Page 13 of Flyboy's Nightingale
My phone dings with a text message and unbridled excitement races down my spine.
Him: You haven’t come to the hospital.
I read that message over and over, not understanding what that means. He completely tore me down and dismissed everything that I have done for him over the last four months. Not just that, he dismissed and degraded my competence and ability as a nurse.
Me: You made it very clear that I should not be there.
It’s not even two seconds later that I receive a message back. I don’t even attempt to stop the sarcastic and bitter laugh.
Him: You know I didn’t really mean it. I was just surprised.
There is no accountability for the vile shit he had to say and the way it cut me. He’s everything that I don’t want or need. I need to cut ties with him and the people that surround him. If I needed just one more incentive to move on from this town, then this is it. I decided to give my response some time, so as to not give away the fact that I’m looking to leave.
Standing from the folded position on my queen-size bed, I stretch long and hard. I make my way over to my closet, pulling out a pair of plain black yoga pants that hug every curve making me feel good. Searching through my drawers, I look for my favorite sports bra. Not finding it, I pull on a bright pink one that was previously too small and can’t hide my smile of pride when it fits perfectly.
“Well, shit. Looks like I’ve lost some weight,” I say to myself smiling as I get my scrubs ready for my night shift at the ER.
With my newfound excitement, I text Avery to see if she wants to go for a walk, maybe even run before lunch. Not three minutes after I send that message, she calls me.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?” she asks me instead of greeting me with a hello.
“Well, hello to you too. I’m your best friend, and I’m just feeling really good today.” That's only a half lie.
“I figured after a night with the Ole’ Ladies, you would’ve been a hangover hag needing buckets of caffeine to even move.” Avery laughs.
“I was afraid of the same thing but it seems that today, that isn’t the case, and I want to get a small workout in before work tonight. Praying the dopamine dump will help me get through the night,” I inform her while shuffling through my belongings, looking for a tank top to wear.
“Fine, fine. I guess I can do that. Lord knows I need some space from work, school, and this house,” she mumbles.
“Perfect. Meet me at the track in say… twenty minutes?”
“Twenty minutes, and lunch is on you!” Avery laughs, hanging up before I can argue with her.
I shake my head with humor, and finish getting my bags ready for the evening. I pack my scrubs for after our workout, as well as an extra pair because I work in the f-ing ER, my kindle, chargers, and a handful of extra hair ties. Once I’m ready, I lock my bright blue front door and walk over to my car. Pulling up to the track twenty minutes later, I smile wide when I see Avery lounging on her tailgate.
“I swear to God, if you don’t hurry up, I’m bailing and we’re just going to lunch.” She glares, sitting up as I make it close to her.
Ignoring her words I smack her on the leg as I walk by. “Don’t be a twat. Let’s do this.”
Avery jumps off the back of her truck and follows me. We find a great pace that’ll get our heart pumping, and I’m feeling really good until Avery asks the one question I was praying she wouldn’t know anything about.
“Wanna tell me why I found out he was awake from the other girls and not you?” The tone in her voice lets me know that she is hurt from me holding that information back from her.
Her feelings being hurt isn’t something I can handle. To be honest, I was so heartbroken after the conversation with him that I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone. I can’t say that to Avery, due to the fact that the same night, the Ole’ Ladies from Hell’s Sacrifice were at my house.
“Truth?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Is that even a question? Who wants their bestie to lie to them? You know that no matter what, I will always want to hear the truth from you,” Avery states, linking her arm with mine and slowing our pace.
“I’m going to be leaving town,” I confess.
“Ummm. The fuck are you talking about? We’ve got a plan! I finish school and you help me run my practice one day,” Avery reminds me, practically yelling at me.
“I know, Avery. I truly don’t want to do this. It’s breaking my heart that this is my only option. I’ve got to do this. My past is catching up with me and I can’t bring that down on the club. Hell, it wouldn’t matter to them anyway. They would most likely turn me over to my enemies than have my dirty laundry sitting at their doorstep.” My words are cut short when Avery starts laughing.
“Hahaha. You’ve lost your ever-loving mind if you think, for five seconds, that the club would turn you over to anyone. Much less anyone who is intent on doing you harm. If not the club,then the Ol’ ladies. Hell, Flyboy would burn the universe to the ground to make sure you are happy and safe,” she finishes saying with a chuckle on her lips.
“If you heard half of what Flyboy said to me yesterday, you wouldn’t feel the same way as you do now.” I turn away to try and hide the pain, and the ominous thoughts of anguish those malicious words bring me.
