The Wedding Date

by Zrinka Jelic

  She did couple of reps, with him standing at the back of the chair and spotting her at each rep.

  “You got it. Now, try counting.”

  “One,” she said, lifting weights over her head. “Two.” She counted on her way down.

  “Still one, but nice try. Only count in one direction, either up or down, but not both.”

  She continued, counting to nine.

  “Ten.” He counted for her, grabbed the dumbbells from her hands and setting them on the floor. “You’re so quiet. It’s okay to drop the weights, grunt and groan, huff and moan. Let us hear you’re working out.”

  She flashed a tight lipped smile. He listed all the sounds she made during sex. “I don’t want to give people wrong idea of what I’m doing.”

  He chuckled and tapped her shoulder. “Shake it off and stretch. Do two more sets of ten reps while I quickly call my mom, and remember.”

  Her gaze followed his pointing arm at the sign on a wall stating, if you find it easy, add five. She turned to him. “Add five pounds or reps?”

  His brows moved closer with his narrowing eyes, as if surprised she would ask him that. “Both,” he said, his voice confirming his expression. “I’ll be back in a few.”

  She nodded, watching his reflection in the mirror, until he rounded the corner. Turning her attention to the task he appointed her with, she completed her first set of shoulder presses and put the weights down to stretch.

  A shadow cast over her. She tilted her head upward and met Ashley’s pursed lips and narrowed gaze.

  Ashley plucked a bud from her ear. “You couldn’t stay away from him, could you?”

  “I’m a client just like you and if he wants to train me, you must be crazy to think I’d pass on the offer.”

  “Oh, you poor thing.” Ashley’s tone turned into a mocking concern. “You think he’s interested in you? No, hon, he’s playing you. I already told you he’s engaged.”

  “You wanna vouch for that?”

  Ashley flipped her perfect raven hair. “I see, you probed him for truth.”

  Neri tucked loose strands of her unruly and sweaty hair under the elastic band. “Besides, if he’s playing me, what’s it to you? I’ll find out if that’s true sooner or later.”

  “I got rid of all of his other girlfriends.” Ashley pointed her French manicured index finger. “I’ll get rid of you too.”

  “Including his fiancé? Just leave me alone. I’m here to work out.” Neri bent to pick up her weights.

  Ashley popped the buds back into her ears. The music seeping from her headphones indicating she had the volume cranked up to the max. She stepped away from Neri and grabbed a pair of twenty pounds dumbbells. She smiled and perched her tush in front of Neri. “Hey, would you mind stepping aside? You’re blocking my view.”

  Neri moved the chair to the left, but Ashley stepped in front of her again.

  Ashley only pumped her arm higher and with more vigor. The bimbo couldn’t hear over the blasting music.

  Neri leaned forward as she tried to poke Ashley’s back and gain her attention. Her fingers came short of touching Ashley, so she scooted a bit closer, mindful of Ashley’s arm thrusting the dumbbell backward.

  Before she could reach out, Ashley’s weight collided with Neri’s nose. Pain ripped through her skull and a distinct sound of bones crushing sent terror through her. She reeled backward, holding her face that felt like it was about to explode.

  A body builder next to them, dropped his heavy weights like hot cakes and the gym’s floor shook. He jumped off the bench and pushed Ashley away as she was about to repeat her move. “Get Mark!” he hollered.

  “Hey,” Ashley shrieked, dropping the dumbbells. “What the hell?”

  “You did this deliberately.” He pointed his arm at Neri.

  “Did what?” Ashley finally removed both earpieces and turned the music off.

  “Don’t play dumb. I saw the whole thing. Mark’s gonna be pissed.” The bodybuilder held Neri’s head tilted back, but the metallic taste of blood dripped into her mouth.

  “It was an accident. She moved toward me in the middle of my set. If she doesn’t know the gym’s etiquette, then let her get hurt.”

  “It wasn’t an accident, Ashley. Looked very deliberate to me.” The bodybuilder’s voice took a deep, warning tone.

  Mark ran up to Neri’s side. A bag of crushed ice in his hand. “How did this happen?”

  “Ashly jammed a dumbbell into the girl’s face.” The bodybuilder stepped away as Mark took over.

