by Rachel Hanna
This time, she blushed and turned away with a shy grin. “Alright, now it really is time to go home. My shift starts early tomorrow, and I can’t guarantee there won’t be media waiting to inundate any of us as we come and go after the press release today. I need my beauty sleep.”
“Darling, you are beautiful no matter what. But rest well, and I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the backs of her knuckles. “Goodnight, love.”
“Goodnight,” she whispered, walking away, her arm tingling as the shockwaves made their way up to her shoulder, then back down her spine with a shiver. She stopped at the nurses’ station, where a very tired Tiff sat, entering information into the system and brushing back stray hair from her forehead. “Is everything alright?” she asked.
Tiff jumped, apparently not having noticed her approach. “Sadie! What are you doing here? You were off hours ago. Oh, but you look amazing!”
“I had to stop by to take care of something I forgot earlier,” she hedged, not wanting to reveal anything. Tiff was sweet and all, but she was very young and was highly likely to spread rumors.
But just as she’d feared, Tiff offered her a secretive smile. “You know what I think? I think Jake Donovan is sweet on you.” She giggled girlishly, and it was all Sadie could do to keep from groaning. “I mean, you never talk about dating, so I don’t think you’re seeing anyone. Besides, if you were seeing someone who could afford that many roses, he would have made some grand gesture sooner, which means the obvious culprit is the man in the bed down the hall. And it only serves to confirm my suspicions when I walk in the room at the start of my shift, see a hopeful look on his face, and watch it fall when her realizes it’s me, just before he puts on a very playful, fake smile.” She made an ‘oh’ with her mouth. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really nice guy and all and appreciates his care, but I think it’s more than gratitude he feels for you.”
Sadie didn’t know how to respond. She searched her tired, spinning mind for a reasonable explanation and came up with the best excuse she could. “It’s something that happens from time to time, Tiff. The longer you’re here the more you’ll come across it, especially as pretty as you are. Lots of male patients will start to crush on you. You’ll smile and let them down gently.”
“Oh, I’ve seen that happen, and there have already been a couple I haven’t been able to be gentle with, considering they’ve tried to maul me with their dirty paws. But I don’t think this is a case of the same thing.” She stood and pointed toward the break room. “The proof is in that room over there, where there are still several bouquets.”
“Yes, and those need to be sent down a floor and handed out to patients. I’m not keeping them.”
“Stop averting!” She actually stomped her foot like a teenager throwing a fit. “Answer my questions! Is there something going on with you two?” Unable to keep from casting a furtive glance toward Jake’s room, Sadie blushed and cringed when Tiff clapped her hands and shouted an “Aha!”
“Look, there’s a history there I’d rather not discuss, and I would really appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to anyone else, okay? It’s a very private matter, and I don’t need the whole hospital talking about it, much less trying to slam Mr. Donovan in the press, since we know they’ll be around a lot more.” It was more of a plea than she wanted to level, but what else could she do at this point?
Tiff stood there, tapping her foot impatiently. “Fine, I’ll tell you what. If you tell me exactly what’s going on, I’ll zip my trap and never breathe a word to anyone else.”
Was Tiff really blackmailing her for some juicy gossip about Jake? And if she gave in now, how long would it be before she tried to leverage this against Sadie again? Of course, if that happened, hopefully Jake would already be out of the hospital and on the road to recovery, and she could make her own escape as needed. The drama would pass, and there would be no point in Tiff trying to out the story.
Giving in and deciding to sum up the tale, Sadie threw up her hands. “Look, I don’t have time for gory details. But like I said, there’s a history. I met Mr. Donovan years ago, had no idea who he was at the time, and we kept each other company at a party. We didn’t exchange numbers, and I never saw him again until he showed up at our fine establishment. Lo and behold, he actually remembers me from that evening we spent together.” She had no intention of telling Tiff about the wild night of sex between them. It was far more information than the girl needed.
