Bear Shifters: Hunt Collection #1 (20 page)

Chapter Five

The next morning, Cal was the one to discharge Toby. Toby was regretful that he didn’t get Estrella to see him off.

Cal pressed his fingers over the tape on Toby’s chest. “You need to keep the bandage on until this afternoon. Then, if needed, clean it every six hours and re-bandage.”

Toby prepared himself for the onslaught of paperwork he’d been used to filling out. “Do I need to sign anything?”

Cal looked at him. “According to everyone except you, me and Ella, this never happened.”

And Stan
, Toby silently added. He had to trust in someone outside of the Doc, and Stan was a vault. He’d never tell Cal that. Even though they were around the same size, he was sure in his condition, Cal could kick his ass.

“Right,” Toby said instead. He didn’t like Cal’s nickname for Estrella. He enjoyed the way her full name felt on his tongue. It was unique, like her. Though he wondered about their relationship.

“How do you know Dr. Martinez?” Toby asked.

Cal smirked. “We go way back.” He didn’t elaborate further.

Toby allowed Cal to help him up from the bed, but took over when it came to getting dressed. His body was stiff from laying down so long, otherwise he was good. Possibly better than good. He didn’t want to press his luck.

Cal insisted on giving Toby a ride home since he took a cab there the day before at the insistence of keeping the surgery secret. Toby tried to make polite conversation but it was apparent that whatever rapport they had was left at the hospital. Cal turned up the volume of the radio while navigating his car through the downtown streets as swiftly as an Indie 500 driver. Toby allowed himself to relax against the cool leather seat and watch the world fly by. The buildings appeared sharper to him, almost as if he was moving in slow motion, able to take in every single detail of the brick and concrete around him. His euphoria from getting a second chance at life must have been affecting him, slowing down his racing brain to take a clearer look at the world.

They arrived at Toby’s home on the edge of downtown quicker than he expected.

Toby was able to help himself out of the car, feeling stronger with each passing minute. He leaned over, peering into the car. “Thanks for the ride, Cal.”

Cal leaned across the divider between them, his face close enough that Toby could smell the leftover bacon from his egg sandwich. “You heed Ella’s warning or I’m coming for you.”

Was he her bodyguard?
Toby’s gaze darted between Cal’s eyes. “Yeah, I got it.”

Cal sat into his seat and stared in front of him. A small smile touched the corners of his lips. “You enjoy your new life now, ya hear?”

Toby pushed the car door. The second it closed, Cal reversed and sped away.

“What a strange guy,” Toby mumbled. He looked across his freshly mowed lawn and inhaled, taking in the warmth of the sun. The clean scent of the dewy grass filled him with a new impression on life.

A dog barked, jarring him from his thoughts. He whirled around, looking for it. The sound had been right behind him but where was the animal? He inhaled sharply, immediately not knowing why. He scanned the area. He must have imagined it. Maybe hearing things was a side effect from the anesthesia.

Dismissing it, he headed for the front door.

Toby quietly navigated the house for fear of waking Alexa before ten. She demanded twelve hours of sleep. His body warmed thinking of her. As he healed, he would heal their relationship as well. And get back on track.

He went into the guest bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He expected a pale, sickly person to look back at him, but instead the color had returned to his face. He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing the large bandage across his chest. He had to remember to change it later. He turned on the sink and dipped his head under the faucet, scrubbing the hospital out of his hair. After washing his face and quickly moving a damp cloth over his body he headed for the guest bedroom. He’d been sleeping in the guest room on and off over the past weeks when Alexa insisted, so he had a stash of clothes. He pulled on a t-shirt and workout shorts. The small act of changing clothes made him feel like a new man. His body pulsed with energy. Not what he expected, but who was he to complain?

He texted Stan, and twenty minutes later, his friend showed up at the house.

Stan waited until Toby was in the car before asking, “How the hell are you standing right now? Did you do the surgery?”

Toby grinned. “I don’t know. And yes.”

“Holy shit man, my wife makes me watch a lot of Grey’s Anatomy and I’ve never seen a recovery that quick.”

