Page 4 of Bad Call
“I made coffee,” she offers, ignoring my plea. “Get your ass out of bed. We have to meet with your new patient in two hours.”
I groan, turning onto my side and tucking my legs up to ease the nausea. “Potentialnew patient. I haven’t agreed yet, because you refuse to tell me anything about this guy other than he’s thirty-five and has access to DoorDash.”
She hums. “You’re a bleeding heart, Stella Hayes. I don’t believe for one minute that you’re capable of saying no to someone who is truly in need of help, which he is. Now, get out of bed, grab some caffeine, and take a shower. You smell like a vineyard.”
Two hours later, we’re making our way up the stone path that leads to a beautiful brick mansion. We’re surrounded by luscious green grass stretching for what seems like miles. Red, yellow, and orange leaves flutter from thetrees, landing in a blanket along the ground below. The sound of water crashing against the rocks out back fills the frigid fall air, yet somehow, the entire setting brings a sense of comfort that feels almost like home. It makes me realize just how much of the area I missed out on when I was here before, barely leaving the hospital long enough to explore my surroundings.
Lauren rings the doorbell, and I shift from one foot to the other, nervous energy flowing through me as we wait. I still know nothing about this guy, but I try to remind myself that I wouldn’t be here if my friend hadn’t sung his praises in the first place. Besides, I haven’t signed anything yet. If the vibes are off, I can just get out of here and head back to Pennsylvania for however long it takes to decide what I’m doing with my life.
I stand straight as muffled footsteps approach, the thick wrought iron door swinging open to reveal a very tall, athletic-looking man. His sandy blonde hair is strategically mussed, his dark blue eyes crinkling at the corners as a soft smile pulls at his lips. He looks somewhat familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on where I’ve seen him before. “Hello, ladies,” he says, stepping to the side. “Come on in.”
Trailing my friend, I step inside, my eyes bouncing around while trying to take in everything at once. Natural light filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the beautiful dark wood flooring and luxurious leather furniture. You can definitely tell a bachelor lives here, but it’s absolutely beautiful, especially with the wide view of the Lake Erie shoreline out back. It’s a shame I won’t behere to enjoy it in the summer, seeing as how I’ll be long gone by then.
“Stella, meet Austin Baker,” Lauren says with a thoughtful grin as she nods between us. “He’s the quarterback for the Rock City Renegades.” My blood runs cold as I freeze, faltering only for a moment before I remember that neither of them is aware of my connection to the team. “Austin,” she continues, “this is Stella H?—”
“Wilder!” I blurt, shoving a hand out for him to take. His brows pull tight, confusion falling over his expression as he accepts the offering, cautiously wrapping his fingers around mine in a slow shake. “Stella Wilder.” I side-eye Lauren, who’s looking at me like I’m insane, but thankfully, she doesn’t comment on the outburst.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he replies, a guarded but genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Lauren tells me you worked together at the Cleveland Clinic. She sang your praises, as did some of the other nurses I’ve spoken with.” My shoulders relax, arms dropping to my sides as warmth spreads through me. I love my job, and I try my best to not only be knowledgeable but to make my patients feel at ease. It’s nice to hear that my colleagues hold me in such kind regard.
He swipes an arm out, leading us to the living room and offering a seat on the couch before lowering down across from us. “I hear you’re familiar with the lifestyle of professional athletes, so I’m guessing you’ve signed a non-disclosure agreement before.” Nerves wash over me. Just being in the presence of Emmett’s teammate is rattling me, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to pull the plug on the meeting. This is the worst-case scenario. I wasalready worried about running into my ex-husband in a public place, but working for Austin would definitely put me in a position where we may cross paths right in my own home.
“Yes,” I affirm. “My best friend is the starting setter for the Florida Flare, and both of her boyfriends play for the Daytona Fury. I signed an NDA last year before they went public with their relationship.”
He nods in understanding. “Great. Since you’ll be living on the property and accompanying me to appointments after my surgery, I’ve had my lawyer draft a generic document that we can fill out and sign if you decide to accept the position. It’s pretty standard—nothing you haven’t seen before, I’m sure. I don’t really care if you tell people you’re working with me, but I’d like to keep the details of my injury, home, and personal life private.
“As far as the guesthouse, it’s all yours. I’ll always notify you if I need to stop by, which I doubt I will, and you’re free to decorate any way you’d like. I may require help at random hours, depending on how quickly I’m able to bounce back, but I’ll do my best to keep things on a schedule, so you aren’t running back and forth when you’re trying to rest.” His eyes soften, vulnerability shining in them and making my heart squeeze in my chest. “I really appreciate you even considering this, Stella. I’m sure you have a bunch of better opportunities waiting for you right now, but you’re here. Thank you for that.”
