by Claire Adams
His tone had changed, and now he was starting to sound more like my father. It wasn’t the first time since the accident that he’d taken this approach with me and it hadn’t gone well any of the other times, either.
“Fuck off, Layne; the last thing I need is you riding me. If you hadn’t been such a dick the last time we talked, I would have answered sooner, but you usually just hound me about this fucking office.”
“Your father wanted you to be a part of this, Aiden. Why the hell do you think I bother?”
My teeth gnashed so hard I feared I would chip a tooth and then my only other instinct was to throw something. As the papers sailed off his desk and floated to the floor along with his fucking nameplate, I stormed out of the room.
I hurried to the bar, where Glen could tell it was not the evening to fuck with me. He served me beer steadily for a good two hours until after dark, and then he started getting stingy. I pounded my fist on the bar to get his attention, but he walked over shaking his head.
“I’m all done serving you for the night. You can hang out a little longer if you want, I’ll call Scott, your friendly neighborhood Uber man, or I’ll drive you home myself, but you’re too sloshed as it is.”
I had more than enough of men talking down to me for one day. “Fuck. You.” I stood up as Glen hurried around the bar.
“I’m not kidding, Aiden. I’m not letting you kill yourself tonight. I could tell when you came in that something was wrong. I’ve entertained your ass with booze all night, but you’re not leaving here on that bike.” He put himself between me and the door, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Okay, fine then. Call Scotty the fucking Uber. I’m going to take a piss.” I made like I was going to the bathroom as Glen walked around the bar and then I ducked out and was on my bike and down the road before he could catch up.
The night was a blur, but then again, so was my life. I couldn’t believe those damned Pattersons and their greed. They were punishing me for something I had no control of. Guilt stirred in my gut.
I should have been on that plane. Lord knows that there were times I wished I hadn’t slept late. That I’d been right there with the rest of them as that plane went down. And suddenly, as if fate was reminding me who was boss, my front tire hit something on the road, and I lost control.
I was thrown off as my bike lay over on its side and then flipped through the air like a paper cup in the wind. I hit more like a rock across a placid lake, bumping and skipping along until I finally sank into the depths.
Chapter Six
Lexa
“Lexa! I need you.” Dr. Rob rushed past me, but I was already on my way into the room with him. “Motorcycle accident; he’s unconscious. Let’s see what kind of injuries we’re dealing with.”
“I’m already on it.” I could peel a person from their clothes faster than a supermodel during fashion week, but considering I used scissors, I guess I was cheating. I hadn’t looked at the man’s face yet, no need to waste time — though if his body was any indication, I knew he must have a pretty mug.
I peeled away every stitch and then checked his feet and hands while Dr. Rob pressed against his abdomen to assess any internal injuries. The other nurses were working on vitals, and he’d gotten his IV in the ambulance.
“I think he got lucky, but I still want to order up some scans to make sure, then I’ll let you handle the debridement, Lexa. You’ve got a hell of a rock collection, Mr…. Do we have a name for him?”
One of the others found his wallet where the EMT had placed it and looked inside. “Aiden Walker.”
“Okay, Mr. Walker the rock collector, we’re going to get you fixed up. Are you okay, Lexa?”
I snapped out of my daze and nodded as I busied myself. “Yes, I’m fine.” I wasn’t about to have him send me out again, even though the name was ringing in my ears over and over. This was Allison’s brother — the man my parents were suing. I wasn’t going to let him out of my sight.
One of the other nurses, Cindy, was lining out his IV and getting him ready for movement. “This guy is lucky. Most riders in his situation aren’t. Good thing he was wearing his helmet and all he got was some rash and a concussion.” She glanced over at his face and smiled. “He’s too pretty to be on one of those death traps.” A few of the other females made noises of agreement, and we continued to get him ready to move.
The newer nurse in the room, Tasha, giggled, but stifled it quickly. “Maybe if we shave him; could we get away with that? What’s with all these gorgeous men hiding their faces with beards?”
“He’s looking at a DUI. There’s a policeman hovering outside,” said another voice I didn’t look up to identify.
“He’ll feel this tomorrow,” said Tasha, who was covering his body with a fresh sheet, so he didn’t flash the entire hospital.
“Lexa, could I see you for a moment?” Dr. Rob waved me out of the room.
I walked out into the hall, and he pulled me behind a curtain where there were no patients hanging around. I let out a deep breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “I was okay, really.” I held up a hand as if to swear.
He narrowed his eyes and gave me a look that told me he’d heard better tales. “You know him.” He could read it on my face, so there was no denying it.
“Actually, I only know of him. We’ve never met. He’s the man my parents are suing. The one I was telling you about.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head as if he understood. “You feel responsible for him.”
So, maybe he did get it. “Yeah, in a weird way I do. I mean, he’s obviously been drinking, and the news of the lawsuit is probably to blame. The man’s whole world has to be crashing down around him.”
He rested his hand on my shoulder and met my eyes. “You should have excused yourself. I would have understood. You realize if you’re asked to go to court, you being involved in this incident might not help things.”
