by Kacey Shea
“Pullleeezzz come out with us . . .” She bats her eyelashes and begs, falling to her knees before my bed. I roll my eyes and begrudgingly slam my book shut.
“Three hours. That’s it. Then I’m back here. No drinking, either.” She pouts and I amend. “No shots, then. Just beer.”
“Yay!” She hops up and claps wildly. “We’re going to some new bar off Mill. Get your fancy on, girl! We leave in twenty minutes!”
I pull on a pair of tight jeans, a black tank top, and heeled boots. I take time to apply smoky eye makeup and paint my lips a deep pink. With a little blush and a run through my hair with the brush, I’m ready to go.
I walk out of my room to find Angie and her friends doing shots of that sour apple crap in the kitchen.
“Fuck! Carly, you look amazing!” Angie shouts, and then teeters toward the door on her five inch heels. “Let’s go bitches!”
We walk the short distance to an Irish theme pub on Mill Avenue and the place is packed despite school being out of session. I guess not everyone has left for the summer yet. It’s weird, having graduated but not being done. I have to pass my state boards or I’m not a registered nurse. I have a job waiting for me so I feel the pressure to pass this test on the first round. That and the fact it costs a couple hundred each pop.
My roomie quickly makes her rounds and lands at a table with some of the football players I recognize from campus. She’s a ridiculous flirt. We met sophomore year in bio when she bet she could get the number of the hot guy sitting in front of us. Angie is fun and likeable and we became fast friends. Last year we found a place off campus together. I like hanging out but I’m not in the mood to hit on guys all night. This was probably a mistake.
I twist my beer bottle on the wooden bar and let my gaze wander across the bottles of liquor lining the mirrored glass. My mind repeats the list of normal lab values: calcium, cholesterol, creatinine, potassium, sodium . . . A person takes the seat to my right but I don’t pay them any attention.
“You look like you’d rather be anywhere else,” a deep voice says with a chuckle. I turn and I’m met by the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in real life. He has a deep tan, short black hair, and intense chocolate eyes. Tattoos cover both arms, giving him a sexy, bad boy appearance. He’s wearing a shirt with his name embroidered on the front and suddenly I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about getting back to studying.
“I don’t know, Josh, my night has some promise on the horizon,” I quip with a grin, and his lips pull into a smirk.
“How do you know my name?” he questions, and then squints. “Have we met before? ’Cause I feel like I’d definitely remember meeting you.” It’s lame but sort of cute and I bite my lower lip before I answer.
“Your name is on your shirt,” I deadpan. His throaty chuckle sends goosebumps over my arms. He leans in and scrunches up his face.
“I keep forgetting that. First week on the job.”
“Where do you work?”
“Tire and Turn for now, but one day I’ll have my own shop.”
“Nice. Congrats on the job.” I tip my beer and then take a few long pulls. The cool liquid soothes the nerves this guy kicks up.
“I feel like I’m at a disadvantage here.” He grins before adding, “What’s your name, beautiful?”
“Carly.”
“Carly. I like that.” He takes a sip from his glass of water. “Carly, would you want to get out of here with me and go for a ride?” My eyes bug out with his question. God, he’s forward. I look back at Angie, suddenly worried about getting stuck with a psychopath for the night. He starts laughing and shakes his head.
“Oh, man! I just realized how that came out. Not that kind of ride. I have my bike outside. It’s a perfect night to just ride and let the world whiz by, and the only thing that could make it better would be a beautiful woman to share it with.” Josh makes it sounds fun, relaxing, and just a little wild. Things I never allow myself. What the hell, maybe I should do something crazy. Just this once.
“What do you say, Carly? You in?” He grins and it steals my last thread of uncertainty.
“Okay,” I glance back at Angie and she gives me two thumbs up and waggles her brows at Josh’s back. “Just one ride. Actually, that sounds perfect.”
“This is good, right?” Garrett sips his healthy protein smoothie with a grin. This place is not my usual kind of eatery. Chia seeds swirl around in my cup along with the magic twelve, a concoction of greens and super fruits. The barista promised it was the best tasting smoothie on the menu. If that’s the case, I pray I never come here again.
