Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3)

by Kahlen Aymes

  “You’re my problem,” I growled, positioning myself between him and Marin. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.” I sincerely believed the venomous words spewing from my lips. I didn’t care what the consequences would be. I didn’t care that I could lose my job, or even go to prison. As long as Marin was safe.

  “Who the fuck are you, anyway? She was my brother’s old lady until just a few weeks ago. Are you telling me you’re already boning her? Maybe his death wasn’t an accident after all, eh?”

  “Or maybe he was a drunk asshole who didn’t watch what the hell he was doing,” I hissed.

  Davis stood shoulder to shoulder with me between Apollo and Marin. I could feel Marin curled into my back behind me.

  “I suggest we take this outside, fellas,” Davis put in, stepping between us, sensing I was about to let loose on the guy, his hand coming up with splayed fingers. “Ben, come on. Not inside the bar. This prick isn’t worth it.”

  My hand flattened on the side of Marin’s hip to reassure her that I would protect her. I felt her hand curl into the back of my shirt. She was still up against the wall, but now it was my body, and not Apollo’s that was against hers. I knew she was scared shitless, and that fact made me furious. Despite the loud din of the music and people talking inside the building, I could almost hear the blood rushing in my ears. Who did this bastard think he was that he could show up in Jackson and harass her? It was something we’d both considered and here it was.

  “Says you,” Apollo retorted. “I’d say if you’re doing her, you got a vested interest in the outcome here… maybe you oughta make sure I get my money.”

  I nodded with a sneer. “Oh, I’m vested, all right. Maybe you should get the fuck out of here while you can still walk.”

  “I told ya; I just want to talk, dude.” The other man put up both hands in front of him, as if to ward m off.

  “Yeah. It’s real brave to ambush a couple of women outside of a bathroom,” I spat sarcastically. I wanted to rip this bastard’s head off. “You’re a real saint.”

  “She owes my family money!”

  I could literally feel the air rushing in and out of my nostrils as my chest rose and fell. “Bullshit. Your brother was working drunk in a greasy shop during a power outage. Not very smart of him, so if you don’t want to get your face smashed in, I think we should do as my friend said and go outside,” I suggested sternly. I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I was this angry. Not even when that bastard Derrick had beat up my sister, though it was close.

  People coming and going from the bathrooms were casting curious glances our way.

  Apollo put his hands up in acquiescence. “Whoa. Down boy. Princess, put your dog on a leash.”

  I couldn’t wait to beat the shit out of this fucker, and I’d do it out in the parking lot, but he moved closer, getting up into my face, leaving literally only inches between us poking me hard in the chest with his index finger. It hurt and I’d probably have a bruise, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I stood my ground.

  “Man, her pussy must be really fucking amazing. Maybe I should try it.”

  Marin’s forehead dropped onto my back between my shoulders. I couldn’t see her face, I couldn’t know what she was thinking, but I hoped she wasn’t letting this prick humiliate her. He wasn’t worth it.

  “You must have a death wish,” I breathed as I looked down my nose at him. Fury was like a living thing inside my chest. Despite Davis’s warnings, I didn’t care about the repercussions. Both hands made contact with his chest as I shoved him forcefully onto the opposite wall, but he resisted and pushed back. I planted my legs for leverage, and I had a height and weight advantage.

  “Ben! He has a knife!” Marin screamed too late.

  It would explain the searing burn I felt in my side. I touched my left oblique and felt the warm ooze of blood soaking the cotton of my shirt.

  I pulled back my fist and let it fly as hard as I could, hitting the man hard in the jaw causing him to sprawl on the floor, his knife sent flying. Several women screamed and scattered… leaving only a few men to look on.

  “Marin, go back to the table with Mark and Jake.” I spoke over my shoulder.

  “But you’re hurt!” she protested.

  “I’m okay. Go!” I commanded, taking a step forward to give her room to slide out from behind me and walk away. She didn’t hesitate and quickly took her leave as Apollo scrambled for his knife, but I put my boot on his hand effectively breaking several of the bones. He squealed like a pig.