Toby drummed his fingers on the door. “I’m not questioning it.”

“Well if you feel like you’re going to have another episode, a simple warning would be a big help.”

He gave Stan a look. “Just drive.”

Halfway down his street, a chocolate lab bounced up and down, banging its paws along the white-picket fence. Toby’s world slowed down. It barked and the sound shot straight through him. The bark was crystal clear and unmistakable to his ears. That couldn’t have been the dog he’d searched for that morning. Had it run away to his house? By the look of the fence and the electric collar around its neck he knew it couldn’t be the case. Could it? When the dog was out of eyesight, Toby turned in his seat and shook his head. 

“You okay?” Stan asked.

If he never heard those words again from anyone in his life, it would be too soon.

“I’m fine.”

“Where to first?” Stan asked.

“Breakfast? I’m starving.”

Stan pointed his fork at Toby, remains of his French toast speared on the prongs. “You know you can take more time off work if you need to. Call me a pessimist but you should be in bed right now.”

“For the tenth time, I’m fine.” Toby dipped toast into his runny eggs and ate it, savoring each bite. A little moan escaped from his lips. 
Did food always taste this good?

Stan’s eyebrows knitted together. “Okay, bud. Well I’m glad you’re okay.” He checked his watch. “Though I do need to head into the office. I’ve heard enough of you orgasming over your food.”

“Hey, I almost died man, give me a break.” Toby said. “Besides, it’s Sunday. You don’t need to go in.”

Stan snorted. “When did that ever stop either of us?”

It was true. Even though Toby had been counting the days until he could go back to work, he wanted nothing more than to enjoy today. He’d be back at work, fresh and ready to go tomorrow.

Stan picked up the bill from the table and stood up from his seat. “Plus I’m doing both our jobs here.”

Toby got up from the table, finishing his last piece of toast. “Not for long.”

It was closer to ten when Stanley dropped Toby off. With the nutrients from his breakfast and an extra zing in his step, he could deal with Alexa’s wrath for waking her up. He missed her.

He burst into the bedroom. Alexa sat up quickly, her blonde hair a mess atop her head.

“What the hell, Toby?” Her chest heaved.

Toby sat on the edge of the bed. “Sorry to wake you.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost ten.” She checked the clock on the bedside table.

She groaned. “You know I need my sleep.”

He took her hand in his. “I know. I wanted to tell you something.”

“You couldn’t have waited until after I woke up on my own?”

“I’m better.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean ‘better’? The doctor said you had less than a year to live.”

“I enrolled in a trial for a new drug,” he lied. It was something that Cal suggested. Most trials had anonymous recipients so even if anyone wanted to check it out, they wouldn’t be able to. “They’ve already seen incredible improvement. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I wanted to see how the results panned out. ”

She removed her hand from under his and flicked her hair out of her face. “I must still be asleep.”

Toby leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips.

“Morning breath!” she exclaimed, jumping back and slapping a hand over her mouth.

“I don’t care,” he said, almost giddy. “I have a whole new look on life, Alexa. I want us to move past this.”

She shuffled off the other end of the bed and into the ensuite bathroom. Toby heard the rush of water from the faucet and her brushing her teeth. He had imagined a different outcome from her. She should be happy for him. For them.

Toby went into the bathroom. He leaned against the door frame, watching her. “Alexa, please tell me what’s wrong. You’ve been acting strange ever since you got back from your girls getaway.”

She finished brushing and looked at him through the mirror. “This whole situation is stressful. I’ve had to get a massage at least once a week since you were in the hospital. I mean, when someone tells you your boyfriend is dying…”

He went to her side and touched her shoulder. “I get it. That’s past us now.”

She snorted. “You’re in a trial. That’s not a promise you will get better.”

Prickles of heat flitted across his body. “I feel better though. That should be enough.”

She rolled her eyes. “I have to get ready—”

Flames billowed inside of him. He moved, blocking her from the shower, needing her to stop running away from their problems. “Talk to me. I know something is up.”

