Chapter 29

Candice
I walk into work the next day determined that today is going to be a good day. After I took a four-hour nap yesterday, I was awoken by my mom leaning over my bed with homemade peanut butter cookies, my favorite, apologizing to me. Once we made up, we ate the delicious stew she had made from scratch and binge watched some Netflix. When I awoke this morning, it was excessively gloomy outside, but I told myself that I would not let the weather get me down. I am determined to have a great day.
"Hey, listen I have an important client in right now. He and his wife were attacked early this morning in their home. Do me a favor and check in on him now and then but when he awakens let me know." Melissa says popping her gum, sitting on her desk.
Melissa started working here a few months ago and she is what one might call…well…lazy. She is flat out rude and thinks she is better than everyone else. She usually only wants to take care of the c-list celebrities that we get in. I've had to remind her several times that she needs to do her job regardless of who comes in those doors.
"Melissa, we have talked about this. You do not pick and choose who you want to work on, I assign us our patients based off our skills." I say putting emphasis on the I. Sometimes I have to let my Irish roots come out.
"Please Candice, I really want this one. It isn't because he's famous, it's more to do with the fact that he has a rare case. I want to challenge myself." She says with a fake smile. Her glitter around her eyes shining from the florescent lighting.
I just shrug. I guess it can't hurt. I'll read up on the files and have a look at his and his wife's condition. Melissa is a good nurse, but she is not a big people person, if they complain I'll assign them someone else. Once she nods back with a grim look of satisfaction, I head towards my office. When I was promoted to head nurse I was so excited. It was perfect timing as well because my mother and I really needed the money.
I walk into my office, put my jacket and purse on the coat hanger and sit at my desk. Once my computer is fired up I start looking at the assigned list of patients. I'm scrolling down when I notice Melissa's name is only on one patient today. The patients name is blocked out and the word unknown is there instead. Strange. I click on the file and my heart stops. Jared Nicholas Cole. It says here that he and his wife were attacked in their home and that he suffered damage to his head and trachea. He has been out of surgery for a couple hours now.
I stand quickly letting my chair roll back until it hits the back wall. My hands are trembling on my desk. My God. He is only a mere hundred feet away from me right now. I could literally just walk into his room right now. I mean it's highly likely that he is still resting from the surgery, but I could still do it. If he awoke while I was in there I could just pretend I don't know him. After all, he has no idea who I am. While I sit there and contemplate what I plan on doing, I hear a voice from across the room.
"Don't even think about it." Ben says from the door. His arms are crossed, and he is leaning on his right shoulder that is against the door frame.
He comes all the way inside and closes the door after him. I just stare daggers at him. I knew I shouldn't have told him what went down last year. The day after I confronted Nicholas Cole, I had come into work and both Ben and Lyla asked me all day what was going on with me. It wasn't until the last hour of my shift that I broke down and told them everything. Ben is currently making me regret that damn heart to heart.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I say quickly pulling my chair back over to my desk to sit. I'm a terrible liar, grandma would be so ashamed.
"Oh, don't give me that crap Candy." The man can't even say shit.
He walks closer to my desk until he is leaning down looking at me with his palms on the desk. Ben is huge. He is built like a giant. There is no doubt in my mind this man played football back in high school. I guarantee he dated the cheerleader too. I narrow my eyes at him hoping his mouth will somehow fall off, so he can't speak.
"Don't squint your eyes at me like that either. I know you want to see this man. I know you want to be able to talk to him, but we both know what will happen if you do. This hospital can't take it and neither can your stress level." He says sounding like a walking yawn.
"I know Ben. I know. You're right. I guess I just wanted to meet him. Be able to speak to him or something but, you're right. I need to keep my distance." I say hoping he will fall for my deception.
Ben holds my stare for a few seconds but eventually breaks it and with a stiff head nod, he walks back out of my office and leaves. I slowly stroll over to my door making sure he is not still in the nurse's lounge. When I see that it is clear I head over to Jared's room. Ben is right I shouldn't be testing things. This hospitals reputation cannot be tainted. Nicholas has already threatened the hospital if Jared is made aware of my situation. I just want to see him for a second. I stop outside of his door and notice the previous nurse Michelle must have left his chart on the door. We normally leave that for Dr. Toring, which means Ben hasn't been here yet. I grab it quickly and walk inside. I'm peering at it in shock. Shows that Jared has some kind of head trauma which lead to short term memory loss. Are you kidding me? Amnesia? I briefly wonder what that could mean when I hear a throat clear. Holy shit. I glanced up swiftly and see Jared Cole looking right at me.
