The nurse begins going over the after care for my stitches but I tune her out. I sign the discharge papers and fold them in half, resting them on my stomach. The doctor pats me on my hand before he leaves. “One week, Ms. Andrews, I expect to see you in my office.” The discharge nurse follows him out and I feel as if I can breathe again.
There is no way that I’m going to miss my first week of work. For starters, Mr. Keiser is going to be pissed! Okay, he won’t be but I am. There is no way I’m going to be able to sit around and do nothing for an entire week.
The nurse finishes unhooking me from the machine, placing a bandage where the IV was placed in crook of my elbow.
“Is my cab here yet?” I ask, but she doesn’t respond. I draw a breath and release it before asking again. “Has my cab arrived yet?”
“No,” is all she says and finishes unhooking the IV bag, tossing it in to the nearby garbage.
No? What the hell? It’s been over an hour since they said they were going to call me a cab. The sterile smell of the hospital is starting to make me feel nauseous. I need a comfortable bed, and some real food.
“Okay, well do you know how much longer it’s going to be?”
She has a look in her eyes that says I’m not going to like her answer. She sits on the edge of the bed and pushes up the long sleeves of the shirt that she wears under her scrubs.
“Now before you freak out, I need to tell you that you’re going to be in very good hands.”
I don’t think I like where she’s going with this.
“The Montgomery’s have offered to take you home. Mrs. Montgomery overheard Dr. Baylor talking about your injuries. They feel horrible about the accident and they know you shouldn’t be alone. This is only temporary, until your appointment. Of course you can refuse but I’m not going to be the one to tell Mrs. Montgomery—she’s a force to be reckoned with.” I can see the fear in her eyes just from thinking about it.
I look at her in shock. Who in the hell are these people and what gives them the right to tell the hospital that I’m going home with them. Like hell I am! “You bet your ass I’ll tell this woman I’m not going with them. I need to get back to my hotel, take a shower and get in some clean clothes. I can deal with the headaches, I’ll be fine.” I assure her but I can tell she’s not buying it.
“Yes, ma’am, I understand completely,” she nods.
“Good, now can you have someone call me a cab please?”
She nods and leaves the room. Minutes later an older woman with salt-and-pepper hair walks in, taking a seat in the chair next to my bed. Who is this woman and why is she in here?
“Phoebe, right?” She asks and reaches for my hand.
I quickly pull away and cock my head.
“I’m sorry, I should have introduced myself first. I’m Emily Montgomery. My son, Dean, is the one that hit you today.” She pauses to see my reaction. Just the thought of him makes me grit my teeth. “I was informed that you are staying at the Kingston Suites, we’ll gladly take you there but I’m afraid you shouldn’t be alone. Dr. Baylor said you have someone to take care of you but I know that isn’t true. We’d like you to stay on our farm with us. We can take care of all of the insurance paperwork and even take you to your appointment next week.” She clutches her purse to her chest and folds her hands in her lap, waiting for my reply.
Is anything private anymore?
“With all due respect Mrs. Montgomery, I’m fully capable of taking care of myself. I’ll be alone but I’ll be fine.” I assure her.
“Please let us do this for you, it’s the least we can do,” she pleads. Her mesmerizing green and yellow eyes pull me in, and her gentle motherly tone makes me miss my own mom even more.
Oh shit! I have to call my mom!
“Is everything all right, dear? You look a little scared.” She pats my hand and this time I let her.
“Yes, I’m sorry, it’s just that I never called my mom and she was expecting me to.” I glance around. I know my things have to be around here somewhere.
“Well, I tell you what. Why don’t you get dressed and we’ll take you to our place. I can send Dean and his dad to get your things from the hotel.” Mrs. Montgomery scoots the seat out and stands to walk out but I stop her before she can.
“That’s very nice of you but really, it’s okay for me just to go to the hotel. No offense, but I don’t know you and I’m not sure how I feel about staying at a stranger’s house, let alone, letting them rummage through my belongings.”
