Taking a deep breath, I tied the garbage bag off, walked outside and tossed it into the dumpster and then headed back into the station to search for Kevin, my eyes first landed on Everly.
“Whoa, what’s wrong?” Everly placed a hand on my chest to stop me.
“Just tell me, did you say anything to Kevin or the guys about where I have been the last few days?”
Everly’s eyes widened in disbelief, and the truth was right there across her face. She was angry and hurt. “No. Why would I? Besides, that is your business, not mine. I don’t make it a habit to talk about others.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t really think you would. I’m just pissed and took it out on you first. I need to find Kevin.”
“What happened?”
“He filled my locker with period pads and panty hose. I’ve had it with him and his bullshit. I’m done.”
I left Everly standing there alone. I’d apologize again later for questioning her when I knew the truth. I found my target in the large common room with several of the guys who were eating cereal while watching television.
“Hey, Kevin!” I yelled. Everyone stopped and turned to me. “I don’t care if you wear pantyhose and use period pads, but don’t leave your shit in my locker again.” Everyone cracked up laughing, but I was focused on Kevin.
“It was a fucking joke, we all play jokes, take it easy, don’t be so girly.” Kevin tried to soothe everyone, but they were watching us. “And they’re definitely not mine, I don’t swing that way, have I showed you my latest conquest?” He pulled out his phone, but Everly interrupted him.
“You have someone new? How? I thought that old farmer ran you off the last time he caught you fondling his pigs.”
“Ooo, she smoked you,” Logan taunted.
“I guess you would be equally qualified to talk about getting with women since you’re a rug muncher.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? That is a horrid name too, besides if I were a lesbian, it would still be none of your business.”
“What is wrong with you?” I shouted at Kevin. “You need some serious help. You think you’re funny, and when you can’t get a rise out of me, you go after Everly? Seriously, dude? Are you twelve?” I was on a role and had no intention of giving him a chance to talk. “I don’t know why you were transferred to our station, but if you were this big of an asshole where you were, then I get it.” I glanced over to my shift commander before returning my gaze to Kevin. “Honestly, Kevin, your disregard for other people makes you an awful first responder. Plus, I don’t trust you to have my back.” I knew that I had just thrown the epic gauntlet down. Something would have to be done. We were a team and trust was our foundation.
“By the way, where the hell were you the other day? You showed up at the scene looking like you ran five miles and you were filthy.”
“My Jeep broke down, and I had to wait for the tow truck. I heard the call go out for the freak show. Once the tow truck left, I walked over there since I wasn’t that far away anyway. Not that it’s any of your business.” Kevin shook his head, dismissing me.
As I walked away disgusted, Wes, my shift commander, came closer to me. “Have you told Cap about the shit he says or how you feel?”
“No. I didn’t want to rock the boat. But I guess I just sunk it back there, didn’t I?”
“Just a little.” Wes held his thumb and index finger up to show me just a little, they were practically touching each other.
“Most of his comments are passive so I just let them roll off. Don’t say anything to Cap, I will.”
“I’m going to keep an eye on this, and I’m going to have a talk with Kevin. In the meantime I expect you to talk with Captain Harding, if not then I have to, capisce?”
“Yes, sir.” I walked off, but my nerves were fried, I made a U-turn and headed back down the corridor to where the captain’s office was located. His door was open, but he was studying some papers, so I knocked on the doorframe.
“Hey, Dash, come on in.”
“Captain Harding, sorry to interrupt, sir.”
“You aren’t interrupting. Come in and have a seat. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve been with y’all for twelve years, in that time, I’ve never called in sick and only asked for a partial day off once, and that was to see my sister graduate.”
“Okay, Dash, you need a day off. Tell me when.”
“Now, today. I just need to leave.” Resting my elbows on my knees, I dropped my head forward.
“Do you want to talk about what has you so stressed?” Captain asked.
“No. Not today, at least.”
“Very well. Head on home. You and I can talk on your next shift.”
“Thank you.” I stood and strode out of his office toward my locker to grab my keys, wallet, and spare clothing that Kevin had messed with. I headed back the way I had come, passed the common room where several people turned to watch me, then continued on and out the front toward my truck.
Ringo
“Where’s your boyfriend?” Stella asked with a wide smile. “He’s a cutie, and every time he comes into the ER the other nurses drool over him.”
I laughed, but damn it, it still hurt.
“Hey, have you been getting up and moving? You need to move to prevent blood clots.”
“Yes, Dash, I mean Cooper and Nurse Hatchett make me, but it hurts like a motherfucker,” I groaned.
“You mean Jan? She isn’t that bad, is she?” Stella laughed.
“No, she’s nice.”
“Well, then, come on, bad boy, I’m here, might as well let me help you too. The more you get up, the quicker you’ll get released, you know that, right?”
“The more I’m up, the quicker I release, hmmm. My mind went right in the gutter when you said that. Oh wise one, you are losing your touch,” I taunted her.
“That isn’t exactly what I meant, but hey, I like the way your mind works. You know, I was going to make a gay joke just for you, butt fuck it.” She cackled.
