“He is the club, Dallas. I know you don’t understand this now, but I hope you will soon.” I could see the pained look on Red’s face. I knew that I shouldn’t take it out on her, but I had to take it out on someone and since Luke wasn’t here, she would have to suffice.
“Look darlin’, we know you’re upset, but believe me, he wanted to be here. There are some things that were planned a long time ago, shit that was set in stone and he had to be there to sign off on it. I promise you, as soon as he can get away, he will be here,” Regg said from the foot of my bed.
I hadn’t even realized that he had walked up. His words put me somewhat at ease, but still left me feeling empty.
Jenn came to sit next to Red and held my hand in hers. “I have known Luke for years and I have never seen him as smitten with someone as he is with you. Trust us, when we tell you that he wants to be here. I know this is a lot to take in and we have all been through it, but we are your family and we will help you get through this. By this, I don’t just mean the sickness. I mean everything. We are here for you.”
Jenn reminded me of a motherly figure, her soft voice and warm caresses on my hand had me feeling better about the whole ordeal. I needed to think this over and my eyelids were getting heavier with each passing second. I would sleep on it and maybe by tomorrow I would have some kind of conclusion to this fucked up life style that I had decided to live in. Unable to respond, I just nodded my head at them and closed my eyes. Sleep. I just needed a few hours of sleep and I would be fine.
I woke to someone shaking me and calling my name.
“Dallas, Dallas, come on, wake up.” I opened my eyes and saw a girl that I didn’t recognize standing next to my bed. She looked worried and very anxious.
“Who are you?” I asked, my voice thick with sleep.
“Listen to me. We don’t have much time. You have to get out of this hospital. I don’t care what you do or how you do it, but you must get out, now.” What the hell?
“Why?” I asked trying to sit up in bed and get a better look at her. It was dark outside and the lights were off. I could only make out part of her face and nothing more.
“I, I have to go.” She was out the door before I could ask her anymore questions. Maybe my meds were too strong, or not strong enough. That was weird. I needed to find out who she was, but my thoughts were interrupted when the nurse came in.
“Hey, girl! How about we get this catheter out and let you do a little moving around.” I nodded my head in agreement. Hopefully, I could walk to the shower. I was starting to smell funny. The nurse removed the catheter and took my vitals, which were perfect. Maybe I would be out of here sooner than I had thought.
“Do you know who that girl was that just left?” I asked the nurse while she helped me into a sitting position on the side of the bed.
“What girl, honey? It’s two o’clock in the morning. Ain’t nobody here except you and me. We ran the other ones out of here because they had not had the flu vaccine. We still aren’t real sure if that’s what ya got. The blood work hasn’t come back yet.”
What? I was so confused. Shit, maybe I had imagined it. I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts, and then with a lot less energy than I thought I would need, I made it to the bathroom.
I owed Red. She had pulled through for me. I was able to shower with my own shampoo and body wash and she hadn’t only bought me a brand new set of pajamas, she washed them, too. After I was clean and dressed, the nurse helped me to the recliner in the room and I sat feeling much more refreshed. I was still tired and my body achy, but it was tolerable.
“I am so fucking hungry,” I announced, more to myself than the nurse. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow and I remembered that my language was probably not suitable for her ears. “Sorry,” I muttered.
“The doctor is on the floor. I will see if you can have some jello or something light.” Fuck the jello. I wanted a hamburger. Maybe one of those Wards’ big one with chili and cheese, or a chili cheese dog covered in onions and mustard.
“You need anything before I go?” the nurse asked interrupting my imaginary buffet.
“Would you hand me my phone, please?” Someone, probably Red, had been kind enough to put it on the charger for me. She brought my phone to me and left the room. I must have pissed her off with my foul language. Oh well, I was the patient.
My phone had been turned on silent, so the notification tone that would have gone off twenty-three times went unheard. I had text messages from Lindsey letting me know that she had everything under control. I had one from Scott telling me that the tenants were moving out over the weekend. A few more were from various people from the office expressing their concerns, which surprised me. The greatest surprise was the eleven missed calls and the two text messages I had received from Luke.
*I love you babe. Sorry I can’t be there for you. Call me when you can.* *I miss you so much it hurts. I love you.*
Luke was so frustrating. What could be so important that he couldn’t be here? Well, there was only one way to find out. I didn’t care that it was almost three in the morning. I dialed Luke’s number and held my breath as it rang.
“Yeah,” came a groggy voice from the other end of the line.
“Hey, stranger,” I said. I was still upset with him, but just hearing his voice had me smiling.
“Dallas?” His voice was clearer and I could picture him sitting up in the bed.
“It’s me,” I replied still smiling.
“Hey, baby! How ya feeling?”
How did I feel? Lonely… Hurt… Betrayed…
“I’m feeling better. Sorry to call you so late, but I just woke up.”
“Don’t apologize, baby. I’m glad you called. What has the doctor said?” I could hear Luke up and moving around. What I would give to be there with him right now. I choked back my tears and forced my voice to remain steady.
