Frontline

by Alexandra Richland

  I cringe. “There’s gotta be a more reasonable way to handle this.”

  Kelly picks up her two-way taxi radio. “Fine, I’m calling the police. I can get on their frequency and they’ll be here in no time.”

  I shake my head. “Don’t. I can handle him by myself.”

  “Sara, he showed up at your place of employment after you told him never to contact you again. If he’s not here because of some dire medical emergency, then that’s harassment.”

  I snatch the radio from her and shove it in its holder. “If you call the police, this will turn into a bigger spectacle than it already is. I don’t want everyone at work knowing what’s going on.”

  Kelly purses her lips.

  “I promise if I feel threatened, I’ll call security. But I don’t think Trenton is here to hurt me. He’s not that kind of guy.”

  Kelly lifts her eyebrows. “Don’t defend him. You don’t know that for sure.”

  “Either way, the hospital is a busy, public place. I’ll be surrounded by tons of people so I’ll be perfectly fine.”

  “Sara, I don’t know . . . what if he leaves your work and you think everything is fine, and then he follows you home?”

  I recall Trenton’s previous unexpected visit to my apartment. That could, in fact, be his next move. Not to mention that he changed my lock and might have a key.

  I spot Sean standing beside one of the parked black cars, wearing sleek black sunglasses and the typical Tin Man attire: a light gray suit. I wonder if Trenton is waiting for me in one of the vehicles or if he’s already inside the hospital.

  “Let me talk to Merrick’s men and find out what’s going on, just in case he really is here because of an emergency.”

  It’s highly unlikely, but I have to make sure before I barge into the hospital and accuse Trenton of stalking me.

  Kelly sighs and disengages the locks.

  I smile and open the door. “I’ll call you later and let you know what happened.”

  Bags in hand, I exit the cab. Kelly joins me on the sidewalk.

  “What are you doing?”

  She squares her shoulders. “I’m coming with you to talk to Merrick’s goons.”

  My eyes widen. Kelly’s temper against Trenton’s Tin Men is a recipe for catastrophe.

  “Is that the guy we should talk to?” She points to Sean and snorts. “He looks like a pushover.”

  “Don’t even think about it, Kelly. Plus, you shouldn’t leave your cab unattended. You’re parked illegally.”

  Traffic is at a standstill down the street, blocked by Trenton’s motorcade. Horns honk, drivers lean out their windows, profanity flies through the air. Two police officers stroll by, surveying the convoy, and continue on their way without doing anything.

  Kelly grabs my arm and marches toward the hospital. “Come on. There’s no way I’m letting you confront them alone.”

  Sean turns to us.

  “Sara!” He greets me with a wide grin and adjusts his earpiece.

  I narrow my eyes. “Don’t Sara me. What are you doing here?”

  “Let me rephrase that.” Kelly flips her hair behind her shoulders. “What she means to ask is—is your boss sick?”

  Sean raises his eyebrows. “Sick?”

  “How about bleeding profusely on account of some sort of injury?” She taps the toe of her knockoff Louboutin on the sidewalk.

  “Huh?”

  “Is he experiencing excruciating pain? Has he been diagnosed with some terrible disease? Is he dying?”

  “Uh, no.”

  Kelly scoffs. “Then tell him to get the fuck away from Sara’s hospital and let her work in peace.”

  Sean lowers his sunglasses and peers at her over the frame. “And who, may I ask, are you?”

  She steps toward him, her nose in the air. “I’m Sara’s friend. Who are you?”

  Additional members of Trenton’s security detail gather around us, including Christopher. They all wear the same stern expression.

  Sean pushes his sunglasses back in place and dismisses Kelly with a wave of his hand. “This doesn’t concern you, sweetheart.”

  Uh oh.

  Kelly seethes. “Sweetheart?”

  Sean smirks.

  “Come on, Sara, let’s go.” Kelly grabs my elbow. “We’re calling the cops.”

  “How about you let Sara speak for herself?” Sean folds his arms across his chest.