  Davis reached down and grabbed the back of Apollo’s jacket with both hands. I moved back, holding my side as Davis pulled him to his feet and ushered him out of the hallway. I was bleeding more than was safe.

  “I’m gonna kill you, you mother fucker! Do you hear me? You’re dead!” The other man screamed out as Davis hoisted him to his feet.

  “I’ll make sure to tell the cops you said that, you dumb ass,” Davis said, disgust dripping from his words as he hauled the injured man out. “Come on, Ben. We gotta go.”

  I didn’t argue. Blood was starting to soak the material of my shirt as I pressed my hand to my side. I inhaled sharply.

  Davis disappeared with Apollo through the bar to the front entrance, where a couple of bouncers took over, and I made my way back to the table where Gina, Marin and the other two guys were sitting and waiting with Gina’s friends looking on. Marin stood and ran to my side, sliding an arm around my waist and instantly, my free arm went around her shoulders.

  “Marin told us about what was going on, but we figured you and Davis had it handled, but you’re bleeding, man!” Jake stood up and rushed toward us.

  “That looks bad, Ben,” Ross interjected. “You need to keep pressure on it and get to the ER.”

  I shook my head. “It’s nothing. I’m taking Marin home.”

  “But… should we all come?” Gina asked. “You should see a doctor! Ross can help.”

  “You can do what you want. Stay or go, but I think it’s best if I take Marin home. A broken hand won’t keep that fucker at bay.”

  “But Gina and Ross are right; you need the hospital, Ben” Marin protested.

  I was more concerned with making sure she and her ranch were safe.

  “Nah, I’ll be okay,” I insisted

  We started walking out of the bar and one of the bouncers who knew me stopped me. “Ben, should I call an ambulance?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Nah. I’m okay Jimmy. It’s just a scratch.” Truth be told, I was starting to feel a little lightheaded.

  Jake, Mark, Ross, and Gina followed us out.

  “I’ll drive your truck, Ben. Mark can follow to pick me up,” Jake offered.

  “We’ll follow, too! If you’re too stubborn to go to the ER, we can stop by the hospital and grab some sutures and meet you at Marin’s ranch,” Gina added. “Ross can stitch him up.”

  “I can, but it’s best to take him to the ER. He might need a transfusion,” Ross protested.

  Soon the group of my friends were shuffling me out and I had handed over the keys.

  “Take off your shirt, Ben,” Marin ordered. “I need to fold it up to press against the wound.”

  Blood was now dripping down the left leg of my jeans. I hesitated long enough for Marin’s fingers to fly into action, unbuttoning my shirt and pushing it from my shoulders.

  “Somehow I saw this scenario differently in my head.” I tried to laugh, making an attempt to tease to take the focus off of my gaping wound. It was much worse than I’d originally thought. It was a slice about seven inches long and at least two inches deep. Jake laughed and Marin’s eyes flashed up to mine. Her face looked pained and full of concern.

  Marin quickly folded my shirt and pressed it to my side. “Can you hold it? Just until we get into the truck, then I’ll take over.” I nodded, then Marin climbed into the cab ahead of me. “Jake, we gotta take him to the hospital.”

  “Roger that,” Jake said.

  “Ahhhh,” I wince
d as I got into the truck as gingerly as I could and slammed the door behind me. The truck wasn’t as old as Marin’s uncle’s, but it had seen better days and the door squeaked. “No, just go to Marin’s ranch.”

  “Jake, no,” she insisted. “He’s losing way too much blood.”

  “Yes, Ma’am!”

  I leaned back and closed my eyes. Shirtless, Marin held my ruined shirt to my side. After holding her earlier on the dance floor, I’d had different hopes for the end of this evening than me bleeding all over the front seat of my truck and the beautiful woman beside me.

  “Hurry, Jake,” Marin pleaded. I could hear the crack in her voice. My eyes opened and my head turned toward her. The streetlights, shining in as we passed, were reflected by the tears in her eyes.

  My hand reached out to rest on her leg. “Hey… I’m gonna be fine.”

