Page 20 of Reckless

Ten

Jamie

“If you could just lie down on the bed for me. Just a couple of questions and then we’ll get this x-ray taken. Are—”

“No, I’m not pregnant. No, there’s not a chance I am either. So, can we please just get on with it.” Realising how snarky I sounded, I immediately apologise. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude, it’s just that I’m a nurse. I work here, and I’d like to get back to my shift.” I smile at the radiographer.

A short round woman of around 40 years of age. Her hair is pulled back in a tight, severe bun, and I’m pretty sure it’s the reason why she has hardly any wrinkles around her eyes. Beats having a face lift.

“Very well. Lay down on your left side for me, please,” she tells me as she reaches up for the x-ray machine. I climb up onto the bed and shuffle my body so I’m laying straight on my left side, hand beneath me. I place my right arm above my head as the radiographer positions the machine.

Once happy with the positioning, she heads behind her screen to snap a series of x-rays to rule out any fractures. Seems a little pointless given I already know they aren’t broken. I haven’t forgotten how painful broken ribs are since the last time, and this is nowhere near as bad as then.

Back in my cubicle, Dana is waiting with a cup of tea.

“Thanks, Dana.”

“No trouble, Jamie. Come, take a seat and let’s get your cheek cleaned up while we wait for the police to arrive. Is there anyone you want me to call?”

“Nah, I’m good. Let’s get this done so I can get to work.” I sit on the bed as Dana pulls on some gloves and opens the sterile cleaning kit she has on the tray.

“So…you want to talk about it?” Dana asks hesitantly.

“Not particularly. Besides, I’d prefer to only have to tell it once.” She nods in understanding. Then changes the subject.

“It’s my birthday on Saturday, and I’ve managed to score VIP tickets to the new club in town. Tempest, I think it’s called. You fancy tagging along with me?” I immediately shake my head and wonder how she managed to get tickets. “Hey, keep still,” she says before letting out a laugh. “Come on, Jamie. It’ll be fun.” I catch the wink she gives me from the corner of my eye, and there’s a glint of humour in her eyes too.

“I don’t know. I’ve been partying pretty hard lately. I think I need to slow it down a little.”

Dana lets out a full-on laugh at that. “Oh, please. You’ve always been a party girl. What’s changed?” She arches a brow at me. “You going soft on me, Jamie?” When I don’t answer immediately, she pauses her cleaning of my cheek. “Hey, what’s going on? You can talk to me you know.”

I sigh. It’s deep, and my nostrils flare with the exertion. “I—” I pause when I hear my name from somewhere down the corridor. In a matter of seconds, the curtain around my cubicle is shoved aside and in walks Jasper.

“Hey! You can’t come in here. Get—”

“Dana, it’s fine. This is Detective Williams.” I raise my brows in question at the fact a detective was sent for a simple mugging. She huffs, clearly put out by the, somewhat, rude interruption before continuing with cleaning my grazed cheek.

Jasper stands like some kind of sentinel at the end of the bed, watching every move she makes. The protective and possessive look on his face only confirms my earlier thoughts about calling things off with him. And no matter how hard I try to deny how I feel about Seb, or how many other men I sleep with, it’s obviously not working. Or healthy for that matter.

I’m a nurse for god’s sake. I know the signs of PTSD, and the destructive nature of my recent behaviour. Doesn’t mean I’m not as prone as the next person, but I’m at least better placed to see what I’m doing.

What I need to do is stay clear of men, especially one in particular. I need to accept he’s not interested and that our weekend together was nothing more than every other hook up I’ve ever had before and since.

I suck in a sharp breath, wincing as Dana applies a thin layer of antibacterial cream and a dressing.

“All done,” she says, removing her gloves and dropping them on the tray. “You need to wait for the results of the x-rays and for the doctor to give you the all-clear before you leave this cubicle.” I roll my eyes at her bossy tone. “I mean it, Jamie. I don’t want to see you out on the floor until then. And even then, I’d prefer if you went home.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll stay put. Shit me, anyone would think you’re my mother.” My tone is laced with humour, but I don’t do a good enough job of hiding the hurt those words caused.

Dana frowns but doesn’t comment. She reaches into her pocket, pulling out a phone and dropping it into to my hand. “I picked it up from the ground. I take it it’s yours?” I give a nod. “I’ll see you later, and don’t forget about Saturday. I want to see you there in your best party gear,” she says, pointing her finger and me.

“Cheers.” I hold my phone up. “Fine. But I’m not making any promises.” She turns to exit the cubicle. “Thanks, Dana,” I call out, and she gives a wave of her hand as she disappears beyond the curtain, pulling it shut once again.

The atmosphere is a little fraught without Dana acting as a buffer from the interrogation I know is coming. And the conversation that I wish I could avoid. I may be a hard bitch sometimes, but I’m not completely devoid of emotion or heartless, despite what some might think.

“What did I do to earn the special treatment?” I joke but it falls flat given the stern look on Jasper’s face.

“What the hell happened?”

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