I am at a loss of what to do. I have to remind myself that he doesn't know me. The one time we have ever talked he was drunk and I never introduced myself. I walk up to his bed slowly and smile. I am not sure what he remembers or what he knows. For all I know he could not know who he is. I've never seen a case of amnesia before. I need to hurry and address him before Ben makes his rounds and hits this room.
"Hi, I'm nurse Candice. I'll be the one taking care of you." I say with a skittish voice. He gives me a look of confusion and it dawns on me that he doesn't know why he is in here. "Do you know why you're here?"
He shrugs his shoulders and I rush over to him. He needs to know what is going on and be informed of his injuries. People in this state of mind can hurt themselves easily. I walk over to his left side and pick up his jug of water. While reading his chart that Michelle left I noticed there was a page about his trachea. I am guessing it was damaged in the attack. Hence the surgery.
"Try and take it easy Mr. Cole." I cringe at calling him that. Reminds me too much of his father. My father, the man I hate. The man that ruined my life. "Slow sips now." I say in a gentle tone.
I can't help but stare at his features. Jared looks a lot like Nicholas. Same brown hair, same bone structure, same blue eyes. When he's finished I put the jug back on the little nightstand and sit on his bed. This is not something that is appropriate in the workplace for us, but I feel like this is the only time it will ever just be the two of us. I finally have him and he may not have any idea who he even is.
He gives me a timid look and I decide to no longer wait for Ben and question him myself. I already know I will be in trouble for coming in here but clearly, he has no idea who I even am. Ben can be upset but he won't fire me. I hope.
"Mr. Cole, do you remember anything?" I ask hoping he will at least know who he is.
I can tell he is about to tell me with ease when the door opens. Ben walks in and looks at me in shock. I jump off the bed and look down. I am a little embarrassed at my blatant lie to Ben earlier. He may be a boy scout, but he is still a good friend and boss. I shouldn't have lied to him.
"Mr. Cole, you're awake. My name is Dr. Toring." Ben states. I know he is trying to melt me with his laser eyes right now, so I am not even going to turn around.
Jared gets ready to speak when Ben holds up his hand. Jared has a defeated look on his face and it reminds me so much of myself when people cut me off. Seems my stubbornness I get from my father's side. Ben explains to Jared everything that he underwent in surgery and about Dr. Jones. I see Jared's eyes get bigger and bigger as Ben tells him everything. Lyla and I have told Ben on numerous occasions that he needs to stop being so direct with patients. Instances like this are hard for people to hear about their surgery in such detail. The man desperately needs to work on his bedside manner.
I hear Jared ask Ben what happened with him, ignoring Ben's direction to not speak. Ben exhales loudly and goes to sit on the bed on the opposite side I just got up from. Ben explains his amnesia to him and how it all works. The entire time he is speaking I give Jared a solemn look. I hate that he has to go through this. This cannot be easy to hear but at least he knows who he is. He keeps glancing at me like I am going to make it all better and I can't take it anymore. I walk up closer to him and take his hand in mine. Again, not necessarily appropriate but I don't care. He needs a gentle touch right now.
"Jared, you were attacked in your home last night by three thugs. They tried to kill you, they almost succeeded. If it weren't for an appointment, you would have been." I say in a compassionate tone. The chart explained their whole situation, including the fact that they will both have investigators coming in to speak with them as soon as we deem they are up for questioning.
I can tell he is once again about to speak but the door opens. Melissa walks through and gives me the evil eyes. What is her problem? She told me to check in with him. I wasn't going to leave him alone when he woke up with amnesia just to yell her name down the hall. She speaks softly with Ben at which he nods his head. He gives me a look of warning of which I render as do not say anything that will get you into trouble. I nod my head back, a little peeved that he should know me better than that, and he heads to the door. Right before he exits he lets Jared know that he has to go but that I will explain everything to him.
I look to Jared once Ben closes the door behind him and notice he looks a little agitated himself. I am sure this is not a comfortable circumstance to wake up in, but he is handling it well. I give Jared a small smile and begin with my questionnaire for his recovery. Not only do I have to do this to log into the system, I really want to know what he remembers. This could very well affect me too.
"What do you last remember? Be advised that your throat is still very sensitive, so try to keep your answers short." I say trying to get him to see the severity of his damages to his trachea. His throat is going to be extremely sore for a while.
Once he explains to me what he remembers, and I reiterate what actually transpired, I do a mental note in my head that he has lost at least a year of his memories. When he told me the last thing he remembers is living in Minneapolis, I briefly wonder how his father's and his relationship was back then. I only know who he is in New York, but for all I know being under his father this whole time could have done him in. When I tell Jared about Laynie, I see his eyes light up at her name. I can tell right off the back that he truly loves her. It's strange, because whenever I was trailing him I never, not once, saw them together. Granted she could have been at work or something but not once did I see them go out to lunch or dinner, not once did she surprise him at work, no special outing or fundraising events, nothing.