  Kelly scowls and releases me. “Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are? She’s not going in there!”

  “Trenton just wants to talk to her.”

  “Well, she doesn’t want to talk to him.”

  Kelly and Sean stand chest-to-chest, glaring at each other, as the other Tin Men close in on alert. Kelly isn’t intimidated. She and Sean continue shouting at each other over the traffic noise and amidst stares from curious pedestrians.

  It’s clear that Kelly enjoys their heated tête-à-tête and has no desire to back down. Sean stands his ground because Trenton is his boss and he’s doing what he’s paid to do. Their argument is futile.

  I force Kelly and Sean apart and step between them.

  “Listen, you’re both super stubborn so fighting will get you nowhere.” I turn to Kelly. “I know you mean well, but I have to deal with Trenton on my own. I’ll call you later.”

  Kelly tries to argue, but I hush her. Sean chuckles and she looks about ready to kill him. I wheel around to face him. His laughter ceases.

  “This is between me and Trenton.” I point between his eyes. “You and the other men stay outside, got it? This is my place of employment and I don’t want you embarrassing me further, especially not in front of my boss.”

  Sean removes his sunglasses and glances over his shoulder at the rest of the Tin Men.

  “Okay, Sara,” he says, turning back to me. “But if Trenton calls, we’re coming in. That’s just how it goes.”

  “He won’t need you. I’m pissed off, but I’m going to remain civilized. I don’t want to get fired.”

  Kelly pulls me aside. “Be careful.”

  “I will.”

  She nods and focuses her icy stare on Sean.

  I look back and forth between the two of them.

  “See ya ’round, honey.” Sean smirks again.

  Kelly’s eyes linger on him for a few tense moments before she hugs me and walks back to her cab. On her journey, she glances over her shoulder and tosses her hair, her gaze fixated on Sean as she sashays her hips.

  I turn to Sean and note a sparkle in his eyes as he watches her retreat. Shaking his head and grinning, he mumbles something under his breath. Then he catches my stare and clears his throat, his expression serious again.

  “Trenton’s inside, Sara. Be nice to him, okay? He’s, uh . . . had it pretty rough since your phone call this morning.”

  “That doesn’t give him the right to show up here,” I say as the other Tin Men return to their original posts.

  Sean shrugs. “He means well.”

  “That still doesn’t make it right.”

  Sean sighs and places his hands in his pockets. “Listen, don’t tell Trenton I told you this, but . . .” He looks down at his feet. “Let’s just say I’ve known the guy for years and I’ve never seen him like this. You’re good for him, Sara. You make him . . . happy.”

  “Trenton’s behavior toward me is strange to say the least. Regardless of his intentions, he’s crossed the line by coming here.”

  “Is your hostility toward him about last night? Because he had no choice but to leave quickly—”

  “It’s a culmination of a lot of things.”

  Sean puts his sunglasses back on. “Please try to look past the mistakes he’s made and give him a chance. He’s trying, he really is. This is all just so new to him.”

  “I’m late for work. Good-bye, Sean.”

  I catch Christopher’s stare from down the sidewalk. He nods. I don’t know how to respond except to give a small wave.

  With my eyes trained
ahead, I walk into the hospital, past Triage, and across the ER toward the employee lounge. The unit is swamped as usual. I change into my scrubs and stuff my belongings into my locker. I’m on the floor less than thirty seconds before Valerie approaches.

  “Thank goodness you’re here. Trenton Merrick is back for a follow-up visit and he personally requested you as his nurse.”

  Shocker.

  I expected his excuse for coming here to be a lot more creative.

  “His head wound required only five stitches and they’re dissolvable,” I say. “Not to mention he told me during his last visit that he employs a private physician.”

  “Mr. Merrick also said his auxiliary foundation will be contacting us on Tuesday.” Valerie waves his chart in my face. “Perhaps he’ll increase his original amount if we treat him well during his follow-up.”

  “He’s clogging up our ER.”

