Page 10 of Outlawed Treat
Chapter Five
Caliana
TWO DAMN WEEKS.That’show long I’ve been stuck in the hospital.I haven’t been awake the entire two weeks, but I’ve been told that’s how long I’ve been in here.Doc told me I was asleep for the first three days of my stay here.Apparently Caleb didn’t leave my side and the rest of the guys from the club came in and out to bring food, drinks, and see me while I was asleep.I don’t remember any of it.The only thing I remember is when I woke up, Caleb was by my side.He was sleeping with his head resting on my bed and I could tell he hadn’t left my side.Caleb’s clothing was wrinkled, his cut was draped over the back of the chair he was sitting in, and his hair was sticking up like he stuck his finger in an electrical outlet or something.I’ve never seen my best friend such a complete mess in my life.Even when we were younger and he was sick, Caleb always took care of himself.For the three days he remained at my side, the man didn’t do a damn thing for himself.Even when Kreed tried to get him to go take a shower, eat, and change Caleb refused.At least that’s what I’ve been told.I certainly didn’t see it for myself.
Kreed has been staying with me since I woke up.I don’t know what the hell happened, but as soon as I opened my eyes, Caleb couldn’t get out of my hospital room fast enough.Like most of us, I know he hates hospitals and refuses to be in one for a second longer than necessary.The only exception to the rule is if it’s one of his family members or me and the kids.Caleb has spent hours with one of us if we find ourselves in here for some reason.Now, he hasn’t been back since I’ve been awake.If he shows up, it’s when I’m sleeping and don’t know he’s in the room with me.Kreed has been spending his time at my bedside making sure I have everything I need and want.The other guys are the ones who bring the kids to see me.No, I don’t really want them to see me like this, but it beats not seeing them at all.
Josie has been in to see me every day.She told me about finding me being attacked and bringing me in to get help.Josie’s sorry she didn’t manage to get her hands on the attacker so the cops had him in custody, but there’s really nothing she could’ve done to change that situation.Honestly, I’m glad she didn’t get her hands on the man who beat the hell out of me.If he had hurt her, I’d never be able to forgive myself.Josie is a sweet girl and she works as many hours a week as possible in order to help take care of her sick grandpa.He raised her and her younger brother and this is their way of repaying him a debt they’ll never pay off completely.Josie has informed me she’s talked to Caleb about the situation and let him know what she saw.Including the note and rose petals on the SUV and ground surrounding it when she raced up to help me.I know I’ll be in trouble once I’m healed enough and the guys are ready to talk to me about the situation, but for now they’re leaving me alone.
I did end up needing to have surgery on my hand.Doc waited until I woke up so I could make the decision about surgery on my own.Caleb and Kreed are able to make medical decisions for me if it’s necessary, but both men refused to make this one.Having surgery on my hand carries the risk of me losing my career as a nurse in the emergency department if something goes wrong.Now, I’ve got a soft cast on my hand and up to my elbow for another week before I’m put in a hard cast.My body still aches and I’ve been told my kidneys are healing from the damage inflicted on them during the attack.I’ve still got bruises all over my upper body that make me look as if I went ten rounds with a boxer and came out on the losing end of the fight.It wouldn’t be a wrong assessment with the way the attacker looked.He could easily be a fighter of some kind and I’m sure he’d give the guys in the club a run for their money and most of them train daily to fight.
“How are you feelin’ today, Caliana?”Doc asks, walking in my room and pulling me out of my head.
“I still ache really bad.It’s not enough for me to continue taking the pain killers, but just enough to make me completely uncomfortable no matter how I lay or sit.I’m sure I look like a hot mess with all the colorful additions to my skin.My head has been hurting, too.Not quite a migraine, but worse than your typical headache,” I answer Doc honestly because I know it’s the only way I can get proper treatment.
“Your head will bother you for a while, I’m afraid.You definitely have a concussion from both injuries to your head.We’ve done multiple head scans as you know and you don’t have any bleedin’ on your brain and there’s been no swellin’.For now, there still is no gettin’ your head wet while we keep the antibiotic cream on your cuts.We’ll be takin’ the stitches out today.Keep the areas dry and clean until they heal.In a week, we’ll have ya come in for the hard cast on your hand and I’ll check the wounds on your head.I’ll let you know then if you can take a full shower.I’m sure you’re more than ready for one.I’ve called Reckless and Link.They’re on their way to get you now.I’m gonna discharge you as long as you stay at the clubhouse with the guys to look over you.I’ll even okay it if you stay in one of their houses further back on the compound.As long as you’re not alone with the kids,” Doc tells me, making me fill with excitement because I finally get out of this damn place and can be with my kids all day and night.
