two or three times but had never seen her there before. Looking at my watch, I told them that I had to run an errand and that they should go grab a bite to eat and to enjoy themselves. I didn’t need a fucking babysitter.
I got to my car after fifteen minutes of back and forth fighting with Tyler, and in the end, I didn’t win. He told me to stay put and that after dinner, they’d be back to help me with whatever I needed. I’d sat on the couch as they left, pretending to relax while I was planning my escape. The dumbass left right after the argument, and I waited a few minutes to give myself a buffer so they wouldn’t see me leave.
He wasn’t my caretaker, and I didn’t answer to him. I’d deal with him later. It took me a half an hour to get to my car and buckled in. Looking back, I should have just had Tyler drive me but I was determined. Traffic was slow, just getting into rush hour traffic time, and I was getting antsy. Would she be there? Would she want to see me? By the time I pulled up to the store, I had convinced myself that this would work and she had the same feelings I did.
Walking into the store, the aroma of icing and sugar immediately assaulted my senses. All sorts of cakes and cupcakes were on display, with a small section for cake pops on the side. The store had an open concept that allowed customers to watch the decorators in the back of the shop, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw her decorating a three-tier cake in front of her.
Her concentration never wavered as she went round and round, placing intricate details around the layers. This was her other home just as the gym was mine. Funny how this would be the place for me to cheat, and it was where she spent most of her time. She was going to be my indulgence and I had a feeling that I’d never get my fill.
“Can I help you?” One of the girls behind the counter addressed me, pulling me out of my trance.
“Oh, um. Yeah.” I looked at the counter in front of me and had no idea what to get. Looking at all the options, I decided to go for it, and asked, “Can I have two of the Stella’s favorite desserts?” and prayed they didn’t look at me as if I was a stalker.
“Huh?” She looked thoroughly confused.
Yep. This might not have gone as well as I originally planned. “Stella, the girl in the back. Doesn’t she eat some of this stuff?” I nodded my head toward where Stella was still working away to clue the girl in.
“Oh. She likes the cake pops. I’ll put a couple in a bag for you. Would you like me to get her for you?” she asked as she got out an overly fancy box from below the counter that seemed a bit of overkill for two balls.
“No, um. Yes?” Shit, I didn’t know how the best way to approach her would be. I scratched my head, but the girl chuckled lightly and nodded her head before heading to the back.
I was nervous. I never got nervous around girls, but fuck if I wasn’t worried about what was going through her mind. In her eyes, she probably saw me as a self-centered dick who only had one thing on his mind. This was partially true, but she was really the only thing I’d thought about since I left the hospital.
When Stella walked up front, it was evident that she had no idea I’d be the one requesting her presence. With box in hand, I asked her, “Are you able to take a break and take a walk with me?” I held up the box as a peace offering and prayed she didn’t reject me in a store full of customers.
Hesitation filled her features. She wrung her hands, looking everywhere but at me. Finally, she spoke. “Fine. You should know though, everything in me is telling me to say no. Everything except for my heart.” She waved at one of the other girls in back and put her apron behind the counter before following me outside.
It was another cloudy day but at least the rain had stopped. We walked side by side once we were out of the view of her customers, but I could feel the anger and confusion coming off her. She crossed her arms tightly across her chest and kept a distance from me. I wanted to pull her closer but knew it wasn’t on the table right then. She would have to be the first one to initiate any contact.
“Why are you here?” she asked. I stopped at a park bench and laughed when she sat as far away from me as possible without falling on her ass. Looking into her eyes, I could see the slightest bit of resolve behind her spitfire attitude.
“Because I want to be.” I continued peering into her brown eyes; I could get lost for days in them. She was what I needed to survive. Having her near me made all the other terrible shit that had happened a little less shitty. She was my drug that I never wanted to recover from.
She bit her lip but said nothing for a moment. She wasn’t the easiest person to read but the few times she briefly let me in, that was what gave me hope.
“Just because I was there when you were hurt doesn’t mean you owe me.” Her voice broke toward the end, and I almost broke my resolve to keep my distance. She had no idea what she did to me. My heart was beating wildly, and I’d never been so conscious of my actions around someone.
“Stella, I know we got off to a rough start. I know I didn’t give you the time of day back in high school, but that’s all because I never got the chance to know you. I’m dying to get to know you better, to get under your skin, to find out what makes you laugh, makes you smile, and makes you writhe. I want to know everything. I can’t explain the feelings I have but there’s such an intense pull, and I’m not strong enough to fight against it. When they discharged me and I didn’t get to say goodbye or get your number, I thought I was going to lose it. The nurse was supposed to give you my number, but I have a feeling that didn’t happen. This is new to me and it scares me a little but in a good way, I promise.”
I pulled her closer to me and although I could feel her resist, she gave in after a moment and snuggled into my side. “How do we do this? You’re hurting. You need time to grieve. If my sister finds out about us, she’ll freak out. I know I sound weak, but I’m not strong enough to go up against her. She knows my weaknesses and plays on them. She’s always come out ahead while I’m left trying to hang on to my sanity. Besides, saying yes to a normal date right now seems so cliché. It doesn’t fit us.”
Stella had put thought into us. She wasn’t negative in her tone. She wasn’t saying it w
ouldn’t work, but that it wouldn’t be conventional. Our connection from the reunion fast-forwarded where we were with each other. We’ve been vulnerable in front of the other, having been through a life experience that no one should have to go through, and we were together.
“We don’t have to do normal. Let’s see. We’ll count the hospital as our first date. You looked stunning, by the way. This is our second date. Can we skip over the twenty questions because, to be honest, I have more creative ways to find out about you.” I leaned in slowly, making sure that she was okay with it and gave her a long kiss on her forehead. It would have to do for now.
“I should have dressed better had I known this was our second date. Since we’re being different, can I suggest we move our date to another location? I’ll drive.” She pulled away and excitement filled her eyes. This girl had flour handprints on her jeans, a smudge of orange icing on her cheek, and she was rocking it.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “So now I’m handing over the reins to the chick? My man card is surely about to be taken away but what the hell. Take me away.”
She led me to her car after a short talk with her boss. It was clear that their bond was more than just professional, but it seemed easy enough for her to get off for me. Pun intended. I planned to make her come for me many, many times.
I was more curious than anything for where she would take me. When we parked near the airport, I couldn’t stop the question. “Are you kidnapping me or letting me in on the secret that you’re filthy rich? Because, either way, I’m game.” Her smile was radiant as she got out of the car and pulled out a blanket from the back. I followed along and sat next to her on the blanket once she had settled.
“I used to come out here all the time when I was a little girl. I’d watch planes take off and land for hours. It was my place. I don’t really get to come out here too often anymore so I figured today would be perfect to come back out here. Give it some new memories.”
Deceitfully (Sinfully Series) Page 8