Page 73 of Hesi-Dating
"I'm going down there," Bruno announced. "I'm going to kill that old fart for touching her."
"We better go too," Marino said to me. "Got to make sure she's okay and that Bruno doesn't end up in jail." Louder he said, "We can take my car."
Crowded into Marino's POS sedan, he turned it over and it didn't catch. He tried several more times.
"Fuck this," Bruno got out and stalked to his car. I ran after him to make him wait for Marino.
All I could do was hug myself in a daze as I sat in the backseat of Bruno's hatchback. The backseat served as Bruno's trashcan. Every turn threw old plastic bottles and discarded fast food bags on me.
After ten minutes of Bruno speeding recklessly, we pushed into the lobby of the clinic, which was in absolute chaos. It reeked of sweat, spilled soda, and hospital cleanser. So many people there were up in arms over the treatment of Amber.
I searched until I found her. I couldn't get to Amber fast enough.
"Are you okay?" I hugged her. She seemed fine, although overwhelmed by the people.
"What’re you doing here?" Amber pushed out of the hug. "What are all of you doing here?"
"We were watching the live interview on TV until it cut out. Bruno flipped out. It took us longer to get here because Marino’s car wouldn’t start."
"Where’s that old bastard so I can beat the hell out of him?" Bruno demanded.
"Chill." Amber grabbed Bruno's wrist when he acted like he was about to stomp to the back of the clinic.
More sirens and lights outside as a sheriff’s car pulled in. Into the lobby came a deputy I didn't know.
Bruno shouldered in close to Amber. "Where’s the fucker?"
People shouted, demanding to see Kovac.
A shrill whistle pierced the lobby and the commotion ceased. Seth yelled, "All right, folks. The show’s over. Dr. Hardin is fine. There was a little drama, but everyone is fine. Since there’s no fire, if all firemen can please return to their station, that’d be helpful." He pointed at the uniformed deputy. "Rick, I’m not sure why you came, but now that you’re here, let’s clear the lobby and keep non-clients out."
"Bruno, dial it back. If you paid attention while watching on TV, then you saw that I handled it," Amber said.
"They cut out before I could see more than you going for him," Bruno grumped.
The lobby chaos grew more organized.
"I got him." Amber grinned in a cocky way we rarely saw from her. "I kicked him in the nuts after Ian punched him."
Bruno said, "Always knew I liked that boyfriend of yours."
"No comment on my good aim?" Amber smiled.
I jumped in to hug Amber again, needing the reassurance of physical contact that she was okay. "I was so scared. Your job isn’t supposed to be life-threatening. Are you sure your job’s okay? That this doesn’t put you in danger of getting fired?"
"I’m sorry you got worried."
"Hey, Joley. How about we give Amber a bit of breathing room?” asked a deep, familiar voice.
All the air left the space around me. My heart battered my ribs and left my lungs struggling to function. I couldn't stop staring at Seth. The chaos around us dropped away. It was just us and a dollop of regret mixed with forbidden wants. The potent combination made me realize I was just a girl who didn't have the strength or wisdom to run away from the guy who'd turn my life upside down.
I allowed myself a moment of shock until the danger of us being here in public and potentially on candid camera twisted my stomach. If Nosh saw, he'd kill Seth. Maybe me too. There were so many cameras here that, of course, he would see it. I had to hope it wouldn't be today.
"What’re you doing here?" I forced myself to take a few breaths. It didn't help get me together.
"It's a long story."
"You'll make sure Amber is all right?"
