by C Renee
“So Matt, what’s with the tattoo? Because I’ve been dying to know what it means since I saw it.”
Matt looked over my way with a smirk on his face but then he turned towards the night sky.
“Well, if you really want to know, then I guess I should be honest now. It’s the symbol of a motorcycle Club I happen to belong to. I’m not proud to be apart of it, but it is something I was born into and had no choice. See, my father is what you would call ‘the boss’ of the whole MC. When I became 18, I had no choice but to take my spot next to him and learn the ropes, so that one day the MC will be mine. Don’t get me wrong, that place, those people are my family and I would gladly lay my life down for any of them. To be forced into it and have no choice of how my life goes kills me daily to know ‘what if?’ but now it doesn’t matter.”
“Ah, okay well that’s kinda cool I guess, as long as you don’t do the whole drug dealer, whore house and killing people thing, then I guess it’s pretty awesome to date a MC member!” I shyly smiled towards him and I had to hide my blush at those crazy thoughts of wearing only his leather jacket while he leaned me against his Harley
I cleared my thoughts from those outrageous thoughts. “Okay, what’s your relationship with your family like? Do you have any siblings or are you an only child? I feel so terrible not knowing any of this by now.”
I ate a piece of cheese I picked up from the picnic basket.
“My mother died when I was at the age of eight, we don’t talk about it much because she just got really sick quickly and then she died, my father wasn’t even sad about it so I just moved on thinking it was nothing. Now that I’m older, I know that day was a big deal and I’m full of regret because I didn’t even say goodbye. My father and I don’t exactly see eye to eye. I loathe him, and no I don’t have any siblings, it’s just me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry about your mom.” I moved closer to him, placing my head on his shoulder.
He smiled when turned towards me, and placed his lips to mine. They were warm and soft to begin with. I opened my mouth to welcome his tongue and our tongues slowly massaged each other.
After a while, Matt pulled apart from me and looked towards the ocean and the darkened sky.
“We should probably head back, it looks like a storm is heading our way and it would be a shame to be stuck out in it.” Matt reached over for my hand to help me up and gathered the blanket, basket and pillows and headed back to the car.
“You still need to answer my awaiting questions Sweetheart.”
The drive back to Matt’s apartment was quite but it wasn’t the awkward silence.
We reached Matt’s apartment before midnight, which was good timing. We couldn’t head to my place because Steph was home and that would be awkward since she didn’t like Matt after meeting him officially. She said he was ‘dark and dangerous’ so she turned a blind eye when I went out with Matt. She will only come smashing down doors and caring when he fucked up. She was a good friend like that.
Matt gets up from kneeling in front of me and heads towards Jax, oh god this isn’t going to end pretty. Jax glances quickly towards me, gives me a quick smile, puts on a poker face and faces Matt, but it is obvious that Matt saw the smile because he then goes after him.
“How fucking dare you stand up for that slut? She’s nothing but a fuck to me, and something to throw a punch at to relieve my stress from the shit you all put me through, and here you are taking her side when she disobeyed me!!”
While the five of them are distracted by what Matt and Jax are arguing about and there’s probably going to be a full blown fist fight, I realize that is my exit, this is my only chance to escape unharmed. I need to get out now.
My cheek is still throbbing from where Matt hit it when I slowly rise from the couch; I look towards the boys and notice no one is paying attention to me. I head towards the bedroom to fetch my purse, already packed bag and my car keys. Once I’ve got them, I ran towards the front door, open it and I don’t even bother closing it because that’s wasting my getaway time. I get in the car, start the engine and I’m racing down the driveway. I get onto the street and hit the accelerator and I don’t look back once.
Oh… My… God…
So many thoughts are racing through my mind. Did I actually do that? Where am I going to go? Is Matt following me right now? Will he make me go back or worse run me off the road?
I’m speeding down interstate 10. I need to have as much distance between us as possible. I’m not stopping for anything until I can get somewhere safe, away from Matt and his influences. His eyes and ears will be looking for me and I need to keep a low profile.
I’ve finally reached LA, where my family and my best friend still live, but I should keep going. I have to keep them safe. I really hate not seeing them after so long of not being allowed to, but I can’t risk them getting hurt or killed. Matt would never kill them if they didn’t know where I was.
I reach the inner city of LA and the town is crowed with a lot of people, it looks like there is a music festival on. I try to avoid the main street by turning into an alleyway and I’m suddenly hit.
My car is spinning out of control.
I try to slam on the brakes but it makes things worse.
I hear another car reviving its engine and then a screech when the car accelerates to hit the side of my car.
My car starts rolling out of control.
I’m moving full force in my seat.
My head hits the side of the door, the seat belt cuts into my throat, and the airbag pops out, hitting me right in the nose.
I try to open my eyes and I quickly close them.
I’m upside down, my arms are motionless and I can’t feel my legs.
I feel warm liquid sliding down my face, my stomach is in so much pain and my arms feel broken.
I see a bright light.