It took me a second and then I started laughing so hard that tears were running down my face. “Butt fuck, really?” I moved to the edge of the bed. “Come on, bitch, help me up, I want outta here.” I held out my arms and Stella moved next to the bed to help lift me.
“Aww shucks, someone brought you pajama bottoms, so I don’t get to see your shiny ass.”
“Shut up, no more laughing,” I demanded.
“You love me, you know it, come on, admit it.”
“I do love you. I seriously have no idea what I would have done without you and the gang. You are my family.”
“You know the feeling is smoochual, right?” Stella puckered her lips in a smooch as she said it.
“Okay, is this a married thing?” I pointed to her lips. “It’s too damn cute for the Stella I know.”
“Fuck, it’s a Sophie thing. She says that to the kids, and it is rubbing off on me. Damn her.” Stella was pissed at being considered cute, but I thought it was hysterical.
Stella walked me down the hallway and back.
“It’s good to see you up,” my doctor said as he approached us. He was older, maybe in his early sixties, but he was nice.
“Dr. Gee, nice to see you. I’m trying, I want out of this place.”
“Let’s go into your room.”
Stella walked next to me as I led the way with Dr. Gee following. I turned at the ding of the elevator and smiled when Cooper stepped off, shocked that he was here but happy nonetheless.
“Hello, Dr. Gee, I’m Stella Christakos from the ER.”
“Oh, you’re Tristan’s wife, nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, you too.”
“Before I begin, Alex, are you okay with everyone who is present?”
“Yes, I am,” I said, as Cooper moved to stand next to me. “I’m letting you go today.”
“Thank god.” I fist pumped.
“But there are some stipulations. I don’t want you to go home alone. You n
eed someone around for at least a week in case you get dizzy, have trouble breathing, anything on this list that we ask you to look for.” Dr. Gee handed me a piece of card stock that listed all of the possible medical mishaps to be on the lookout for.
“He can stay with me,” Stella said.
“He’s coming home with me.” Cooper’s voice was firm and not to be trifled with.
“Very well, I will let you work out who he is staying with, in the meantime the nurse will will get you discharge paperwork together and be in shortly. Mr. Derring, you had a close call, but you are going to be back to your old self in no time. Take it easy.”
“Thank you Doc, for everything, I mean it.” The doctor shook my hand before shaking Cooper’s and then turning to Stella. “Tell Tristan I said hello.”
“Will do.” Stella smiled. She waited until the doctor left the room. “That was Doctor Bernard Gee.”
“I know. He’s visited me daily.” I studied her as if she was tripping balls.
“No, you don’t get it, I always laugh at his name, Dr. Bernard Gee, because he signs his orders, Dr. B. Gee. Get it, Dr. B. Gee, and he keeps people staying alive, staying alive.” She pointed her index finger and then she and Cooper brought Saturday Night Fever alive in my hospital room.
“You are seriously messed up.” But I fought my smile. She and Cooper were discoing.
“Are you sure about this? I mean, you barely know me.” I didn’t have my safety belt across my chest since it would rest on my wound, so Cooper was driving ten miles under the speed limit on the way to his house.
“Positive. I do know you. Believe me, you can learn a lot about someone while they are crashed in a hospital.”
“But this is your home you’re taking me to. I just don’t want to be an imposition—” I stopped and leaned forward to turn up the radio as soon as the first notes of “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. filled the small cab area of Cooper’s truck. The old memories were assuaged by the song, a reminder that everyone hurt.
I felt Cooper’s eyes on me, his frequent gazes that swept over me during the five-minute anthem for hard life. “That song has deep meaning to you, want to talk about it?”
“Nah, I’m fine.” I waved off his request.
“Yeah, totally believe that, I mean look at you.” Cooper lightly touched my shoulder. “You’re curled up and your eyes are glassy.” The sound of shifting of gears and my slow breaths was all that could be heard as Cooper waited for me to answer. But I wasn’t sure what to say—hell, I wasn’t sure there were even words to explain how I felt. “How about you tell me when you’re ready, okay?”
I nodded as Cooper downshifted and he turned into a subdivision that wasn’t too far from where I lived. “We’re here,” he announced, his voice somewhat softer than it had been.
“This is my house, there are three bedrooms, and you can have whichever one you want.” Cooper said as we walked up his sidewalk pathway. He opened the front door of a Florida cookie-cutter style home, not a ranch, not modern, but covered in stucco with large white sections at the corners of the home. It was the epitome of the modern-day, middle class family subdivision that had six floorplans to choose from.
Truthfully, it was the kind of house any couple would love to raise a family in, myself included. I knew my odds of having a child of my own were next to impossible, but it didn’t stop me from wanting my own little diva.
“Welcome.” Cooper held the door open, and I walked in not knowing what to expect. The place was nice, not chic or masculine, it was homey. There was a blanket thrown on the back of the couch, a normal size flat screen. I say normal because I had no clue what was with those mini size movie theaters that men fork over thousands and thousands of dollars for but look like eyesores in their houses. “Let’s get you settled on the couch.” Cooper rushed forward and moved the throw pillows to the side and slid the coffee table out of my way.
