Jaxon had been diagnosed with PTSD about six months ago. His brother had noticed the signs right after their mother’s accident, but it wasn’t until they moved in with Uncle Steven that Jaxon agreed to get help. He could no longer deny that he couldn’t handle things on his own.
His uncle set Jaxon up with a therapist, where he learned skills to help him deal with the flashbacks from the accident. Jaxon was also forced to talk about the trauma repeatedly with his therapist until the memories no longer triggered Jaxon’s feelings of anxiety. At first, Jaxon had hated going to the therapist. He didn’t want to be labeled as a head case. It made him feel weak. But after a while, he realized that PTSD was pretty common after undergoing a traumatic event. And once he accepted that and really threw himself into his therapy sessions, things started to get better.
One of the best things to come out of it was that Jaxon could drive a car again without having a panic attack. It gave him a bit of freedom back and each little piece of himself he regained brought him closer to healing. The emotional toll was still what Jaxon struggled with the most. Sometimes he felt like he didn’t deserve to heal and move on with his life. It felt somehow unfair. Why did he survive the accident when his mother didn’t? Who decided his life was more valuable than hers?
Thoughts like that weighed him down with guilt. He felt like he should be doing more with his life. He hated that sometimes he couldn’t focus or didn’t feel motivated. He also hated that he’d quit basketball. But most of the time he just felt numb and that was perhaps the worst feeling of all.
But as Jaxon pulled into the parking lot of the hospital Sunday morning, he felt a prickle of hope at the prospect of seeing Lucy again. He wasn’t sure whether it was just because he’d forged a bond with her during their ordeal or if it was something more. Either way, Jaxon felt he owed it to himself to find out. Because at this point, any sort of feeling was better than the numbness and guilt that threatened to drown him on a daily basis.
As Jaxon walked toward the hospital he found himself wondering if Brooke would be there. He was glad Lucy had such a fiercely protective friend in her life. He was already starting to feel a bit protective over Lucy himself. He’d first realized it when he’d gotten into the cab to go home last night. A strange feeling of unease settled over him as he watched the hospital fade away in the cab’s rearview mirror—he didn’t want to leave her.
Jaxon tried telling himself it was probably normal. Anyone who saved her life would feel that way. Especially since she didn’t have parents around to look out for her. But then he’d reminded himself that Lucy had Brooke. The girl was like a guard dog—a Rainbow Brite version, but still. She’d grilled Jaxon like she worked for 60 Minutes the other day. And she certainly spoke her mind. She’d called Conner Sergeant Sexy! The thought made Jaxon smirk as he passed through the hospital’s automatic doors.
Conner had collected a lot of nicknames over the years, but Sergeant Sexy was a new one. Points for originality. Jaxon toyed with whether or not to share the nickname with his brother. Conner would certainly take it as a compliment no matter how Brooke had meant it. And Conner did not need his head getting any bigger. Jaxon decided maybe he’d keep it to himself for a bit. Besides, he hadn’t seen Conner since the hospital yesterday and when he did see him, Jaxon wanted to focus on the details of the case, not compliments that added to the revolving door that was his older brother’s love life.
Lucy
Today was not a good day. Lucy hardly got any sleep thanks to the nursing staff that came in during all hours of the night to check her blood pressure and temperature. The only good thing about waking up every two hours was that it allowed her to keep her pain to a minimum by pressing her pain pump. However, the lack of sleep left Lucy crankier than ever. Plus, Lucy had gotten her first glimpse of herself today and it wasn’t pretty.
She’d been helped out of bed, fitted for crutches and shown how to use them. Afterward she had to demonstrate that she wasn’t totally helpless by crutching around her hospital room, which was extremely humiliating since she was still in her see-through gown and her nurse was a man. Lucy was certain her face would’ve been bright red if it weren’t for the deep purpled bruises covering her cheeks. At least bruises are good for something!
During Lucy’s second crutch excursion, which was with a female nurse this time—thank heavens—Lucy made it to the bathroom, where she gingerly washed her face while balancing on one foot. She patted her face dry and pulled her hair into a ponytail since it was a complete knotted mess. Big mistake!
