Cheaters Anonymous (17 page)

All I got for a response was a moan of pain, but I didn’t think she recognized me. I set the tablet aside, saying, “I see you have some stomach pains. How long has this been going on?”

I pressed into her stomach, gently at first, shifting my hand around the navel in a circular pattern.

“Since last night.”

“Any fever or constipation?”

“No.”

“Any recent surgeries?”

“The last one I had was a C-section, almost thirty years ago.”

“Yes, that’s definitely not the problem.”

I let go of the pressure just underneath her belly button, and she screamed in pain.

“Where did you feel it?” I asked.

“To the right. It shoots to the right. Can you make an old lady young again?”

“You’re still young, Mrs. Watson.” I scrolled through her files. Mrs. Watson hasn’t been to the hospital since the day Brad was born. The scanned paperwork from the clinic was the last record on file.

“Are they up to date on the scanned paperwork?” I asked Olivia, while scribbling an ultrasound requisition. After the fertility clinic beside the hospital had flooded, the administration had been trying to scan whatever was saved into our system to get rid of the hundreds of boxes from the hospital basement.

“Not all, but almost.”

“Good. Mrs. Watson, I believe you may have appendicitis. We’ll draw some blood and send you for an ultrasound. In the meantime, would you like something to help with the pain?”

“Please. Can you call my son? His name is Bradley. We haven’t spoken in a few years, but if I’m going to die, I’d like to clear the slate.”

“You’re not going to die. And Olivia here will take good care of you.”

There was no way I could fulfill her request. Feeling guilty for mixing business with my personal life, I stepped away, wondering whether Olivia would summon Brad to come to the hospital. And if so, how could I avoid him?

I leaned back against the wall, wishing Brad had never shown up in my life.

“Someone’s popular today.” Chris poked me with her manicured finger.

“What are you talking about?”

“Another stud is asking for you. This one’s even hotter, and he won’t have any other doctor see him. Whatever prayer you’re saying, I want dibs. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I think so.” I pushed away from the wall and walked alongside Chris toward the front of the ER.

“I’m gonna need to start keeping track of my business cards. This is an ER. We treat patients based on severity of their injuries – that’s it!”

I wasn’t sure why I was being bothered by the sudden influx of popularity. In the back of my mind was the fact that I’d run into the same asshole three times that week and had my tires slashed that morning, which didn’t ease the anxiety, and now I had his mother asking me to call him. Whatever Karma I had to pay, she was definitely a bitch. If I couldn’t get a grip on this situation, I’d need to take a personal leave. The last thing I wanted was for my work to be affected by my personal life.

“See what this hottie needs and next time feel free to give the hot ones my business cards.”

As we neared the front, I peeked through the glass window of the triage area. Scar was the first one to come into view. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, which I assumed used to be white, which was stained with red blotches.

“Shit.” I left Chris and set out running. In my mind I imagined all the horrible accidents Scar could have been in to get so much blood on himself.
Did he get in a fight? Was he attacked? Did he go after Brad?

I shot through the sliding door and ran to his side. “Scar, are you okay? What happened?”

“This is nothing. I was just in a rush and I tripped.”

I looked closer at his hands and took a whiff. “Wait… this isn’t blood?”

What was Scar doing with so much red paint?

“No, why would it be blood?”

“Because you’re in the ER, Scar, looking like you just had a run-in with Freddie Krueger.”

“It’s paint. I couldn’t just let you go to work when you got your tires slashed this morning. I came here as fast as I could, Jules.” He then eyed me from the bottom up, saying, “You look like a doctor.”

“That’s because I am one. You didn’t have to rush in here right away. As you can see, there’s no fire.”

“A psychopath is way worse than a fire. There’s no trace of Brad. Anywhere. There aren’t a lot of people who can disappear like that.”

Would his mother be able to get in touch with him?

“There’s no need to scare me any more than I already am, but honestly, this place is safe. I promise.”

“How can I not be worried when he’s a freak? He’s obviously stalking you.”

“You don’t even know it was him. Besides, he’s engaged.”