“Okay, Phoebe, we’ll work all that out tomorrow,” she winks and leaves just as a nurse walks in, giggling.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but the Montgomery’s aren’t strangers. Well they are to you, but in these parts, everyone knows them.” She pauses, reaches under my bed and pulls out a clear bag that contains my purse and clothes. She holds up my shorts covered in blood, cringes and helps me put them on. “They own one of the largest farms around.”
“Is that supposed to make them special or something?” I ask as I pull up my shorts and button them. I sit back onto the bed and pull the sweater over my head, before waiting for the nurse to take the rest of my things out of the plastic bag.
“Well, they are kind of like celebrities in the area.” She leans against the wall and watches me slip into my sandals. “Were you going out or something tonight?”
I nod. “Something like that. I passed a bar on my way here today and I really wanted to get out of my stuffy hotel room and get a drink.”
She nods in agreement and crosses her arms over her chest. “Well if you could use a drink before, I’m sure you could definitely use one now.” She places her small hand on my elbow and helps me off of the bed and into a wheelchair.
“So, you’re saying I should go home with these people?”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” she shrugs before continuing. “They’re good people and you’ll be waited on hand and foot!”
Hmm…
“You what?” I gasp in disbelief. I can’t believe my parents actually offered to take Barbie home with us. I applaud my parents for doing the stand-up thing but I shouldn’t have to give up my room. Why can’t she sleep in the den? It has everything she needs and she won’t even have to climb the steps to get to the second floor of the farmhouse.
“Calm down, Dean. It’s only for a week.” My mom pats my arm. Her soft hands have the most calming touch. My mom is known around town as the natural therapist—who needs to lie on a couch and spill their problems for an hour when Emily Montgomery is down the road?
“Boy, you better listen to your mom. Whether this girl comes home with us or not, you hit her and we’re just trying to make it right.” My dad stands up and wraps an arm around my mom’s shoulders, pulling her into him.
“Why is everyone acting like this is my fault? She’s the one that ran the red light!” I clench my fists, and my fingernails bite into my palms. I can’t believe that everyone is taking Barbie’s side and now not only do I have to see her again, but she’s staying at my house.
“Well according to Phoebe, the light was yellow.” My mom purses her lips and her crystal blue eyes narrow at me.
I sigh heavily. “Okay, fine. It was my fault. Can we leave now?” I place my hands on my hips. I’m so over this day, but then I see her.
Barbie is being pushed towards us in a wheelchair, a bright smile across her face. The dried blood on her shorts makes me grimace. I’ll be sure to buy her a new pair. She has a big strip of gauze above her eye and a brace on her wrist.
My heart thuds in my chest when she and the nurse share a laugh. She has a beautiful smile—too bad she has to open her mouth and ruin it all. I’ve known the nurse—Devon Hughes—since we were kids. God, I hope she didn’t tell Barbie anything about me. They could be laughing at me right this second. I quickly turn my attention away and act as if I hadn’t noticed them.
“Hi, Mrs. Montgomery,” Devon greets my mom with a warm hug and smile.
“Devon, it’s so
good to see you. I didn’t know you were Phoebe’s nurse.”
I roll my eyes at the false display of affection before me. My mom has never liked Devon. Mom always thought there was something “off” about her. Since Devon and I had only ever hooked-up, I let my mom’s opinion slide.
Dev and I have been a ‘thing’ since high school—if that’s what you want to call it. Basically, she’s my go-to fuck. Since we were fifteen we’ve ‘experimented’ and even going so far as to make a pact to be each other’s firsts. We hang around the same people so it is more out of convenience than anything else.
Once we got our first taste of sex we were at it like rabbits, everywhere and anywhere we could. It all ended last year when she met someone that could give her what I couldn’t—more. I wasn’t the kind of man that could give a woman more. I work far too many hours to even think about something more than just a quick fuck.
Devon glances over my mom’s shoulder and winks at me. My dick instantly hardens at the small smile that tugs at her lips. Suddenly the only thing I can think about is her soft lips wrapped around my shaft, as they have so many times before. I adjust my pants a little, hoping nobody notices.
