“Hoping to be invisible,” Tori said softly, her fingers squeezing Belle’s arm.
“Exactly!” she replied, her eyes wide as she looked at the others. “Your guys were a couple of years older, so they never knew me, but the ones around me…they were only interested in me for one thing and I was terrified of them.” Taking another sip, she gathered her strength and admitted, “At school, the hardest thing was dealing with the stigma of the park. I was called trash more times than I can remember. I was always the kid who was afraid of her own shadow, and as I got older I got braver, but I was just as shy. Being shy…it’s just me, and I accept that. But growing up the way I did…we.., it was hard.”
“Oh, Belle,” Jillian breathed, her eyes filling with tears. “I feel so bad that I had no idea.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Don’t take that on, Jillian. You had a smile for everyone in high school…we just were in different grades and ran in different circles.”
“Cliques, you mean,” Katelyn said, regret evident in her voice.
“Hey, all that’s important is that I found the desire, somewhere deep inside, inspired by my grandmother, to be more than the life that had been handed to me by my mom.” Shrugging, she said, “Hence, my desire to keep up my education.”
“Good for you—” Jade pronounced, but Madelyn quickly interrupted.
“Yes, good for you, but honestly…please tell us about Hunter and how he fits into all this.”
“I like him.” As soon as the words left her lips, she wished she could pull them back. Even with her closest friends, saying the words aloud made her feel vulnerable. Looking at their faces, she observed no shock or censure, but she sucked in her lips, trying to figure out what to say next. Grateful when Madelyn stepped in, she listened with interest.
“Zac met Hunter when they served on the same ship. Jason and Hunter were both mechanics, but he and Hunter had different jobs. Still, they clicked as friends. Zac always liked him and knew he didn’t have the best of home situations to go back to, so he wanted to keep in touch. But, they lost contact for a couple of years. When they finally reconnected, Zac invited him to come here to live, just like he had with Jason. It took a while, but he finally accepted Zac’s invitation.”
Her voice, soft, she said, “I noticed him the first day he showed up at Careway. It’s hard to miss him, he’s so big.”
“I met him when he dropped in at our wedding reception,” Madelyn continued. “His hair was longer then, but I remember thinking that he was huge.”
Giggling, she nodded. “Mr. Weldon has strict rules about his employees’ appearance. Hunter shaved the sides but had the top long and kept it pulled back in a bun. Eventually he cut it shorter as well, but still long enough to tie back if he wanted. All part of Mr. Weldon’s rules…uniforms and trimmed hair.” Sighing, she added, “Hunter never acted like he knew I was alive, but I was always tongue-tied around him so I guess that makes sense. It wasn’t until I ran into his ladder and hurt my wrist that we had a real conversation.”
“And now?” Tori prodded.
“He confuses me,” she answered, putting all her feelings into three words. Seeing the lifted eyebrows, she tried to think of how else to describe her relationship with Hunter. “He…seems to want to know me better, but then pulls back.”
Rolling her eyes, Jillian moaned, “Oh God, save us from relationship-phobic men!”
Belle had watched as Grant held Jillian at arm’s length when he returned from the military, only to have her give up on them before he realized he wanted a relationship with his former girlfriend. Now, happily married, it was hard to imagine that he had ever been that pig-headed.
“I don’t think it’s that,” she said. “He said that he had things he needed to work on before he felt like he could be the man that he felt I deserved
Nodding, Madelyn said, “Zac did mention that Hunter was somewhat of a mystery. They’re friends, but he said that since Hunter has come to Baytown, he feels like he keeps more to himself.”
“Ooh, a secretive man,” Jade said, a smile curving her lips. “Sounds a lot like Lance.”
She thought about the comparison, but shook her head. “Lance was more of a recluse that you had to pull out of his shell. Hunter isn’t like that. There’s just something he keeps close to the vest.” Suddenly, looking around, she said, “Hey, I don’t want all the conversation to be about me today.”