  “This is all my fault.”

  In pain as I was, my brow still rose wryly. “Like how? Did you know that dick nozzle was going to be at the Moose tonight?”

  “No,” she sniffed, “but it’s still my fault.”

  I shook my head as Jake pulled into the ER drive-up. “No, it isn’t.”

  “I’ll be back,” Jake said, hopping out of the truck and disappearing through the doors.

  Marin slid out the driver’s side and came around to open the passenger door. Her right side, even the bare skin of her leg was covered in my blood. There was blood on her forehead where she’d run her hand through her hair, but she still looked like an angel to me.

  “Come on. I’ll help you. Lean on me.”

  I slid off the seat, still holding onto the now completely soaked shirt when Jake and an orderly appeared with a wheelchair.

  “My legs aren’t broken,” I complained.

  “You’re still bleeding, Ben. Will you just get in the damn chair?” Marin demanded. Her words were worried and weary and there was a crinkle in between her brows.

  I met her eyes knowing she was right. I wasn’t sure I could walk on my own. “Okay.”

  She nodded. “Good.”

  I eased myself down into the chair, handing her the ruined shirt.

  Gina, who had obviously stopped by the hospital as she has mentioned, appeared as she rushed from the double sliding doors of the ER. “I’m so glad you just came here.”

  The orderly was already turning the chair away from the truck and wheeling me inside when I heard the two women talking as they followed.

  “Should I just throw this away?” Marin asked. “It’s ruined.”

  “Keep it for now. The doctors might want to see it to see how much blood was lost. He might need a transfusion,” the orderly answered.

  “The hell I will,” I muttered, though if I were honest, I was feeling woozy, though it could be the alcohol I’d consumed over the course of the evening.

  I felt Marin’s hand on my bare shoulder. I wasn’t sure how I knew it was her and not Gina, but I just did. “Stop being a tough guy.”

  Despite the gaping wound in my side, the corner of my mouth lifted I a smile. “I can’t help it. It’s my job.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” she said.

  They wheeled me into a room; the orderly telling Marin and Gina to go to the waiting room. Ross was conspicuously missing from the group, but I was glad.

  “Really?” Gina protested. “I’m a nurse at this hospital.”

  “You’re not on duty,” the orderly answered. “You can wait in the waiting room.”

  She huffed, but it was Marin I was concerned with. I didn’t want her out of my sight. We didn’t know if Carter’s brother was alone in town or he had more of his gang with him, and I didn’t have time to ask before the big blue double doors that led to the examination rooms closed behind me. It wasn’t long before another nurse came into the room. I was waiting on a bed and the woman from admitting came in and asked for my insurance card. The ER nurse followed and started cleaning the wound with iodine swabs and I winced. A doctor, who I knew from a couple of times I’d been in with the rescue squad, soon followed.

  “How did this happen?” Dr. Burton asked stoically.

  “Bar fight.” It was a simple answer to a complicated question.

  The older man’s white eyebrows arched. “Hmmm, how did the other guy fair?”

  “Did you get anyone in here with a broken hand?” My tone was bland.

  “I can’t discuss it, Ben. Looks like you lost a good amount of blood.”

  “Not that much,” I argued. “Ugh,” I winced as the gash burned as he poked and prodded.

  “This is pretty deep. Let’s get it stitched up. Are you lightheaded?”

  The nurse had the supplies ready on a tray and the doctor reached for one of the instruments.

  My impatience was growing. “No,” I lied. “How long will this take?”

  “It’s a long, deep cut. He sliced you good.”

  “Ah, so he is here, then. He sliced me before I broke his hand. In case you’re wondering.”

  The doctor rolled his eyes but didn’t bother addressing my comment. I could only hope that I’d totally maimed him for life. “You’ll need some subcutaneous stitches that will dissolve and then another layer to close the skin. How do you feel? We might need to start an IV to replace some of the fluid you lost. We don’t want you going into shock.”

  “How long will this take?” I asked, again.

  “Unless you want a nasty scar or to bleed out later, it will take as long as it takes.”