“Who else could it be, then? And a deceitful promise he’s made to one girl doesn’t stop a psycho. He could have lied.”

That was true. After all, I hadn’t actually seen Brad’s supposed fiancée.

“Thank you for letting your concerns out, but I’ll be fine. So you’re not hurt?”

His brows narrowed and his forehead creased. Whatever Scar was thinking, I wasn’t sure I’d like it.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

He sat up straight, his jaw tense. “Don’t be mad when I ask you this, but you didn’t give him a reason to be obsessed with you, did you?”

“Eeww, Scar. How can you even go there?”

“Because it’d be easier to accept his actions. Now I’m really worried. If you told him to fuck off already, and he hasn’t listened, what makes you think he will now?”

“Shh, I’m at work, Scar,” I said without moving my mouth. He could be so frustrating at times.

“I need to see you after work. When do you finish?”

I looked at my watch. “I barely started, and I have another ten hours to go.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting here. Do not leave without me, Jules.”

Did he make those puppy eyes because he knew I would argue against his offer? I could handle this situation on my own. Shit, there wasn’t even any situation to handle! We were overreacting, weren’t we? And if I couldn’t, then I was sure that the pepper spray in my purse would go into use the next time Brad “accidentally” ran into me.

But how could I say no to that face? Scar looked like that plush toy from a fair you wanted to squeeze all night.

“Okay, I’ll meet you here.”

And there were those puppy eyes again. He wouldn’t give up, would he? That irresistible charm he had was like a gift from the garden of perfection. Even in a paint-stained shirt, he looked like the hottest man in the world, and thinking about him for another ten hours before we were together made me wish for a time machine.

“I’ll be out in ten hours.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then.”

I turned on my heel and walked back to the nurse’s station to check on my next patient. Fortunately, time flew by, and Brad never showed up to see his mother. I wanted to call him just so that I could smack him for being an asshole to the woman who had given birth to him. But again, I couldn’t cross that personal and business line.

When my shift finished and I came back out, I froze. Scar was still in the same spot I had left him in. He had on a fresh shirt and was typing on his laptop, and when I came out he looked up with that sexy gaze that was hot enough to burst one of my ovaries on the spot – maybe even both.

Instant swoon.

“Did you stay here the entire time?” I asked.

“Yes. Ace brought me some stuff over.” He pointed to the laptop and his fresh clothes. “I didn’t want to leave you alone.”

As sweet as that sounded, I wasn’t alone. But instead of scowling at him, I smiled. It was one of the nicest things any man had ever done for me.

“Scar, you do know that sick people come to the ER, right? You could catch something.”

“You’re here all the time.”

“My immune system is much stronger than yours. Besides, I’ve had all my vaccines.”

“And what makes you think I haven’t?”

“Is this gonna be one of those conversations where you don’t give up because you must have the last word?”

“I highly doubt that’s even possible with you, Jules.”

“Good.”

He chuckled, took the backpack off my arm, and led me to the parking lot. As I looked around the lot, for a moment I thought I’d parked elsewhere. But that wasn’t possible. I always parked in one of the half dozen spots near the exit.

“I can’t find Zoey’s car,” I said to myself.

“Ace picked it up. You’re coming with me.” Scar pointed to the Hummer we were standing beside.

What?

“I will not take no for an answer.”

I just stood there, dumbfounded, because I’d never had anyone take charge.

“Jules, you can either stay here looking lost, or you can get in my car and let me drive you home. Your sister needed her car. Ace picked it up. End of story.”

Somehow I had a feeling there was much more to this than what Scar was telling me. Still, I stayed in my spot, my sneakers glued to the asphalt. Scar leaned in, with both his arms resting on the hood at the sides of my shoulders. Yeah, like that was going to help me move. He was only inches away, and my heart picked up its rhythm. He pulled his tongue over his plump lips and shivers ran from my mouth down my face and neck as I thought about him covering my mouth. The entire world spun in front of my eyes. I was forgetting where we were. Why was he doing this, standing so close, forcing every inch of my body to respond to him with longing? I’d resisted temptation for over a year. Except now that we were officially dating, Scar was no longer a temptation, was he? Maybe it was a good thing that Scar hadn’t been in my life the past year of recovery, as I was certain I wouldn’t have been able to resist him. And with Scar acting like he wanted to not only touch me, but also to be inside me, I felt weaker every moment. It wouldn’t be long before my body gave in to him.

