Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Hunter
H ospitals have a very specific smell, it’s not a particularly clean one. I imagined it would be more bleachy, but it’s not. It’s an in-between smell. I figure this is what waiting would smell like. Waiting for an answer, waiting for what’s next. Just waiting. It smells like it wants to appear clean, but can’t entirely. There is a small hint of bleach, but it smells like it’s still doing its job cleaning, not that it’s done and settled.
Jake’s mom was admitted for a nasty case of pneumonia. From what I understand, she’s just about running on one lung right now. They started IV antibiotics and have her set up on some running oxygen. Jake has been setting up his bed in the room, which is a sofa attached to the wall. Honestly, a pile of dry hay looks more inviting.
Once I see Jake’s done messing with his bed, I rise from my chair and walk over to him. He’s made, unmade, and remade this bed more times than I can count. Just busying his hands, I guess, because it’s something he can do at this time. I put my hand on his shoulder and give him a reassuring squeeze .
“She’s going to be alright, kiddo.”
He looks up to me and shrugs. “We sure the docs at this place know what they’re doing, Sir?”
“I don’t think Cassidy would steer us in the wrong direction,” I reassure him.
All through the ER and admittance process I’ve stuck with Jake, to help him understand and try to help navigate things. Sharon has been in and out of it, mostly tired.
She keeps telling everyone not to make a fuss over her, but she can’t say more than three words before her oxygen drops and she fights for some good air.
“I can sleep right here in this chair if you need me,” I offer.
“I’ll be good here. I think we might be here for a little bit, so if you could grab me a change of clothes or two that would be nice. You can come by tomorrow or the day after. I know you have a farm to run, sir.” Jake pulls out his house key and hands it over to me. I take it and nod.
“I’ll grab some for your mom, too. Anything else?”
Jake’s quiet for a few moments and then just shakes his head slowly.
“No, sir. I can’t thank you enough for bringing us here. For coming right away. For staying when the doc was talkin’.”
I just nod once. “Of course, Jake, we’re family.” He is. He’s part of the Hill Family Farm, and that’s a deep enough bond for me.
I sit with him for a few more beats before I can tell it’s time for me to take my leave. The kid is beat, and the hospital is quiet. The nurse pops in to check Sharon’s temp, her IV, the oxygen tube at her nose, and listens to her lungs before I leave. She gives me a reassuring smile as I slip out the door.
Me: Sharon was admitted for pneumonia, she’ll be alright. Jake is at the hospital with her.
Looking at the itinerary I see that she and the girls have just recently finished their entertainment and should be at one of the bars for the evening. I can’t believe how much these women have crammed into one weekend. They really know how to go all out.
After searching the bar up, I see it’s less than twenty minutes from where I am, whereas home is a little more than an hour away.
Getting a kiss from Cassidy and just reminding her that I’m not something she needs to run from sounds like a good idea. I’m tired from our fight, the market, the run-in with Franny, and Sharon’s admittance to the hospital, but a kiss from that woman will help push that all away. It could give me the energy to drive home and then some. Putting the car in drive, I head her way.
I’m outside the bar where Cassidy is; it’s loud and busy. People are filing in and out. There’s a group of young women outside, one of whom is smoking, and the other girls laugh with each other.
The night seems young for all of them. Not a care in the world for tomorrow, for early mornings, for the upcoming Monday or work week. Everyone just seems so in the moment and carefree. Two men walk up to the group of girls and easily join in their conversation, and just like that, their circle has grown.
I’m in a pair of dark jeans, a grey crewneck with my farm’s name on the back, and my boots. To say I feel like I’m underdressed would be an understatement. I almost think better of going in and looking for my girl, but in the group I was watching I see one of the men slide his arm around a girl’s waist and I realize they may have known each other all along. I’d like to wrap my arms around Cass for one minute before I head back.
Cassidy: I’m so glad you guys brought her in. She’s in good hands. Let’s hope for a quick recovery for both her and Jake’s sake. Let me know if you or Jake need anything.
Before I can think better of it, I type my response.
Me: A kiss would be everything.
I see the dots appear, then disappear, a few times before they stop. I rock onto my heels as I will a flirty response from her. She replies with a single kiss emoji. It’s enough for me to start walking. I file my way through the building, my phone in my hand. I see the bar off to the side and slide my way in between a few bodies.
Me: A real one would be better.
I hit send and scan the crowd, but it only takes a minute before the lights catch a shimmer in a bed of chestnut hair.
I guess the glitter has made a comeback.
A tight body wrapped in light pink satin stands only maybe thirty feet away from me. My feet begin to move to close the space. In her small hand, I see her phone and as she opens it, the illumination offers her face lighting, and I see a small smile touch her lips, but it’s quickly washed away by an annoyed look.
A knife is driven into my chest, as I try to dismiss her look. I remind myself that we have just fought, but quickly a different realization is brought forth.
Next to my girl, who honestly looks like a fairy in this crowd, is a snake. He’s on her left and close to her, speaking directly into her ear. She takes a step to the right, but he steps closer. Her annoyed face is plastered on, and her previous smile is long gone. Her thumbs work across her phone, and I feel a vibration in my back pocket. I ignore it as I get closer.
It’s the little fucker she works with. Don, or Dom. Whatever the fuck his name is. His jaw keeps moving and Cassidy seems like she can’t get a word in. Just to her right is her group, each of the girls wearing a similar pink tone, except Mary. Mary is in white, which makes sense. Cassidy shoots a look over at the girls and they see her vexation as well.
Mary says something to the group and the girls all nod. Cassidy turns to Dom and smiles; she seems to have found an out, but this sleazy fucker takes this as an opportunity to shoot his damn shot.
His mouth moves and I see it all; he slides his hand around her waist—my waist—and goes in for a kiss. My kiss. Cassidy dodges his lips, and they collide with her ear. Her eyes widen as she sees me, shocked and honestly, a little fearful. I’m not sure what she sees in my face, but her eyes dart over to Dom before back to me, her brows slightly turned upward.
It’s as if my body is moving on its own accord. I don’t remember telling my body to grab him. I don’t remember telling my body to throw a punch across his face. I don’t remember telling my body to stand over his and go for a second swing, but as my arm cocks back, small, gentle hands grab my bicep .
I turn to look over my shoulder and I can tell immediately, I am the one who is in trouble, not the douche on the floor.