The others slid into various conversations about what was happening in their lives, their jobs, and their relationships. She listened attentively, but could not keep her mind from wondering about the secrets Hunter kept deep inside…and if he’ll ever let me in.
8
Pain Management Center. Here we go. Hunter entered the facility and spoke to the receptionist. Filling out the pages of initial paperwork, including medical history and recent symptoms, he handed them to her along with his insurance card.
“I see you had an injury due to active military duty,” she said, scanning the papers.
“Yes, ma’am. I wanted to get an appointment as soon as possible.”
She nodded and consulted her appointment program. “I can get you in to see Dr. Harber next Tuesday.”
Agreeing, he took the proffered card and nodded as he left the building. It’s only a few days away, he reminded himself. As he moved toward his motorcycle, he observed a pharmaceutical van parked at the side entrance. He watched as the driver alighted from his vehicle. As he moved closer, seeing his face, recognition hit. Glancing around discretely, he approached the driver.
“Lionel?”
The man turned around and looked at him, a questioning smile on his face. “Yeah?”
He smiled and stepped forward, his hand extended. “I was told you might work around here.” Hesitating a second, he added, “Seems we’ve got a mutual friend…Scott.”
Lionel’s eyes widened in understanding. Shaking his hand, he kept his sharp gaze on Hunter. “How do you know Scott?”
“Served together. Last tour I did.”
“Yeah? You in the Army, too?” Lionel questioned, his smile no longer reaching his eyes. “And how is Scott?”
Holding Lionel’s gaze, unwaveringly, he replied, “Scott wasn’t in the Army. Navy…same as me. And Scott is fine, but maybe he was wrong about you being someone I should get to know. Sorry, man.” Turning, he made it two steps away before Lionel called him back.
“No, no, I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to be an asshole. Just gotta be careful, you know? What’d you say your name was?”
He rotated slowly back around, his smile no longer in place. “Didn’t say.”
“Yeah, yeah, right. Well, uh, it was nice meeting you. Uh…you wanna meet for drinks sometime? Good place not too far from here.”
“No so much into socializing unless there’s something I can get out of it,” he replied, his eyes remaining on Lionel.
“Look, any friend of Scott’s is a friend of mine. Honest.”
The desperate look in Lionel’s eyes had him standing firm. Nodding slowly, he said, “When do you get off work? I’m free and got some time.”
“This is my last run, so I just gotta take the van back to the company and then I can meet you.”
“Company?”
Lionel’s eyes shot toward the side of the van where the company’s logo was located and he waved his hand in that direction. “Matrix Pharmaceuticals. They supply the needs of some of the people around here.”
Nodding slowly, he said, “Seen you delivering to Careway Nursing Home.” Just as Lionel’s eyes widened, fright moving in, he added, “I work there. When I talked to Scott, figured it was a good time to make a connection. You know, make things easier…”
A grin spread over Lionel’s face as he nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, absolutely. Listen, I’ll meet you at Toby’s Bar, over near the wharf in Melton. It’s about ten miles from here. We can have a drink and share a few old stories about Scott.”
A chuckle rumbled up from his chest
as he agreed. “I’ll be there.” As the van pulled out of the parking lot, he stalked back to his motorcycle. Swinging his leg over the seat, he settled and fastened his helmet.
An image of sweet, innocent Belle filled his thoughts again. Digging his fingers in to massage his thigh, he pushed thoughts of her to the recesses of his mind. Looking back up at the Pain Management Center he winced. He hoped they could do the job while simultaneously thinking of Lionel. Blowing out a breath, he started the engine and roared out of the parking lot.
The inside of the bar was dark and the floor was sticky underneath his boots. Several people looked up as he walked toward the booth near the back, but with his size, it was no problem to shoot them a glare that had their eyes jerking down quickly. He used to hate using his size to intimidate, but it was the one thing his father taught him that he actually found useful.
Seeing Lionel lounge in the booth, he looked over and jerked his head up to the bartender in a silent order for a beer. Sliding into the opposite seat, he stared at the man sitting across from him. Tall, but thin. His dark hair was long and appeared to need washing. He was still in the company’s uniform of dark pants and a blue shirt with the Matrix Pharmaceutical logo on the pocket.