“Jules, I know you doubt me, and I’m sorry.”

“I don’t. What are you sorry for?” I asked.

His thumb pulled along my lower lip, and my mouth felt dry.

“I’m sorry I haven’t given you enough to believe in me yet. You have every right to be afraid of us and to wonder where this thing that’s happening between us is going. But if you do believe one thing, let it be that I will give my life to protect you. I will do everything in my power to make sure that you’re safe.”

“I’m never afraid when I’m with you. And I do trust you.”

“You’re a good liar, Jules. We both know that trust is earned, and I have yet to earn mine.”

“I’m not lying,” I lied. How could he have been so right? How did he know that I was afraid for our future? Given both our histories with relationships – his none, and all my failed ones before I became a sex addict – how could he be so confident that it would work out for the two of us?

“And I don’t have stupid tattooed on my forehead either.” He gave me one of his sexy winks before opening my car door. “I meant what I said, Jules. I want you to let go and trust me. And you will, eventually.”

“Well, if we’re on this honesty streak, then I think you’re being a bit over-protective.”

“I’m being realistic. Until we know where Brad is, you’re officially under my watch.”

“I think you just want to be close to me.”

“I can’t say that’s not a bonus. But this is serious.”

Each time Scar pointed out my dire predicament, I got goose bumps.

I climbed in on the passenger side. The gigantic seat hugged my hips. Scar leaned in, pulled on the seat belt, and buckled me in. His scent filled my lungs. It was such a mistake breathing him in. That perfect blend of man, a hint of paint and his after shave, might as well have been a hallucinogen. His warm breath covered my arm before he stood up.

“Do I smell bad?” He lifted his arm and took a whiff of his arm pit.

“No, not at all.”

“Then why do you keep holding your breath when I’m near you?”

I exhaled, closed my eyes, and replied with embarrassment. “Because you smell too good.”

“Good. For a moment there, I thought I should buy a new shower gel.”

No, definitely don’t change that.

And then he looked at me with that crooked smile, and I liquefied. Scar just shook his head, walked around to the driver’s side.

“We’re going to my house, right?”

“Of course.”

Why did I get the feeling he wasn’t telling me everything again? I wanted to ask him about his plans for the day, and the remaining red paint stains on his fingers, but got distracted when he took my hand into his and twined our fingers together.

I sighed. It was a good thing Scar wasn’t around at the hospital all the time because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to concentrate.

“You know, I’m not good at this dating thing. I mean, if I’m doing something wrong, you’d tell me, right?” he asked, pulling out of the parking lot.

“You and me both. I’m really the wrong person to ask about dating rules. And if we are dating, doesn’t that mean we should go out on a date? A real one. Without any psychos around.”

“See, I told you I’m not good at this.”

I laughed. “This may shock you, but it’s not like there’s a dating manual we should follow.”

Is there?
No, that would be stupid.

“I don’t like rules.”

“I know that.” I scrunched my brows. “But just to be safe, maybe we should make our own rules?”

“Like it’s ok to sleep on the first date?” he teased, and I just shook my head.

“How about we don’t until at least the second date.”

“I don’t like that one.”

“I didn’t think you would, but I really want there to be a second date.”

He turned his head toward me with the kindest of smiles I had ever seen. “Me too, Jules. Me too.”

Never letting go of my hand, we arrived at my apartment fifteen minutes later. Scar hopped out of the car, opened the trunk, and lifted out a suitcase.

“Are you moving in?” I asked.

“No, you’re moving out.”

“What?”

“Zoey’s already at Ace’s, and I’m not going to have you stay here by yourself when there’s a lunatic on the loose. And please don’t argue with me. I won’t take no for an answer.”

I knew he was keeping something from me!