I give her a sly smirk and wave. “Hey, Devon. It’s good to see you.” It takes all of my self-control not to drag her into the nearest empty room and do what we do best.
“Hey, Dean. Good to see you too.” She pauses and looks at Barbie. “I hear you ran into my girl, Phoebe?”
Who? Oh, right. Barbie.
I shrug and nod. Hell, if people are going to blame me for her running the light, I might as well own it… for now.
I look to see Barbie shift uncomfortably in the seat. Maybe I’ll be in luck and she won’t want to stay with us.
“Thank you for letting me stay with you,” Barbie says to my parents.
Fuck, I was so close!
“Oh, it’s the least we can do, Phoebe.” My mom falls in step next to Devon as we walk towards the exit. When we get to the door, my mom gives my dad a look. It’s like one of the many unspoken conversations I’ve seen them have over the years.
He nods and pats my shoulder. “Let’s go get my truck. We have to get these little ladies home,” he grunts.
I say goodbye to Devon and step out into the crisp evening air. Inhaling deeply, I close my eyes and push all thoughts of Devon out of my mind. Right now I need to try and focus on all the work that will be waiting for me tomorrow.
The clicking of my dad’s boots on the concrete comes to a halt and I open my eyes to see him looking back at me. “Come on, Dean, let’s finish cleaning up your mess.”
I slump my shoulders in defeat. There’s no use in arguing with them. I’ll be sure to call John tomorrow and set the record straight that this accident was not my fault.
Mrs. Montgomery and I wait in the hospital for Dean and his dad to bring the truck round. I don’t have many friends anymore—aside from my mom—so when Devon and I got talking I was surprised at how easily it had been talk to her. I told her about my new position, and how eager I was to get back to work.
She told me that if I don’t take it easy this week and relax, that she’ll kick my ass. I doubt she could hurt a fly, but the thought of pissing people off in a new city doesn’t appeal to me. I wait till I get to know people to piss them off… usually.
After thinking about it a while, I decided to follow Devon’s advice. The last thing I need is for something to happen to me while I’m alone—then I’d have to put off work even longer and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take. Mrs. Montgomery reminds me so much of my mom and although it’s only been a couple of days, I miss her terribly.
“Oh, here they come now,” Mrs. Montgomery calls over my shoulder and points to the large, white, pick-up truck.
I pat her hand that rest on my shoulder. “Really, Mrs. Montgomery, I appreciate you letting me stay with you. I’m sure within a couple of days I’ll be as good as new and out of your hair.”
“Nonsense Phoebe, we’ll take good care of you and please, call me Emily,” she says in a sweet tone.
“Thank you Emily, but I don’t want to be a burden.” This woman isn’t getting the hint.
“Phoebe I know you must be scared, just moving here and all, but I assure you you’re in good hands. You’ll be ready for work in no time but, until then, please just let me take care of you,” she pleads.
I nod in agreement. I wasn’t going to win this battle—that much was clear. The boys get out of the truck and open up the back doors. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery stand on either side of me and help me to my feet. I sway back and forth, and start to see spots in the darkness.
Emily stops to look me over, concern laced in her eyes. “Are you okay, Phoebe?”
“I’ll be fine.” I say. I must have stood up too quickly and I feel dizzy. I pause and regain control of my senses. I’ll have to make sure to take a pill for the headache before I go to sleep.
When I managed to focus, I see Dean leaning against the truck, his arms folding over his chest and a worried look on his face. He draws his eyebrows together and his lips press in to a hard line. In a split second he’s in front of me. Grabbing me by my waist, he lifts me from the ground and places me carefully into the truck. He climbs in behind me and slams the door shut without a word.
“I could have done that myself, you know,” I spat out. Sweat beads on my upper lip. I’m not feeling good, and the humidity is making my skin sticky.
“Shut up and relax. You just got out of the hospital and nearly passed out when you stood up. You should be thanking me,” he says, buckling his seatbelt.