Before we could talk anymore, Ben walks back in and lets Jared know that the detectives are here to speak with him. I figured that was what Ben had to leave to do. Once they come in and introduce themselves I head out to get Jared some pain medicine. When I walk back into the nurse's station to fill up Jared's medicine, I see Melissa on the computer looking at Laynie's files. I let her know that I need her to go put Laynie's IV in since she is awake and to get her vitals. I would do it myself, but I feel like I can't be around her just yet.
Melissa rolls her eyes and slowly walks over to Laynie's wing. Bitch. Once I get back to getting Jared his pain medicine, the detectives are leaving, and I can tell they are none too happy with his answers. We see this a lot too. Cops will come in here and try to speak with the patients but there are times, like now, that we have to tell the detectives that with the patient's injuries, confusion, and fear, that the answers may change over time. No one wants to be woken up wondering where they are, in a world of pain, only to be asked a million questions about what happened the day before.
I exit Jared's room a few minutes later. He is finally resting, and I need to go make my rounds. My mind is exhausted. I'm satisfied I was able to speak with him but in a way, it wasn't really him. Not the him that he remembers anyway. Melissa walks up pushing a very shock ridden Laynie. I give her a gentle smile. She seems worried for Jared, so I won't stay in her way long. I have never been in love before, but I do see that look all the time. You are not sure what lies on the other side of the door, but you need to get to your loved one either way.
"Hey, Melissa, thanks for bringing her, but Jared just fell asleep." Melissa just shakes her head, rolls her eyes and leaves. I briefly shake my head at the rudeness and see Laynie staring at me with a covetous look. I briefly wonder why, then get the thought out of my head. She has no reason to be jealous of me when she has all the delicious curves men crave. I am a little on the thin and tall side for my liking.
"Hi there Laynie, I'm Candice. Jared has been asking for you. I'm glad you're both okay. He is currently sleeping. He wanted to stay up for you, but the pain was too much, so I gave him something to let him rest. I'm sure the detectives told you about his condition?" I ask. I want to let her in, I can see she is anxious to see him, but she needs to know the severity of his condition. If Dr. Toring allowed her to be here then she must already know, but I need to be sure.
Once she nods her head I lead her inside. The look on her face at seeing her husband in a hospital bed bruised and beaten is desolate, I cannot imagine what she is thinking. She turns to me and asks about his condition. Once I inform her of everything going on, and let her know that I will be assigned to her as well, I head out. I need to do the rest of my rounds and see if Ben is angry with me. When I get back to the nurse's station I see Lyla has come in for her shift and is giving me a funny glance. I walk up to her and see she is trying hard not to laugh, but is failing miserably.
"What are you so red about?" I ask smiling at her antics. Lyla can make me laugh every day without even trying.
"For many reasons sugar. I know Ben is angry at you, but he is still trying to get some, so he won't say nothing." I roll my eyes and grab the chart next to her while she lists off the second reason. "Secondly, the next patient is all yours. He is about six scoops of rocky road ice cream in a waffle cone, and you need some of that." She finishes.
I just laugh at her. Every time Lyla gets a hot patient in, she tries to set me up. I have tried telling her millions of times that I can't just ask someone out that visits the emergency room. There was a time she tried to get a man that I just helped to ask me out. He had come in for a fungal infection to his feet. He literally had black toes. When I told Lyla that, she just laughed and told me it makes a good "How we met story."
I grab the chart for the next patient and head to the room. When I get to the door I hear few loud deep voices. Seems like there is more than one person inside with him. I glance at his chart to see what brings him in when I hear a loud crash. I open the door with force and am frozen with hotness overload. Holy Hot Pockets Batman. There are five of them. They are all gorgeous. They each have on one of those motorcycle vest thingies. So, I'm presuming they are in one of those biker gangs. I always thought bikers had pot bellies with long mustaches and shaved heads. Not the case here whatsoever.
I don't realize I am standing there in the middle of the doorway until one of them walks over to me with a smile that can melt a snowman in the middle of Antarctica. Great now I am talking like Lyla.
"We don't bite. Not unless you want us to." The one with blonde hair walks up and says. His smile is contagious. He is making me feel like I'm sixteen again. I almost giggle. Almost.
When I don't say anything right away they all look at the guy on the bed with his hand covering half his face. He has a permanent scowl on his face. I get my bearings together and walk all the way in, jumping a little when the door closes loudly behind me. I glace around one more time then look down at my chart so that I can call out for the actual patient's name. He has his own room, so they can be in here until we need to move him.
