Page 3 of Flyboy's Nightingale
The patient chuckles, before answering, “We stopped for the night in town, and were in the middle of one-on-one time, when the pain started. I told her that it was nothing, but she wouldn’t let it go. So instead of being at the lake, like we should be, we’re here.”
“Well, that does sound stressful. Let me finish out your chart so I can hand it off and get the doctor in here so you two can be on your way,” I tell him.
The older gentleman looks up at me. He tilts his head to the side, watching me. I give him my polite smile thinking the same thing. Something about this man is familiar, but again, I can’t put my finger on where or how that is even possible.
“Do I know you, dear?” he quizzes.
“I’m not sure that you do. I’ve been here for a while. Where did you say you are from?” I question as I finish checking his vitals.
“We’re from Texas. We flew into Chattanooga, and I have a lake house, about five and half hours away,” he states.
I choke and start coughing when he says Texas. Yes, it’s a big state, and he could be from anywhere in that region, but that is never my luck in life. Panicking, I start patting my chest to clear the blockage from the paranoia.
“Are you okay, dear?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m fine. Not many people who live in Texas have a lake house in Georgia,” I apprise him. I’m praying that he’ll stoptalking so we can just get this over with, and I can shoo them out the door.
“Not usually, but I followed an old school buddy out there. I decided to hold on to the house, and now, I’m thankful that I did.” He smiles at the young woman, before lifting her hand to his mouth, and kissing her knuckles.
I think I throw up a little in my mouth at that scene of affection, that felt more like I was observing him molesting this—young girl. “That must have been some friend. The doctor will be in shortly.” I’m brisk, and to the point, wanting to limit my time spent in this examination room.
“Thank you, dear,” he replies.
“Not a problem. Hit the red plus button on the bed railing if you need anything before the doctor comes in,” I advise them, pulling the door open.
“Can I have something to drink?” he wonders.
“I’ll grab you some ice chips, but that’s all for now, at least, until the doctor sees ya.”
“That’s it. You’re Crispy’s kid. I haven’t seen you since you left. What, nine years ago?” Hearing my dad’s road name causes a cold sweat to break out, traveling up and down my spine.
Choosing not to answer him on who I am, I say, “I’ll get you those ice chips.”
I make it out of the room, and to the nurse’s station, before my legs give out. I prop my head in my hands, breathing in deep. What are the odds that some old man, that I barely remember, would be here at this hospital seeking treatment? It goes against the status quo that I would run across anyone from my old life in this town.
I have to fucking get out of here. There is no way in hell that I’ll be able to stay, because that man is going to tell my dad that I’m here. I willnotbring that chaos back into my life. Those guys ruin everything that they come into contact with.
A hand lands in the middle of my shoulder blades, scaring me. “You just scared the shit out of me,” I gasp out, my heart racing.
“Are you okay?” Avery questions, sitting beside me, watching Nadya, our head nurse, and super bitch.
“Just a lot going on today. I’m scattered all over the place, and the hits seem to keep coming,” I confess to her, being as honest as I can possibly be.
“I’m here if you want to finally tell me about all the dark, little secrets you have stored in that soul of yours.” Avery reassures me as the tones drop and the place turns into a madhouse.
I spend the rest of the night barely able to breathe, much less think about all the shit going on around me. This is why I love the ER. You don’t have time to think, you just do. When our shift is finally over, I fight the urge to go up and check on Flyboy and head home to get some rest before my appointment later today.
My only hope is that today will be the day that I finally sleep, without the images of Flyboy covered in blood, haunting me.
CHAPTER
TWO
Flyboy
Fuck me,why the hell do I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus where the driver is auditioning for a part in the nextFast and the Furiousmovie?
I mean shit, I know everyone was partying and letting loose at Razor and Edge’s wedding, followed up by the reception, but I was trying to keep my wits so that I could be at the hospital when Riley got off shift so I could finally convince her to take a ride with me on the back of my bike.
