by Arlo Arrow
“It’s not a secret, I suppose,” Julia says softly. “I just don’t want to worry my dad.”
“I understand,” I say. “Julia, has he been in contact with you at all? Besides showing up today?”
She glances around nervously. “There were a bunch of messages on my Facebook account, but I blocked him; don’t worry.”
I hadn’t considered how many ways there are to harass someone in the modern social media age. Julia looks like she’s about to cry, and I place my hand on hers. “It’s okay, Julia. This isn’t your fault.”
“Thanks, Griff,” she sniffles. “I needed to hear that.”
The door opens, and a nurse approaches Julia. “It sure does smell good in here,” she says. “I’m glad you got some good food, because this medicine is going to knock you for a loop. Someone will be in to monitor you in a little while.” She inserts a needle into the IV port attached to Julia’s hand. “Sleep tight,” she says and turns out the main room light on her way out.
Julia’s eyes begin to close almost immediately. “Thanks for coming, but you should go, Griff,” she says with a yawn. “It’s late.”
As odd as it sounds, part of me wants to offer to stay the night and I really don’t want to leave her. “I’ll stay a bit longer, you just get some rest.”
She smiles, though her eyes remain shut. “You’re the best, Griff.”
I don’t reply because her head falls back, and I know the medicine has taken her under. I spend the better part of an hour while I watch her sleep trying to figure out exactly what feelings I have for her going on inside me.
***
Julia
When I wake up, I can still feel the drugs are making me feel groggy and my mouth feels like a sock is inside it. My side hurts and my head throbs a little, but I’m alive. Hopefully, they’ll let me out of here today.
I ring for a nurse to disconnect me and use my IV pole as a support to walk to the bathroom. The nurse informs me she can get some things if I’d like to shower, which I quickly agree to. As I finish using the toilet, there’s a knock on the door. I open it and gladly accept the towel and small bottles of toiletries.
“Just watch where that IV is in your hand and keep the cord close,” she instructs. “I’ll be out here tidying up. Give me a holler if you need help with anything.”
“Thank you, I will,” I reply.
Despite the stinging pain of the hot water pelting on my cuts, it feels good to have a shower. I try not to take too long, and I’m careful with the IV. I step out of the cubicle, dry off, and dress in the clean hospital gown that the nurse left me. After brushing my teeth and combing my hair, I begin to feel like a human being again.
By the time I emerge, the nurse has changed the bed linens and I crawl under the fresh clean sheets. No sooner have I snuggled down, there’s a knock on the door and Griff pokes his head in.
“Good morning,” he says brightly.
Something about his presence absolutely delights me.
“Good morning,” I say, and the nurse gives me a knowing smile as she leaves.
“I gave your dad the day off. I told him to sleep in and spend the day here,” Griff says.
“Thank you, I appreciate that.”
“Maybe you should come clean with him about this situation,” Griff hints, though he quickly changes the subject. “Oh, and due to your excellent performance and attendance, I’ve decided to waive your probationary period, so this will be paid sickness leave. I’ll have a word with Personnel, too about your health insurance.”
I’m speechless. It must take me a full minute before I can respond. “Griff, thank you. You know that you don’t have to do that.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m lucky you don’t sue me for that fall.” He winks and I laugh, then grimace because it hurts.
“I would never,” I say seriously.
“I know,” he says, a sparkle of amusement in his eye. “Anyway, I really want to stay, but I have—”
“A conference call you better not miss,” I interject as I recall his schedule. I look at the clock. “You’d better get moving.”
“You got it. I’ll see you later, though.”
“Is that a promise?” I half-tease.
“You know it,” Griff says in a soft tone. His hand cups my cheek, and for a moment, I will him to kiss me. He doesn’t, of course, and I can’t help but imagine what his lips would feel like crushed against mine as I watch him leave the room.