“I hadn’t thought about that.” I couldn’t stop thinking about how much worse the accident could have been. “Please, don’t stop me from doing the debridement.”
He shrugged. “If you feel that you need to be involved, I won’t stop you, but please be sure about it. Nursing him won’t change things. It could actually make things worse.”
“I’m not worried about that. But I need to do this for his sister, Allison — and for me.”
He nodded like he understood, but held up a finger. “If this gets to be too much, you come to me, and I’ll make sure you’re covered.”
“Thank you!” I placed my hand on his arm and he gave me a wink.
“I still owe you a date. Don’t think I’ve forgotten. Things have been busy, but soon?” I nodded. “Good. I think he’s been sent to X-ray. I want to peek at him before I go.”
“Thank you; I’m going to get things ready for the debridement. I know it’s best if he wakes up, but I really hope he stays asleep for that. He’s suffered enough.”
“You’re a kind heart. But I’m hoping he remembers this pain, so he will stay off of the road while drinking.” He turned to walk away, and I headed off to find where they were taking him and to collect supplies.
*
It was eight in the morning when I decided to check on Aiden again. I had left him shortly after midnight, and it was my hope that he’d get plenty of much-needed rest. His debridement had gone well, and there weren’t as many pebbles embedded as we thought. His biggest problem was a few patchy abrasions, and I’d scrubbed him the best I could to avoid infection and so his scarring would be minimal.
His angular face was perfect, aside from a small wound near his eye that was no bigger than a pencil eraser. I’d cleaned it, too, and gotten a really good look at his face. There was a handsome man hiding behind the scraggly beard. I wondered how long it had taken him to grow it, wondering if he’d shaved since the accident.
I hadn’t even approached his door when I heard the cursing. I hurried in, and he was struggling with one of th
e orderlies over his IV. “I’m not staying here all day!”
“I’ve got it, Tabitha. I’ll handle it.” She threw her hands up and hurried out of the room.
“Don’t think your pretty little ass is going to convince me otherwise.” He ripped the tape from across his IV, and his eyes widened as if he only just realized it was stuck in him. “Get this shit out of me.” He held up his arm, turning pale.
He seemed to relax a bit as I walked up and took his hand, his shoulders resting back against the pillows. “How about you calm down and let me tape it back up. I can order you something to eat if you’re hungry.”
“I want to go home. Other than this damned thing and you people playing vampire at four a.m., I’m perfect.”
“And, a considerable amount of road rash.” I straightened his covers and then adjusted his bed to a better upright position.
“Stop fucking with me and get this thing out of my arm. I can’t even get up to take a piss without getting tangled in tubes.” He clenched his jaw and held out his arm again.
“Let me fix your tape, and I’ll show you what to do if you have to get up.” I kept my voice calm, although I wanted to scream. His mood was contagious.
“Take it out!” His voice was a low growl, but I leaned down and met his eyes, showing him I wouldn’t be intimidated.
“You want it out; you pull it out. I’m not touching the damned thing.” I lifted my chin with the challenge.
The muscle in his jaw feathered as he kept his eyes fixed on mine and then after a deep breath, he pulled the IV from his arm and tossed it to the floor. Then he threw the covers back and sat up in such a hurry, he wobbled and held his arms out. He grabbed the bed rail to steady himself.
“You have to move slower than that, or your blood pressure will spike and you’ll end up on your ass.” I held his arm to help steady him, but he jerked it away.
“I’m fine. Once I get my land legs, I’ll be out of your hair.”
“You’re no trouble. As a matter of fact, I came down here to check on you. I’m the one who cleaned your wounds.”
“What happened? Did you fall in love?” His smirk made me want to slap him, and I reminded myself that this was the man my parents were suing. He wasn’t at all as pleasant as his sister had been. She was the sunshine, and he was a storm.
“I’m sure you have some wonderful women in your life.” I was trying hard to be pleasant, but he was wearing me down.
“Just you at the moment. Were you here when they brought me in?”
“As a matter of fact, I was. I’m the one who cut your clothes off. And considering I threw them away, you’ll have to walk out of here naked.”
“Is that a challenge?” He met my eyes directly.
He wasn’t going to give up. I walked over and checked his recent vitals. He was more than stable and only hanging around for observation. “If you’re nice, I could speed things up for you. But I only have an hour, so I can’t promise a miracle.”
His gaze slid down my body. “Are you being nice to me because it’s your job or did you like what you saw when you stripped me down?” He scratched his beard and laughed.
I wasn’t about to tell him it was a favor for Allison. I didn’t want him to know who I was. “I’m a nurse who cares about her patients. Even the ones who try their hardest to shock me. It makes no difference if you’re here or not, and honestly, they’ll probably release you later this evening if I let things take their course.” I glanced back down to his chart. “Maybe that’s best.”
“No, no. I’ll go nuts if that happens. Get me the hell out of here!” The desperation in his voice made me smile. No more Mr. Tough Guy.
“Say please.” I smiled, but he gave me a look that questioned my seriousness.
He deflated as I folded my arms, but then finally he obliged. “Please.”
I held up my index finger. “Give me a minute. Don’t go anywhere.” He gave me a nod, and I hurried out and down the hall to the nurse’s station where I found Dr. Rob.