“I haven’t seen him yet. I think it’s the flu, but it hasn’t been confirmed. This is the first time that I have gotten out of bed since I have been sick. What are you doing?” I didn’t want to talk about me. I wanted to talk about why he had not been here to see me.
“Baby, I know you are upset, but I promise when you get home, I am going to tell you everything. That may not sound like a lot to you, but it is the greatest thing that I have to offer. I have kept you in the dark because I don’t want to lose you and I’m afraid you will run when I tell you what I have been avoiding since the first night I met you. You deserve to know, Dallas, and I have been selfish for keeping this from you. It kills me to know that when you need me, I can’t be there.”
“I understand, Luke,” I said stopping him before he could tell me anymore. “I’m fine, really. I should be home in a few days.”
I had made up my mind. Luke was everything that I had ever wanted in a man. His complicated world had turned me upside down, but I loved it. I loved his friends and the relationship that they had. I wanted that for myself, but most of all, I just wanted to be with him. Being without him these past few days was tough, but not as tough as it was before I knew he existed. I would take Luke anyway that I could get him, and if that meant I had to come in second then so be it, because only one day with Luke was better than a lifetime without him.
“I will make it up to you, baby. I know you are tired of hearing that, but it’s the truth. I’m not perfect by any means, but I am a better man with you. Please don’t leave me.” His plea tugged at my heart. “Give me just a little time, baby. I promise it will not always be like this.” I knew he wanted to tell me right then what was going on, but I trusted him. More than I had ever trusted anyone. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise. Go back to sleep. As soon as the doctor comes in, I’ll text and let you know what he says.”
“No, you call me. I always have my phone on me. If you need anything or you just want to talk, call me.” I smiled at how fast he had gone from love struck Luke to biker bad boy, LLC.
“I will. I love you, Luke.”
“I love you too, baby. I’ll talk to you soon.” I hung up the phone feeling a little better about my situation. My glory was short lived when the doctor walked into the room.
“Hello, Miss Knox. I know the hour is unusual, but since your schedule is messed up and I just so happened to be on the floor, I thought I would stop by.”
The doctor was an older gentleman with hair as white as snow and kind brown eyes. He pulled a chair up next to me and took at seat.
“Miss Knox, I want you to know that no one other than myself and the lab techs know about the results of your blood work.” I felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle, but I just nodded so that he would continue. “Do you know anyone who would want to hurt you?” His question caught me completely off guard.
“Excuse me?”
“We found a small amount of arsenic in your system. Whoever poisoned you knew exactly the amount to give you to make you disoriented and sick, but not enough to kill you. The fluids that we gave you when you were admitted helped push it through your system. I’m hoping that was the case, and not the alternative-which is where they would have given you too much, causing your heart to stop immediately. The reason that I am leaning towards the first conclusion is because if the dosage would have been more, your heart would have stopped instantly, and arsenic would have without a doubt shown up in an autopsy report.”
My head was spinning. This was too much. Who could have poisoned me, and if they were brave enough to do so, why not just kill me?
“The police have not been notified, but my suggestion for you is to make that your next step.” The police? I would not want all the publicity. I could see the tabloids now-“DALLAS KNOX MILLIONAIRE BACHORLETTE POSIONED BY IRATE CO-WORKERS.”
“No police. I don’t want this all over the news and papers.” He shook his head as if he understood and patted my knee.
“It was a close call, Miss Knox, but you will be just fine. I’m going to keep you today and you can go home tomorrow morning. The side effects will last a few more days but your strength will return soon enough. Just take it easy for about a week.”
“Please don’t tell anyone about this. I would like it to remain between you and me,” I said pleadingly.
“As you wish, Miss Knox.”
“Hey doc, I need one more favor. Is there any way I can get out of here in a few hours. My vitals were good and I really need to get home. I have a lot to figure out.” He seemed doubtful. “I promise to rest as soon as I get home. I’ll call daily and let you know how I am doing and I will follow up with my family doctor next week.”
He smiled at me and shook his head, “You are not going to stop are you?”
“No, sir. I really just want to go home and be with my family.”
“I can understand that,” he cleared his throat and his expression turned serious. “Bed rest for at least the next three days. I mean it. You must call my office first thing Monday morning and let me know how you’re feeling. If you have any problems, any at all, you go straight to the emergency room. Understood?”
I smiled in relief. “Yes, sir.”
“Noon and only if your vitals remain good.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Before he even left the room my mind was swimming. I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. I would not tell Luke about the poison. He had enough on him and I still wasn’t sure who could have done this. It very well could have been Jackie or Gladene. I knew they didn’t like me, but I didn’t think they hated me so much that they wanted to poison me.
The only other people that I had come into contact with were Scott and Tammy. There was no way that Scott could have done it. I was only around him for a few minutes. I had several drinks with Tammy, but I don’t remember her acting suspicious in any way.
This was absolutely insane. I didn’t want to think about it. It settled better with me if I just pretended that nothing was wrong. The only person in danger was me and I would be leaving here soon enough, and be back in the arms of Luke. Maybe I could even stay with him until I was better. No, I would need to go home. I didn’t want to wear out my welcome, plus I had Neo to look after. Shit! I grabbed my phone and called Luke.