"Okay, which one of you is Austin Stone?" I ask with a shaky voice. What is wrong with me?
"Probably the one on the bed with his hand covering the bleeding side of his face." Austin states from the bed. Duh, I guess I could have guessed that, but there are so many of them in here and they are so damn gorgeous, I couldn't think straight.
I walk over to him squeezing between the guy that looks like he wants to eat me alive and the one that looks like he just wants me to leave. I approach Austin, slowly glancing again at the chart, I can't see anything because I am shaking so badly. I give up on the chart and with a loud sigh, toss it on the counter and come closer to inspect the wound.
"Okay, Mr. Stone let's take a look at the wound. Can you tell me how…" before I can finish my thoughts, he takes his hand away from his face?
Oh my Lord, this man is beautiful. He has dark brown eyes and a wave of messy brown hair. His nose is straight, and his lips are full and juicy. Wow, I didn't even know God made men so delicious looking. I just want to lick him. I shake my head a little, trying to make myself seem unaffected, but judging by his eye roll, I'm assuming he can see that I am blatantly checking him out.
"Um, Sorry, can you tell me how this happened?" I say, grateful an actual sentence came out of my mouth this time.
"None of your damn business. Just know that I have a fucking gash on my face, stitch it up or whatever you need to do, hand me my baby Tylenol that you will probably prescribe me, and release me, I got shit to do." Austin says. He may be beautiful on the outside, but his personality is that of a boar. If he thinks I'm going to let him get away with talking to me that way, he has another thing coming.
"Okay first of all, you don't get to speak to me that way. You came here, I didn't go looking for you, there is a protocol to follow. I only asked so I can make sure you don't have an infection or something deep inside your wound, but apparently you're too much of a complete dick to know that. Let's try this again. How did you hurt yourself? Keep in mind you're only keeping your boy band here longer than needed." He may be sex on a stick, but that stick is shoved right up his ass.
I hear snickering from behind me but don't take my eyes from Austin. He gives me shocked look then narrows his eyes behind me. After the snickering stops he looks back to me and opens his mouth.
"Fell of my bike." He grumbles out. I barely understood him.
"Gravel? Sidewalk? On a dirt road while leaving little red riding hoods grandmother's house?" I say in a sarcastic tone while putting my right hand on my hip, I can't help it, he has really ruffled me up and I am still a little riled up from seeing Jared earlier as well.
"Gravel, smartass." He says with a smirk forming on his plump delectable lips.
I nod my head, pick up the chart to indicate it, then grab some tools to take a look at his injury. As I examine it, I notice the room is completely silent. I don't turn around, but I do notice Austin is extremely uncomfortable. He is a little shaky and his breathing is a little off.
"Okay, it's a little deep, so it's going to need some stiches. Nothing major, we can even use skin glue, so you don't have to shave your head. It's mostly on the side of your face anyways. Also, it needs to be cleaned out so there is no infection. Do you not wear helmets?" I ask.
I see his anger get the best of him as he narrows his eyes on me again. It's really too bad he keeps doing that, his brown eyes have small sparkles of green. They are easily the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen, but not if he keeps brooding like that.
"Like I said. It's none of your damn business. You're a fucking nurse, not a goddamn cop. Just order the shit and let me know when I need to be here again to do the glue." He shouts.
The blonde womanizer walks up and pats Austin's shoulders.
"Easy man, she is just doing her job. Listen ma'am, he can be a jackass, I know, but is there any way we can get this done today? We may be out of town soon is all." He says.
See, why can't Austin be this sweet?
I look between the two and sigh. I am just about to tell them that I think I can squeeze them in when Austin speaks up, ruining everything.
"Typical. Let me guess, all you see when you see a group of men who look like us is criminals or thugs right? I swear to God, I can tell you everything about yourself without even trying. Let me guess, you need to always be fucking perfect, you grew up doing shit like cheerleading and girl scouts because your mother made you. You're single, always are, hardly ever go on dates because you're too busy trying to be perfect. You have never had a man longer than a week. Something to do with your fucking dad leaving you by the time you were in a training bra. That sound about right to you?"
My heart left my body after the first accusation he had for me. He may not have been spot on with each lashing he gave me, but he was pretty damn close. I stand there with my eyes misting with tears. I will not cry in front of this asshole. I will put on my fake smile and leave with some dignity. I close my eyes for a moment, count to ten in my head and give him the smile he was apparently waiting for.
"Actually yes, there is a nurse on staff that can get it done for you within a couple hours. I will call her in to clean it out, then we can get you upstairs where they can fix you right up. Please let me know if you all need anything else." With that I head to the door, open it, and walk out bringing the only thing I have left going for me, my pride.