Taking Chances (Blackrock Book 2) (3 page)

I
don’t know what the hell to think. “She said late but she
also said she was sure.”

Knox
runs his hand through his hair. “Well no one has seen her in
weeks so we need to find out if she is or not,” he says and I
can see the disappointment in his eyes.

“I’m
sorry, Knox. I was careful, I swear. I know I fucked everything up
now.”

He
pats my cheek. “Don’t worry about it. Our plans are still
in place; they just might take a little longer.” I know he is
trying to be positive but I don’t see it working at all.

“Hey
can I have my phone?”

Knox
frowns. “It got smashed. I’ll get you a new one.”

My
heart sinks. “That was a new one. Jesus, can this shit get any
worse?” I groan.

“Yeah, bro, it sure can.”
Knox sounds wary so I look at him with raised eyebrows. “Okay,
do you want the bad news or the fucking bad news?”

“Awe,
Knox, what now?” I don’t know how much more bad news I
can take.

“Well,
let’s start with the bad news.” He claps my shoulder.

“Okay,
so the bad news is your brand new $500 phone is gone, your girl may
be with child and you only have half your hair.”

I
am listening to him rattle on until I hear the last part and my hands
fly to head, feeling my hair.

“What
the fuck, Knox!” I shout and he laughs at me, taking a picture
with his phone and turns it so I can see myself.

I
look like shit. I have half a shaved head; the remains of two black
eyes, and my lips are cracked and dry. Handing Knox his phone back, I
sigh.

“Bring me a razor bro
please.” He nods, smiling at me. “And what is the fucking
bad news?” I ask, not really wanting to hear anymore.

He
lets out a long breathe. “Dad is here. He has been since New
Year’s Eve.” I am stunned, my mouth gaping like a fish as
I look at my brother. He nods.

“So
how many stitches did you give him this time? And why is he not in
the bed next to me?”

Knox
laughs, making me laugh which hurts like a mother.

“Owe don’t make me
laugh,” I say through my teeth.

“Sorry,
bro. No, I honestly couldn’t be bothered. I just wanted to make
sure you were okay.”

“Are you sure, Knox? I know
we didn’t leave on good terms with him.”

He
looks at the wall for a long time before answering.

“Yeah,
I don’t want to hear what he has to say about that day; I just
want to move on with my life. I have you and Bailey and that’s
all I need.” He shrugs, messing with the zipper on his hoodie.

“Okay
if you are good with, that then so am I,” I say to him, knowing
he is not good at all.

We
talk about everything and nothing for about an hour before my dad
walks through the door. Seeing him brings mixed emotions. I am happy
to see him because he is my dad and it’s been a long time but
on the other hand, the day we left flashes through my mind, making me
hate him all over again on behalf of my brother. He notices I am
awake and rushes over to my side.

“Son,
how are you feeling? Do you need a doctor?” he asks touching my
forehead.

“No,
Dad, I am fine. Knox already got me a doctor when I first woke up”

My
father looks at Knox. “Why didn’t you call me when he
woke up?”

Knox
has his back to him and I can see the tension in his jaw. He gets off
the bed he turns. “I don’t have your number.”

My
dad looks at him. “It has never changed; it’s still the
same.”

Knox
shrugs, grabbing my hand. “I’ll see you later, bro. I’m
glad you’re awake.” He says and I pull him down to me,
hugging him.

“Okay,
bring me something to fix my hair and I need a phone,” I say,
letting him up.

He
ruffles my half hair. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Before
he leaves my dad reaches into his wallet, taking out some cash. “Here
Knox, get your brother a phone,” he says, holding out the cash
but Knox refuses it, so I take it from my dad and push it into my
brother’s hand. I know he can’t afford to buy me a new
phone.

“I
want the same model or a better one if it’s out.” I
smile.

Knox
shakes his head. “I’ll get you a dinosaur.” He
laughs, walking out of the room.

My
dad sits down beside the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Like
I got hit by a car,” I say and he laughs at me.

“Yeah
I guess you would. I am happy you’re awake.”

I
nod laying my head on the pillow,

“So
how did you know I was here?” I ask, turning my head a little.