She held her hands in front of her as if he was going to attack her. He would never hurt her. He only wanted to understand what was going through her head. Tears welled in her eyes. “I need to go. We can talk later okay?”

Her wobbly voice struck him inside, drenching his heat with ice. He tried to steady his breath. “Okay.”

He left the bathroom and headed into the guest bathroom. He grabbed the glass he’d left there the other night and filled it with water. He almost lost it in there. He’d never felt that angry before. What had come over him? The incision under his bandage itched as if a thousand fire ants were crawling under his skin. He lifted his shirt over his head and picked at the edge of the tape, slowing pulling it away from his body. The air against his chest was like a salve over the wound.

His skin ran cold when he looked in the mirror at his chest. The itching sensation had evaporated yet his body was nothing like he imagined. Where there should have been an ugly, raw cut, there was only his unblemished shaved chest. He blinked a few times, not understanding. He had been sore after the surgery. Hadn’t he? It seemed impossible that he’d be free of evidence of the surgery. He smoothed his fingers over his chest, feeling for anything. Instead he looked and felt like he did before the first incident. He should have been over the moon that his body was healed. The idea that he would have healed that quickly was preposterous. Something had either gone wrong or he’d been duped into believing he had surgery at all.

Chapter Six

Toby waited until Alexa left the house before calling Estrella. His mind worked on overdrive and his body broke out in that prickly heat again. Something was off and he had a terrible feeling that it wasn’t his heart. The office number rang several times before connecting to an automated message. When the voice mail option came on, Toby clicked it. After the beep he was rendered speechless. He wasn’t sure who was going to listen to the message and Estrella had asked him to keep everything secret. If he never had the surgery then he had nothing to keep a secret about. He tripped over his words and left a vague message about Dr. Martinez calling him back as soon as possible.

He didn’t have to wait long to hear back. An unknown number called him back within minutes.

“Hello?” Toby answered.

“Toby?” Estrella asked. “Is everything okay?”

He ran his sweaty fingers through his hair. “Not really, Doc. I went to change my bandage and there’s nothing there.”

There was a shuffling sound on the other end, followed by a door closing. “What do you mean there’s nothing there?” she said in a low voice.

He placed a hand on his chest as if she could see him doing it. “No wound. No dried blood. Nothing. How is that possible?”

Estrella sighed. “Toby, you’re fine. We used a scar reducing medication after the surgery. It’s been proved to be quite effective.”

Toby stopped pacing and looked down at his chest. Scar-reducing? He didn’t even see a hint of
anything
.

“Also,” she started, “Surgeries now are more efficient through technology. Our incisions are smaller which makes healing time quicker.”

With Toby’s avoidance of doctors, it was beyond him to argue with his doctor. His breathing slowed and he was finally able to calm his mind. “Thanks, Doc. Sorry for the frantic phone call.”

“It’s not a problem. Actually, since your case is a little more sensitive, why don’t you take down my cell number and call me direct next time.”

She rattled off the number as he jotted it on a notepad. He sat on the stool next to the island and dropped his head into his hand. “Sorry again, Doc.”

“Toby,” she said sternly. “Stop saying you’re sorry. It was perfectly fine of you to call me. I’m here for you as long as you need me. This situation is different than my other patients.”

His shoulders dropped. He should have ended the conversation but there was something in her voice that calmed him.

“Is there something else?” she asked as if reading his mind.

He wanted to tell her how upset he was with Alexa and how she was handling the situation. He couldn’t talk to Stan without hearing how he
really
thought of her. Estrella wasn’t his therapist though. “No. Nothing at all.”

“Have you noticed anything else that you’re concerned about?”

The dog down the street popped into his head, but he didn’t want to sound crazy for mishearing the distance between him and the dog. Besides, it had nothing to do with his heart.

“Nope.”

“Well, be sure to call me about anything else.”

“Will do, Doc.”

“Bye,” she said then hung up.

He held the phone, holding onto the echo of her voice in his ear like a lifeline.

Relax, you’re not crazy
. He touched his chest thinking of the bandages in the bathroom. There was no need for them now.