“Lexa.” He smiled wide at me, his pearly whites contrasting nicely against his dark eyes. “How’s it going with Mr. Walker?”
“He’s fine; are you planning to release him later?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Why? Do you think there’s a setback?” He narrowed his eyes in concern.
“Not at all, but he’s ready to go now. He’s already taken out his IV on his own, and he’s ready to walk out of here.”
“I’ll go ahead and order his order his release, but you’ll have to wait until things are processed.” He placed his arm on mine and smiled. “I wanted to ask you, what’s your favorite restaurant?”
I glanced to see if anyone else was around, but no one was paying attention. “Carter’s across town.” He gave me his signature wink and headed off in the opposite direction.
I hurried to make sure things were in motion and then before I went to Aiden’s room, I found a pair of scrubs.
When I walked into his room, he was lounged back in his bed turning channels on the TV. “I’ve got good news.” I tossed the plastic-wrapped scrubs to the bed, and he stared at them.
“You want to play doctor and nurse?” He picked up the packages and opened them.
“I didn’t think you’d want to try that naked thing. The only ride you’d get would be from the police. Which reminds me, they’ll be in touch.” I took the plastic and tossed it in the trash.
“I’ve already talked to them.” He shrugged like it was nothing. I imagined for him, it wasn’t.
“I’ll step out so you can change.”
He grabbed my arm to stand and untied his gown. “No need; it’s not like you haven’t seen me, right? Besides, what if I get dizzy again?” His eyes burned with a fine line between sensuality and aggression. It stirred something inside me, but I wasn’t sure what it was. Part of me feared him, but another part wanted him.
I swallowed hard and stepped away. “I think you can manage. Besides, I’m about to be off work soon. Someone will be in shortly with your discharge. I’m going to call in another favor for you before I leave.” I turned and headed for the door, thinking he’d fit in one last cocky remark. I couldn’t decide if he was acting like an asshole or if that was just his shield.
“Thank you.”
I paused a moment before continuing out. It’s funny how two little words can surprise you.
Chapter Seven
Aiden
“Dammit.” It was bad enough knowing my bike was ruined, but my phone being dead, that was another whammy. The screen was shattered, but I hoped a dead battery was the only other issue it had. Regardless of its fate, I’d left the hospital in such a damned hurry with it that I hadn’t thought to call a ride, and since my bike was in Harley heaven, I didn’t have a way home.
I stood out front of the hospital dressed in my scrubs and wishing the accident had put me out of my misery when the world’s greatest nurse drove up in a hot little red Camaro.
Her window lowered as her brake lights lit up. “Didn’t anyone walk you out and make sure you had a ride home?”
“They tried to get me in a wheelchair, but I told them to fuck off.”
“So, do you have a ride?” The smug look on her face made me want to tell her to fuck off, too, but something stirred in me as I realized the smart-mouthed little lady was the only person helping me.
“Are you offering to call me one? My phone’s dead.” I held up the device so she could see the shattered glass.
“I could, or I could give you a ride if you need one.” She looked up at me with an expression was so full of pity, it turned my stomach.
“I don’t need your pity.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I didn’t have many options.
If I called Layne, he’d give me a lecture I didn’t want to hear, though I was sure he’d already heard about the accident. The cops who’d spoken to me would most likely tell him. If I called Glen, he wouldn’t be able to leave his bar to come. I’d lea
rned from too many of my rides home with Scott the Uber driver that he attended college during the day. Calling Mattie wasn’t an option, either. She didn’t drive downtown, not even for my sorry ass.
“If that’s the way you see it, never mind then. I’m sure you can manage.” She lifted her shoulder in a casual way, lowered her sunglasses from her head, and then her window started to rise.
Shit. “Fine, I could use a ride.” Her window stopped, and her brow cocked over her shades. “Please.”
“Get in.” She released a breath so deep she seemed to deflate, and I hurried around the car and got in.
“Thanks.” I put on my seatbelt, and she handed me a phone charger, which I plugged into my phone.
“Maybe it will charge enough on the way so you can see what the damage is. Have you contacted anyone since the accident?” She pulled up to the highway and put her arms out. “Where am I taking you?”
“I’m at the Olde House in the historic plantation district.” She turned out on the highway, and I waited for her to remark on my address.
“Nice area. I love the old trees out there. They’ve always been my favorite part of its charm.”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful.” I had mumbled the words and stared out the window hoping to avoid conversation.
She gave me a nudge. “So, have you? Contacted anyone, that is? You never answered me.”
“There’s no one to contact, really. I don’t have any family, or friends for that matter. But then again, it’s nice not having anyone ask me unnecessary questions all the time.” I gave her a blank look, hoping to make my point.
“Wow, Aiden, you’re a real peach. It’s hard to believe you don’t have any friends.” Her phone buzzed, and she gave it a glance.
“I suppose a girl like you has enough for the both of us.” I turned to stare out the window as she changed lanes and took the next exit, which led to my end of town.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? A girl like me?” Her tone told me she was offended, and I tried hard not to smile.