“The
hospital called me; I am down as your emergency contact on your
insurance,” he replies, leaning back in his chair and I watch
as he puts his ankle over his other knee.

“Really
I thought I had Knox,” I say and he looks at me.

“You
do but I am a secondary and they didn’t know which of you it
was.”

“Sorry,
that must have been a shit phone call to get.”

He
snorts. “Yeah, I just hope it never happens again.”

I
can see the stress on his face as he looks at the heart monitor. “So
what’s the deal with you and Knox?” I ask him.

“What
do you mean?”

“Dad,
come on; it’s been forever and you haven’t even bothered
to contact either of us.”

What
the fuck does he think I mean? I am laying here in a bed where I
can’t move and he is starting this shit with me.

“I
have told your brother this. I did come see you but George kept
turning me away on more than one occasion.”

I
am not sure if I believe him but I can see my uncle doing something
like that.

My eyes are getting heavy now.
“I’m tired.” I say, closing my eyes.

I
wake to a noisy nurse fixing my bed and rattling around the room.
“Morning handsome,” she says when she sees me open my
eyes.

“Morning,
what time is it?” I ask closing, my eyes again and I can hear
her chuckle.

“Well
sugar, it’s about that time,” she answers cryptically.

“What
time would that be?” I ask this crazy nurse.

“It’s
time for your sponge bath, sugar.”

My
eyes fly open, looking around and see that she has pulled over all
the curtains.

“Eh,
that’s okay. I can get my brother to fix me up later,” I
say slightly petrified.

She
lets out a hearty laugh. “Don’t you worry, sugar. You
isn’t got nothin I ain’t already seen,” she says
pulling away my blankets.

I
look down for the first time, noticing I have scaffolding around my
lower stomach and hips.

“What’s
that for?” I ask her and she looks at me for a minute before
answering.

“That
baby is so you don’t move and hurt yourself more. When your
body is ready to walk again then it will come off.”

I
am slightly confused by what she has said but even more afraid as she
pulls my hospital gown up. Jesus, I can’t feel anything down
there so I hope my junk is behaving. I watch as she takes the sponge
out of the water and starts washing me down like I am a Buick. She
looks over at me smiling, holy Jesus,
please
don’t be hard please, don’t be hard
,
I chant to myself. This nurse is about as old as Peggy. I am sure she
does not want to see me in my morning glory.

She
pulls down my gown thankfully, and then nods at me.

“You
should at least buy me dinner before you salute me, sugar.” She
chuckles as I feel my face go on fire.

Well
at least I know I still work. She moves around to the other side,
starting with my right arm.

“So
how long have you worked here?” I ask her, trying to be polite
but she laughs again.

“Twenty
years and loving every minute.” I can see the happiness written
all over her face as she continues to wash my arms and chest. “Who’s
that sugar?” she asks, pointing to my chest.

“Oh
my mom, she passed a few years ago.”

She
pats my tattoo. “Sorry to hear that.”

When
she is done with my chest, she wipes my face.

“I
need to do your back but it will hurt a bit to sit up okay, sugar?”
she asks and I nod as she puts her arm across my chest then leavers
me forward.

“Jesus,”
I say through clenched teeth.

“Okay
hold on, baby, almost done,” she says working quickly and then
lays me down. I can feel the sweat on my brow and I’m breathing
hard. “It’s okay, I got you,” the nurse says as she
wipes my face again.

“Can
I ask your name?”

She
smiles at me. “Well, sugar, I think I might be a bit old for
you.” She winks, making me smile. “It’s May,
sugar.”

I
lift up my hand. “Hi May I’m Max, nice to meet you.”
She slaps my hand away hugging me.

“Now
don’t you worry, nurse May will take good care of you Max.”
She is quite the lady, nurse May.

“Thank
you,” I say and she smiles as she pulls back the curtains.

“Any
boy who puts his Mama’s name on his body can’t be that
bad.” She winks as she leaves the room.

My
whole lower stomach is killing me from that little movement and fear
is beginning to set in. What if I can’t walk again? What if
things are worse than I thought? I close my eyes, praying that I will
walk again as I let sleep take me. I feel some one touching my hand
rubbing my knuckles and I know it’s a woman because the hands
are small. Opening my eyes, I see Bailey sitting in the chair reading
while holding my hand

“Hey
sis,” I croak and her head springs up.

