Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
SAVANNA
I’m not snooping, per se, but I am staring at the background picture on Nate’s phone. I find myself surprised that it’s not of him and his girlfriend, but one of him, and what I’m assuming to be his parents. I can see the family resemblance in the picture, and for some reason it feels familiar to me, but I’m guessing that’s because I’ve been staring at Nate for the past half hour.
It’s hard not to. He’s one of the hottest, if not the hottest man, I’ve ever seen. He screams pure, unadulterated male to me. Just being in his presence has my body buzzing in a way I don’t know I’ve ever felt. It was all I could do not to climb out of this bed and into his lap, something I’ve never found myself wanting to do.
It’s a tad unnerving. Sure, I’ve felt an instant attraction to men before, my ex being one of them. But a zing to my hand? Or the way he’s a magnet for my eyes? Never.
Too bad he has a girlfriend. A really nice, super beautiful girlfriend.
At first, I thought he was here to see me, but then I realized he must have been at the hospital visiting her, and I was an afterthought to him. It was pretty obvious that they knew each other intimately when she touched his arm on her way out of the room when he first got here. Then the way she told me to delete whoever I called solidified that she was putting her mark on her territory. If that wasn’t enough, he’s been very upfront that he’s not hitting on me.
That hasn’t stopped me from ogling him, much like I did the first time I saw him in the elevator. He might be even sexier now, even though I can’t see that wide expanse of a chest very well with his jacket that declares he’s a firefighter.
I’ve noticed other things, though. Like how he runs his fingers through his hair a lot, and how his neck turns redder than his cheeks when he’s said something, and then a second later, realizes what he’s said. It’s adorable.
I also may have taken another peek at his backside when he got up and left, and let me just say, it’s obvious the man works out because his ass is stellar the way it fills out his jeans. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t checked it out when he was walking out of the elevator the other day, but damn it, that was his fault for bringing it up.
“Get a hold of someone?”
His voice comes out of nowhere and startles me so badly I drop his phone in my lap, my head snapping up. I wonder how long he’s been standing there staring at me. Long enough that the drapes are closed, and not swaying, which causes a flush of heat to tinge my cheeks red.
“Yeah, I—” I’m about to offer an explanation, but then stop myself with a bite to my lip before repeating, “Yeah.”
When lying, it’s better to stick to the simplest of answers rather than offer anything needing to be remembered in the future. The truth is, I didn’t make a single phone call. I was going to call my own phone and just listen to it ring until my voicemail picked up, but when I saw Nate and Jordan’s feet disappear from under the curtain, I didn’t bother. It didn’t matter because I told her I would delete the number from Nate’s phone anyway.
There was no number to delete because there was no one for me to call.
I could call home. I considered it earlier. God, did I consider it. I thought about calling my older brother Devin because he’d know what to do in this situation. The responsible one out of my two brothers, Devin would have made fast work of finding me a place to go, ensuring I had a roof over my head until I could get into my apartment.
But then I thought about all the questions that would come with calling him. The disappointment I would no doubt hear in his voice. The hurt and the pain. And I know once I open the door of calling home, there’s no going back. There’s no more protecting my family from the dangers of my ex.
So I decided I was better off figuring things out on my own.
“Good,” Nate nods, reminding me of his presence. It only takes him a couple of strides before he’s at my side. It’s then I notice he’s got something in his hand that he holds out to me. “These are from Jordan. She thought maybe this would be better than anything else for you. The two of you are about the same size.”
I blink a few times, staring at the articles in his hand, recognizing he’s holding clothes and a pair of shoes. Hesitantly I take them, my face turning up towards his, his blue eyes peering down at me with warmth that makes me want to melt.
“Your girlfriend is really nice. She didn’t need to do this,” I smile, trying to be grateful instead of disappointed.
Nate rears back like I hit him, his mouth opening and closing like a dying fish.
“My—my gir-girlfriend?” he stutters, clearly appalled which causes me to flush again. “Jordan? God, no! Jordan is my sister. I don’t have a girlfriend, and if I did, it definitely wouldn’t be my sister.”
Oh boy. Evidently, I got that wrong. Even though Nate looks disgusted by my interpretation of their relationship, I can’t help the relief that washes over me, though it’s short-lived when I remember that he still didn’t want to hit on me. It shouldn’t bum me out that he doesn’t want to flirt, because I have no business wanting a guy to like me, but it does. It probably hurts worse to know that he’s just not interested.
“This is awkward,” I say with a small laugh. “You two looked like you knew each other, and I just assumed. She seemed a bit protective when you offered your phone.”
“Of you,” he tells me, and I know I look confused when he adds, “She’s your nurse and doesn’t want you to feel uncomfortable, even if she knows me, and knows I’m harmless. While you’re in this bed, you’re her first priority.”
I never thought of it like that, but it makes sense and I nod. “Is that also why she gave me clothes?”