  Mark growled at Ashley. “I’ll deal with you later.”

  The warmth of his hand wrapped around back of Neri’s counteracted the coldness of the ice he held gently over her nose.

  “What?” Ashley gasped, pressing her hand to her heaving chest. “You can’t kick me out. I didn’t do anything wrong. Your pet project here doesn’t know not to disrupt someone in the mid-set.”

  The anger burned in his eyes as he glared at Ashley, making Neri shiver.

  Ashley finally moved from her spot and rushed passed him. “I hate you.”

  The bodybuilder’s head seemed to be stuck in permanent slow shake at Ashley’s retreat.

  Mark seethed not glancing behind him.

  Neri never saw him mad, let alone this mad.

  He brushed his lips over Neri’s forehead. “I’ll get you fixed in no time.”

  His whisper sent a whole different shiver up her spine. “I’m fine. Really, no need for all this fuss.”

  “Neri, your nose is most likely broken. I’ll get you to see a surgeon. Just let me make a phone call. Can you walk? Hold this, don’t press on it.” He let go of the ice bag when she took the hold on it and he wrapped one arm around her waist to hoist her up.

  She didn’t protest, only leaned on his arm. The small key to her locker, hanging from the elastic wrapped around her wrist came to her focus. “My stuff is in locker twenty seven. Can you get it?”

  “I’ll send a staff member.” He tightened his hold around her. “Don’t worry about a thing. Just know you’re in good hands.”

  Her legs turned to jelly with his closeness. Good thing only a few members hang out at the gym as he led her straight to his Jeep.

  “Can you climb in?”

  “Yes,” she wheezed out as her broken nose altered the quality of her speech. The leather creaked under her, as she took the shotgun seat. “I hope I don’t mess up your car.”

  “Got plenty of towels.” He plopped the bunch of terry cloths on her lap. “Your nose is not bleeding much. I’ve seen worse.” He skirted the hood of the car and already had his cellphone pressed to his ear. “Meet you there,” he said, slipping behind the wheel. “That was Dave, my surgeon friend. He can get your nose set in his office.”

  “That’s amazing. Will my head be wrapped up in bandages for months?”

  “No, it’s a small cast and fits over your nose. You’ll have to wear it for a couple of weeks, depending on how fast you heal.”

  “I hope this doesn’t cause any trouble for you. I mean, I’d hate to—I’m not the one to threaten with legal actions and such. Maybe it was my fault, everything happened so quickly.”

  “No, it’s not your fault. Over the years, people get injured at the gym, mostly by dropping weights on their feet. Shit happens. So don’t worry, I’ll write up the accident report if you need it for insurance and if you don’t want to pursue lawsuit, it’s okay, but know that I’ll support you whatever you decide.”

  “Appreciated, but don’t think suing her would do me any good. No doubt, she or her family could afford a good lawyer, but I can’t and taking her to court could end up costing me in the end. What’s done cannot be undone, I’m stuck with a broken nose. I don’t want to get stuck with an astronomical attorney’s bill too.” Neri shifted uncomfortably in her seat. What she was about to ask for wasn’t something she’d ever discussed with anyone. Getting her nose broken may be the gateway to having her beak fixed once and for all. And if
his friend agreed, she should be thanking Ashley, not suing her. “Do you think your friend would be willing to do something more?”

  “Like what?” Mark glanced at her, then backed the car from its parking spot.

  “Like reconstruction.” She pulled her lower lip between her teeth.

  “Rhinoplasty? I guess after he takes some x-rays he could be able to do something.” He placed his hand on hers. “What? Are you not happy about your nose?”

  “The hump makes it look like I have a beak.”

  “Fixing that usually takes time, and it’s done at the hospital. Dave owes me many favors. I’ll speak with him.” Mark laughed, then grabbed the hold of the wheel with both hands. “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?”

  “Absolutely. I won’t look heck of a lot different.” She leaned her head on the headrest. Now that she had the date for the wedding and, if she could get her nose fixed in time, all she’d have to do is cover residual bruising with makeup. Vanity was not her thing, but living with that nose all her life caused her some mean teasing straight from the kindergarten to adulthood. Here was her chance, and no amount of pain and discomfort would sway her from her life’s desire. She could also bet all her money she wouldn’t remember ever thinking this once the meds wear off and reality of post-operative pain kicked in, but the surgeon could prescribe her something strong.

