When he’d first met her five years before, he had immediately liked her. They had connected straight away, and they’d never parted until he’d gone to college. His schoolmates used to make fun of his friendship with her, hinting that they were more than just friends; he himself had found it hard to believe that a boy and a girl could be just friends, but after spending time with Valerie, he’d understood that not only was it possible—it felt great too. Valerie understood him like none of his schoolmates did, and he knew that she felt the same about him.
Now even his American schoolmates were making it sound as if he felt something for her that went way beyond friendship, even though he kept telling them they were wrong. Of course they were, weren’t they? They didn’t know Valerie, and they didn’t know the kind of relationship they had.
He obviously hadn’t told them that his first kiss had been with her because they wouldn’t understand that either. It had been a peck, just because they both wanted to remember their first kiss related to someone special. It hadn’t meant anything else because he didn’t feel that way toward Valerie. When he’d started dating Lindsay, the girl from the Film Scoring Department, and he’d kissed her, it had felt totally different—not like a fraternal kiss at all.
And that was how he knew that what he and Valerie shared was only a deep, true friendship, even if it was between a girl and a boy.
Their first kiss.
He hadn’t thought of it in years. It had happened the day before he left Dublin to move to Boston, when Valerie was feeling awful and thought he was going to forget her and his dull hometown, all caught up in his new American life, “with cool American friends in a cool school in cool Boston”, as she had said.
He smiled at the thought and, as he was lying in bed wide awake now, he started to make a mental list of all the things they would do when she finally arrived in Boston. They would have a blast together; she would love Boston, he was sure.
When he realized he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again, he got out of bed, careful not to wake up his roommate, and decided to get ready and go to the airport a bit earlier than he had planned. He’d promised her that he would pick her up and they would take a bus back to her campus together. He didn’t want to be late.
“Are you going to the airport already? Isn’t it a bit early?”
Kevin’s voice behind him made Ryan freeze in place. Kevin had been teasing him for days, and he wasn’t in the mood to chat with him. His roommate could be a lot of fun most of the time, but when it came to talking about Valerie, he could turn into a real jerk if he wanted.
“I’m not. I’m just going to take a shower and have breakfast, if that’s okay with you.”
Kevin chuckled. “Hey, take it easy, man. I was only teasing you—no need to take it personally.” He switched the light on and Ryan blinked. “So, when am I gonna meet your precious Valerie?”
“Uh… never, I think.”
Kevin shook his head and grinned mischievously. “Why, are you scared she’d fall for me? I know I’m quite a magnet for girls, but don’t worry—I’d never steal a friend’s girl. It’s against the rules.”
“She’s not my girl!” Ryan snapped, throwing his hands in the air. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
“Well, then you shouldn’t be worried about my meeting her. You’ve been talking about her for two years—I think I deserve to meet her. Besides,” he added, waggling his eyebrows, “She could be my soul mate, for all you know. I’m sure she’s quite cute, with her Irish accent and fair skin.”
Ryan turned around and ignored him, knowing that arguing with him would be useless. He walked into the small bathroom, and leaned against the door after he’d closed it. Kevin would never stop teasing him, and he dreaded the moment his roommate would meet Valerie because, no matter how badly Ryan would try to keep her away from him, he knew Kevin would never stop teasing him until he’d met her.
Maybe once he realized that Ryan and Valerie were really just best friends, Kevin would eventually leave him alone—even though Ryan feared this wasn’t likely to happen.
He shook his head and jumped into the shower, not wanting to be late for Valerie’s arrival.
Ryan had been waiting at the airport for over an hour, and had already drunk two Starbucks White Mocha coffees, feeling nearly as nervous as he did before an exam at school. He and Valerie had been in touch practically every day for the past two years, but there was still a possibility that things between them wouldn’t be the same as they were when he was still living in Dublin. After all, they were older now, and two years in the world of a teenager made a big difference. Would Valerie still feel the same as she did before, would she still want to spend time with him, would she still be the girl he remembered? What if, after hanging out with her female school friends, she had turned into a silly girl, whose only interests were make-up, shopping, and boys?
He couldn’t imagine Valerie spending hours in front of a mirror or wearing short skirts and high-heeled shoes, but she was eighteen now. When he’d left her, she had just turned sixteen and was still a sweet, innocent girl grieving over the death of her beloved grandfather and the inevitable departure of her best friend. But two years had passed, and for all he knew, she might have changed into a different person, a young woman he wouldn’t recognize and wouldn’t have anything in common with.
The thought hit him hard, making him feel the need for another coffee, if only to keep his mind busy with something else. What would he do if Valerie wasn’t his Val anymore? Would he like her and care about her even if she wasn’t the girl he used to love hanging out with, or would it feel too awkward and they would end up taking separate paths?