***
Griff
Even in the crowded elevator I chide myself. It was as though some trance took over me just before I almost kissed her. Despite my desire, I should know better than that.
Warning bells ring in my head. My attraction and feelings for Julia begin to compound, and the lines between what’s appropriate and what’s not begin to blur. I know I play with fire every time I’m in her presence, but the idea of staying away depresses me too much to consider.
I get into my car, and the realization hits me. Regardless of my best efforts, this thing I have for Julia has grown from attraction, to lust, to infatuation, and now to… well, I don’t know what it is I feel for her. I should make it stop, but I don’t want to. Whether it’s right or wrong, whether she’d even have me or not, part of me already needs her. The question now is, will I do anything about it?
***
Julia
It’s not too long after Griff leaves that another knock sounds on my door, and in walks my dad. He carries coffee and a bag of doughnuts from our favorite bakery in one hand and a deck of cards in the other, causing me to grin.
“Hey, baby girl,” he says. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Dad. Thank you for saving me from hospital breakfast,” I say as I motion to the tray on the windowsill. Even the smell from it makes me want to puke.
“I figured the food here would be terrible,” he laughs.
We eat our donuts and watch TV and when we’re done, Dad takes out the cards while I turn off the TV. Cards have always been our thing. Camping? Play cards. Power outage? You guessed it, cards. He deals a hand, and Griff’s words repeat in my mind and I know I’d be lying if I don’t tell my father about Pete. As we play, I fill him in. He’s not happy I kept it from him this long, but he understands why I did. Before I can answer too many more of his questions, there’s another knock on the door and my spirits lift hoping it’s Griff, but instead, an older man I’ve never seen before steps inside.
“Julia Black? Sorry to interrupt. I’m Detective Mac McGregor, and I’ve been assigned to your case,” he says, flashing his ID. “I have a few questions, if you’re feeling up to it?”
Dad looks at him in surprise, and I nod. “Now’s as good a time as any, I guess.”
Chapter Ten
Griff
I have my phone on silent so any incoming calls or texts don’t interrupt my online conference call, but when the screen lights up and flashes Mac’s face, I check it right away.
She gave me more evidence. Call me later, I’ll fill you in.
I quickly type a reply—Thanks man. be in touch asap.
I’m sure by now Walt’s now aware of what happened, and I’m glad Mac’s been assigned to the case.
***
I return to the hospital around four. Walt and Julia greet me amidst a father / daughter disagreement and they barely miss a beat after they acknowledge me.
“What will it hurt to stay another night?” Walt asks with frustration.
“What good will it do?’ Julia counters. “I hate it here, Dad.”
Walt shakes his head. “The doctor says stairs aren’t good for you with your ribs as they are. What if they discharge you and you can’t make it inside?” he asks.
Julia looks like she may cry. “I’ll make it. One way or another, I’ll make it. Please, don’t make me stay.”
Walt’s voice softens. “Julia, it’s in your best interest.”
Her eyes narrow, and before things escalate I pipe in. “So, th
ey said they can release you?”
“The doctor is concerned about her mobility,” Walt says quickly. “Don’t let her downplay it.”
Julia rolls her eyes and huffs loudly.
“Stairs are the issue?” I ask.
“Yeah, upstairs apartment,” Julia says grumpily.
“I have a guest room available on the first floor of my house. It has a bathroom attached. You’re welcome to use it,” I offer, being careful about my expression while Walt considers my words.
“That’s very nice of you, Griff,” Walt says warmly. “I guess it’s up to Julia.”
“I wouldn’t want to be any trouble,” she says, but her cheeks warm in a pink tint and she lowers her chin to her chest to hide her embarrassment.
“It wouldn’t be any trouble at all, Julia.” I assure her.
“They gave us the number for the home nurse to check on you,” Walt relents. I can tell he’s concerned for his daughter’s well-being, not that he’s trying to keep her in the hospital without good reason as she seems to have taken it.