He laughs and runs his fingers through his hair before reclaiming his spot in the chair beside the bed. “I think that was actually more for my benefit. But I ruined all her plans of playing matchmaker when I offered you my phone.”
“Pardon?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
“She thought if you didn’t have anyone to call, I would swoop in and ask you out for coffee or something,” he says, an amused smile dancing on his lips. “But don’t worry, I set her straight.”
He doesn’t elaborate, and I don’t ask because I don’t want to be embarrassed or let down any more than I already am by him not wanting to hit on me, so I just nod. “Thanks.”
It’s then that the opening to the curtain is pushed to one side and a man in a white coat steps in. “Ready to get out of here?” he asks, and I nod my head at Dr. Verdeem. He takes notice of Nate and smiles. “Nate! How you doin’?”
“Good,” Nate says, standing up.
The two of them shake hands and exchange a couple more pleasantries before Nate turns back to me and smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. The swirling blue looks sad, and I wonder if it’s for the same reason I’m feeling it. Our time together has come to an end.
“It was nice talking to you, Savanna. I’m glad you’re okay.” He pauses and then adds, “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I say, offering a smile, but I don’t for a second believe it.
There’s an awkward moment where we both just look at each other, and I don’t think either one of us wants this to be goodbye. Maybe that’s just on my end because he finally gives another nod and turns to leave while I look down at my lap.
“Nate?” I say and he turns, perking up hopefully. “Your phone.”
“Right. Thanks. Wouldn’t want to forget that.”
He’s back to the side of the bed a second later, and I hold the phone out to him, our fingers brushing as he takes it from me. There’s a crackle between us, and I see in his eyes that he feels it like I do, the heat spreading from my fingers all the way to my lower belly. It’s another moment before he blinks rapidly, as if to clear his mind, and then he’s gone, leaving me with the doctor.
I didn’t see Nate again, but I saw Jordan on my way out of the hospital. I thanked her for the scrubs and flip flops, promising to return them, but she waved me off, telling me not to worry about it. When I looked at her that last time, I realized I was an idiot for not seeing the family resemblance between them from the start. They have the exact same eyes, noses, and their smiles are practically identical, especially when it reaches their eyes.
It didn’t matter, though, because knowing they were siblings didn’t change the fact that Nate didn’t want to hit on me. I have to remember that’s a good thing, not bad.
Taking a breath of fresh air, I close my eyes and savor the feeling as it travels down my sore throat and into my rough lungs. Between the smoke and the hospital air, I’ll never take fresh air for granted again.
Wearily, I glance around at my surroundings and heave a sigh, watching a few cars travel by on the road in front of me. I realized after being discharged that I probably should have hung out as long as I could in the hospital because I have no idea what I’m going to do with myself now that I’m out. Deciding to figure things out on my own would have been swell if I’d actually come up with a plan while I was sitting in the hospital bed.
My eyes are heavy and my body sags with exhaustion after being up all night and having all the adrenaline wrung from it. Though I dozed a little in the hospital bed, there was always something going on, or someone checking on me, that didn’t allow me to sleep.
Now, sitting on a bench in a park across from the hospital, I force myself not to lay down and close my eyes right here. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I turn my head to the side and rest my cheek against it, sucking in my bottom lip.
Not only do I not know if I can get into my apartment, but I also have no phone, no money, no identification, no clothes, no car, no nothing. Even if I had my car, I don’t have my keys to get into it, which really sucks because I have a few things stored in there in case I ever need to bail on short notice. I suppose I could break into it, though short of breaking a window I haven’t a clue how to do that effectively.
But running through my options, I’m certain I’m going to need to do something I don’t want to do if I can’t get into my apartment. And geez, that’s assuming I even have an apartment to get into. I have no idea how bad the fire got or whether it reached my place. Shit. If it got into my place and all my stuff is destroyed, what the hell am I going to do?
I’ve been in bad situations before, but the more I think about this, the more screwed I realize I could be.
It has the threat of tears stinging the backs of my eyes. Maybe I should call Devin. Or I could try Connor, my other brother. While Devin is the more responsible one, Connor is the one that’ll offer less judgement. Besides Maddie, he’s always been my secret keeper.
Thinking of the three of them back home has a tear sliding down my cheek. My heart aches with how much I miss them right now. There would be so much comfort in a phone call to them. Probably for both sides. I can only imagine that they’re worried about me, and after the last couple of days, that worry would be more warranted than ever.
Besides, what else am I going to do with nothing but the clothes on my back that don’t even belong to me?
“Your ride not show up?” A deep voice calls, and I look up to see a silver truck stopped, the man inside leaning over so he can see out the passenger window.
Nate.
Seeing his face makes it hard to keep the dam behind my eyes from breaking wide open, and I suck my bottom lip between my teeth to try to stop it as I shake my head.