He’d made a few friends at school, boys and girls, but with none of them had he developed such a strong and deep friendship as he had with Valerie, even if they all shared the same passion for music. He hadn’t really been able to open up or be himself with any of his American friends. They mainly talked about school, music, exams, and where to go on Saturday nights, but he’d never been able to speak about his worries, his doubts, his feelings. Valerie was the only person he’d ever been able to open up with, and he was glad they were going to be together again soon.
When the sliding doors finally opened and she walked through them, his heart filled with joy and excitement, and he ran toward her.
“Hey, Val!”
She turned her head and her face cracked into a huge smile when she spotted him. She zigzagged around the people who were going in the opposite direction and walked swiftly toward him. When she was at a jumping distance, she dropped her luggage and flung herself into his open arms, hugging him so tight he gasped for air.
Holding her in his arms again felt so good, he forgot the rest of the world around them. People were passing by, some talking on their cell phones, others laughing and chatting, but he didn’t see or hear anyone. All he cared about was that they were together again.
Chapter 31
*** Present day ***
“Why am I here?” Ryan asked, when they removed the oxygen mask from his face and replaced it with a nasal cannula.
“You had a car accident. You came here unconscious and in very bad condition.” She smiled and patted his hand. “You were lucky I was on night shift and I’m a surgeon.”
“You mean you actually went into an operating room?” His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
She nodded. “I had to. I mean, another doctor helped, but I felt responsible, and I didn’t want to let anyone else operate on you. I’m ashamed to say that I refused to do it at first, but when I saw it was you, I couldn’t afford to waste even a second. I couldn’t lose you. So I pulled myself together, and just went into the operating room and did what had to be done.”
Ryan took her hand and smiled.
“I’m glad you did, Val.”
“So am I.” She smiled back and squeezed his hand.
“Hey, wait a minute,” he said, with a frown. “You didn’t see me naked in
the operating room, did you? I mean, they did leave my clothes on, right?”
She let out a snort. “I was a little too busy trying to restart your heart, to worry if you were or were not wearing underwear, you know?”
He chuckled and she was glad he was back to his old self again; she had been seriously worried that he might have suffered brain damage, but she was happy to see that he seemed to be all right now.
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have minded if a nice nurse had actually seen me naked, but you... well, it would’ve been dead embarrassing.”
“Ryan! I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. I’m a doctor and a professional: I don’t go around spying under the sheets of my patients.”
“Well, I do hope you didn’t spy under mine anyway.”
She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. She felt so much better now that she was sure the worst was behind them.
They remained silent for a few seconds, neither of them knowing what to say and just enjoying each other’s company. Then he took a long, deep breath and looked up at her, his eyes sparkling.
“You saved me, Val.”
She shrugged, a little self-conscious. “I was simply in the right place at the right time. Any other doctor would’ve done it, maybe even better. But I was glad I was on duty that night.”
“No, I mean you really saved me. You brought me back from where I was going. I was in this bright light with all these fluffy clouds, and I didn’t want to come back. But when I heard you call my name, and heard the desperation in your voice, I was drawn back, away from the light and from all the peace it gave me.” He squeezed her hand tighter, brushing it with his thumb. “I wouldn’t have come back if I hadn’t heard your voice.”
She smiled, though a tear spilled over and rolled down her cheek.
“You could hear me,” she whispered, more an affirmation than a question. She’d wished all along that he could hear her. She’d kept talking to him even when it felt stupid, and she was glad she hadn’t lost hope.
He nodded. “I heard you when I was just about to walk into the light, to reach the place that looked so inviting. You sounded so desperate, I just didn’t feel like leaving anymore. I wanted to come back, to tell you I was okay. I couldn’t bear to hear that grief in your voice.” He sighed, then looked up and smiled. “I was so tired of everything, and I really didn’t mind leaving this world, leaving it all behind and just resting.”
She wiped away the tear with the back of her hand and smiled. “Well, I’m glad you came back and didn’t choose the light over me.”
He chuckled, then closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “How long have I been here?”
“Almost four days. You were brought here on Wednesday night and today’s Sunday.”
When he opened his eyes again, they seemed darker than ever, in contrast with his pale skin. He looked worn out, and she knew it would be good for him to be forced to stay in bed for a few days so he could get some rest.
When they’d talked on the phone the night before the accident, he had sounded exhausted. Now he would have a good excuse to rest for a while, and she would make sure that he did. For once, she would be able to make him do what she wanted. Doctors’ orders couldn’t be argued.
He sighed and looked out the window. “How long will I need to be here?”
She sat on the chair by his side and shrugged. “A few days. It depends on how fast you recover.” He groaned and she smiled, taking his hand again. “You’ve been through a lot, Ryan. I won’t let you out of my sight until I’m sure you’re okay. We’ll do another MRI, and some more blood tests and stuff. You’re a VIP patient—we can’t afford to let anything happen to you.”
She winked and he smiled, although it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re not on duty now, are you?”
Valerie shook her head.
“How long have you been here?”
“A while.”
“How long is a while? When was the last time you got some sleep?”