  “Since your nose is already broken, it’s better to get it fixed now. You’ll have to deal with discomfort either way.”

  “This…” She pointed at the general direction of her nose covered under the towel and a bag of ice. “Caused me more suffering than two weeks of recovery ever could.”

  “I’ll be with you every step of the way.” He took her hand again.

  At his touch, her insides fluttered with a new anticipation. Maybe he was genuine and wanted more than a fake wedding date. If only. She mustn’t get her hopes up. However, it felt good for once to have someone in her corner.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Even with the air-conditioner pumping full blast through the vents of his Jeep, sweat soaked Mark’s shirt and glued his back to the black leather seat. The roads slowly filled with cars as the afternoon rush hour had started. The drive to Dave’s clinic took about twenty minutes on a normal day; it figures the one time he needed to get there sooner, construction and traffic would slow him down.

  “Come on, move it,” he growled at the slow poke in the pickup truck ahead of him. The light changed to yellow and the vehicle in front made it through the intersection, but Mark had to slam on the brakes.

  He smacked the steering wheel and grunted. “Damn it, I hate drivers like this.”

  Neri moaned as his jeep came to a jerky stop, but she held her head tilted back and clutched the crushed ice bag to her face. By now the ice must’ve melted, at least the water would stay cold enough to keep the swelling down and soothe the pain.

  “Sorry for my impatience. We’re almost there.” He tapped her free hand. “I feel responsible for this. Perhaps I never should’ve left you to call my mom. Not sure how to deal with Ashley, but I cannot let her get away with this.”

  “No, it was my fault too. I should’ve just moved away from her.” Neri squeezed her eyes shut and let out a small moan. The pain must be getting bad, she was tough if she managed this long.

  “No, it’s not your fault, love. Ashley hurt you, then acted as if she was the one who bled. It’s no one’s fault but hers.” He pressed his lips tight, biting down on the string of expletives he wanted to dump on Ashley.

  “Whatever you do, she’ll only retaliate. Better to ignore her, she’ll go away.”

  “Doubtful. She thinks she’s saving me from all the hussies who threw themselves at me and got this crazy idea that I’ll get back with Brook. Not happening.” His voice dripped with sarcasm despite his effort to hide it. He should be thanking his ex-fiancé for breaking up with him. Saved them both much grief and not to mention, heartache. She couldn’t control her emotions, so she tried to change his behavior. Being around a super sensitive person such as Brook, it was a small wonder he could never relax and be spontaneous, because he never knew what would upset her next. Then there was the age difference, she was much too young to settle down and with his fortieth fast approaching, he felt the pressure from all sides to get it done.

  Thankfully, Dave’s clinic appeared on the left before old memories pulled him deep under. Mark put on the turn signal. “In a few minutes, you’ll be pain free. Hope you’re not afraid of needles.”

  “If it’ll make the pain go away, stick me and don’t spare a single drop.”

  He chuckled, pulling into the parking lot slowly to not to shake the car and cause Neri more discomfort. Any other girl he knew would’ve thrown a tantrum and turned the misfortune into a huge drama, but not Neri. She came from the down to earth world. The place he would like to go and stay for good.

  “Stay seated until I get you a wheelchair.” He opened the driver’s side door and was about to get out when she huffed and straightened.

  “What wheelchair? Please, my legs still work. I can walk.” With some elaborate twisting, she managed to slide out of the car still keeping the ice bag in place.

  He was by her side in an instant and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Not just for physical support, but emotional too. Her strong and composed demeanor didn’t fool him, she could use some encouragement as they approached the clinic. Larger than life posters on the front windows depicted beautiful models. Mark would bet none had any surgical work done. Words described the services provided under each picture: direct insurance billing, payment plans, cosmetic and restorative family friendly plastic surgery, emergencies welcome.

  “This too shall pass, you’ll see.” He pulled her closer to him and inhaled her sweet scent.

  “Why does it feel as if it’ll pass like kidney stones?”

  Laughter rumbled in his chest. He kissed her cheek. “Love your sense of humor and that you can joke even under these circumstances.”