Overall, Julia’s strength astounds me. Her attitude is always so optimistic. It doesn’t surprise me she’s finally at a breaking point. “Yeah?” she asks us both meekly. The fight seems to have left her.
“Yeah,” Walt and I say simultaneously and Julia rewards us with her beautiful smile.
“I’ll go get the doctor,” Walt says.
The look of joy and relief on Julia’s face calms the panic rising within me. She’s going to be at your house. What kind of genius move is that for a guy who doesn’t want to blur lines?
***
Julia
It seems like no time at all that the doctor approves my post-release plans. Dad goes home to pack an overnight bag of clothes and toiletries, while Griff sticks around to talk with the nurse about any warning signs of possible complications.
With all the discharge paperwork signed, the nurse escorts me to the front exit via a wheelchair, and Dad gives me a quick hug and a kiss before helping me into Griff’s car. He tells me to get some rest and that he’ll see me sometime tomorrow.
I watch Griff in the side mirror as he places my bags in the trunk of the car. They talk a moment then shake hands. It feels more surreal than anything. I’ll be at his house. Not just for a visit, but staying there, at least until my ribs heal more. This isn’t a ride to work or sharing an office thing anymore. This is me all up in his space—his personal space. I blush at the thought of just how personal I’d like to get, if given the chance.
No way do I want to make things weird between us, though. Griff is a nice guy. I have to constantly remind myself not to take his kind gestures the wrong way. It’s a difficult thing to stay on task as his scent embraces me now I’m shut inside his car. I inhale deeply while I have the opportunity as Griff walks around to the driver’s side. He climbs in, shuts the door, and buckles his seatbelt. With an almost nervous smile he says, “Are you ready to go home?”
He has no idea what his words do to me. “Yes,” I reply in a barely audible tone. “Yes, I am.”
***
Griff
“I really appreciate you doing this, Griff,” Walt says. “I feel like she’ll be safer at your place than mine.”
“It’s possible this Pete guy will continue to look for her. I’m not sure if the police have enough evidence to arrest him at this point, even if he does turn up. I think he’s lying low for now,” I tell Walt.
“Again, I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m just glad I can help,” I say.
Walt holds out his hand, and I give it a firm shake before he walks away. I take a deep breath and get in the car. Part of me still feels guilty at the trust Walt has put in me with his one and only daughter. But more of me feels a mixture of excitement and nervousness at her presence, knowing we’re about to be alone together in my house. The nervousness is almost comedic. I’m in my mid-thirties, yet she has me fumbling about like a spotty teenager.
“Do you want music?” I ask her.
“Yeah… but maybe not as loud as usual. My head still hurts some,” she says.
“You set the volume then,” I say and we spend the rest of the ride listening to Bon Jovi’s, Slippery When Wet album. One of my favs and so good to hear again.
We pull into my driveway, and my nervousness immediately increases. I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t control it. I figure Julia is probably nervous too, but I should be the one who knows what to do. I’m a confident man. I’m the CEO of an international company, for Christ’s sake, negotiating multi-million dollar deals all over the world. So why do I feel like an awkward adolescent around her? It’s crazy.
I glance over at Julia as I cut the engine, and the look she gives me mirrors my own—we both seem to share a nervous excitement. Part of me is excited at the fact that maybe—just maybe—Julia feels the attraction, too. Another, more rational, part of me wonders exactly how dangerous this arrangement can be. How long can a man contain himself? Surely my willpower is strong enough?
I guess there’s only one way to find out.
***
Julia
The car becomes silent once Griff cuts the engine. Even through my pain and discomfort, excitement over being here with him prevails. It means so much that Griff is willing to open his home to me. There’s still a lot I don’t know about him and maybe being here will help to change that.