“Get in,” he says, and I must look at him like he’s lost his mind because he reaches over and pushes the door open. “Get in the truck, Savanna.”
I have very few options right now, but I don’t know if getting into a vehicle with a virtual stranger is the best idea. Sure, I’ve met his sister now, and I know he’s a firefighter who saved me from being burned alive, but that’s all a lot different than getting into his personal truck to go God knows where, to do God knows what.
Sucking in a deep breath, I glance down the road, considering my alternatives.
Calling either one of my brothers is at the top of that list. But Vincent dances through my vision, and I’m reminded of why I didn’t call them from the hospital in the first place. Protecting them is number one. It’s why I left. Making that phone call home has to be my last resort.
Walking to my apartment is an idea, which will take me a couple of hours I’m guessing, and that’s only if I can figure out how to get there. In the six months I’ve been in Santa Rosé, it’s not like I’ve been to a lot of places and know the lay of the land. I realize now how much of an oversight that was on my part.
Finding the beach and hanging out there is another option; I could camp out there in the sand. It’s still warm enough outside at night that maybe I could sleep there. It’s not really a long-term solution, though.
Or I could just get in the truck with Nate. I could ask him if I’d be able to get into my apartment today or not, and if I can’t, maybe he could drop me off at the beach and save me from figuring it out on my own. Or maybe he’d let me use his cell phone again, and I’d truly make a call I’m dreading.
I think my decision was made before I thought it all through, because I’m on my feet walking towards his truck before realizing that I made the choice to get in with him.
Sliding into his passenger seat, I close the door and grab the seatbelt, taking in my surroundings. There aren’t any weapons visible that look like they’ll harm me, so that’s a plus. Nate doesn’t seem the type that could hurt a fly, though you can never quite be sure about someone. Even when you know them. I have firsthand knowledge when it comes to that.
Vincent never seemed like he could hurt me. Not at first, anyway. He was kind, caring, considerate. When we started dating he would look at me with this warmth in his eyes that made me feel like the only girl on his radar. He would drop everything to pick me up from work, or if I had to stay late, he’d drop off dinner. Flowers came regularly, and coffee showed up even more frequently.
He knew exactly what he was doing to lure me into a false sense of security. I never saw the abuse coming.
“You hungry?” Nate asks, pulling me from my thoughts as he pulls away from the curb.
I turn to look at him, surprised by the question. I want to say no, but it’s been a long time since I last ate, and now that he’s brought it up, my stomach rumbles in protest at not being fed.
I know he hears it when he says with amusement, “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“I don’t have any money for food,” I tell him quietly, embarrassment coloring my cheeks. Not that I can help it, and I know he knows that, but that doesn’t make it any better.
“Well, I’m starving and planned on going for breakfast. I’m not about to eat by myself in front of you, so you might as well let me buy you breakfast,” he says, glancing in my direction with a grin. “You ever been to the Windmill Diner?”
“No,” I tell him, shaking my head. “I haven’t really been to many places around town.”
“You’re not from around here, I’m guessing?”
While I don’t make a habit of telling strangers that I’m not from here, I find myself telling Nate before I can think about it. “No. I’ve only been here for six months.”
He stops at a red light and looks over at me, curiosity filling his stunning blue eyes. I’m pretty sure that I could get lost in them if I looked long enough. I’ve never met someone with such an intense, brilliant blue, and he has these amazing eyelashes that frame them, making them stand out even more.
“Where you from?”
“Colorado,” I tell him honestly, again without hesitation.
“Ah,” he says, nodding as if this makes sense. “From the mountains to the ocean.”
I smile, my thoughts drifting to that first time I got to see the ocean. “I’d never seen the ocean before I moved here.”
“It boggles my brain when people tell me that,” he says with a laugh. “I’ve been in Santa Rosé my entire life, so I can’t imagine not being near the ocean.”
“I can’t imagine it anymore,” I respond with a content sigh. “I haven’t been able to stay away from it all summer. There’s so much to see, and it’s as relaxing as the mountains used to make me feel. The beach has been my second home.”
“Hence why you haven’t gotten to know all the other local amenities,” he teases, and I can’t help but laugh. “There’s a lot more to Santa Rosé than the beach, you know.”
“I figured I’d check those things out when the weather wasn’t so great, but does that actually happen here? I don’t think I’ve seen a day that isn’t nice.”
“It’ll start getting chillier,” he promises, eyes darting in my direction. “You can already tell in the evenings that it’s getting cooler. With any luck, we’ll get a ton of rain in the next few months.”
“And that’s when I’ll start exploring things that aren’t the beach,” I tell him, and I’m rewarded with laughter that has me staring at him from across the truck. It’s hearty and happy, and I like the way it makes his face light up, making him even more handsome.
Before the light turns green he holds my eyes and grins. “Your exploration starts now.”