  “Whether his request is impractical or not, we aren’t turning him away. We may lose the donation altogether.” Valerie points across the unit. “I’ll have another nurse receive report on your other patients. Go and prepare Mr. Merrick for Dr. Shore. He’s in Room Three.”

  I drape my stethoscope over the back of my neck and grab his chart from Valerie. Derek stands at the nurses’ station, fussing over a bouquet of long-stemmed roses in an ornate crystal vase. I acknowledge him with a wave and exhale a deep breath before walking to Trenton’s room.

  You can do this, Sara.

  Focusing on the floor, I open the sliding glass door, determined to save the Florence Nightingale routine for a patient who actually deserves it. This visit calls for Nurse Ratched.

  Trenton’s spicy scent ambushes me before I even enter the room; one whiff and my heart races like I’ve just run a marathon. Memories of his lips on mine and my legs wrapped around him flood my senses, momentarily diffusing my anger.

  As I step inside, close the door, and pull the curtain for privacy, I gear up for the debate of a lifetime, knowing Trenton’s penchant for being a persistent and artful negotiator. I’m hoping to stand up to him and leave here with my dignity intact.

  “Do you mind telling me what the hell you’re doing here, Mr. Merrick?”

  I look at Trenton and suppress a gasp. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow across his stern features. His hair is neatly styled and he’s dressed in a charcoal suit, but his ashen complexion and the dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes betray him.

  “Good evening, Sara.” His soft voice caresses my ears like a symphony.

  Paging Nurse Ratched. You’re wanted in the ER, stat!

  I release a deep breath. “How did you know I was working tonight? I just got called in this morning.”

  Trenton shrugs. “Lucky guess.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Somehow, I doubt that.”

  He sits down at the edge of the bed, his long legs spread out in front of him, the soles of his shiny leather shoes pressed to the white tile. “I had to see you, so I called your boss to find out if you were working tonight.”

  I place my hand on my hip. “She’s not allowed to give out employee information, so try that one again, Mr. Merrick.”

  Trenton smirks. “The rules don’t apply to me, Sara.”

  I walk toward him and slap his chart down onto the bedside table. “Oh, really?”

  His eyes meet mine and I realize I’m standing in between his legs. I step back.

  “To obtain the information I required, I told your boss I wanted to stop by for a follow-up visit sometime over the next few days, and then I requested you as my nurse. She said you would be in tonight so I made my arrangements.”

  “I told you never to contact me again.”

  “You made that decision under duress.” He waves his hand dismissively. “I needed the opportunity to defend myself and to change your mind. Since I prefer discussing pertinent matters in person, I came here. I don’t regret my choice because it will be worth it after I get what I want.”

  “And what’s that?” I fold my arms across my chest.

  “You.”

  His vigilant stare disarms me. I look to the floor, hoping he won’t see my blush. His words are fit for a classic Hollywood film script—those incredibly cheesy love stories that always make me swoon. All that’s missing is the corny orchestral music swelling in the background.

  Trenton lifts my chin and I’m swept away in his fervent blue eyes again.

  “You need to trust me, Sara.” He takes my hand in his. “My quick departure last night was necessary. I wish I could explain to you why, but the matter is business related, and thus, strictly confidential.”

  “If it’s work related, you’re right, it’s none of my business.” I pry my hand from his grip. “It just would’ve been nice if you’d said good-bye first, especially since we were on a date that you went to such lengths to secure, and because before you took off, you were dry-humping me against a frickin’ wall. I mean, that would be common courtesy, right?”

  Trenton’s eyes darken at my mention of our time on the stairs. He slips off the bed and stands in front of me.

  “If you were truly interested in me, then you would’ve treated me more respectfully,” I say, slowly backing away.

  Trenton reaches forward, and somehow, he’s already close enough to pull his fingers through my hair. “I will give you whatever you want, Sara.” He skims his hand across my cheek. “I will never deny you anything.”