#

The first few days of work, Toby was treated like a novelty at the office, but soon everyone was all about business. Which was fine by Toby. By keeping busy playing catch-up with his clients, he was able to put his home-life to the side. Alexa hadn’t been sleeping at the house and was vague about needing space. More space. As if she was the only one in the situation about him almost dying.  His plan to rekindle their relationship was failing miserably. He had to do something.

A delivery man walked down the hall carrying several bags of food for lunch and an idea popped in Toby’s head. He picked up his phone and sent a quick text, asking Alexa to meet him at the house that night.

He waited for her response while he continued working. He probably checked his phone more times than necessary in five minutes but a short “fine” appeared on his screen almost a half-hour later.

Stan appeared in his doorway, further improving his mood. “How about Waffle House for lunch?”

Toby’s stomach growled even though he’d only ate an hour ago. “Sounds good.”

“Are you allowed to work out this early after getting a new heart?” Stan asked.

Toby took a bite of his hamburger. “I’m not working out yet.”

Stan raised his eyebrows. “You’re eating like an MMA fighter before a match.”

Toby looked down at his three plates of food; hamburger, hash browns, chili bowl and a cheesesteak melt. He had no other excuse than, “I’m hungry.”

Stan glanced around the room uneasily. “Damn, bud, you should slow down or you’re going to jump back on that list.”

Toby put his food down and wiped his face. He couldn’t explain to his friend that his increased appetite was completely normal. He’d called Estrella about it the night before. She assured him that his body was working hard to recover. “If I start to get fat, I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

Stan grinned. “Damn right I will. On the other hand, maybe I’d be the more attractive friend if you did get bigger.”

“Can I run something by you?” Toby asked.

“Sure.”

“It’s about Alexa.” Toby sensed Stan was trying to hold back and eye roll or possibly an overdramatic groan, so he continued speaking before he saw or heard it. “I’m going to do a special dinner for her tonight. We’ve been off a bit lately.” Stan snorted and Toby ignored it. “I’m going to get takeout from Giovanni’s but I’m wondering what else I can do.”

“Other than dump the broad?”

Toby glared at his friend. “I’m being serious.”

Stan opened his hands in a surrendering gesture. “Okay. Had to get that out of me. Does she like flowers?”

“She’s allergic.”

“Chocolate?”

“Her diet is allergic.”

Stan sat back in his seat, contemplating his next words. “My wife likes simple. Candles and wine. I have a feeling Alexa isn’t so simple. So maybe do the candles and wine with an accessory or two.”

Toby knew what he meant by accessory. Thinking about it, Toby was known for giving Alexa gifts on the regular. She was definitely due for something and he knew exactly what would cheer her up.

“Thanks, Stan.”

“Whatever, man,” Stan said with a wink.

After work, Toby went to the jewelry store. The sales associate helped him pick out her favorite ‘I’m sorry’ necklace and earrings set. He didn’t have much to be sorry for, except having a heart defect. He didn’t get into it though. He found himself distracted by the overuse of her perfume. It stung his nose so much that he had to excuse his sneezing for allergies. He tried to hold his breath as much as possible without offending her.

When paying for the jewelry, the associate swiped the card three times. “It keeps saying declined.” Her cheeks were bright red as if she were the one with the bad credit card.

He checked if the card was expired but it wasn’t. He handed her his emergency credit card and it went through without trouble.                 

The woman visibly sighed with relief.

He took his package and left the store, stopping at a nearby bench and taking a seat. He opened his bank mobile app and checked the statement from his credit card. He scrolled through the list of charges and almost dropped the phone. Thousands had been charged to his account over the last few weeks. Namaste Spa. Chez Pierre. Isabelle’s Jewelry.

Immediately he thought his credit card had been stolen. He recognized the name of the French restaurant. He’d taken Alexa there months before. She had mentioned she’d been getting massages lately too. His skin prickled again and a low rumble resonated in his throat. He didn’t want to believe it, but with her being distant, he knew she was doing something with her time. While he’d been dying, she went off and spent his hard-earned money. Up to that point he’d never blinked at any of the charges she made. She enjoyed getting her nails done and shopping. He made enough to give her that. But this was too much. It crossed a line that he never imagined she would.

