One Tough Love

by Zanne Sweeney

When they arrived at the club the driver scooted around to open the door for Ginger and her friends. Wes stepped out from the limo and flashes went off around him, momentarily blinding him. A few of the reporters were yelling questions at him. “Are you and Ginger back together?” And “Are you trying to win her back?” Wes ignored them and scanned the crowd. He hated that they were at the club. It was so challenging for his team to try and keep her safe with her being out in public like this. Wes was inspecting the crowd for potential problems, thinking what a stupid woman Ginger was to put herself and others in danger just to grab some good press.

  A line of hopeful partiers wrapped around the well lit and highly glitzed up club and two huge bouncers were attending the double front doors. Velvet ropes attached to gold poles kept the crowds corralled and apart from those guests important enough to warrant entering the club without waiting. Ginger popped out of the car and started waving to her cheering fans. Beth and Patty knew to wait in the limo until she had stepped away from them, garnering all the attention. They knew how the game was played.

  Ginger walked to Wes and he tensed. She took him by the arm so he could lead her inside.

  “Ginger what the hell are you doing?” He whispered.

  “Relax Wes, I’m showing the world that we are still friends. Trust me it will be good for your business.” Her lips barely moved as she spoke, while she continued to dazzle the paparazzi with her gorgeous smile.

  Someone yelled out. “Are you two together again?”

  Ginger turned towards the crowd and they hushed so they could hear her. She kept her hand firmly on Wes’ arm.

  “Mr. Tobin, Wes and I, have a strictly a platonic relationship. He is the head of my security detail and we have grown close over the past few weeks, but we are simply friends, good friends.”

  Ginger smiled adoringly at Wes, and then back to the cameras that were flashing around them. Still holding on to Wes she headed them towards the front door that the two bouncers held opened for them. Wes saw that the men that had been in the trail car were now behind him and Ginger, and that Patty and Beth had emerged from the car, and were now trailing behind him and Ginger.

  Ginger leaned into him and whispered, “See darling Wes, no harm right?”

  “We’ll see.” Wes replied. He didn’t even like that Ginger was touching him.

  Inside Ginger was met with a standing ovation. Wes extracted himself from her arm and went to find Jace. The two trailing security men would mark her until she settled at a table.

  “That damn woman.” Wes said when he found him already ensconced in the VIP section.

  “What did she do?” Jace said looking amused.

  “She took my arm as we came in and the press loved it.”

  “Yeah sucks to be on the arm of one of the most beautiful women of all time.” Jace was smirking now.

  “I don’t even want her to touch me Jace.” Wes shivered and Jace laughed.

  The night swung into high gear and Wes, Jace and all of Ginger’s security detail were kept busy following the popular celebrity, clearing paths for her, and stopping fans from getting too close. Wes was constantly scanning the crowd, and checking in with the security team who all wore ear pieces and small mics. Wes was also kept busy following Ginger as she visited the numerous VIP tables. Jace had danced with Ginger twice and Wes was pleased with himself that he had made Jace come. There was no way he could dance with her.

  When Jace and Ginger went back on the dance floor for the third time Wes sat down and texted Jo.

  I’m at club opening it’s a madhouse.

  Wes was surprised when he was answered right away.

  I’m at the Candlelight, it is not a madhouse.

  Wes typed back: Ginger grabbed my arm to walk into the place and then told the press we were friends.

  I saw that.

  You did?

  Yes it’s on the eleven o’clock news.

  Shit! I’m sorry.

  It’s okay, you looked uncomfortable.

  I was I only want you touching me.

  Wow what am I supposed to say to that? Jo added a blushing smiley emoticon to that text.

  Say you’ll let me hold you again and I’ll be a happy man.

  Jo sent back an emoticon of two people hugging with a text saying,

  We’ll see.

  Wes ended their text session with; gotta go babe my turn to guard the wicked witch.

  Jo put her phone down on the bar and Auggie and Griff who were sitting with her had goofy smiles on their faces. “Wes?” Griff asked. Griff had taken a couple of extra days off from his job to stay at the Lake with Auggie and Jo.

