Divine Hart

by Heather Shere

  Fortunately, Skye and my mother are nowhere in sight. Mom must be showing her around. Sweet, I’ll have a few minutes with Craig and Shaina before my Mama and Skye realize I called them here. I open the door for my friends and greet them quietly. I usher them straight into my study. As soon as I shut the door, I start to pace.

  “Thanks, guys, for coming on such short notice.”

  “Where is she?” Craig asks, looking confused as to why I shut us in here.

  “Skye’s with my Mom, I’ll call them in a minute,” I reply, rubbing the back of my neck trying to relieve some tension.

  “Dude, would you stop pacing. What’s wrong with her? How’s she hurt?” he asks, concerned.

  I stop in the middle of the room and look at Shaina. “I’ll let you take a look at her.”

  “Why are you being so secretive? Either you know, or you don’t. Do you know how she got hurt?” he asks firmly, crossing his arms across his chest.

  “It’s not for me to say, and don’t use your boss voice on me, buddy.”

  “Oy vey… will you two just shut your pieholes?” Shaina’s raspy voice shuts our mouths. She’s about 5’2” with auburn hair that’s pin straight cut blunt just above her shoulders, she’s looking at us like we’re crazy. Her and Craig have gotten closer over the last few months but refuse to commit to being committed.

  “Sorry, Shaina, I’ve just waited so long to find her and I’m fucking things up already, without having a chance to apologize for things I screwed up before.”

  “So…where did you find her?” Craig asks.

  “I found her in Hollywood and brought her home.” A smile crosses my face.

  “Did she kick you in the balls for leaving? Does she know I’m here?” he asks.

  “Before you two get caught up in patting Preston on the back for finding Skye, why don’t we talk about why I have to make a house call,” Shaina interrupts, with her hands on her hips.

  “Ugh, I’m sorry. You’ll have to ask her.”

  “You know I took an oath in the state of California. If she has been assaulted, I will need to report it.”

  “Yeah, I know.” I sigh.

  Craig and Shaina exchange a glance.

  “Does she know you called us?” Craig asks.

  “She has no clue at all, I didn’t want to tell anyone yet that she was home. We have so much to talk about, and I’m not ready to share her.” Craig stifles a laugh at my honesty. “But I think she needs medical attention. She says she won’t see a doctor, this was the only way I could think of.”

  Craig looks skeptical. "You think she'll let Shaina take a look at her?"

  “I think you should let me try woman to woman. It might go better that way.” Shaina shakes her head at us.

  “You’re right.” I hear my mom chatting with Skye as they come down the hallway, and I hold up a hand to silence Craig and Shaina. “Let me grab them.” I pull open my office door right as they are passing and throw on a charming smile. “Ladies, mind if I talk to you for a minute?”

  My mother gives me a frown but walks into the room first, sees Craig and smiles, then she focuses on Shaina. “Dr. Rae, how good to see you again!” She walks over to Craig and he takes both her hands in his, kissing her frail knuckles. She laughs. “Smooth devil!” she teases. Then she looks between Skye and myself and turns back toward the door. “I’ll leave you kids alone to catch up.”

  My mom passes Skye and seeing the tension in her body, pats her arm in reassurance as she leaves. Skye looks ready to run. “Craig?” she asks quietly, almost to herself, her eyes narrowing as she assesses him. He has a shaved head these days and a beard which he keeps trimmed. But he’s still the same old Craig.

  “Hey, Skye.” He offers her a warm smile.

  Her face flushes red and her eyes connect with mine.

  Craig moves to her and pulls her into a bear hug. “We’ve all missed you,” he tells her, squeezing her tighter as if it will stop her running again. She hisses in pain, and he quickly pulls back and looks at her face. “What happened to you?”

  I watch this interaction as calmly as I can. I was never the jealous type, but the past few years have changed me. Everything has been focused on getting her back. So now that I have her here, the possessiveness I feel is overwhelming. I don’t like him touching her and knowing he hurt her, even by accident, has me grinding my teeth. Fuck I need to calm down.