  Closing my eyes, I revel in his touch, his riveting spicy scent . . . it’s all so perfectly Trenton.

  I open my eyes. “Stop.”

  Trenton drops his arm to his side. “What’s wrong?”

  “You say that you’ll give me anything I want . . .” I tuck my hair behind my ears. “Well, all I wanted was your company and some straightforward answers so I could get to know you better, and last night, you let me down.”

  “I’m here now, and I promise you have my undivided attention.” The earnestness in his voice backs his statement, but I’m still not satisfied.

  “Until your next emergency comes up and you disappear again.”

  Trenton doesn’t respond.

  “What if I’d taken you up on your offer to go to your bedroom? Would you have left me naked in your bed and not said good-bye then as well?”

  He remains quiet.

  I throw my hands up in the air. “You’re unbelievable, you know that? Obviously your promises to me come with some pretty extensive fine print, Mr. Merrick.”

  “I had no choice but to leave.” His expression is firm, guiltless.

  “You told me yourself how powerful you are in the business world, yet when it comes to other areas of your life, you don’t seem to possess the same control. Take responsibility for your actions. Don’t say you didn’t have a choice. You always have a choice and yesterday you made the wrong one.” I shake my head. “You know, all I wanted to hear this morning over the phone was an apology, but I guess that’s too much for you.”

  Trenton stays at arm’s length as he brushes his fingertips down the side of my face. “I’ll apologize profusely until you believe that the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you.”

  I pull back from his touch. “Don’t try and sweet talk me. There is still the serious matter of you showing up here. You knew I couldn’t scream at you while on shift so that’s why you picked the hospital as the setting for this discussion. That’s a very underhanded move, Mr. Merrick.”

  “I needed you to hear me out.”

  “Not at my work!” I take another step back from him. “This is the place that pays my bills so I don’t get thrown out of my apartment. I know this might be hard for you to understand, but I live paycheck to paycheck, I have student debt, and you’re jeopardizing my career by coming here. I would never show up at your office and disrupt you. This is personal between us and now you’ve involved my professional life. I won’t stand for it.”

  “What I won’t stand for is letting another minute pass knowing you’re angry with me—not
when I know I can make things right.”

  “Are you listening to yourself right now?” I keep my voice low, despite my exasperation, so my colleagues won’t hear me. “You’re exhibiting some majorly stalkerish behavior. It’s not sexy or exciting. You’re freaking me out. During the first few dates, both people usually put their best foot forward and present themselves as perfectly as they can. If this is how you are with me now, God knows what the future would hold.”

  “Give me another chance and you’ll find I can be the gentleman you deserve.”

  “I told you to stay away from me, Mr. Merrick, yet you still showed up here.” I maintain a harsh edge to my voice. “How can I trust you when you don’t listen to me? When every word you speak is a contradiction? You mix up your sexy talk with sweet comments, but they mean nothing when you don’t back them with your actions.”

  Trenton frowns. “Why are you calling me Mr. Merrick again?”

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  “Answer me.”

  “It’s only fitting considering how many steps back we’ve taken in this relationship.”

  He cocks his eyebrows. “Relationship?”

  “Uh, friendship . . . whatever.” I wave my hand frivolously. “It doesn’t matter because whatever we had is finished.”

  Trenton scowls and turns from me to pace the room.

  Taking advantage of the pause in our conversation, I pick up his chart and write on the patient progress report sheet so Valerie doesn’t wonder what I was doing with him all this time.

  As I sign and date my note, Trenton stops suddenly, his shoes squeaking across the tile.

  “Don’t change your lock.”

  I drop my pen into my pocket and place his chart back down on the table. “Excuse me?”

  “Your other lock was useless. The one I had installed is much better.”

  “That’s another thing!” I say, grateful for the reminder. “You changed my lock after I specifically told you not to and I had to pick up this shift to pay for a new one. So thanks for ruining my day off.”

  “It’s for your own good,” he says sharply. “Do you know that in the last year there have been ten break-ins in your apartment building?”