And as Sadie would have expected, the girl’s eyes were filled with fantasy and delight, shining like stars in the sky at the romanticism that came across when all the bitterness of the tale fell away and only the root of it was left to consider. “Sadie, that is the most romantic story I think I’ve ever heard. The world’s favorite rock star, pining away for years as he searches for a girl he only finds by a sick twist of fate.” She sighed dramatically. “That is the stuff of dreams, the stuff that chick flicks and erotic romances are built on!”
At that, Sadie actually laughed out loud. “You are a young girl with your head in the clouds. But I suppose if it was someone else’s story, I’d read it and see the poetry of it.” She cleared her throat, realizing she was being drawn deeper into a conversation she’d never wanted to start. “Listen, I’m exhausted. I’m going to go get about four hours of sleep so I can get back in tomorrow morning and not have to drink an entire pot of coffee. And I would suggest you go refill your mug. You were practically snoring when I walked up to you.”
With a shove to the shoulder, Tiff sent her on her way. It actually felt good to have said something to someone, even if it wasn’t exactly the whole truth. After all, she’d kept the situation with Jake to herself and never told anyone, for three years, and she hadn’t known what a burden that was. Plus, the way she explained it made it sound so much less offensive and, as Tiff had pointed out, much more romantic. Maybe, because of her own guilt and pain, Sadie had overlain the entire affair with a negative, suffocating feel that didn’t really exist. Maybe she should have been celebrating the chance to live freely, even if it had been just one night. Had she felt as free since?
She hated having to take a cab home, but it was the way things had worked out tonight, and while it was annoying, at least she’d left behind a muscle-bound moron and taken the first step in what could be an enormous mistake or, perhaps, the best decision of her life. The cabbie was at least quiet, and it contented her enough as she sat in deep thought that she offered a rather large tip when she got home. She instantly tossed her purse aside, kicked off her shoes, and stripped down, ready to throw on some comfortable pajamas and drop into the bed.
She washed her face and stumbled back to the bedroom, setting her alarm, and sunk into the covers, almost asleep before her head hit the pillow, lingering in that in-between state just long enough to conjure up a mental image and a physical memory of the kiss she’d shared tonight with Jake and the hope for more in the days and weeks to come.
Chapter 7
“I don’t care, they can sue me for whatever monetary reparations they feel are reasonable. I’ll pay it,” Jake spat at Kyle, who’d returned to question him about releasing a statement from the band and hit on the fact that the record company wanted to know how long the next album would be delayed. “But the contract is null and void. Without all the original members, Cryptic does not exist, and therefore, without a band, you cannot uphold a contract. I won’t replace my brothers.
Kyle threw his hands up in the air, rolling his eyes. “Jake, you’re being a pain in the arse. You know damned well no one follows the other members. You are the voice and the face of Cryptic. You’re the brains behind the music and the lyrics. Your fan base will follow you, no matter who bangs on the drums in the background. Dammit, you can’t dissolve the band because of tragedy.”
“I bloody well can, and I will! Cryptic is my trademark by rights, and I’ll carry it wherever I like, even if that means to a trash can to bu
rn it!” He wadded up the letter from the record executive and shot it angrily at Kyle. “I told you to stay away from me, Kyle. Not only did you choose not to heed my warning, you came in here and pissed all over the memory of people I happen to love.”
“Yes, Jake, they were your family. God knows you couldn’t care about anything more than you’ve cared about your mates. I understand that. And so does the bloody world around you. But this sort of tragic shit falls down on famous artists all the time, and they don’t just come to a standstill. They take a hiatus to get everything back in order, and they rise from the flames in a blaze of glory. The same should be said for a genius like yourself. Hell, you could have a band of monkeys set up behind you, and your image would only rise to the occasion, doubling your fan base over again.”