  She ignores his question. “Does everyone know I’m back?” She looks over at me with daggers in her eyes.

  “Can I take a look at you, Skye?” Shaina’s voice is gentle and soothing.

  “You’re looking at me now.”

  “What happened to your face, how does the other guy look? How do you feel?”

  “I’m fine.” She turns her accusing gaze my way. “What did you tell them?” she demands.

  I hold my hands up. “I just said you were hurt and should probably get checked out.”

  She turns away from me. “Mmmmhmmm.”

  “Don’t be angry with Preston. He’s worried about you,” Craig chimes in, always there to protect me.

  “He should have warned me,” Skye spits.

  “She’s right.” Shaina narrows her eyes at Craig.

  “I know, I’m sorry.” I clasp my hands in front of me, watching them.

  “Does anyone else know I’m back?” Skye’s very quiet, the only way I can tell she is nervous is because she is ringing her hands.

  “No.” I decide to be honest in the hope it will help her trust me. “Because I’m selfish and don’t want to share you with everyone yet. I only called these guys because I’m really worried about you.”

  She nods. “Good, I’m not ready yet to be bombarded with questions.”

  Shaina clears her throat. “Speaking of questions, do you mind if I take a look at you?”

  Her shoulders stiffen. “I’m fine, Shaina, but thank you.”

  The room is silent for a second, and I take charge of the situation. “Skye, Shaina is a well-respected doctor.”

  “Congratulations, I still don’t need a doctor.”

  “Skye, sorry hun, I’m glad you’re back and everything, but you look like shit,” Craig says gently.

  “Please, Skye? Just a quick once over.” It would be easy to accept her refusal, but that is not what is best for her.

  “Did you put your little heads together and come up with this scheme? Huh? Let me make myself clear, you will not trick me into seeing a doctor. You can both go fuck yourselves!” With that she runs out of the room and seconds later we hear my bedroom door slam shut.

  “What the actual fuck?” Craig’s shocked voice whispers to me.

  I don’t look at him, I’m torn. I take one step in her direction and I feel a hand on my chest. When I look up Shaina has a stern look on her face.

  “I don’t think you should go after her. Let me try.” She gives me a sympathetic look.

  Maybe she’s right. I nod. I watch as she walks down the hall with her bag, positioning myself near the entry so I can hear her as she talks to her through the door.

  She speaks softly, “Let me help you, Skye…you can trust me,” then she slips into the room.

  I begin pacing again, can’t help it. But thankfully you can’t wear out the Spanish tile floors. Her voice stops me dead.

  Skye’s shrill yell bounces off the walls. “Don’t you fucking touch me!”

  What in the hell is going on? I don’t think, I act. Sprinting across the hall I fling open the door to see Skye backed into the corner and Shaina standing back.

  She glances over at me. “She doesn’t want me to take her blood. If you give me a minute I can talk to her.”

  Her eyes are huge and frightened. “Preston, don’t let her near me with that needle!” She’s desperately looking for an escape from the room.

  With determined strides I find myself right in front of Skye holding out my hand, she takes it and as I pull her in I can feel her body quake in fear.

  “Wh
y do you need her blood?” I ask Shaina while not taking my focus off Skye.

  “She’s had some trauma to the abdomen. I want to check her blood count for signs of internal bleeding. She also hasn’t had a checkup in the last two years. It’s fairly standard. Skye, it’ll be quick, I promise.”

  “No! That’s what they all say! Preston, please…”

  I shush her and sit on the bed, pulling her onto my lap. She tries to fight for a moment. “Skye! Stop it right now!” I say softly, catching her eyes with my own. I bring my fingers up to gently stroke the side of her bruised face. “Please, Skye, just look at me. You’re okay, I got you.”

  “I need her verbal consent.” Shaina steps closer to Skye and me. “Skye, can I do this blood work? It’s either this or end up in the hospital later where the choices will be out of your control.”

  “Do it, hurry please. I don’t like needles.” She breathes heavily but doesn’t break eye contact with me at all. She stiffens slightly as the needle breaks her skin.