  “I wasn’t joking.” She winked.

  This caused him to burst out in another fit of laughter. “Oh, good grief. How can anyone not love you?”

  Stepping inside the foyer, they left the overheated asphalt of the parking lot behind.

  A girl barely visible by the massive reception desk greeted them. Strange, Dave made sure all of his female employees were bombshells. “You must be Doctor Warren. Doctor Thomson said you’re bringing the patient.”

  “Yes, please tell him we’re here, and call me Mark.”

  “Sure, Doc…um, Mark,” she said, picking up the receiver and dialing. “Doctor, they are here. Okay, thank you.” She nodded and replaced the phone on its cradle. “Doctor Thompson said to take her to room two for x-rays.”

  Mark led Neri to the x-ray room and placed her on the examination table.

  The technician in her purple scrubs fiddled with the machine, then stepped to Neri. “Let me see it.” She removed the cold padding from her nose. “At least, the swelling is not too bad.” The technician placed the heavy lead apron on Neri’s chest.

  “Icing it helped.” Mark squeezed Neri’s shoulder. “Can I leave you in the nurse’s capable hands and go see if Dave’s ready?”

  She nodded, but worry reflected in her eyes. “Can you get me my cell phone from my bag? I want to call my mom.”

  “Sure thing, love. Let first get this done.” Not wanting to make her more nervous before the surgery, he quickly left the examination room.

  After retrieving Neri’s phone from her gym bag inside his car, he handed the mobile to the short receptionist with instructions to give it to Neri once she was done in the x-ray room.

  Inside Dave’s office, he lowered to the chair across from his friend’s desk. “X-ray’s already?”

  “She suffered a compound fracture. To set it so that it heals properly, I’ll have to shave the bump. That will give her an elegant nose. You mentioned she hated her beak.” Dave turned from the scree
n and pulled off his glasses.

  Mark relaxed his shoulders. For the past few minutes, he racked his brain on how to broach the subject with Dave. “Yes, she asked me if you’d do that for her. I’m sure you’ll have a quick consultation with her before you proceed.”

  “Of course. I can operate today, but after she’s discharged, she’ll need constant medical care for the first forty-eight hours.” Dave scratched under his chin. “I assume you know how to do post-op care.”

  “You mistook me for a nurse.” Mark straightened in his chair. However, the notion of having Neri all to himself for two days made his insides flutter. For heaven’s sake, she wouldn’t be in shape or mood for any kind of romance, but he could get the ball rolling. Maybe she would want to stay with her family, but Dave was clear on discharging her to his care. What if she had someone who could provide proper post- op care for her?

  Obviously, he didn’t know much about her. “I’ll find out how open to coming home with me she is.”

  “I suggest you do that after the surgery. Don’t want her blood pressure spike up with anxiety.” Dave pushed his chair away from the desk. “Let’s do this. If you’re attending, scrub in.”

  Mark huffed. “You’re trying to get in my dad’s good book for making a surgeon out of me. No, I’m scrubbing in as a patient’s friend and comforter.”

  “If that’s what you call it nowadays.” Dave’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he pulled a bunch of forms from his drawer. “You keep doing your sports medicine and leave surgery to surgeons.”

  “Hey, if you think my specialty is easy, everybody would be doing it. There are way too many surgeons, and not many sports medicine specialists.”

  The remark must’ve hit home, for Dave gave him a sharp look. He grabbed a pen and stuffed the blank forms into a folder. “You’re a wise guy now too. Your friend needs to sign these consents and we can begin. Meet you in the OR.”

  In a hurry, Mark changed into ugly blue scrubs and headed to the scrub room for three to five minutes of vigorous washing of his hands and forearms with antimicrobial soap, even though he wouldn’t perform the surgery, no doubt Dave would try to get him to assist at some point. Well, since he’d sprung this surgery on his friend, he couldn’t leave him in the lurch. The very least, he could do some clean-up work afterward. Pushing his back against the revolving doors, he stepped into OR. A nurse assisted Dave with strings on the back of his surgical gown. She then held open latex gloves front of Mark and he fumbled trying to insert his still damp fingers inside, then slid his arm through the sleeves of the same kind of grab Dave wore.