Without her mop of tangled auburn hair framing her face, the damage was more evident. Lucy’s left cheekbone was swollen with small cuts slashing through the middle. Small white butterfly bandages held them closed, practically glowing against the deep purple bruising that extended from her temple to jaw. There was another butterfly bandage above her left eyebrow with more bruising peeking out beneath it. Good Lord, she was a mess.
Lucy turned her head from left to right and back again. The right side of her face was unmarked. Maybe if she only looked at that side she could pretend this whole thing never happened. Lucy sighed looking down at her broken leg. Fat chance. Already having seen the worst of her injuries, Lucy took a deep breath and pulled off her gown to examine the rest of her damages.
Despite her ribs being sore, the rest of her didn’t look too bad. A few scrapes on her arms and some tender bruises from the seatbelt and airbags, but all in all she knew she was extremely lucky to be alive. If Jaxon hadn’t shown up . . . Lucy didn’t even want to finish the thought. Yesterday she’d still been in shock and mildly depressed, but today she felt extremely grateful that Jaxon had been there.
Lucy swapped out her worn gown for a fresh one and hobbled back out to her bed. The nurse was waiting to help her back in it. Once she was settled, poked and prodded the nurse left and Lucy flipped on the television. She wished she had her cell phone, but it was in her purse, which was left in her Jeep, meaning it most likely resembled an extra crispy marshmallow right now.
She sighed and glanced at the clock, wondering what time Jaxon would show up—if he came at all.
Jaxon
Jaxon knocked on the open door to Lucy’s hospital room, but he could see she was sleeping. Her eyes were closed and the television was on. He hesitated in the doorway for a minute, but then decided to go in. He set the two cups of coffee he’d picked up at the café on the tray next to Lucy’s bed and settled into a chair. He glanced up at the television, noting it was on the Animal Planet channel. A group of penguins were zipping through the water looking like they didn’t have a care in the world.
Briefly, Jaxon found himself wondering if that’s what Lucy felt like when she was swimming. Maybe she was onto something. The penguins did look awfully happy and free gliding through the water. Jaxon lost himself in the show until a nurse came in. She smiled at him and he stood up.
“You’re fine, sweetie,” the nurse said. “I’m just going to check your girlfriend’s vitals real quick, you don’t have to leave.”
“Oh, she’s not my girlfriend,” Jaxon said quickly.
“Alex?” Lucy murmured sleepily.
Jaxon watched as her eyes fluttered open. Recognition sparked and a huge smile slid across Lucy’s bruised face. Goddamn, she was beautiful when she smiled like that.
“Jaxon! You came.”
He couldn’t help but smile back. “I said I would.” It seemed like the poor girl was used to being let down. He could see why. Her parents weren’t around and her boyfriend was a complete tool. “I brought coffee too.”
The nurse frowned at Jaxon while she was wrapping a blood pressure cuff around Lucy’s slender arm. “I hope that’s decaf.”
“Yep,” Jaxon replied throwing the nurse the grin he’d seen Conner use to get away with murder. The nurse smiled back and finished taking Lucy’s stats. When she was gone, Jaxon handed Lucy the coffee. “It’s not decaf,” he whispered.
Lucy grinned and took a sip.
“Oh my God, you brought real coffee this time! You really are my hero.”
Jaxon shook his head. “This is real coffee,” he said holding up his cup of black unaltered brew. “That fru-fru shit you drink is basically liquid candy.”
“Whatever, it’s delicious and you’re still my hero.”
Jaxon decided it was no use arguing and he found he was glad it was just the two of them in the room for a change. Too glad. Being around Lucy made Jaxon’s heart beat funny. He teetered between giddiness and fear every time she smiled at him. He needed to stick to business. The car accident was the only reason he was here.
“So, think of any new details from the accident?” he asked.
Lucy frowned. “No. They don’t give me much time to myself around here and I didn’t really get much sleep.”
“That’s probably a good thing.”