“So, what’d Scott tell you about me?” Lionel asked, taking a sip of beer while keeping his eyes on Hunter.
“You already call him? Checking?”
Lionel chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, you got me. He said you’re okay. We can discuss business.”
“Not interested in your business…just what I might get.”
“Personal?”
Nodding, he lifted his beer and took a long drink, the cool liquid a welcome distraction from the distaste in his mouth from what he was doing.
“I can set you up. Percocet. Oxycodone. Fentanyl. That’ll take care of what you need. But, I’m wondering why you’re not tapping your own resources.”
Lifting an eyebrow, he cocked his head, keeping silent.
“You work at a nursing home, man. That place is crawling with drugs. And I’m not just talking about the old folk’s blood pressure medicine. Hell, they got high powered pain killers, mood-altering shit, narcotics…hell, it’s a drug smorgasbord.”
“I’m maintenance, asshole. It’s not like I can get my hands on anything there.”
Sniggering, Lionel leaned back. “All you gotta do is find a nurse who doesn’t mind being compromised…or probably already is.” He narrowed his eyes at Hunter. “I’ve got someone there who helps me out occasionally. But, I’m under strict orders to not mess with her. She’s a sweet piece who has no idea she’s part of a much bigger chain. She just makes it easy for me, that’s all.”
He buried his face into his mug of beer, taking a long swig, hoping to hide the surprise on his face. Who the fuck is he talking about? Not Belle…he knew that for sure. Jesus, fuck. Rolling his mind back over the nurses he knew worked at Careway, there were a few who could be called a sweet piece. Sucking in a deep breath at the thought of Belle, he stayed cool. I’ve got to get myself straight first before I’ve got anything to offer her.
Lionel interrupted his warring thoughts. “I gotta go, man. I’ll fix you up until you see what you can do for me at Careway. Don’t mind having another person to work with, that’s for sure. Meet me back here in two days, same time, and I’ll have some good shit for you.” Standing, he tossed a few bills onto the table and chuckled, “It’ll take your pain away for sure.”
Hunter watched the other man walk out of the bar and gave him a few minutes before he headed out as well. What he had was enough for now. But I’m gonna need more. Fuck! Chest tight, he grimaced at the mess he found himself in. Roaring back down the road toward Baytown, he inwardly cursed the entire way home, caught between what he needed and Belle.
Hunter had to drive past Belle’s mobile home to get to his camper. He intended to keep on driving, but seeing her in her front yard, bent over with her lovely, heart-shaped ass up in the air, his hands turned his motorcycle into her short drive before his brain had a chance to ignore the impulse.
She twisted her head around at the sound and when she saw him pull into her drive, her face lit with a smile. Standing, she wiped her good hand off on a little apron that was tied about her waist. She cocked her head to the side, waiting for him to cut his engine. A simple, unadorned T-shirt drew his eye until his gaze dropped to her cut-off jeans showcasing her legs. Her feet were bare and he wondered why he never noticed how dainty her pink-painted toenails were.
He glanced at her wrist, seeing it still wrapped. Her gaze followed his and she held it up, wiggling her fingers.
“It’s fine. I’m just using my good hand to pull some weeds before they take over my flower beds.”
He nodded as he pulled off his helmet. His eyes moved from her fresh face to the ground nearby. “Looks good. You keep a real pretty yard.”
Her smile, which had sparkled, now beamed brighter. “Thank you! I try to keep it nice. I like having pretty things around me.”
Neither one of them spoke for a moment and she shifted, looking at her feet. “Uh, would you like some iced tea? I was just about to get some for myself.”
Nodding, he silently followed her as she turned and walked into her house. Once again, his eyes roamed over the cozy interior. “I know I said this the other night, but you’ve got a nice place here.”
She smiled, moving into the kitchen to pull down two glasses. “It’s a lot different from what I grew up in.”