“Hey, you’re the patient, and I’m the doctor. I’m the one who asks all the questions.”
He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Val, tell me the truth. I know you too well.”
She shrugged. “I couldn’t go home because the first time I tried to leave the hospital, I was assaulted by the crowd of reporters who were, and still are, camping outside. So I thought that, since I couldn’t leave, I might as well stay here and keep an eye on you. Which turned out to be a great idea, since I was right here by your bed when your heart stopped beating.”
“So you haven’t slept in what, two, three days?”
“I took a nap every now and then, but I’m used to that. I’m a doctor, remember? Doctors don’t usually get much sleep.”
He intertwined his fingers through hers, and she felt as if his touch had lit a match inside her body.
“Thank you, Val. Thank you for saving my life and for looking after me even when you were supposed to be at home resting.”
“I should be the one thanking you, actually.” She let go of his hand and stood up, taking a couple of steps to the window, with her back to him. “When the paramedics came in and said that the guy needed surgery, I asked the nurse to call someone else. I know it was unprofessional, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t going to lose another patient on my table.” She turned back, and her eyes filled with tears. “But then I saw the hand of the guy on the stretcher; I saw the ring, our ring, and my heart skipped a beat. When I realized it was you, I just couldn’t think of anything else but saving your life without wasting any more time. And then I did it. I walked into the operating room for the first time in months and I...” She wiped away a tear with the back of her hand and turned back again to look outside. “I knew I just couldn’t give up until I was sure you were safe. I couldn’t lose you, I wouldn’t lose you, not on my table. My job is to save lives, and I was going to save yours, no matter what. And when I did, when your heart started beating again, I felt as if my life had started again too. A life I had stopped living when that man died on my table.” She turned back and smiled. “So, you see, I should really be the one thanking you.”
“Well, yeah, to be honest, I deliberately crashed my very expensive car that night because I knew you were working and I hoped it would help you get over your fears. Talk about true friendship, huh? You owe me a new car, Doc.”
Valerie chuckled and got close to the bed, with her fists on her hips. “Ha ha. That’s a funny one. I see you feel well enough to make silly jokes. It’s a miracle you’ve recovered so fast.”
“That’s because the best doctor ever is taking care of me.”
Feeling self-conscious, she fidgeted with the IV, pretending she was checking something. He closed his eyes and she looked at him. A sense of protectiveness took over her.
“Now, stop acting like a clown and rest for a while. I’ll go speak to the reporters outside and tell them you’re okay.”
He opened his eyes and gave her an alarmed stare.
“I won’t let anyone in, don’t worry. Not unless you want to see anyone in particular...” She trailed off, knowing he would understand who she was talking about. He closed his eyes.
“No,” he said, steadfastly. “I don’t want to see anyone. Please don’t let anyone in, even if it’s my manager.”
“Not even your girlfriend?” The word sounded bitter on her tongue, but she couldn’t help asking. He opened his eyes and looked at her.
“No. She’s the last person I want to see.”
Her heart jumped up her throat when she heard those words, but she knew she had to act like his friend now. She disguised the happiness those words had caused her behind a worried look, and sat beside him again. “What happened? You wanna talk about it?”
“I thought you said I needed to rest,” he said and closed his eyes again. “I always follow doctors’ orders.”
Valerie smiled. He’d open up later, when and if he felt like it.
“Wow, I wish all my pa
tients were so obedient. I’ll be back later. Push that button hanging from the cable if you need anything, and a nurse will be right here.”
“Okay, Doc,” he said, his eyes still closed.
She nodded, checked the IV again, and left, closing the door behind her to give him a little more privacy.
After talking to the reporters and telling them a hundred times that no, they couldn’t come up to interview him or take pictures, Valerie wondered how he managed to cope with all that. She had spoken to them for barely fifteen minutes, and she was exhausted.
She opened the door to his room and saw he was asleep. She approached the bed, checked the monitor, and touched his wrist to take his pulse. As soon as her finger brushed his skin, he opened his eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No problem. I’ve been sleeping for three days. I don’t really need any more sleep.” He stared up and down at her with a cheeky grin. “So, I see you’ve survived. You’ll be on the news tonight, aren’t you excited about it?”
She sighed and plopped on the chair next to his bed.
“I don’t know how you manage. It drove me insane; all those questions, and microphones and cameras flashing... it was mental!”
“Yeah, it can really drive you crazy, but after a while you get used to it. Still, I hate interviews.”
He looked out the window, and a shadow crossed his face. Something twisted in her stomach. Something was bothering him and she wanted to ask what it was.
“Will I be allowed to get out of this bed any time soon?” he said, before she could question him about that look on his face.
“We’ll see. You’re still weak, and need to recover your strength first of all. I’ll make sure you are booked in for an MRI first thing tomorrow morning so we can make sure your brain is working properly. Well, it would be a miracle if it did, seeing as it never did work properly in the first place, anyway.”
A Love Melody Page 16