  “Yes Wes.”

  “I like him.” Auggie said.

  “Me too.” Griff chimed in.

  “Me too.” Jo said dreamily which caused all three of them to laugh out loud.

  Wes had a smile on his face. He was wearing her down. She had to have feelings for him still. He nodded at Jace who had hand delivered Ginger back to her table of friends after the dance. Along with Beth and Patty there were a few men all contending for Gingers attention. Wes had them all checked out before hand. No one was allowed at Ginger's table unless Leena had approved them before hand.

  The DJ stopped the music and made an announcement regarding Ginger's charity. He told the crowd that the club was donating one half of all tonight’s proceeds to it. He encouraged the patrons to drink up and then he waved to Ginger.

  The crowd cheered and Ginger stood up next to the table as a spot light settled on her. She curtsied and waved. Wes was once again struck with the dichotomy of the Ginger that the fans knew and the Ginger that he knew. She was a hell of an actress.

  A small red dot appeared on Ginger’s forehead. Wes knew exactly what that was. He dove through the air landing on top of the startled actress. The laser beam was attached to a silencer, so no one heard the shot or knew what was happening. Wes felt the firey burn in his shoulder first and then another in his neck. Ginger was screaming at him to get off of her and the persons at her table were screaming because they saw the blood pouring from Wes.

  It took a half minute for the other club patrons to realize someone had tried to shoot Ginger and then all hell broke loose.

  Jace made it to them first. “Ginger shut up. Wes’ has been shot.”

  “Oh my God! Oh my God.” She wailed from underneath him.

  “Wes, can you hear me?”

  Jace rolled Wes off of Ginger and she scrambled to get up. Some of Wes’ blood had trickled on to her face and it covered her chest. The security team circled them as Jace yelled out orders.

  “Ambulance!”

  “Anyone see the shooter?”

  “Get Ginger out of here!”

  Wes didn’t hear anymore than that; he had passed out.

  It was after midnight when Jo, Auggie and Griff returned to the bar area after playing a game of pool in the back recreation room. When they sat down they noticed that many of the patrons were looking intently at the televisions. Jo figured something good was happening in the game, until she read the banner under the picture.

  Ginger Lola shot while at Club Odessa opening.

  “Oh my gosh guys. Wes was with her.” Jo's arms prickled as she voiced her alarm.

  “Well that won’t be good for business.” Griff teased.

  Both Jo and Auggie slapped him.

  “Amy.” Auggie called. “Can you turn this up?”

  Amy, the bartender tossed Auggie the remote as the breaking news story came on, interrupting the Yankees away game versus Seattle.

  A reporter spoke from behind a news desk.

  “We’ve just learned that there has been an attempt on Ginger Lola’s life at the Club Odessa opening that she was attending tonight. First reports were that Ginger had been shot.” The camera cut away to show a clip of Ginger covered in blood, sandwiched between two large men, running her into a limo.

  “However we now know that Ginger was not hit. The blood is that of her bodyguard and
once thought to be her lover, Wes Tobin. Mr. Tobin is on his way to General. We will keep you updated on his condition.”

  “Oh my God!” Jo was shaking and she thought she might throw up.

  "What should I do?" She asked her two friends.

  “Come on.” Auggie grabbed her hand and they ran out the front door. They got into the Cat and then transferred into Auggie’s Jeep. Jo was a mess. She couldn’t stop crying.

  “Honey we don’t know the extent of his injuries. It could be just a nick. Try to relax.” Griff was trying his best to calm her while Auggie drove them towards Summit.

  When Jo had calmed she remembered that she had Jace’s and Andy’s cell numbers. She texted Jace first but got no response, next she texted Andy. A minute later she got a ping.

  On my way to hospital now Andy had replied.

  Is it bad She typed.

  It’s not good.

  Jo started crying again and Griff made Auggie stop the car so he could get in the back to hold her.

  They made it to General in an hour and forty-five minutes. Jo knew Auggie had really been flying. They walked into the Emergency Room to find the waiting room in utter chaos.

  Ginger stood in a corner covered in blood. Photographers were held back by what Jo surmised was T.U.F.’s security. The hospital security guards were trying to keep people out of the large room that had no business being in there.