  “I’m here, I’ll protect you,” I whisper. I’m not sure who I am reassuring, her or myself.

  She whimpers, closing her eyes.

  Shaina finishes up and releases her arm. “All set.” She walks out of the room, leaving me with Skye.

  I hold her for just a few minutes longer and let her catch her breath. “You’re ok, it’s all over now. Look at me.”

  She opens her eyes and that crazed look has left. “Preston?”

  “I’m here, Detka, I’m right here.” I wrap my arms around her and she doesn’t fight me, instead she puts her head on my chest and slowly breathes.

  “I told you not to call me that,” she finally mumbles against my chest.

  I can’t help but smile kissing her forehead, then I pull back. “Do you want to go back with me and talk to Craig and Shaina?”

  She shakes her head. “No,” she whispers.

  I nod my head. “Ok, want to go get a cup of coffee with my mom? I have to see them out.”

  She nods her head, and I give her a little shake so that she looks at me. “Yes, coffee,” she mumbles. “I’ll go get some.”

  “Here, let me help you.” We walk into the next room, making eye contact with my mom. She takes one look at Skye and comes straight over.

  “Can you get her some coffee, Mom? I need to see them out.”

  “Yes, go on. Come here, Skye.” She grabs Skye’s hand and waves me off.

  I enter my office and find Craig and Shaina already sitting in the chairs across from mine. I sit down behind my desk and look into his questioning eyes. “What did she say?”

  She is very still. That alone should be a warning. “She said nothing, Preston. She only told me it was ok to examine her. She has symptoms of P.T.S.D. and should really talk to someone.”

  “Yeah, I doubt that’s going to happen.”

  “I would try again in a few days.”

  I rub my temples. “Did you get a chance to check her ribs?”

  “Yes, I’m pretty sure they are just bruised, but without an x-ray I can’t say for certain.”

  I nod my head, the treatment would be similar either way.

  “What the fuck, Preston? Who did that to her?” Craig’s calm, but the contained rage is clear on his face.

  “It’s for her to give you the full story.” I sigh. I could really use a drink right now, but I won’t go that route. “Shaina, apart from her injuries, is she okay?”

  She looks at me carefully before she responds. I can’t read her expression, but I sense suspicion. “Since she’s now my patient, I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you.”

  She gets up and has her medical bag already in her hand. “I need to get back to the office, Preston. Call me if she gets any worse and I’ll come right over. Craig, are you coming?”

  “Yeah, I’ll call you later, Preston.”

  “Thank you both for coming over. I’ll call if anything changes.”

  I scrub a hand over my face. The look that he gave me was one of I-hope-you-know-what-you’re-doing-buddy, but I’d rather have all eyes on me than have people questioning Skye. I will do what is necessary to protect her, even if that means scrutiny from my best friend.

  Thirteen

  Preston left the bed early this morning; I should get up. I should fight him on slipping into the same bed as me, but it’s been so long since I had peaceful sleep I’m reluctant to give that up just yet.

  I’m very sore today, but I knew it would get worse before it gets better. Hearing the phone ring, I look at the clock on the side of the bed to check the time, it’s ten am. Damn, I need to get my lazy ass moving.

  Hearing someone walking down the hallway, I look up. Preston stops and leans on the doorframe. He has an annoyed look on his face as he speaks low into the phone.

  “Shaina needs to speak with you,” he says as he covers the phone. “Are you up for it?”

  “Yes.” I try to sit up but groan at the pain in my stomach and freeze.

  “Jesus, sit still,” he says as he walks across the room and hands me the phone.

  “Hello?” I say, biting back another groan of pain.

  “Hey, Skye, how you feeling today?”

  “I’m ok, is that why you called?” My eyes narrow as I see Preston pacing the room and stopping every few feet to look at me.

  “Yes and no, I have news on your bloodwork. Are you alone?”

  “No, but you can tell me.” I press my teeth into my top lip as I wait for the news.

  “Is Preston pacing the room?” she asks, amusement in her voice.

  “How’d you guess?” I laugh as I watch him take another turn about the room.

