Page 3 of Playing the Game
Why am I telling her this?
Maybe I think it will help them keep me informed. My mind wanders to Chuck and Lauren. I’ll call them once I know more.
“Would you like us to call your brother?” She wipes at my wound.
“No. You won’t be able to reach him. He’s away for work.”
Aiden has always told me to keep his profession to myself unless I know for sure it can’t be used against him or me. Since Jami was shot and I have no idea who did it, I think this situation calls for keeping his profession to myself.
She tapes a cloth bandage to my shoulder. “I’m almost done cleaning this. A doctor will need to assess the wound before we stitch it up, but it looks good from my point of view.”
“Okay.”
“Rest here until the doctor can see you. I’ll get you some water and check on your boyfriend. I’ll be right back.”
She leaves the room as I lie with emptiness in my chest and an ache in my heart. He can’t die. I can’t lose him now.
I run through the day. He came to my apartment to let me know he still wanted to be with me. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to make this up to him.
Every time he tries to be with me, he gets hurt. This time it could cost him his life.
Why couldn’t it have been me?
He doesn’t deserve this. He has too much going for him.His career is taking off. He’s handsome, kind, and brilliant. He’s the total package. Any woman would be blessed to call him her boyfriend.
Commotion from Jami’s area consumes me. I strain to make out what the medical team is saying.
“He’s losing too much blood. We’ve got to get him to the operating room now!” the doctor yells.
There’s a crack in the curtain, so I sit up to peek through. The team pushes Jami out of the room on a gurney.
He’s hooked up to an IV and oxygen tubes. They run with him down the hall and the emergency department falls nearly silent.
It’s eerie and cold. I’m helpless. It’s the most alone I’ve ever felt in my entire life.
Is this how Jami feels all the time?
Tears spring from my eyes, and I weep into my hands as I long for him.
The next hour goes by in a blur. Two cops take my statement about the shooting as I’m being sewn up, but when I can’t remember anything, they tell me they’ll be in touch and leave.
I’m getting ready to be discharged from the doctor’s care when my phone rings. I silence it and let the nurse finish up with the discharge orders.
“Can you tell me where I can get more information about Jamison Stone?” I ask the nurse.
“He’s in the OR now. It’s located on the second floor.”
“Is there a waiting room up there?”
“Yes.” She hands me the discharge orders and a bag of Jami’s belongings. “I haven’t heard anything about hiscondition. They might have more news for you when you check in with them upstairs.”
I nod and find my way to the second floor in a daze. Jami’s last words echo in my head.
“With all my soul, I love you, my beautiful, sweet temptress. I always have and always will. Never forget that. Okay?”
Did he know he was shot?
Was he saying goodbye?