I stare at him in shock. The arrogant bastard has some nerve. “One, don’t tell me to shut up. Two, I was fine, and three, I will most absolutely not be thanking you when I was perfectly capable of getting in the truck myself,” I spit out, holding up each finger as I rattle off my rebuttal.
He doesn’t say anything which is probably a good thing. We could probably go at it all day and nothing would get solved. The driver’s door creaks as it opens, breaking the silence. Mr. Montgomery holds on to the small bar and lifts himself inside with a grunt. Emily looks into the back seat and shifts her glaze between me and Dean with a satisfied smile across her face.
“All right kiddos, let’s get home.” She claps her hands in excitement—a bit like a four year old.
It’s far too late for someone to be this cheery. I glance at Dean and look him up and down, without trying to be too obvious. Devon had told me that they had been close at one point, but that it had ended a year ago. If it weren’t for his accent making my ears bleed, he might actually be cute. Most of the locals have an accent, but there’s something about the way he talks. His deep, baritone voice echoes every time he speaks, and it’s quite annoying.
He takes off his ball cap and runs a hand through his brown hair that lays flat against his head. He fingers the hem of his shirt and whips the light, cotton fabric over his head. His scent of him fills the cab—he smells like pure man and the outdoors. It’s a rugged and natural smell that instantly appeals to my senses and it makes my stomach clench and my mouth go dry. It’s been a while since I’ve been affected by a man but seeing the moonlight shines through the window and outline his chiseled chest does something to me. I quickly turn away when he glances my way and look out the window.
I rest my head against the soft seat and close my eyes. This is the most comfortable I’ve been all day. Every now and then, the scent of Dean fills my nostrils as I drift off to sleep.
I wake to the slamming of car doors. My eyes flutter open and I feel of strong, warm, and calloused hands wrap around me, pulling me from my sleepy haze.
“Shhh, you’re okay. I’m just taking you to bed.”
My eyes pop open. I’d know that voice anywhere now, but only in my nightmares. “Put me down,” I squeal and kick my legs.
Dean chuckles. “Not a chance, Barbie. Quit squirming and you’ll be in the bed in a minute.”
Ignoring my prote
st, he tightens his grip as he carries me up a white wooden staircase.
Focusing on the task at hand, he kicks the door open with his foot and strides into the room. I glance around and realize that this must be his bedroom. Baseball caps hang on a rack above the headboard and I smile when I notice a Chicago Cubs hat.
Dean pulls back on the dark blue comforter to reveal black sheets. Nothing has looked as comfortable as this bed right now. I’m so tired and in so much pain that I have no doubt I could sleep for days. The stark white walls are littered with shelves holding trophies, medals, and pictures of a young Dean.
He lays me onto the bed and turns on the bedside lamp. I slowly roll onto my side—so that I’m facing away from Dean—my injured hand resting on my hip. I would know the feel of this soft, foam material anywhere, it’s just like the mattress I have. The way it fits the contours of my body, it’s like sleeping on a pile of clouds. I cried when I got to the hotel and, sat on the hard firm mattress, I counted down the days until I’d have my own place, and I could sleep in my own bed.
“Mmmm,” I moan. I’m so comfortable and it’s been a very long day. I could sleep for days.
“You okay there?” Dean asks.
My smile quickly fades. I forgot I wasn’t alone in the room. I roll back onto my bed and wince—moving is proving to be harder than I had anticipated. “Yeah,” I yawn, stretching my stiff body. I glance around for a bathroom but the only door in the room looks like it’s just a closet.
As if he can read my mind, Dean speaks up. “We only have two bedrooms so you’re taking my room. The bathroom is down the hall, first door on your left.”
I’m about to respond, when Emily knocks lightly at the door and peers inside. “Knock, knock.”
She walks into the room with slow strides, glancing at me with a sorrowful look on her face. “Would you like me to help you in the shower?” she asks in a soothing tone.
At this point I don’t care if I’m naked in front of a woman I just met, because I’d do just about anything to wash the hospital scent off of me. I frown when I realize I have nothing to wear to bed, or clothes for tomorrow for that matter.
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