Page 19 of Flyboy's Nightingale
“You know since I’m leaving, I don’t think I will. You figure it the fuck out and let me know how all this shit works out for you.”He turns, walking back down the hall and away from me before I have the chance to counter his words.
“Fucking fine. I’ll get there on my fuckin’ own!” I shout at his back, fuming at the fact that I just got called out for indiscretions that aren’t wholly mine to answer for, since I’ve been gone for so long after my accident.
Reaching down, I use my good hand to start wheeling myself down the hallway while also using my good leg to pull me forward so I don’t roll myself into a wall. I make it to my room but by the time I do, I’m exhausted and out of breath. I’m past the point of return and beyond fucking ready for this day to be over and done with. Tomorrow, I have to put my plan in motion to get myself back in Riley’s good graces.
Locking the brakes on the wheelchair, I use the very last ounce of my strength to get my crippled ass into my bed. I work all the extra pillows and blankets around until I’m as comfortable as I can be. I know I should take my pain meds. Only I don’t have them on hand plus I have no damn idea where they are. I close my eyes letting memories of Riley wash over me, lulling me to sleep.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Riley
“Absolutely not!Avery,no! I cannot do this.” I know I’m begging.
“Riley, I can’t be out of the office. I need you to take care of this for me. We’ve got the two assistant PTs that I have to supervise,” Avery states, waving her hand over a pile of paperwork stacked on top of her desk.
I look up at the ceiling trying to calm the overwhelming feeling of an anxiety attack trying to consume me. This woman has no idea what she’s asking me to do. I can’t be anywhere close to the clubhouse. Not only due to the fact that I literally can’t do it. The risk I bring to the club without them knowing it is not something I would ever be able to live with. I run through the thousands of things that I could and probably should tell her but decide whining may have a better outcome.
“Avery,pllleeeaaassseee. I can’t do this! You've got no idea what you're asking of me.” I’m nearly in tears and closing in on the anxiety attack.
“That’s exactly it. I don’t know what I’m asking and you refuse to fucking tell me. So, if you won’t tell me what the issue is, then I can’t feel bad that I’m asking this of you.” She shrugs and smirks at me. In an, I got you there, way.
“It’s really not a good idea,” I state again before turning to storm out of her office.
I make it to my office, it takes every ounce of strength within me not to slam the door shut behind me like a petulant teenager. It’s not her fault that she doesn’t know my history, and why me being anywhere near the club is an extremely bad idea. I make it around my desk and plop down in my chair before turning on my computer and pulling up the website for the insurance claims that are due. Just as I get logged in, my phone vibrates on the desk.
Lil’ Red: I miss you!
I smile sadly to myself at her message. I can’t even describe how much I truly miss her after seeing her nearly every day for six months. I should ignore her message, needing to really get some work done. Only I can’t. Lil’ Red has been the absolute best, and so kind that I just can’t ignore her.
Me: I miss you too! How are you doing?
Lil’ Red: I’m good! Losing my mind staying home all the time.
Me: LOL… With everything going on there, I can’t imagine you’d be bored.
Lil’ Red: These assholes are boring. Can you come over and hang out?
Panic wraps its ever-strangling arms around me, squeezing tight. The edges of my vision begin to go dark and my head starts to go hazy. Just as I start to lose it completely, my phone starts buzzing again.
Lil’ Red: Or we can meet for coffee. You don’t have to come here if it’s too much! I just want to see you!
The panic starts to loosen its never-ending hold on me just enough for me to read through her message. I stare at her message as my breathing starts to even out as I contemplate about what I’m going to do. I miss Lil’ Red so much and would love more than anything to spend some time with her. Maybe going to lunch wouldn’t be so bad.
Me: I would love that. What are you thinking?
Lil’ Red: Let’s meet at “Out of the pan into the FIRE.”
Me: That would be perfect. You just tell me a date and time.
Lil’ Red: Tomorrow at 1?
Me: Perfect, I can't wait.
Sighing, I relax back into my chair, feeling good about starting to live my life again after nearly being scared into running. I haven’t gotten another message from my brother, so maybe, just maybe, it was just a random message he sent. Almost like he was fishing for information or something. I dig into work and leave the worries behind, spending the next several hours working through all the insurance claims that I’vegot to get done before starting on the scheduling for our next line of new patients. Time flies, and before I know it, Avery is knocking on the door to let me know she’s headed out.
“Riles, It’s time to go home. You’ve been at this for hours.” Avery smiles wide, leaning on the door frame.
