Page 107 of Double Play

“It wasn’t enough.” I saw just before I went into surgery that we lost the game. We’re one game away from being eliminated.

Quincy pats my shoulder. “Don’t worry, buddy. We’ll come back.”

Tanner nods. “Let’s hope so. I’ll call Fantasy Suits in the morning. Obviously you can’t go on the trip.” He turns to Arizona. “I don’t know what it will mean for you. You should call Michael Longley and figure things out.”

And then it hits me. Our trip. The one we’ve both been looking forward to. It’s ruined. A sense of deep sadness rolls through my body. I’ve been dreaming of having my girl in all those places. Poof. It’s gone.

Arizona shakes her head. “I’m certainly not going now, not without Layton.”

Tanner shrugs. “Talk to Longley. You’re undercontract and you’re physically capable. Let’s hope they’ll agree to delay everything.”

He turns back to me and squeezes my hand. “I’ll check in tomorrow. You’ll get through this. Love you, brother.”

“Thanks, Tanner. I appreciate you being here.”

He nods and then walks out just as an attractive young woman walks in the room holding sponges and a bucket. She has a huge smile on her face and a cheery demeanor. “Hi, Layton. I’m Nurse Edna. I’m going to get you cleaned up.”

Frankly, she looks pretty happy about it. And she’s not bothering to hide it.

She then turns to my friends. “I’ll need everyone to leave the room and give us some privacy.” She looks at Arizona. “You included.”

My friends are all grinning like the dirty fuckers they are. Arizona most definitely is not. She walks over to Nurse Edna and practically rips the bucket from her hand. With an extreme amount of edge, she grits, “Thanks, Nurse Edna. I can take over from here. I’ll getmyboyfriend all clean for you. Every long inch.” She gives Nurse Edna a not-so-sweet smile.

I can’t help but let out a laugh. The first one I’ve had since this nightmare started.

Nurse Edna shakes her head. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but it’s against hospital policy. Only trained personnel can give baths.”

Arizona keeps her voice calm. She gets right into Nurse Edna’s face, standing at least six inches taller, and looks down at her. “Nurse Edna, either you leave and let me take care of my man, or I’ll shove this bucket up your ass. Either way, you’re not touching him. Ever.”

Nurse Edna’s eyes widen as she hesitates for amoment, but then hands the remaining items to Arizona and walks out the door.

We all burst out laughing as soon as the door closes behind her.

Quincy shakes his head. “Damn, Z, that was some territorial shit.”

She points at them and narrows her eyes. “Get. Out. All of you.”

Quincy’s face drops realizing what’s about to happen, but I’m grinning like a kid about to enter a candy store. Maybe this injury won’t be so bad.

Ezra, Quincy, and Trey all start to leave. Cheetah sits in a chair. “I think I’ll stay and watch. This is like real-life porn shit.”

Arizona grabs his shirt and lifts him to a standing position. “Goodbye, Cheetah.”

“Ugh, you’re no fun.”

They all leave, and she closes the door behind them. I’m still smiling as she walks toward the bathroom. “Aren’t you going to lock the door, sunshine?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. I hope Nurse Edna walks in and sees what I’m about to do to you.”

I chuckle as I hear her in the bathroom filling the bucket. If I was able to move enough to bounce in my seat, I’d be bouncing in it. Despite the horrific circumstances, I’m already hard thinking about what’s to come.

She walks out of the bathroom and notices the new tent in my hospital gown. She lifts an eyebrow. “You’re a dirty man.”

“Yes. I’mverydirty. You should clean me.Thoroughly.”

“Maybe I will.” She presses a button above my head, and the back of my bed goes down until I’m lying flat.

She lovingly runs her fingers through my hair. “Tell me if I hurt you.”

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