Doc goes on to explain I’m out of work for the next several weeks and he’s already talked to my boss.Marcus is pissed as hell I won’t be at work, but he assured Doc I’d still have my job when I’m released to return.Yes, he’s fired others in the past for being taken out of work for a few days.I’ll be out for weeks.Marcus won’t have me around to harass and I know he’s pissed about that.He’ll have to get over it.Maybe I’ll find the courage to talk to Doc about how he’s been treating me and I won’t have to deal with him ever again.I’ll have to think about it more before I bring Doc into this situation.Doc has been working at this hospital for a very long time and has the best reputation of all the doctors here.He doesn’t stand for any kind of injustice against patients or employees in this hospital.He’ll fight anyone to see justice prevail and this isn’t his battle.It’s mine.
“Sounds good.Um, why did you call Caleb and not just Kreed?Kreed’s the one who’s been here with me.Caleb didn’t need to be disturbed,” I ask Doc as I hear footsteps getting closer to my door.
“Sweetheart, I think you’re underestimatin’ what Reckless feels for ya.He’s been here every single day and won’t let anyone close to you while you sleep.Even the nurses have a hard time gettin’ close enough to check your vitals and administer any medications you might need.Especially the antibiotics.The only person allowed in here to do anythin’ is Josie so she’s been settin’ alarms to come give you the medicine and take note of your vitals for the rest of the staff,” Doc informs me as the door of my room opens and I see Caleb stride into my room as if he owns the hospital.
Caleb doesn’t look me in the eye as Doc places a gentle hand on my arm and lets me know he’ll be right back with what he needs to remove the stitches from my head.Kreed makes his way right up to my side while Caleb moves to the end of my bed.From the distance separating us, I can smell nothing but sex on my best friend.Caleb’s got his hat on today so I can’t see his hair, but I imagine it’s probably a mess.Yes, I’ve seen Caleb after he’s had sex enough to know his hair is usually all over the place.There’s lipstick marks all over his neck and the top of his white tee-shirt.I think he’s even got a hickey on the side of his neck as I turn to face Kreed.
“He didn’t need to come, Kreed.I’m good with you takin’ me home.Is Tiffany there with the kids?”I ask the man who has always been at my side without fail.
“Um, you’re stayin’ at the clubhouse, ‘Lil Bit.I thought Doc told you that,” Kreed returns, rubbing the back of his neck because I’m putting him in the middle of whatever is going on between Caleb and me and it’s the last place he wants to be.
“Not staying there, Kreed.I’ll be perfectly fine at home with the kids.Tiffany can stay and help me with them.I’ll call her now,” I tell him, my stubbornness kicking in because I refuse to be around Caleb for longer than necessary.
“Not up for debate, Caliana,” Caleb growls out, his voice full of the demand he’s giving me.“You’ll be at the compound in the clubhouse where you have all the help you need.”
“I’m.Not.Staying.There.I don’t want to see you and Abigail will be nothing but a bitch.I can’t believe you brought your girlfriend here with you.Fucking slut,” I mutter the last few words so only Kreed hears me and starts to laugh.
“Caliana ...,” Caleb starts again as I finally turn to face him.
“Caleb, I’m not one of your club members or the slut of the day riding your dick.I’m my own person and I will make the decision about where I go when I finally get out of here.Kreed, please make arrangements with Tiffany.She can help me with the kids and make sure I get to any appointments I have coming up.Caleb, you’re free to leave.I don’t need you here when you’re clearly in the middle of something else,” I state, turning my attention back to Kreed and away from the man who constantly breaks my heart into a million pieces because I was stupid enough to fall in love with him when I was a young girl and it’s never gone away.
Kreed pulls out his phone as Doc comes back in the room with Josie following behind him.Together they work on getting the stitches out of both wounds on my head.I don’t feel a thing as they work quickly.Before I know it, I’ve got fresh bandages over the wounds and Doc is going over all the instructions I’ll need to have when I leave here.I’ll give the paperwork to Tiffany because I more than likely won’t remember a damn word of what’s been said here today after a little while.Caleb doesn’t leave the room and I avoid looking at him.I only talk to Doc, Kreed, and Josie while ignoring him anytime he opens his mouth.I’m done.I can’t keep letting him hurt me no matter how unintentional or intentional it is.