I’m feeling weak.
I start drifting off to sleep.
The smell of metal and blood is making me sick and dizzy.
I’m lost.
I’m scared.
I’m confused.
The last thing I see before I black out is a face with the strangest green eyes full of shock, worry and fear.
Chapter Four
Louise
I FEEL WEIGHTLESS, AT peace, but something keeps bugging me.
A magnetic pull wants me to stay in the calming peace but I have this need to wake up.
I slowly open my eyes and see bright lights, but the sleep is too strong and pulls me back under and I dream about those green eyes.
I hear monitors beep and I open my eyes again to see white figures standing around the bed, I hear muffled sounds but can’t make them out. I close my eyes and drift off, seeing those green eyes again.
I wake with a startle, I sit up in the bed I’m in and everything comes rushing back. I see small flashes of the accident but then it disappears. I remember Matt and the boys sitting around the couch and the strip club.
Oh please, take me back to the peacefulness.
I groan when I open my eyes and the bright lights hit me. They are too bright for my eyes. I slowly look around the room and take in my surroundings.
My body aches, I’m so sore and my mind is still in a fuzzy haze.
“Welcome back Miss Carter. You have been in an induced coma for 72 hours. Do you know where you are? You have been in a very bad car accident.”
I look towards the voice and see a young woman wearing a nurse’s scrubs; she’s probably about my age with a sweet smile and calming eyes.
“Ah… yes.” I croak as my throat is so dry and very sore.
I look down to find my left arm in a cast, that wraps around my wrist and up past my elbow. I groan. This is great, a damn cast, these things get itchy.
“Good, I’m Nurse Anne and I’ve been looking after you for a little over three days now. You have been improving with all the rest you have had. Earlier today I removed the Oropharyngeal airway, or breathing tube, since we brough
t you out of the coma and you were able to breathe on your own. That’s why your throat would be a little sore and dry today. Do you remember how you got here? I will get the doctor to explain all your injuries, but first I’ll get you a glass of water.” She walks over to the little table in the corner with a glass of water.
How did I get here? I remember leaving Matt’s house, tears running down my face as I sped down the interstate, but once I hit the city, it gets a little blurry after that.
“Here you are, now little sips, we don’t want you drowning on us.” She chuckles to herself, probably an old nurse’s joke.
I take a small sip and I feel the cold water running down my throat. Oh that’s much better.
“Very good Louise, are you feeling a little better?” She looks over to the Omni III patient monitor to see how my blood pressure is going.
“Umm… I honestly don’t really remember much. I remember leaving my ex boyfriend’s house, driving towards LA and then nothing. Why can’t I remember the accident?” I look towards her feeling empty and I hurt all over. I just want answers.
“Oh, dear, I think you should take a deep breath and relax back in bed. I’m about to tell you what the doctors, the paramedics and the police have told me about your accident. Then I’ll get the doctor to tell you about your injuries.” The Nurse takes a deep breath and tells me about the horrific scene.
I can’t believe what she said; I can’t wrap my head around the thought of nearly dying. The events come rushing back like a film on fast forward.
I remember when I was driving down the interstate, and the moment I reached the city, and turning down an alleyway to get out of the festival crowded streets. I remember being hit twice, the screeching sound of acceleration and then metal clashing. The feeling of being motionless and feeling scared but at peace all at once, feeling the hot blood rushing down my face and then turning cold.
The last thing I remember before I blacked out were the strangest green eyes I’ve ever seen.
By the end of the flashes, I’ve got the worst headache. I look over to the nurse and she looks horrified. Oh I must have said that all that out loud, and funnily enough, I’m horrified too.
“I’m going to get the doctor now to explain and update you on your injuries, rest up now Louise. I’ve given you some more morphine for your pain and it will help with your headache.”
I watched as the nurse left the room, and I have some time to myself before the doctor tells me I can’t go home or worse have the police coming here to question me.
Oh god. I hope Matt doesn’t find me, this can’t be good. He will come back and finish the job; this is like picking off flies to him.
The doctor walks in on my panic attack and walks over the Omni III patient monitor to check how my vitals are going. He shakes his head and heads towards the bed with a concerned expression, one he wears well.
“Hello Miss Carter, I’m Doctor Grim. How are you feeling?”
He stands at the end of the bed, grabs my chart, flicks through the papers, and when he’s satisfied, he places it back and takes a step closer.
“I’m okay, just a little dizzy and very sore.” I reply with a bored expression, but inside I feel a tornado has taken control of my insides, swirling them around like a milkshake.