He remained silent and she continued as she poured the drinks. “My mama had a small trailer, and that was back when the whole place was run-down. Lots of people didn’t cut their grass or plant flowers.” She walked to the table and set the two glasses down, nodding toward the chairs.
He took her invitation to sit and settled in next to her. After a few minutes of chatting, he said, “Went to the Pain Management Center today to make an appointment.”
“Oh,” Belle replied, her head cocked and compassion lines creasing her face. She opened her mouth, then, closed it again.
Answering her silent question, he said, “I was injured while in the Navy.”
Leaning forward, she placed her hand on his arm, her eyes holding his gaze. “Oh, Hunter. What happened?” Blinking, she rushed, “But only if you want to talk about it. I know some people don’t want to talk and that’s just fine if you—”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling from his chest. “Nah, it’s okay. I wouldn’t have brought it up if it was some big secret.”
“Oh, right.”
“I did maintenance on the ship…not on the engines. Just a Machinery Repairman on an aircraft carrier.”
“The same ship as Zac?”
Nodding, he said, “Yeah, and Jason, actually. Jason was a mechanic, like me, but Zac worked as a Fireman on board. We met over a few small machinery fires. Couldn’t be more different in personalities but, somehow, we became friends.”
Smiling, she patted his arm. “Zac’s a friendly guy.”
“We bonded over bad coffee and discovered both our dads were drunks.” Seeing her eyes widen, he inwardly cursed at his indiscretion, but before he could backtrack, she spoke softly.
“I can see how that would be. It’s hard to talk about your parents to others when you don’t know if they would understand.”
He remained quiet and she looked down at the table, her fingers absently twitching on his arm. Lifting her gaze, she shrugged and simply said, “My mom.”
Understanding crossed his features and he nodded. “Sorry, Belle.”
Blinking, she sat up straighter and said, “Goodness, this was supposed to be about your injury. Please continue.”
Shrugging, he said, “Not a lot to tell. Had an explosion when a small engine got too hot and I was unfortunately too close at the time. Some metal pieces flew out and into my thigh. Zac got there quickly, got the fire put out and made sure to get the medics to me. Ended up having minor surgery to dig them out, but the docs said there were a
few small pieces still embedded.”
Her fingers clenched on his arm and her brow lowered as she leaned in closer. “Oh, Hunter, that must have been so painful…still painful.”
“It bothers me sometimes…”
“It must bother you enough to seek out the Pain Management Center.”
Shrugging again, he focused on her hand on his arm, loving the way she alternated between giving a little squeeze and gentle rubbing. The thought of her hand doing that to other parts of his body had him shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Clearing his throat, he deflected, “We’ll see.”
“I’ve heard good things about them,” she continued. “I’m sure they can help you.”
“I have, too. Worries me a little that they focus so much on physical therapy. Sometimes you just need a little extra, you know? The therapy helps over time, but at first it can be a real pain. I’m hoping they’ve got something they can give me to just take the edge off the pain when it hits.” He lifted his gaze to her face, observing as she cocked her head to the side.
“You have to be careful, Hunter. Those types of drugs can be addictive. I think seeking out the Center, where they have alternative therapies to aid, is a good idea.”
“What about Careway? I know some of those patients have to be on pain medication. Aren’t you afraid of them using those drugs?”
She sucked her lips in, her face scrunching in thought. “Of course, and it can be hard. Not every patient has the same doctors, so some are prescribed stronger drugs than others.” Her shoulders slumped as she added, “And, of course, some are prescribed the heavier doses when they are terminal and near the end.”
Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t see how you keep all the drugs straight for all the patients.”
“Oh, we have to be so careful,” she replied, her earnest face turned up toward him. “We keep each patient’s prescription bottles in their own section of the cabinet. Linda Sobieski, the head nurse, is working with Mr. Weldon to have us move to a different pharmaceutical company…one that puts each patient’s medicines in their own punch-out card. She seems to think that will work best, but he is a little reticent to change.”
Waiting for Sunrise: Baytown Boys Series Page 7