“Hey baby, something wrong?” Luke’s worried voice was now wide awake. I imagined him showered and dressed and sitting at the bar drinking coffee. I would give my left leg for a cup of that coffee right about now.
“Dallas?” Damn it. Focus Dallas.
“Hey, uh, sorry. Look, I hate to ask you but I need a favor.” I asked, still trying to erase the mental picture of his throat moving in that oh so sexy way that only Luke was capable of. I had a conclusion to my problem…I was horny.
“Sure, babe, anything.” “If you go to town today, could you swing by and check on Neo for me? He is probably curled up somewhere pouting. He has plenty of food and water, but if I had known that I would be gone this long, I would have made other arrangements for him.” I was such a terrible dog mother.
“Sorry babe, no can do.” Was he seriously telling me no? I mean, I know he had shit to do, but really?
“I’m judging by your silence that you are calling me everything under the sun. It’s good to see that you still have your spark, but before you bite my head off, I picked him up yesterday and he has been here at the house with me.” My whole body warmed. Luke might not have been here in person, but his thoughts were with me.
“You really are amazing,” I breathed.
“I know.” I could tell he was kidding, but his cockiness was still there and it made me smile; my first real smile since Tuesday.
“I need another favor.” I knew this one he would be glad to give.
“Anything.” His voice was like caramel and it had me squirming in my seat. Asshole. He knew what he was doing.
“I’m getting released today at noon. You reckon Red would come pick me up? I can’t drive for the next few days.”
“You’re getting out?” The excitement in Luke’s voice was unmistakable. My baby missed me.
“I am. The doctor said it was the flu and that I could go home. I just needed to take it easy for the next week or so.”
“I’ll call them now. I gotta go, baby, but I’ll see you when you get home. I love you.”
“I love you too, Luke.” I hung up the phone and sat there smiling to myself. Everything was going to be okay. My stomach growled at me, reminding me of how hungry I was, but the excitement of seeing Luke and the drowsiness that was setting in won over my hunger. I would get a little more rest, and hopefully by the time I woke it would be noon.
Something smelled fabulous, like body wash mixed with cologne and something else I couldn’t quite wrap my brain around. I had smelled this scent before. I had tasted it and craved it. Only one thing could smell this good- Luke. My eyes fluttered open and when I saw him standing next to my bed looking down on me, nothing else mattered. Luke was here.
He had come to take me home, but something was wrong. Luke’s face was full of worry. His eyebrows were creased and he looked like he was going to cry any minute. He wasn’t looking at my face, almost as if he were ashamed to. He was in deep thought about something and I was sure that whatever it was had to do with me. I lifted my hand, finding his, and when his eyes met mine all of the worry drained from his face and was replaced with pure joy.
“There’s my girl,” he said bringing my hand to his lips.
“I’m hungry.” Really Dallas? You haven’t seen the man in days and that’s the first thing that you tell him? He threw his head back and laughed my favorite laugh.
“Well, as soon as you are ready, I’ll feed you,” he said smiling his full megawatt smile.
“What time is it?” I asked sitting up. “What day is it?” Luke moved to assist me until me feet were hanging off the side of the bed and I was sitting straight up.
“Just after one and it’s Saturday. The doctor came in around eleven-thirty and cleared you to leave. He said just to let you rest and when you woke I could take you home.
I have strict instructions to make sure that you get plenty of rest and don’t overdo it for the next week. He said you would be hungry and you are cleared to eat whatever you like, but you have to drink plenty of fluids. Here is the paperwork. You just need to sign and turn it in at the nurse’s desk before you leave.” Damn. That was easy. I felt rested and was ready to get the hell out of here. I wanted a hot shower with real water pressure and a hamburger and French fries and a coke and a hot fudge sundae. Just the thought of it had me up and moving to get ready.
“Hang on baby, damn. You’re move faster now, than you ever have,” Luke said. I could tell he was trying to be stern, but it wasn’t working.
“I’m fine. I’m not gonna break, you know,” I said sitting down to use the bathroom, not bothered at all by the fact that he was standing there watching me. I would never take for granted being able to pee on my own ever again. Catheters sucked.
Luke busied himself by packing my things in a duffle bag Red must have brought it all in. I stood up and looked in the mirror. Holy hell. My face was pale and slim. My eyes were hollow and lifeless. My tangled nappy hair looked like a rat’s nest. Luke had definitely seen me at my worst. Even I had never seen me this bad.
I looked over at Luke and as always, he looked absolutely amazing. He wore jeans and a baby blue polo that complimented his eyes and hugged him in all the right places. His plain white ball cap was turned backwards on his head. He looked good enough to eat, and I was hungry.
I gazed down at my wrinkled pajamas and bare feet. Tears sprang to my eyes when I looked up into his. “Are you ashamed of me?”
He smiled and pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, “No, beautiful. Even at your worst, you still take my breath away.” His sweet comment made me smile; my tears forgotten. He leaned down and ever so softly planted a kiss to my dry, chapped lips. When he pulled away, I quickly ran my tongue across them savoring the taste of him on my mouth.
A Ride or Die Kind of Love Page 93