“Don’t try to get out by yourself,” Griff says, and he unbuckles his seatbelt and hurries around the car to open the door for me. It’s hard for me to move into certain positions with these bruised ribs, so I have little choice in the matter. Once Griff opens the door, I swing my legs around slowly and place my feet on the ground. The next part’s a little trickier. We try twice to have Griff hoist me up with our hands, but it’s no use. The moment my arms feel any tension my ribs burn like hell, and I pull back with a hiss.
Griff frowns. “We’re going to have to try this another way.”
“Yeah, that’s not working,” I agree.
“I’ll give you a moment to catch your breath while I take your stuff inside,” he offers. It must be obvious that I’m still in pain. “They gave you medicine?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’m supposed to take it with food, though.” I feel like a pain in the ass already and I’m not even out of the car yet, let alone through the front door.
“Okay, we’ll get that taken care of first,” Griff says, then he pops the trunk and walks around the car. He pauses then turns back to me and says, “After we get you inside, I mean.”
I smile through the pain. “I know. I don’t want to sit here all night while you feed me.”
I concentrate on slowing my breath until the pain becomes more manageable. If I don’t inhale too deeply, I can at least deal with it. It’s those sharp spasms that kill me every time.
Griff returns and crouches in front of me. “All I can figure is to have you grab onto me, however is most comfortable for you. Is that okay?”
He has no idea how okay that is. In fact, I nod and stay silent before I get myself in trouble and sent back to the damn hospital.
“Ready?” Griff asks from only a few inches away.
“Yeah,” I let out the one word and one word only. The closer Griff gets, the less I trust myself.
He leans in another inch, and the earthy scent of his expensive cologne engulfs me. It’s different than just being in the car or near him. Being so close, it intoxicates me with its potency, and before my senses stop reeling from it, he leans in fully and our bodies connect at the torso. The shocks I get from his simple touches are nothing in comparison to the energy that shoots between us now. For a moment, I forget everything—where I am, the pain I’m in, what I’m supposed to do. I just revel in Griff’s touch.
After a few seconds, it dawns on me that neither of us is moving. I try not to let my imagination run wild, that maybe a man like Griff could see anything in me. He probably just thinks I’m in pain… or weird… or
both. I decide to make a move and try to figure out how to grab onto Griff without hurting myself any more than I have to. After a few more unsuccessful attempts, I lose it and silent tears begin to fall down my cheeks.
“Okay, now. Enough of that, swing your legs back in there and watch your head,” Griff says in a low, soothing tone. I do as he says. “I got you.” Griff picks me up like I weigh nothing at all. In seconds, he has me inside and lays me down carefully on the couch. “Is this okay for now?”
“Yeah, thank you. I’m sorry,” I say with a sniffle.
“Don’t be sorry, Julia,” Griff says. “Please, anything but that. I already told you that none of this is your fault. Let me take care of you until you’re back on your feet.”
The damn tears start again. They’re beyond my control. “It feels like my fault,” I confess. The tears flow, and soon it’s an all-out cry. It sucks for many reasons—including my present company—but none more so than the pain in my ribs crying causes, which makes me cry even more.
It happens so quickly I hardly feel the movement as Griff tugs me into his lap and lays my head on his chest. He rubs my hair and makes shushing sounds as he comforts me. “It’s not your fault, okay? I promise you. It’s that asshole’s fault.”
I manage to calm down from all-out sobbing to only tears again. “What I don’t understand is why he’s going so crazy.” I remember to control my breathing again to help ease the pain.
“What do you mean?” Griff asks softly into my hair.
“I don’t know,” I mumble into his chest. “It’s just… there are like literally millions, no, billions of women out there. Why obsess over me?” It’s a question I keep asking myself that I never thought I’d say aloud to anyone.
“Julia, you may not know it, but you’re pretty amazing,” Griff says in his low, sexy voice. “But he should learn to take no for an answer and move on.”
My head still hurts, and my body feels the exhaustion of the last few days. All I can focus on is what Griff just said. I look up at him and meet his gaze. “You think I’m pretty amazing?” I whisper.