  “He’s pissed off because I wouldn’t tell him why I was calling.”

  “Oh, well why didn’t you?” I ask with some surprise.

  “Because you’re my patient now. Nothing about your health will ever be discussed with anyone but you.”

  Hmmm so this oath thing is real, who knew?

  She clears her throat. “The results of your bloodwork show that your red blood cells are very low.”

  “Ok, what does that mean?” I notice Preston has stilled in his pacing and is now watching me.

  “It probably means you’re anemic, but given your injuries, it could also mean you have internal bleeding.”

  “I’m not going to a hospital,” I tell her firmly, and Preston comes walking across the room. As soon as he opens his mouth, I hold up my hand for silence.

  “I figured that,” Shaina continues. “I have portable equipment. I want to come over and do a quick ultrasound. Will you allow that?”

  “What happens if I don’t?” I freeze at the thought of any doctor touching me.

  “If you have internal bleeding and we don’t treat it you could die. Please Skye, let me rule this out,” she pleads.

  My mind races for a moment. It’s all well and good her coming here, but if she finds what they did to me she’s going to want to cart me off to hospital for treatment, and I won’t allow that. I’d rather take my chances with death. But then I look up at the concerned look on Preston’s face and I sigh. “Ok, but only you and no hospitals.”

  “I’ll be right over, start downing as much water as you can.” The line then goes silent as she hangs up.

  I put the phone down by the side of the bed and struggle to sit up. Preston is quickly by my side helping me.

  “What did she say?”

  “She thinks I’m anemic but she’s going to come over to make sure it’s not something else.”

  “She had me so worried when she said she would only speak to you,” he says as he runs his hands through his hair.

  “It will be fine, I need to get up and start drinking some water.”

  He helps me up. “I, uh, was out this morning and picked you up a few things, so if you wanted to change into some fresh clothes.”

  “You did?” I’m a little shocked he would think about that.

  “Yeah, nothing much. Just some shirts
and shorts so you can be comfortable,” he says nonchalantly as he ushers me down the hallway.

  We stop by what I’m assuming is the guest bedroom. Glancing in I see multiple bags on the bed. “That’s more than nothing much…” I frown.

  “Not nearly as much as you deserve. I’ll leave you to get dressed. Call out if you need help, I’ll be near.” He quickly moves down the hallway slipping into another room before I can argue.

  Walking toward the bed, I lift the first bag. It has a stack of soft cotton T-shirts inside, the second bag has coordinating shorts. There is a third with a bunch of underwear and a fourth containing new white Converse just like a pair I used to own. I slowly shake my head and pull out an outfit to slip into. This is so like the Preston that I was in love with. The one I can’t let back in.

  Thankfully we didn’t have long to wait for Shaina; it seemed like hours when in all actuality it was only thirty minutes. I’m waiting for her in Preston’s office when she arrives. Preston wanted me to stay in bed but I didn’t want to stay there. I’m not an invalid. Plus the silence in his office had him fidgeting in his seat, it was a win-win for me.

  Preston shows Shaina into the room. “Hello, Skye,” she says with a small smile.

  “Hey.” I can’t come up with anything much to say because the minute she walks in I feel that nervous punch in my gut and my palms go sweaty.

  She looks around the room. “We can do the test in here if that will make you more comfortable.”

  Preston looks right at me with worry. “Would you like me to stay?” he asks very softly.

  I slowly shake my head. “No, it’s ok. I’ll be fine.” I look over at Shaina who’s staring at Preston with an odd look on her face.

  Shaina just shrugs her shoulders and looks back to me.

  “Call me if you need me, I won’t be far.” The look Preston gives me is a new one, he looks wounded.

  I note that seems to be his line now. Does he not plan on leaving me alone ever again? We will see about that. I watch as he and Shaina exchange an odd look. Preston’s eyes narrow and he gives her a flash of anger. Shaina doesn’t break that eye contact but slightly inclines her head with some silent communication. Preston nods his head once and then he walks out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. I notice that I’m wringing my hands and cross my arms to keep myself from fidgeting. What the heck was that all about?