“I won’t stand on the shoulders of men whose lives were taken from them to better my image!” he shouted in a full on rage. The monitors still connected to him began to beep, alarms going off on both sides of him. “And by the way, I’ve also decided, through my executive powers, that your contract is terminated. So, now, if you divulge any information on myself, other members of the band, or Cryptic, or if you trespass within this hospital or any property at which any of us are residing or visiting, you will be prosecuted. Get the hell out of my sight, you bloodsucking bastard!”
Jake flinched as Sadie rushed into the room, small dark circles under her eyes that spoke to how little sleep she’d gotten. Her eyes wide, she hurried over to stop the obnoxiously loud noises and check his vitals. “What the hell is going on in here? It sounded like the end of the world. And your blood pressure is through the roof.”
Before he could respond, she’d already turned an angry glare on Kyle. “I remember you, sir, and I appreciate your attempt at helping with the press release. But now, it seems you’ve upset my patient, and I’ll have to ask you to leave and only return upon invitation.”
Kyle’s jaw twitched as he stared down the length of his patrician nose with venom ready to seep from his hidden fangs. “You have been nothing but a spoiled rotten arse that made my life miserable, and be sure I’ll return the favor. This isn’t over, you son of a bitch.”
“Do what she said and get out, Kyle.” Jake kept his tone dangerously low as Sadie fussed around him. “Or there will be more than misery in your sad little existence.”
“You bet your ass there will,” Sadie snarled. “I’ll call security and not just have you thrown out but arrested.” She stopped moving, and the look in her eyes was enough to frighten Jake. He never wanted to incite that sort of wrath from her, never wanted to be the object of such a violent temper. It even made him look calm by comparison, and apparently, Kyle couldn’t argue, either. With one last heated glare, he slammed from the room. Sadie heaved a deep breath and stopped moving long enough to look at Jake, who stared at her curiously. “I don’t take well to anyone riling my patients up in a way that threatens their health.”
“I can see that. And a fine morning to you, love.” Just having her in the room gave him a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in days, since he’d come to in this place.
“Good morning. As soon as I’m done here, I’m putting out an alert. That man isn’t allowed back in my hospital.” The bitter tone of voice told Jake she wasn’t joking or exaggerating. “Are you alright? Your blood pressure was through the roof when that machine went off. I thought you were having a heart attack or something.”
“I’m perfectly fine. I’m not sure I can say as much for the illustrious publicist I just fired. He made the mistake of trying to convince me that just anyone would do as a backup band to continue Cryptic.” He shook his head, still refusing to believe just how unfeeling the man was. “I can’t abide by that sort of inhumanity as my publicist.”
Sadie nodded. She understood the sentiment. She’d gotten a nasty, aloof vibe from the man as well. Hesitantly, she asked, “Cryptic is gone, isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. I wouldn’t disrespect or disregard my brothers by clinging to something we built together and giving credit to new people who stepped in and deserve none of that glory.” It broke his heart to even consider playing with anyone else. Perhaps, when he was ready to return to the music scene, he’d find a new band to work with, but it wouldn’t be the same. They wouldn’t be the close knit group he’d been a part of for so long now.
Wanting to soothe him but having nothing to say, Sadie changed the subject. “Listen, I just got in. I’m running almost an hour late, and I’ve got to make my rounds. But I wanted to talk to you about that house you’re looking for. Despite your injuries, the doctor says you’re healing well, and I don’t think you’ll be here for more than another couple of weeks, which means we either find you temporary housing or we get on the ball with the hunt. After today, I actually get two days off. I rarely get two days in a row, and if we can put together your must-have list, I can devote myself to the search.”
Her offer was unexpected, and much appreciated. “You are a doll, aren’t you? Alright, then. I’ll have a list of the things I really feel I need in a home sometime this afternoon.”