“Max!”
She jumps up, hugging me. “Oh thank god, I missed you.” I
hug her back the best I can before she stands up and she is smiling
at me “Hey, I have a few presents for you.” She pulls her
backpack up onto the chair and begins looking through it. First she
takes out a new phone. “Ta da,” she sings, handing it to
me. Then she whips out a hair clippers and waves it at me and finally
she takes out a box, putting it behind her back.

“What’s
that?” I nod to her.

“How
much do you love me?” she asks smiling.

“How
can I answer that without getting my ass kicked by Knox?” I
respond and she laughs.

“It’s
okay, I won’t tell him,” she says laughing.

“I
love you like the sister I never had.”

She
rolls her eyes at me. “Pussy,” she calls me, making me
laugh.

“Shit
Bailey, don’t make me laugh,” I say, holding my stomach.

“Okay,
calm down, Evil Knievel.” She holds out the box, which is full
of steam.

Taking
it, I open the lid to find a huge slice of Knox’s lasagna.
“Okay, I love you. It’s official, if you weren’t my
brother’s girl, I’d kiss you right now.”

Bailey
laughs and reaches into her bag, bringing out a fork then leans over
kissing my cheek. “I am glad you’re okay, Max, really.”

“Thanks
sis,” I say, digging into my food.

When
I am done eating she closes the door and curtains.

“What are you doing?”
I ask and she smiles her evil villain smile at me, waving the
clippers.

“I
am cutting your hair.”

I
hold up my hands. “No way, Bailey. I’ll wait for Knox.”
There is no way I am letting that crazy chick near me with a razor.

“Don’t be a baby,
Max. I used to do this all the time,” she says looking serious.

“Really?”
I ask, thinking that it would be okay.

“Ha!
Hell no, what do you think I am,” she says, turning on the
clippers.

Oh
what the hell, I nod and she gets to work. About five minutes later
she takes a picture with her phone and shows it to me. It looks good.

“Thanks
sis.”

I
rub my head; it’s feels weird not having hair.

“You
look bad ass,” Bailey tells me.

“Thanks,”
I yawn as she packs up her stuff.

“Okay
hot stuff, I will see you tomorrow,” she says, hugging me
again.

“Hey
Bailey, what day is it?” I ask and she laughs.

“It’s
Thursday, Max. Knox is covering all your shifts at the bar and your
uncle is making waves about some shit so I am heading that way now.”

“Okay
sis, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She
waves then leaves me alone. I pick up my new phone and swipe the
screen to see Knox has all my info on it already.

“Love
you bro,” I say to the phone. I scroll through my contacts and
press Paige, listening to it ring.

“Hello”
she answers and, man, she sounds like shit.

“Hey
angel.” Is all I can get out before I hear her crying.

“Max?
Is that really you?” she sobs down the phone.

“Yeah
angel, it’s me. Can you come visit me? I miss you.”

She
is quiet for a long time and I have to take the phone away from my
ear to make sure the call is still connected.

“Paige,
you there?” I ask listening closely.

“Yeah
I’m here. I will come by in a little while.”

I
am about to ask her when, but she hangs up on me.

*****

Bailey

I
walk into George’s bar at eight o’clock,

“Hey babe.” I wave to
Knox who is looking bored.

“Ugh!
Thank god, now I have someone to talk too,” he says, grabbing
me around the waist.

“Talk,
huh?” I ask, pressing my lips to his and he smiles.

“Yep
talk.” He kisses me again, slowly tasting my mouth with his
tongue.

“Mmm,
you’re beautiful, Darlin’,” he says, smiling at me
and his emerald eyes are shining in the amazing way that they do.

“I
love you,” I say pressing myself into him.

“Naughty,
naughty Darlin.” He pushes his hips into me, letting me feel
his arousal. We are in our own world when we hear a cough. I pull
away and he adjusts himself. Turning to the bar, we see his father
sitting on a stool.

“What
do you want?” Knox asks not too nicely.

“A
beer.”

Knox
pulls one from the fridge, handing it to him then goes about making
me a Jack and Coke.