Goddammit. He’s so nice. And remembering what Lauren said about his parents being deceased and having nobody here in Cleveland—there’s no way I could tell himno. Especially since I reallydon’thave anything on the horizon.
Will it be hard to keep my real name hidden, and even more so, the fact that I used to be married to one of his teammates? Yeah, probably. But I can’t just leave him here to fend for himself after what could be a very painful surgery, so I’ll find a way to make it work. It’s not like Emmett lives here, and even if we do end up coming face-to-face, I was technically in Cleveland long before he was. I hope it doesn’t happen, because it would kill me to see him again after so long, particularly if he had a woman with him. I doubt we’d be put in a situation where that would happen, though, so there really isn’t a reason for me not to tell Austin I’ll take the job. It’s only two months. I can lie low for that long, using the solitude to think long and hard before I decide if I want to continue on the same path or build a new life for myself—whatever that looks like. Plus, it keeps me from having to deal with my parents for a while longer.
I look back and forth between him and Lauren, a knowing smile blooming across my face as I lift my chin. “You’ve got yourself a nurse, Austin.” He returns the gesture, his posture sagging in relief as he lets out a huge breath.
“Fuck,” he sighs. “Thank you. I promise, I’ll be the best patient you’ve ever had.” He shoots up from the couch. “Let me just go grab the NDA. As soon as it’s signed, you’re free to start moving your belongings in. Surgery isn’t until Monday, so that’ll give you time to settle in before things get crazy.”
No sooner does he take off up the stairs than Lauren’shead turns toward me, a dubious brow lifted in question. “Wilder? Where the fuck did that come from? Your last name is Hayes.”
I slap her shoulder, pressing a finger over my lips to shush her. “I was married before,” I rush out in a whisper, watching as her jaw drops. “My ex-husband is his teammate, which I obviously didn’t know before I came here. It didn’t end on good terms, and I’d rather not have these two parts of my life intermingle. I was planning on going back to my maiden name, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.” It’s not a complete lie. I was going to drop Emmett’s last name, but every time I started to fill out the application, I just couldn’t go through with it. I guess, deep down, I didn’t want to let go of the last part of him I had left. It’s been over seven years since our divorce was finalized, and I know I don’t deserve to continue carrying it, considering I was the one who ended things, but I’ve been writingStella Hayeson notebooks since I was a pre-teen. It’s who I am.
She drops her chin, looking at me through her lashes. “You can’t lie to him, Stell. And I can’t help you do it, either. You’re about to sign a contract. He’s going to see it anyway.”
“If he sees it, he sees it,” I say. “It’s not like I’m a criminal or anything. You’ve seen my background check, and you know I’m licensed and insured. But Austin may put two and two together when he realizes where I’m from, and I really don’t want my past to make things awkward. If he questions it, I’ll tell him everything. You have my word.”
An annoyed huff pushes past her lips. Lauren was an integral part of my assignment at the clinic and had access to all my paperwork. She’s fully aware that I’d never hurt anyone or put them in danger, so this is really just a minor detail. I’ll sign everything with my legal name, and if he wants to see any of my documentation, I’ll show him. Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to know I share something so monumental with someone he’s very likely close to.
She opens her mouth to speak, but movement at the top of the stairs catches our eyes as Austin comes back into view. She shoots me a skeptical look but doesn’t say a word as he hands me a manila folder and a pen before sitting back down across from us.
“Since this is a private agreement, I don’t technically need anything from you beyond your signature. There’s also a contract in there stating that I’m hiring you for in-home care and what you’ll be paid. If you want any changes made, even after you sign, let me know. I’d like to keep things as easy as possible for you.” This guy is too nice for his own good. It’s a wonder he hasn’t been scooped up yet. I bet he’ll make an incredible husband one day, with his soft, understanding demeanor and a smile that makes you feel right at home. He’s like Emmett in that regard…or at least how heused to be. For all I know, he could be a completely different person now.
Shaking the thought from my mind, I open the folder, dragging my eyes down both sheets of paper before filling in the blanks—with myactual name—and scribbling my signature on the bottom. I close everything up, set it downon the coffee table in front of me, and look up at him with a satisfied grin.
“All right, then,” he beams. “Let’s get you moved in.”
FIVE
EMMETT
“Red,eighty-seven! Red, eighty-seven! Set, hut, hut!” Maddox yells over the screaming fans that fill Renegades Stadium. It’s late in the second half, and we lead the Washington Vortex by two touchdowns. Both the offense and defense have been on point all game, working like a well-oiled machine as we run all over the opposition. Thanks to Theo’s second interception of the day, we’re less than half a field away from adding another six points to the scoreboard.