She nodded, feeling a bit breathless with the scene that had greeted her first thing in the morning. She’d already rushed to get ready, sleeping through the first fifteen minutes of her alarm. And then she’d been stuck in traffic that was twice as bad as usual with no particular excuse. Her frustration had grown during that time, and arriving to Jake’s alarms sounding and some jerk making a big scene in his room had served to bring her to her wit’s end. She needed a few moments to just breathe, and she didn’t have it, not with rounds to be done. Nonetheless, as she left Jake to get started, she walked slowly and collected her composure.
But even that didn’t get her very far, as Joan approached her and pulled her aside. “Is everything alright?”
Sadie nodded. “Minor disruption. Did you see the guy who just stormed out of here?”
Joan nodded. “He’s the publicist. I’ve seen him around.”
“Not anymore, he’s not. Get on the horn and let this place know he’s not to come back. Mr. Donovan is going to get a restraining order put into effect.” She started to move past Joan, but the other woman caught her arm, leaving her more than mildly irritated. “What else?” she snapped.
“You look like you still didn’t sleep. Where did you go last night, because you sure as hell didn’t go straight home.” The accusatory statement grated on Sadie, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming at Joan as the other girl continued to harp. “Rick was really hurt, and I had to do damage control, especially since you didn’t even want to tell him he wasn’t your type. You could have at least told him the truth. Hell, you could have at least told me the truth.”
Leaning against the wall, Sadie blanked the emotion on her face. She wouldn’t be bullied into explanations she didn’t owe. She’d already divulged more information last night to Tiff than she wanted. She wasn’t taking this any further. “Where I go and what I do is my business, Joan. You’re a wonderful nurse and a good friend, and I appreciate you trying to fix me up. But don’t accuse me of lying to you. I told you I wanted out and that I was tired. That was the absolute truth. Now, if you don’t mind, I have rounds to make because, unlike the perky girl in front of me who, I’m sure, got laid in spite of the complications I gave her, I was late getting in today and had to stop a crisis from brewing until it boiled over.”
With eyes wide and an expression that showed her shock at Sadie’s mood and attitude, Joan backed off. Sadie had no delusions in thinking that the questions wouldn't arise again later. But she’d deal with that when the time came. For now, she’d averted the interrogation and could move on with her work. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she wanted to go through the motions and looked forward to a goal at the end. She actually wanted to spend that time today, talking to Jake and getting to know what he was looking for. It seemed like a great way to learn more about him and his motives, and she really felt it could be
therapeutic for her.
Jake watched Sadie as she read his list, blinking several times, and he tried to assess her take on it. He’d warned her about his demanding nature, and he hated it about himself. But it wasn’t the money or the fame that had created the beast. He’d always been very picky about his surroundings. The money had simply given him the means to fulfill his wishes in such things.
Slowly, one corner of her mouth quirked up, and she shook her head. “You have very nice penmanship. I’d forgotten about that.”
He rolled his eyes. “Is that all you have to say after scouring my list of must-haves?”
She giggled. “No, but I thought it was at least worth mentioning. I would think that someone like you who probably gets ten pounds of fan mail a day would be more used to accepting compliments.”
“Well, thank you very much for appreciating my handwriting,” he told her, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’ll remember that when I publish my memoir. No need to type, apparently my penmanship is one of my strong suits.” He sighed as she laughed harder. “Seriously, Sadie, will I be able to find what I’m looking for here?”
She folded the piece of paper, holding it in her lap as she looked up at him. “Jake, this isn’t a bad list at all. It’s not going to be cheap, and it might take a little work or finding a place that can be mildly renovated, but you aren’t as demanding as you seem to think. I’m sorry to break it to you, but you are no diva.” She opened the paper back up and began to assess each item on the list. “There are plenty of places around here with pools and hot tubs, and if the pool isn’t heated, it’s just a quick wiring job to change that. I can easily get a garage renovated into a rehab gym, especially if it’s already finished. As for bathrooms, most of the larger, newer homes already have an en suite with a spa tub, dual vanity, and glassed in shower. If you need to, it’s also not difficult to have the shower adjusted for a waterfall showerhead and a bench.”
