Chapter Twenty-one
Jen
I sat beside Cal’s bed until I was kicked out by everyone at nine this morning and was now currently in Cal’s bed at home pretending to sleep for Tayla. She had stayed with Axe and played with him all morning until Cassa and Noah brought me home.
“Hey T.” Noah says, but leaves it at that. He can be grateful for what she did for Axe, but I think the line is drawn in the sand with them. Cassa however was far more kind.
“Tay, you holding up okay? You look exhausted.”
She nods and looks at me with tears. “Jen…” She doesn’t know what to say and I get it. I look like hell kicked my ass.
“I know… but let’s keep Axe from seeing it until Noah can explain it to him?” I ask as I fall into the bed.
That was three hours ago and though I was rested, I didn’t sleep like they wanted me too. I couldn’t. It was like every time I felt sleep come on, it lasted briefly before too many images flashed through my mind. Then, it was thoughts of Cal, if he wakes with me not there or worse, something else goes wrong… They swore to me that he was stable and just sleeping the meds off as well as the loss of blood.
Spencer, my rapist the same guy who attacker last night, had stabbed Cal directly in the stomach which caused a lot of blood and damage. The surgeon had told his mom that had the blade been larger he would have bled out.
They were able to repair the hole and get him stable, but that he would have some recovery weakness as his body rebuilt platelets. Even thinking about it had me anxious to get back to the hospital because sitting here was making my anxiety worse.
By the time I made it back to the hospital I had calmed dramatically. I said hello to Shame and Chad who were still half awake, half asleep in the waiting room. I felt awful knowing they were exhausted and went to the nurse’s station to request warm blankets and pillows for them.
Lucy, Cal’s nurse from last night was on shift for the evening again and was happy to get the boys comfortable. “Go ahead and get them situated sweetie, then I will take you back.” She says with a sweet smile.
I open the waiting room door, no one caring to ask for the safe word ‘wood pony’ as Drake knew damn well who I am.
I place the blankets on them as they both sit. “Here are some pillows too.” I say to them both who stretch and avoid sleep while I am there. “I didn’t mean to wake you guys.” I say as I pick up the empty coffee cups, the fuel to how they are still alert even after only a few cat naps.
“You see him yet?” Shamus asks and looks at the clock. “Fuck its six at night?” He asks, Chad making the same surprised notion.
“Yeah, Noah just brought me back. I have been hiding out from Axe. We told him I was sick and that Cal was too.”
“He still with T?” Chad asks.
“Yeah, she’s such a huge help right now. I’m too scared to let Axe see me yet, so Cassa and Carrie are going to tell him we had a car wreck and that we got hurt so he is prepared.” I ramble on and on importance because I am anxious to get the small talk over with and get to my man.
“Did he wake up yet?”
“No. Nobody called me like they said they would if he did.” I say, looking over my shoulder. I bite my lip, instantly regretting it.
They see me flinch and both of them look at me with worry. “Jen, you should be at home resting. I swear we will call you.” Chad says, but I am already shaking my head no.
“I need to be here.” I say in way of all the explanation I can give them. I hug them both, one armed before I leave the room and turn the light off. There is still light from the hallway and the TV, but they need to rest as much as I do. Noah is waiting for me at the nurse’s desk when I come out.
“Where were you?” He asks.
“Shame and Chad are in the waiting room with Drake. They haven’t left.”
He nods, obviously aware. “We have all been here. I left to bring you back.” He says and looks at Lucy. “You ready sweetness?”
She smiles and slaps his hand out of shyness from his sweet talking her.
“Watch out for this one.” She says and eyes Noah which makes us both laugh.
“Don’t I know it. He’s a scoundrel.” I say as we follow her to the door which is locked.
“Only one at a time Mr. Beckett.” She says and looks to him pointedly.
He nods and kisses her on the cheek, making her blush again. I swear he owns this little old lady’s heart.