Page 35 of See You Soon
“Doctor Diaz with all due respect, Grim needs to be released, can I please talk to you in private?” Admiral Ravenmore orders him and Doctor Diaz nods with a smile.
Doctor Diaz follows Admiral Ravenmore and walks out closing the door behind him, just as I finish cleaning Danny's back. His body was already covered in scars. And he just added another one on top of the tattoos he has on his back.
I get up from my stool and Danny leans back against the hospital bed, rubbing his beard, I can feel him looking at me as I walk in front of him to leave.
He grabs my hand, rough. And it reminds me of the time we were in his house when I wanted to leave the first time. His touch sends sparks all around my body.This man is trouble.
I turn around to look at him. I’m confused by the sudden pull, pissed off even. I try to let my hand free but he just holds onto me tighter.
"Let go."
"I meant what I said, you need to transfer. You're not supposed to be here. This isn't your thing, little Angel. Working in this trauma hospital is too much for you to bear. It's too dangerous."
I finally free my hand from his grasp. I can't believe he thinks he has authority over my career choices. He thinks so little of me and I resent it.
"Why not?" I challenge.
"You're naive. Too sheltered.”
I can feel the anger inside of me taking over my emotions. How the hell was Paul good friends with this man? It takes everything in me to control myself. I have to stay professional. I can't let him win. I will not lose my shit over him even though it's warranted. Then he really will get what he wants.
He wants me away from him.
"Danny… I'm not as naive as you think I am."
"From what you told me, I think you are. What kind of girl has to have her older brother come to her rescue? What kind of girl falls for a piece of shit like Shane?"
I'm quiet. I'm growing furious. I'm in shock and it shows on my tongue. His words have me in a chokehold.
"A naive one." He finishes.
"Screw. You." I glare at him, harder.
He laughs.He laughs.
"Isn't that a sin, Ari? Toscrew me?" He licks his lips, antagonizing me further. "Plus I'm not your type, I don't hit women like your ex.”
Wow. He went there.
I hate him so much at this moment, my emotions taking over me and all I want to do is cry. Cry because he's making me regret opening up to him.I am naive. He's right but I will never admit that.
A sharpness hits my eyes. My eyes begin to water. I feel so angry but most of all hurt. I don't know why. And I don't know how. But for some reason, I feel like I need to seek his approval.I crave it.
Another piece of the old me chips off. I swallow hard and give him a fake small smile, as one tear leaves my eye. Danny looks back at me and he's unapologetic. Right before I turn my head to leave, I can see that he's reading me so easily. He got to me and he knows it.
Chapter15
ari
Acouple of weeks have passed since running into Shane and Danny at the hospital and I have never felt so stressed out in my life. It's Sunday, which means my first day off in two weeks. And I couldn't enjoy it. I'm standing in my bathroom in front of the mirror, and I do finish touches on my makeup. It's around seven at night and I already wanted to crawl into bed and cry myself to sleep. I had a picture of Paul and me as kids sitting on a shelf I installed on the wall behind me, his smile reflecting back at me through the mirror.
It's a picture of us wearing matching outfits, photographed at one of those studios you find at the mall. Paul had his arm over my shoulder, wrapping it around me, protectively. We both looked so happy. I closed my eyeshadow palette, and a loud click follows.
A signature wing on the edge of my eyes as always. My day-to-day makeup look consisted of a light nude pink shade on my lips, a winged liner, and a natural foundation, with pink blush. Paul always teased me about my makeup. He always used to say that girls shouldn't use makeup because they didn't need it. He believed all women were naturally beautiful.
I stand up and grab my picture frame. I lightly trace my finger on the photo. I miss my big brother so much it hurts. It would've been so cool for me to have been here in Iraq while he was here, both of us following our dreams.
A knock on my door disrupts my thoughts. I place the picture frame back on the shelf and walk fast toward the door, prepared to greet my friend.