“Really? Why?”
Shit! He did it again. Jaxon was about to divulge that sleep was the one thing he avoided like the plague after his accident, but Lucy didn’t know about that yet. He needed to cover up his mistake. “I don’t know. I guess I figured you’d just end up reliving the accident if you fell asleep.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But maybe that’d be a good thing.”
“How?”
“Maybe I’d remember some detail stuck in my subconscious or something.”
“Sounds like you watch a lot of Criminal Minds,” he teased.
Lucy laughed. “Well, Brooke does. I guess I’ve absorbed a thing or two.”
“What’s her deal?”
“Brooke?”
“Yeah.”
“She doesn’t have a deal. Besides, I thought you said you liked her?”
“I do. But she was coming at me yesterday.”
Lucy laughed. “She’s just protective and she doesn’t have a filter. Plus, she thought you were trying to fool her into thinking you were a doctor. Brooke really hates frauds.”
“I’m not a fraud!”
“You were wearing scrubs.”
“Because I ruined my clothes saving you.”
Lucy laughed and the sound filled the room making Jaxon’s heart pick up speed again. Not good.
“We’re getting off topic,” Jaxon said. “We’re supposed to be talking about the accident.
“We are. We’re talking about how it messed up all your clothes. And by the way, you’re not the only one who ended up with ruined clothes. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you trying to get me out of my pants.”
Jaxon choked on the sip of coffee he’d been drinking. He sputtered and coughed trying to clear his windpipe. “I wasn’t trying to get you outta your pants,” he said when he could finally breathe.
“I should hope not,” a male voice interrupted.
Jaxon and Lucy both turned to see Alex standing in the doorway.
12
Alex
Alex bristled when he recognized the guy who’d been in scrubs the other night sitting in Lucy’s room. He was no longer in scrubs. And the two of them looked a little too cozy, laughing and chatting with each other. Alex didn’t like the way the guy was looking at his girl. It certainly wasn’t very doctorly. Then he heard the guy say something about getting Lucy out of her pants and Alex saw red.
He stepped into the room. “I should hope not.”
They both turned and stared at him. Alex swore he saw a flicker of guilt in both of their eyes as he walked into the room and straight up to the guy, who jumped to his feet. Yep, this asshole was definitely guilty.
“Doc?” Alex said, puffing out his chest despite the guy obviously not being a doctor.
“It’s Jaxon, actually,” the schmuck said. “No camera crew today?”
He even had the balls to sound smug. Alex wanted to deck him. He knew he was being a hothead, as his agent would say, but Alex hated when people tried to take anything that was his—and Lucy was most definitely that. Rather than playing into Jaxon’s hand, Alex decided to dish it right back. “So you get off playing doctor sometimes?”
Lucy cut in before the guy could answer. “No. Jaxon is the guy who rescued me from the car accident. He was just in scrubs because his clothes got ruined.”
Well shit! That did make it hard to hate the guy, but just because he’d saved Lucy didn’t mean Alex was gonna take his eyes off Jaxon completely. Lucy was gorgeous and Alex was used to other guys thinking they had a shot with her. But still, he at least owed the guy a little gratitude.
Alex extended his hand. “Then you have my thanks.” Jaxon clasped Alex’s hand and Alex tightened his grip, pulling him closer. “But I’ll take care of my girl from now on.”
Jaxon’s jaw twitched but he only nodded. Good. Get it through your head, babaca. Luz is mine.
Jaxon untangled his hand from Alex’s and turned to Lucy. “Well I’m gonna take off.”
“Wait, we didn’t even get to discuss the accident,” she protested.
“I think it might be better if you only discuss the accident with your attorney, lindenza,” Alex said before Jaxon could respond.
“But, I don’t have an attorney,” Lucy argued.
“Of course you do, bebé. You know my family keeps Keller & Donahue on retainer.”
“But—”
“But nothing,” Alex interrupted. “You’re family, and family takes care of each other.”