  An officer approached them and tried to get them to leave.

  “She’s friends with the man that was shot.” Griff said.

  “Yeah. I’m hearing a lot of that.” The beefy guard said.

  Jo spotted Andy sitting with Jill.

  “Andy.” She yelled above the din.

  Andy stood up and waved her over. The security guard let them pass.

  “How is he?” Jo asked nervously.

  “Don’t know yet. He’s in surgery right now.”

  Jo dissolved into tears and Auggie put his arm around her.

  Jace came out from one of the back rooms. He looked disheveled and worried.

  “Jo, I’m glad you’re here.” He said wearily.

  “What’s going on?’ Andy asked.

  “He took a bullet in the shoulder and that should be fine but he took one in the neck. He’s in surgery now. I don’t know more than that.”

  As he comforted Jo, who was still weeping into his shirt, Auggie pointed his chin at Ginger. “What’s she doing here?”

  “Are you kidding this is great PR for her.” Jace said sourly.

  A nurse came out looked around then headed to Ginger. She spoke to Ginger directly saying that anyone that was there for Mr. Tobin should follow her. Jace shook his head disgusted that Ginger was pretending to be so important to Wes. The nurse led the large group, which included Andy, Jill, Auggie, Griff, Jo, Jace, Ginger, Beth, Patty, and Leena to a private waiting area near the surgery wing.

  Ginger was weeping dramatically on her friend’s shoulders and all Jo kept hearing was, “My Wes.” And “He saved my life.” Jo wanted to punch her. He was not hers, and she’d done nothing but cause him problems.

  An hour later a doctor came into the room, everyone stood. He looked weary and Jo bit her bottom lip she was so anxious.

  “You’re all here for Mr. Tobin?”

  “Yes, is he okay?” Ginger sashayed to the front of the room.

  “He’s out of surgery. We dug a bullet from his shoulder and that should heal completely. The bullet he took to his neck was trickier. It grazed his artery and we had a devil of a time stopping the bleeding. Luckily he's a strong man. For now, time will tell. I’ll let one, maybe two of you, in when we have him settled.”

  The doctor turned and left.

  “Well I have to see him.” Ginger announced to the room allowing everyone to see her tears dotting her perfectly coiffured face.

  Jo had tears sliding down her face, but she kept brushing them off. She didn’t know what to do. Was she intruding if she stayed? She whispered into Auggie’s ear that she didn’t know what to do.

  Auggie turned to Jace and Andy. “You two are his closest friend’s right?” They nodded yes. “Would you like us to clear out?”

  Jace looked at Andy before speaking. “No, Wes will want to see Jo.” He turned to Ginger and her group. “I think it would be best of you guys went home. I’ll have a security team come get you.”

  “But I need to see my Wes.” Ginger wailed.

  Jo snapped; her small 5'5" frame stepped towards the 5’10 diva with her fists balled and she looked her right in her eyes.

  “He is not 'your' Wes. You are a job! He is my Wes, so get the fuck over him and practice your drama somewhere else.” Jo couldn’t believe she had just spoken to Ginger Lola like that. Jo kept her eyes squarely on the actress. She didn't trust the entitled movie star and she was not going to let her mess with Wes anymore.

  “Listen up little Miss Nobody!” Ginger spat out, poking Jo's chest with her manicured finger. “He saved my life. I think we all know where that puts me on his list. He’d die for me!”

  Before Jo could speak again Jace placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

  “Ginger.” Jace began wearily. “Jo is Wes' girlfriend. He loves her, not you.” Jo, who had been staring at Ginger, whipped her head to look first to Jace, and then to Andy, who smiled gently at her.

  Jace continued, “You need to leave. Go back to your suite; we still have no idea who shot at you. You are to stay in your room until you hear from us.” Jace looked at Leena for help.

  Ginger was getting ready to argue again when Leena took charge and quickly hustled the group away. Ginger was shooting eye daggers at Jo the entire time.

  “Wow Jo I don’t think I ever heard you speak that harshly to anyone before.” Griff joked with her.