“Well looking from your chart, you are very lucky to be alive. The only main injury you have is a slight fractured Radius, which is a small bone in your forearm. It’s up to the plaster cast to keep it immobile to heal the fracture. The plaster cast will have to be on for about two to six weeks, it all depends how fast healing you are. Physical therapy is required so the arm doesn’t become stiff. We had to do a CT scan of your head to know the full extent of your injuries. You did suffer a major concussion and there was swelling around the brain but no internal bleeding. We had to induce you into a coma for 72 hours to monitor the swelling. Last night we ordered another CT scan and saw the swelling has gone down. Now looking at your chart it seems you will be able to go home tomorrow night. I do have a few questions I want answered before I check your breathing and I need you to be honest with me here. I noticed when you were brought in that you had fading bruises over your body, faint red marks on your wrists and a minor rib fracture that hasn’t healed properly. Want to tell me how you got them?” Doctor Grim pulled the stethoscope from around his neck and motioned for me to sit up.
I obeyed and winced in the process.
“Breathe in and out for me Louise, big breaths now.”
I inhale a big breath and wait four seconds before I exhale; I do the process another two times before he is satisfied.
“I worked at a restaurant and I would always fall over full boxes on the floor. So will I be discharged tomorrow night?” I turn to look at him while he writes something on my chart.
“Alright then, you don’t have to tell me but the police will be coming back tomorrow morning to ask you questions, and then you can be discharged tomorrow evening. The nurse will come back tomorrow to run through how to care for the plaster cast and hand you all your belongings from your car. I’m sorry to tell you but your car didn’t make it.”
“What a shame, I liked that car.” I smirk towards to doctor because my sense of humor decides to kick in now, great.
“Just rest now Louise, I’ll be back again tomorrow before you get discharged to prescribe your medications.”
I watched him leave and once the door is closed, I sink into the bed. So many questions float around my head, all going unanswered.
Great, two to six weeks of this damn cast, can this week get any worse?
I have no car to get around in. I wonder if all my belongings were collected from my car. Was my family notified that I was in hospital? I’m curious to know if someone has tipped Matt off that I’m still alive or does he think that the hit and run killed me. God let’s hope so.
The question I want answered most is who was the green-eyed person I saw before I became unconscious?
The next morning there was a knock on my hospital room door and two police officers entered. They both had on uniforms. The closest one to me has red hair styled with short back and sides and his red beard hair is long and it reaches down to his collar on his shirt. He has a note pad and pen in hand ready to take down any notes. The furthest one away is an older guy, no hair on his head but he does have a gray mustache. They both are wearing their police badges on their shirts and guns in the holsters around their waists.
“Good morning Miss Carter, this is Officer Bridges and I’m Sergeant Banks. We are here to ask you a few questions about what you remember about your accident a few days ago.” Sergeant Banks is the older guy furthest away from me.
“Tell us the last thing you remember and we will go from there.” Officer Bridges is ready to take down notes.
“I remember driving into the city and noticed the festival going on, so the streets were packed with people and growing up here I knew back ways to get around the city so I entered an alleyway and that’s when I was hit.” I close my eyes and focus really hard about the last memories before waking up in the hospital.
“Very good Miss Carter, now did you see any other cars before turning down the alleyway, or, anything out of the ordinary or suspicious? Do you know of anyone who would try to hurt you? I know this is a lot to take in but if you could try and give us any detail that would help a great deal.”
“No, I didn’t see any other cars except the parked ones along the streets. No there isn’t anyone who would try to hurt me.”
Yeah, Matt wanted to hurt me but I wasn’t going to tell the Police that.
“If you remember anything more, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Have a wonderful day Miss Carter.” He handed me his card before they walked out of the room. Once they disappeared Nurse Anne walks in.
“Oh Louise, how are you feeling today?” She walks to the bed and hands me discharge papers and my belongings they saved from the wreckage.
“I’m okay, just really sore and tir
ed. I don’t like the cast and I want it off.” I give her the puppy dog eyes but that doesn’t seem to work.
“I tried to contact your family but all lines have been disconnected, I’m sorry there isn’t anyone to come collect you. Do you have somewhere to go?”
My thoughts go straight to Steph, I think I have to bite the bullet and call her.
“Yes, can I go now?” I gather my left over belongings, which were one clothing bag, my handbag that contained my life including an unbroken phone and untouched purse. What are the odds?
I signed the discharge papers, collected my medication from the doctor and hugged the nurse for looking after me and making me feel better these last couple of days.
I left the hospital and walked over to the set of seats near the bus stop.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled down the contacts. The first person I have to ring is Steph. She might not even live in the city anymore, and it has been three years.
I have the phone to my ear; I’m holding my breath for the ringing to start. She answers on the third ring.
“Hello?” Steph’s voice is as smooth as honey, just as I remember it.
“H… Hi, Steph, It’s Louise.” I’m lost for words; I want to break down just at the sound of her voice.
“Louise, what are you doing calling me at 8:30 on a Sunday night? I haven’t spoken to you in three fucking years! Are you in some kind of trouble and you need me to come bail you out? Is that why you call me, because you need something?” She’s fuming. I have to give her that.
“Yes, I am in trouble. I’m in town and actually waiting at the bus stop at the hospital, I was just discharged after being in there for four days. So will you look into your icy cold black heart and come pick me up?” I mumble because I’m too tired for this and I just want a bed, sleep and good drugs.