Lucy was staring at him like he was crazy and it wasn’t because he’d been speaking to her in Portuguese. Lucy understood the language just fine, but Jaxon didn’t. And that had been Alex’s goal. He wanted to make Jaxon feel excluded and it worked.
Jaxon cleared his throat. “I’m gonna head out.” Then he left the room.
“See you later,” Lucy called after him.
Alex grinned. Hopefully not.
Jaxon
Jaxon stormed out of the hospital, rage bubbling in his gut. Alex Alvez was a grade-A dickwad. How could a girl like Lucy be with someone like him? The jackass had basically wanted to start a pissing match right there in her hospital room. And over what? Jaxon wasn’t doing anything wrong. He and Lucy were just talking.
It figured the first person Jaxon actually felt like he could talk to about something real was attached to a guy with a major case of twinkle-dick. Dude’s Napoleon complex was bigger than his ego. Talk about being threatened. Who the hell did Alex think he was telling Lucy who she could and couldn’t talk to? He hadn’t even cared enough to put his cameras down and see if she was okay the other day. Now he was all holier than thou? Jaxon didn’t buy it.
Jaxon was still fuming when he reached his truck. He got in and gripped the wheel, taking deep steadying breaths, wondering if maybe feeling numb all the time wasn’t so bad after all. It certainly beat the feelings that were tightening his chest right now.
Lucy
“Alex, that was really rude,” Lucy scolded.
“What was?”
“Don’t play dumb. I know you were speaking in Portuguese on purpose.”
“I was not. You know I get passionate about family and when I’m passionate I have to speak a passionate language.”
“I’ve heard you be plenty passionate in English,” she muttered.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“If you have something say, Luz, say it to my face.”
“Don’t ask for something you don’t want, Alex.”
“Oh, you mean like a girlfriend that disobeys me and doesn’t show up to my game.”
“I was in a car accident!” Lucy yelled.
“And what about Brooke?”
“What about her?”
“You didn’t tell her to lie to me?”
“Leave her out of this.”
“Where the hell were you, Luz?”
“I told you, I got in a car accident. I’m sorry I missed your game but I was a little busy trying not to die.”
Alex narrowed his eyes and leaned closer. “Yeah, but I bet you wouldn’t have been in an acciden
t at all if you weren’t a liar.”
“What?”
“You were at swim practice, weren’t you?”
Lucy’s mouth fell open. How the hell did he know that? Was he checking up on her? “And so what if I was?”
“You lied to me, Luz.”
“I didn’t lie.” Well technically she had . . . But only because Alex was completely unreasonable.
Alex sat back in his chair and smugly crossed his arms. “Karma’s a bitch, Luz.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “How can you say that?”
Alex only shrugged.
It really was over between them. Lucy had sensed it was for a while now, but she’d always held onto the hope that maybe deep down he still felt something for her, and that she hadn’t completely wasted her adolescence with Alex. She’d always hoped there was still a little piece of the boy she’d grown up with left beneath the narcissistic entitled athlete that he’d grown into. But she was just now realizing that wasn’t true. Not only did Alex not hold an ounce of love for her, he didn’t even seem decent enough to care about her as a friend.
Why the hell had her father thought it was a good idea to leave her with the Alvez family? She would’ve been better off on her own. Hell, she’d be better off in jail with her father. Besides, Lucy was convinced he wasn’t guilty anyway. But it didn’t matter if she couldn’t prove it. The older Lucy got the more suspicious she was that Alex’s father had something to do with the accusations against her father.
Victor Alvez was Lucy’s father’s long-time friend and business partner. Together, they started a successful financial planning business in LA and by the time Lucy was born, the business was booming. But Lucy’s arrival into the world seemed to set a stream of misfortune in motion for her father.
She never got to meet her mother, who died of complications during childbirth. Her father was heartbroken. He never remarried and he never seemed to be able to look at Lucy without seeing the ghost of her mother. Instead of being a father, he threw himself into his work, leaving Lucy to spend most of her time with her godparents, the Alvez’s.
The Accidental Boyfriend: A YA Contemporary Romance Novel (The Boyfriend Series Book 7) Page 8