  “Sorry I lost it. She just made me so mad.”

  Andy put a hand on her shoulder. “He is yours Jo.”

  Jill had been sitting quietly in the corner and stood up. “I guess I better go too. Keep me posted Andy will you?”

  Andy looked at her with sad eyes. “Sure thing Jill.”

  Jill left without saying one word to Jo. She looked disconcerted and Jo knew it was because Jace had said that that Wes loved her. Jace patted Andy on the back and it was then that Jo realized Andy must really care for Jill like Wes had said.

  A nurse opened the door and told them that two people could see Wes now. Then they were going to be moving him to a room in ICU.

  “You two go. You’re his best friends, his family. Please, if he wakes up tell him I’m here. I’m not leaving.” Jo was serious and sat down on one of the plastic chairs.

  The men nodded and left.

  Jo turned to look up at Auggie and Griff. “Listen guys, here are the keys to my place. Go sleep. I’m really not leaving, and if I get a chance to see him and stay with him I will. I don’t want you just hanging around here. I promise to keep you posted.”

  “Okay Jo, but we want updates okay?”

  “Thanks guys, you’re the best.”

  Chapter 21

  Wes and Jo

  When Auggie and Griff left Jo tried to wait patiently, but she just couldn't. She snuck out of the private waiting room hoping to find Wes. She saw a sign for post op, put on a scrub wrap around top that was hanging outside of the automatic door, and walked in. If she pretended to look like she knew what she was doing maybe no one would question her.

  Jo walked past curtained cubicles, many of which were occupied, and passed by nurses and doctors, that barely glanced at her until she finally heard Andy’s deep voice, which she followed. When she came to the last curtained room she peeked her head around the fabric wall to find Wes. He was lying on the white hospital bed with his head slightly elevated. He didn’t have a shirt on and Jo could see the gauze bandages, the centers rusty colored from blood, affixed to his shoulder and to his neck. Yellow antiseptic solution stained his skin around the bandages white edges. A blue box near the bed beeped out his vital signs, while an IV bag
dripped into his arm. There was a tube running down his throat and a whoosh sound emanated from another machine every few seconds. Jo audibly gasped seeing how ghastly he looked, alerting Jace and Andy that she was there.

  She raised a finger to her lips effectively shushing the two men. “I had to see him guys.” She said quietly stepping towards the raised bed.

  Jace couldn't take his eyes off his friend, and Andy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, knowing that she was just as shaken.

  “Yeah, that’s okay. He hasn’t come around yet.”

  Jace continued to stare at Wes. "He should have woken by now." He whispered in a low voice fraught with emotion.

  Jo looked to Andy for an explanation.

  "He lost a lot of blood Jo. We don't know the extent of the damages yet. The nurse said he is not responding to stimuli and that he should be awake by now. When he wakes up we'll know more about his injuries."

  Jo nodded and squeezed past Andy to move to the side of the bed. She leaned down, close to his handsome face with her cheek resting next to his, her lips at his ear.

  “Baby I’m here. It’s Jo. Please wake up for me, please.” She said tenderly as tears slipped down her cheeks. Her hand stroked his muscled arm and she kissed his forehead. "Come on Wes, wake up." She kissed his cheek tenderly. Wes stirred causing Jo to stand up so she could see his face. Andy and Jace looked at each other and then back to their friend.

  “Fucking Sleeping Beauty shit.” Jace mumbled. Wes fought to open his eyes. He was having trouble focusing and there was something down his throat that was causing him to gag. His monitor started to ping wildly and a loud alarm sounded from one of the machines next to him.

  “Oh shit.” Jace said, clearly upset with the ominous signals emanating from the machines hooked up to his best friend. Wes’ heart rate was rising. Jo stepped back from the bed and looked at the two men standing next to her. She was frightened for Wes. Jace and Andy were clearly distressed.

  A nurse ran in pushing past them to get to Wes. “There should only be two of you in here.” She snapped, but she was too busy to shoo anyone out. The doctor appeared looking first at the crowded room, then at the monitor and then to his patient who was clawing at the tube in his throat.