“Mmm, yeah.” This drink may be horrible, but the man sitting across the table is full on yummy. I can’t help but wonder about that smooth tan skin. His chest is strong but lean in his T-shirt and I wonder what he looks like naked. I bet he’s stunning. He gives the impression that he’d be a generous lover. And well endowed. Although I may be wishing those last two to be true. That’s exactly how I’ll imagine him later when I’m alone in my bed.
“Carly.”
“Hmm?” Oh, shit. He asked a question, didn’t he? And I was off in lalaland. “Sorry, what?”
He smiles wide and those dimples pop. “I know. I’m exhausted, too. Next time we go out let’s plan it on more sleep and not after a shift. You ready to go?” I can’t help but grin back. He’s already thinking of another date. That’s good. I’d like to get to know him better.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
“HEY KID, HOW’S MY FAVORITE cancer patient?” I pop my head inside Room 412 and grin at Luis. He sits in his hospital bed and scowls at his phone. He lifts his chin in a little nod. Focus still on the cell, he rolls his eyes.
“I’m pretty sure I’m your only cancer patient.”
I walk in and set my guitar case in the corner before I pull a chair closer to his bed. The metal legs scrape along the linoleum floor. I reach out and pluck two Xbox controllers from the bedside table and toss one into Luis’ lap, powering on the console with my own.
“Madden or Black Ops?”
“I don’t really feel like playing today.” Luis tosses his cell across the bed and it lands at his feet. He blows out a breath and runs his hands over his bald head, plopping back against the mattress.
“Rough day, kid?”
“You could say that.” He shuts his eyes. He’s upset about something and I immediately want to make it better. I know this kid has been through hell. Fuck, he’s still living there, and I’ll do anything to put a smile on his face.
“Tell me what’s up, maybe I can help.”
“Unless you can make cancer the new black, I doubt it.” He turns his head to meet my gaze. His steel blue eyes narrow and beg me to argue.
“Well, I am a famous rock star.” I raise a brow. “So try me. What’s going on?”
He nods to his cell. “I posted a selfie earlier and a bunch of friends from school made comments that I’m never gonna get a girlfriend looking like a fucking cone head.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Fuck. They’re right. Just sucks balls.”
Fucking dipshit teenagers. Friends. Yeah, right. Thanks social media for giving these assholes an outlet to make this sick kid feel bad about himself.
“I think you look like a bad ass.”
“Yeah, right.” He scoffs.
“I do. I’d like to see those fuckers try and fight cancer. You’re here kicking ass so they can suck it.” I see a ghost of a smile. “You old enough to have a Facebook in the first place?”
“Facebook?” His mouth twists into an arrogant grin. “I thought rock stars were supposed to be cool. No one has Facebook anymore.”
I chuckle. “Okay, so what’s cool then?”
“Instagram, snapchat, kik.”
“Hmmm . . .” I make a show of considering his words, nodding and tapping my fingers on my knees. “I’m gonna need help, but I got you, bro.” I grab the remote connected to his bed and buzz for the nurse.
“Yes, boys?” Carly’s voice calls thr
ough the speaker.
“We need some assistance from our hot nurse.”
“Coming . . .” I imagine her eye roll as she breathes into the line with a twinge of both interest and annoyance. I don’t blame her. The last time she was on duty we used the line to prank call her with lame jokes every five minutes. “Let me finish up with a patient first.”
“See ya soon, hotcakes.” I chuckle as she ends the call. Luis studies me with a skeptical expression.
“You only being nice to me because you’re trying to win bonus points with my nurse?” He watches me closely.
“No way. I mean, sure that’s why I ended up in your room, but the reason I came back is ’cause you’re cool. That and you needed someone to beat your ass at Madden.”
He nods once, finding the truth in my answer.
“Now we’re gonna make your ‘so called friends’ eat their words. Take lots of pics okay?” I hand him my phone. The door opens with a soft click and Carly pads inside.