  “That prick who knifed me was really after someone else, and I have no way of knowing if he was alone. I can’t leave her out in the waiting room.” My eyes implored him.

  “Is she family?”

  “No, but she’s… a friend.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Marin. She’s in the waiting room. The pretty blonde with blood all over her.”

  “Bring her back,” Dr. Burton said to the nurse, blotting the wound before injecting my side with Novocain.

  It stung like a bitch, so I sucked in my breath and gritted my teeth. “Thank you.”

  The doctor started stitching as soon as the wound was numb and at the same time another nurse started the IV Dr. Burton mentioned. I tried to relax but couldn’t until the glass door to the room slid open the curtain was pulled back. Marin entered with the returning nurse.

  “Ben! Are you okay?” Her eyes were wild as she rushed to my side, taking in the IV.

  She reached out and wrapped her fingers around the hand lying beside my right hip and squeezed.

  “I am now. Did you see anyone lurking in the waiting room?” I flipped my hand over to enfold hers.

  “No? What do you mean?”

  “Any of Apollo’s thugs?”

  She shook her head. “Just Davis, Mark, Jake and Gina, but they all left when the nurse came to get me. Jake asked me to give you your keys.”

  “Oh, this young man can’t drive tonight,” Dr. Burton noted. ‘He’s lost way too much blood.”

  “I’ll drive,” Marin said. “I don’t want him to be alone tonight.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” the doctor agreed.

  MARIN

  Ben fell asleep on the way out to the ranch and his head had fallen back and sideways to lean awkwardly against the window of the passenger door. He looked so uncomfortable, yet he was completely out.

  I wanted to touch him, but he was too far away. His bloody button-down shirt had been replaced by an old grey T-shirt Jake had found behind the seat of the truck.

  His medical treatment had taken two hours at the hospital, and so now it was close to three in the morning. Gem would probably be miserable and need to go out as soon as we got home. I didn’t think Apollo would bother me this morning; considering his own injury, but that didn’t stop Ben from insisting he sleep over, just in case. Even if he hadn’t been so adamant, I would have asked him to stay so I could take care of him.

  Ben was a tough guy and refused to stay in the hospital. He wouldn’t admit his
weakened state, but it would take time to replace the blood he’d lost, despite the IV he’d received. Dr. Burton had given Ben a tetanus shot and some antibiotics to be safe.

  The truck rolled to a stop in front of the house, and I turned off the engine, pulling Ben’s keys out of the ignition. I sat there for a moment because I hesitated to wake him, though he’d be better off if I got him into the house.

  “Ben,” I called softly, hoping to stir him awake with a gentle voice rather than the loud opening of the door. I leaned closer. “Ben.”

  He sucked in his breath and sat up in one quick motion, reaching out his left arm to find me nearby. “Marin! Are you okay?” His head snapped in my direction; his surprised eyes wide until he finally registered that he’d been asleep.

  My hand closed around his forearm to calm him down. “I’m okay. We’re just home. Don’t move so fast. You’ll hurt yourself.”

  Ben leaned back in the seat and ran both hands through his hair, sucking in another deep breath. “What a night,” he murmured.

  “Stay there. I’ll come around to help you.” I opened the truck door and slid out and down to the gravel driveway, but he had gotten out before I could walk around the front of the vehicle. “You should be careful. I don’t want you to start bleeding again and it has to hurt.”

  “I’ve had worse,” he insisted with a crooked grin. The moon was glowing in the starlit sky and the evening had gotten cooler. The slight breeze caused goosebumps to break out on my arms and legs and I couldn’t help but shiver.

  When I reached his side, his strong arm slid around me.

  “Come on, let’s get you inside.” I wasn’t sure if it was a thrill that ricocheted through me at his touch, rather than the brisk night air. My arm found its way around his waist in an attempt to take some of his weight, but Ben only laughed.

  “I’m not complaining, but I’m really fine, Marin.”

  Outside of a stiffness to his gait, I couldn’t tell if he was being completely honest. “You don’t always have to be a invulnerable, you know,” I insisted, handing him the truck keys.