He fisted the bag in his hand and shot up from the bench. Heat flushed through his body and for the first time since the surgery he felt his new heart pounding in his chest. He stalked to his car, threw the bag into the passenger seat and sped away.

#

The electronic dashboard of the treadmill touched six miles before Toby heard Alexa calling for him. Adrenaline had steadily coursed through him as the day progressed and he intended for the run to calm his mind and rid himself of excess energy, though it had done the opposite. He was even more pumped up than he had been. He turned the machine off and dried the sweat from his face with a towel. He waited a few seconds for his breathing to slow. He wanted to go into the conversation clear-headed. Though his blood was on the boiling point.

Alexa stood in the living room, her mouth pinched as if she were sucking on a lemon. Her fingers pinched the stem of a glass of wine. “Since you didn’t come out right away, I thought I would get started. What’s for dinner?” She looked him up and down, her eyes narrowing. “You could at least have showered before I got here.”

He crossed the room into the kitchen. “Nice to see you too.” He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water, gulping it down in seconds.

Alexa’s heels clicked over the tile towards him.

He paused where he was, knowing her Kryptonite was anytime she was ignored.

When he turned around, she was leaning over the bags of prepared food from Giovanni’s, her cleavage clearly visible from the micro shirt she wore. Was that a new purchase too? She glanced at him, fully aware of what she was doing.

A warmth spread through him. A part of him had the urge to bend her over the island and take her right then and there.

The clink of the wine glass on the marble counter, broke his concentration. He was thinking with the wrong part of his body. He needed to focus on the conversation at hand, for now.

She lifted one of the containers from the bag. “This looks delicious. I hope you remembered to the tiramisu.”

“It’s in the refrigerator.” He crossed the kitchen to stand at her side. “First I want to talk about my credit card.”

“What about it?” she asked sharply.

Tension pulled at his muscles. She was grating at his nerves. “What about it? How about you maxing
my
credit card with frivolous charges?”

She forced a smile. “You never complained before.”

He inhaled sharply. “I never complained before because I was with you when we went out to eat. I did couples massages
with
you.” he stepped closer to her, invading her personal space. He smelled her shampoo and perfume. The expensive ones from France
he
bought her for Christmas. “You used to ask. I only found out because I was getting you a gift.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “A gift?”

He leaned away from her. Was that all she cared about? Had she always been like this? Self-absorbed. Greedy.

Speaking of greedy
.

He spoke through gritted teeth. “You maxed out my credit card a week ago. How have you been paying for anything?”

She tugged at the hem of her shirt that barely reached her mid-drift. “That’s none of your business.”

“It is my damn business!” His fist slammed on the island. “It’s my fucking money, Alexa. You do shit all day and I’ve never complained. I almost died. Died! And you’re off fucking around with your airhead friends without a care in the world.”

Alexa skittered backwards, her foot catching on the leg of the stool. She started to go down when Toby lunged and grabbed her arm, pulling her upright.

A pained squeal broke out of her. “Let go of me!”

He let go of her, unaware of what her problem was. They were arguing but he didn’t want her to crack her skull on the floor.

She grabbed at her arm, coddling it like it was broken. “You scratched me!”

Four red lines marred her milky white skin on her arm. He looked at his hand, his nails were longer than usual. He hadn’t even noticed they had grown. “I didn’t mean to. You were falling.”

“I’m perfectly able to walk by myself.” Her ankles wobbled as she walked on her six-inch heels.

Toby stared at his hand. His nails were sharp and pointed at the tip. How were they longer than they were seconds ago?
What the hell?

“I’m out of here,” Alexa said, shuffling to the door. She’d taken off those stilts for heels. “You can talk to me when you’re not so violent.”

That word stopped him in his tracks. Never in a million years would he hurt a woman on purpose. Tonight he’d lost control with the woman he supposedly loved and hurt her. He allowed her to leave. And when the door slammed, it rattled the house and his body, straight to his core.