“What’s going on in here, boys?” She smiles softly at Luis; her eyes land on me with a glare. I stand to my full height and stretch my arms over my head. Her eyes go to the exposed skin at my waist and she bites her lip. I chuckle, her eyes snap back to meet mine again.
“I need you to shave my head.”
Carly gasps and I look at Luis with a grin. He’s staring at me like I’ve lost my mind but when he recovers his lips pull to a smirk.
“Oh. Okay. Um, let me run and get a few things for that.” Carly slips out the door.
“Dude, you don’t have to shave your head.” Luis shakes his own.
“Yeah. I think I do. We gotta stick together.” I rub my hand over his scalp. “Come on, I think we gotta move this show into the bathroom. I wanna watch Nurse Carly play hairdresser.” I hold out my hand and he takes it. He’s weak from the chemo this week, and more tired than usual. I drag a chair into the adjoining bathroom and he sits, my phone poised and ready. Carly walks in and lays out a pair of scissors and several razors along the sink counter top.
“You’re too tall for me. You need to sit so I can reach.” I drag in another chair, flip it backward, and straddle the seat so I can watch her from the mirror. She shakes out one of those blue paper hospital gowns and fashions it to a makeshift cape around my neck.
Carly runs her delicate fingers through my thick locks a few times. I have to fight the urge to close my eyes, to melt into her touch, and mentally demand my dick stay put. Her simple touch has my heart racing and blood pumping. God, what I wouldn’t give to have those fingers trail all over my body.
Her fingers still and she meets my gaze in the reflection. “You sure?” she breathes into my ear, and then runs her fingers through once more. “You have the best hair.”
I glance over to Luis, who watches us with interest, and give him a wink.
“Nah, shave it. All the cool kids are doing it.”
Luis holds up my phone. Carly’s serious expression transforms into an unguarded smile that steals my breath. God damn, she’s beautiful.
“Okay. Let’s do this.” She grabs the scissors and snips away, making quick work of my mane. Her concentration causes her mouth to inadvertently open and close with each snip of the shears and it’s fucking adorable.
“Want me to save these?” She cuts another patch off and adds it to the growing collection atop the paper gown. “We could sell it on eBay. Auction it off. You could start your own Ken doll collection.”
“Now you’re mocking me.”
“No. Seriously, it’s a million dollar idea.”
With the long locks gone I now look like a child who snuck the clippers and tried to give himself a haircut.
Carly picks up the can of shaving cream and squirts some into her hands. She works the foamy lather evenly across my scalp. She’s fully absorbed in the task so I give the camera a wink, stick my tongue out at Luis, and throw up the rock signal with both hands. He chuckles, captures a few more shots, and Carly’s eyes snap up and catch me in the act. I flip my silver stud and she rolls her eyes. Picking up a razor, she makes quick work of the uneven stubble that remains.
“Done!” she announces, and carefully removes my cape to toss it along with my hair into the trashcan. I stick my head under the sink for a quick rinse. Luis throws me a towel and I admire my reflection in the mirror.
“Not too bad. If this nursing thing doesn’t work out, you could always go to beauty school,” I tease.
Carly laughs. “I think I’ll stick with this gig. Okay, Luis, back to bed you go. It’s getting late and I need to check on my other patients.” She helps him back to the bed and I finish cleaning up the mess we made. When I drag the chairs back inside the room, she’s gone. Luis grins and hands back my phone.
“Pretty badass, right?” I rub my scalp.
“Yeah.”
“Here, let’s shameless selfie.” I plop on the bed next to him and hold out my phone. I can’t help but beam because this kid is smiling and I did that.
I sit back on the chair as he settles into the bed. He looks tired and it’s getting late. I should leave soon and let him rest.
“So, Instagram right? Facebook is lame?”
“Not lame, just for old people,” he mutters.
“Watch it, kid.” I select one of the selfies and caption it, “Like the new haircut? Had to get in line with my brother from another mother, Luis. Who else wants in? #fuckcancer.” I ask for Luis’ account so I can tag him.