“Are you sure you don’t mind Chiquita coming over?” I asked for what had to be the fifth time. On the way to Cooper’s, I sent a text to Calliope asking her to pack me a small bag of toiletries and a few normal outfits, since I would be staying here. I also asked if she would bring Chiquita so I could see her. When Cooper saw me and asked what I was doing, he immediately invited Chiquita to stay at his home as well. So Calliope was bringing all of her things too, and I couldn’t wait.
“While we wait for Calliope, can I get you anything?” Cooper asked.
I shook my head. “No, thank you.” He moved and took a seat next to me.
“I’m really glad that you agreed to come to my house and let me take care of you.” Cooper was totally serious.
I took hold of one of his hands. “You were pretty adamant, but I’m happy to spend this time getting to know you better.” I paused and rubbed my thumb along the knuckles of his hand that I held. “I’m comfortable with you, and that says more than you know.”
Cooper slowly extracted his hand. “And I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to tell me. There’s no rush, Alex. Right now the focus is on you getting better.”
The moment was broken by the ring of the bell and a deep, “Woof, woof, woof.”
“How large is Chiquita?” Cooper asked eyes wide as he moved toward the door.
“She thinks she’s bigger than she is,” I assured him. The door opened, Calliope set Chiquita down, and the little shit ran to me. “Come on, Spunk Bubble.” I patted my lap, and in one flying leap she was in my lap. “I’ve missed you.” She licked my cheek. “Hey, what are you two whispering about?” I hollered over to the two still standing in the open doorway.
“I’m just checking up on you,” Calliope called back. “I’m going. Call me if you need anything else.”
“Will do.” I waved, and Cooper came to sit near me.
Ringo
“Surprise!” everyone shouted just as Cooper pushed open the door to Sixes Bar and Grille, a local police hangout and a place owned by one of my dear friends.
I was stunned by this overwhelming gesture of love, and I swear . . . I had no clue what I was getting into the day I met Ariel, she was the first one of the group I came across. Ariel was a seamstress and I had hired her to help mend a few gowns. But somehow, the tiny redheaded firecracker of a woman engulfed me in all things her.
I righted myself emotionally for this, then tilted my head like the queen I was and proclaimed, “Well, butter my ass and call me a biscuit, what the hell are you all up to? Were you in on this?” I glanced over to Cooper and loved the way his cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
“Come on in, we have a guest of honor seat for you right here.” Stella held out a chair that was front and center of several tables pushed together. “Dash, you can sit between Ringo and me.”
As soon as we sat, two servers walked out with trays and set glasses of water in front of everyone, I couldn’t stop smiling. There was Ariel and the original Iron Orchids gang as well as deputies, firefighters, military, women, and my very own big fat Greek family.
“Hey, Mama Christakos.” I waved over to Christine. Then I waved to her best friend next to her.
I smiled at Cooper, who was leaning forward, chatting with the firefighters.
“I’m glad to see you know some of them.” I squeezed his hand under the table.
“Two of them are at my station, the other two I know because we’ve worked scenes together,” Cooper explained.
“Yoo-hoo,” several of the drag queens from Bananas called out. I blew them kisses.
We were all getting settled as plates and plates of food started coming out, I felt at home here. “This is something we all do, we always eat family style even if it is just appetizers,” I whispered to Cooper. “Help yourself to whatever and pass it on.”
“Okay.” Cooper was somewhat reserved but still helped himself. I wanted to laugh, since he was trying to figure out how to be polite and grab food when it was being yanked and passed faster than he could grab.
“Aww, real food, god, I’ve mi
ssed real food. Hospital food sucks.” I took a bite of fried chicken and savored the crisp taste as I rolled it around my tongue. The bowl of mashed potatoes was glaring at me, and I was practically licking my lips when a loud, “Ruh-er-rum,” sound echoed around the table. Actually, it radiated from my hungry as hell stomach.
Everyone stopped and stared at me then cracked up.
“What? I told you I was hungry.” I patted my stomach to try to quiet its loud growling roll.
Everyone returned to their food and chatter, and I tried to pick up pieces of conversation. But there was so much going on, and after being asleep for the majority of the last five days, my head was still somewhat discombobulated.
Ariel leaned behind several people and patted my shoulder. “How you feeling, Ringo? Is there anything I can do for you?”
“I’m fine, darling, this guy, right here”—I tossed a thumb toward Cooper—“sort of takes care of everything. Between him and Calliope, I’m more afraid of turning petrified than anything else.” Cooper glanced over at me and I winked. I fucking winked, it was my first out and out flirt with him. I held my breath waiting for his move, what would he do . . .
His cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, he shook his head, gave me a smirk and then returned to talking with Stella on the other side of him.
“You, Ringo.”
“Yes?”
“And, you.” Stella pointed at Cooper. “What’s going on between you two?” She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “First, you are up at the hospital nonstop, then you take him home to your house, and now you bring him here. What gives?” She rubbed her hands together as if she were waiting for something juicy.
Ringo, Slippery Banana: A Beautiful Love Story (Iron Orchids Book 7) Page 4