I upload the post and glance up to find he’s already dozing off. Our adventure was more taxing than I’d like, but it was worth it to see the smiles on his face. I stand and tuck my phone in my back pocket and grab my guitar from the corner.
“Derek.” His voice halts my progress. I lift my chin to find Luis watching me from under heavy lids.
“Yeah, kid?”
“Thank you.” His expression is somber and moisture pricks behind my eyelids. I sling my guitar over my shoulder and blink it back.
“Get some rest. I’ll stop by tomorrow, ’kay?” I murmur.
He nods and his eyes drift shut. Before I leave I fix the blanket so he’s tucked inside. I spot his phone at the foot of the bed. It catches my eye as it lights up like a fucking disco ball, notification after notification coming through.
Rob: Sick pic bro! You know Derek Taylor?
Dean: You hang out with the drummer of 3UG? WTF I need to meet him.
Coleston: Bro lets hang out
James: Can u get my band’s demo to ur new friend?
Angela: Hey you look like a rockstar. text me back 2 talk?
I plug his phone into the charger and set it atop the bedside table before I leave his room. The texts fill me with mixed emotions. I should be proud. Happy. Satisfied that I’ve given Luis his fifteen minutes of fame, made him the envy of his class. But their words piss me off. How many of them would’ve texted had they not seen our picture? These assholes don’t want to hang out with Luis, they just want a piece of the limelight. They are users, wolves in sheep’s clothing. No different than the people that clamor to be around you.
I stop walking. Turn to look back at Luis’ door. No. I’m glad we did this tonight. He may earn attention from a bunch of two faced posers but he’s a smart kid. He’ll see right through them. If anything, it’ll keep him entertained. I only hope he knows I’m not one of them. I’m sure the press will eat up my little stunt with the razor, but that’s not why I did it. No. I did it to put a smile on his face. So he knows my looks can go fuck themselves; he’s more important than my hair. I’m on his team. I’ve got his back.
“You’re gonna need a beanie.”
I turn to find Carly, clipboard on hip and eyes calculating as she appraises my head.
“Huh?”
She taps her head with the tip of her pen and smirks. “You’re gonna get sick if you don’t cover that noggin.”
“Real men don’t wear beanies.” I scoff.
“Mmm hmm.” She rolls her eyes and I grin.
“Lily, cover my patients? I’m gonna take fifteen.”
“Sure thing.” A young blonde smiles, then her eyes bug out as they land on me. I wink and place my hand gently at Carly’s back. It’s the softest of touches and she shivers in response. I smile at the fact she doesn’t try to slink from it. Baby steps.
“Thanks for shaving my head,” I murmur in her ear. Her eyes flutter a second before they return to their usual calculated stare. She punches at the elevator button and blows out a big breath.
“What you did tonight. I . . . I . . . it wasn’t what I expected of you. So, no. Thank you for doing that for Luis. It was quite possibly the most unselfish, unselfserving, kindest thing you could have done for him.”
The elevator dings and we step inside. I press the button to the ground level and turn to face her. “You know, I feel a little chilly,” She nods with an I-told-you-so smirk. “Maybe hell is freezing over, because I think you just paid me a compliment.” I grin and stick my tongue out. She shakes her head, hands back on hips.
“You’re incorrigible.” Her luscious lips give a little pout. I want to taste them. I want her. As if she can read my mind the energy in the small space charges. Her eyes widen and I stalk toward her.
“Yeah. I am. But please, go back to the part where you tell me how awesome I am.” With every step forward she takes one back until her shoulders hit the wall. I grin wide. Like a cat that caught the canary. Gotcha.
I dip my head. She holds my gaze, and my mouth is mere inches from hers. I want her. To taste her. To pleasure her. To hold her. To make love to her. That last thought jars my lust and I take a big step backward. What the fuck? I don’t make love.
Ding. Saved by the bell.
“’Night, mama.” I step out of the car backward so I can watch her face. Her skin is flush. A deep pink blush works its way up her neck and face. She hasn’t moved and holds my stare. Her eyes don’t give anything away. What I would give to know what she’s thinking. Just as the doors close she brings a hand to her lips.
