Chapter 10 #2
Kaia made a disgruntled face as she settled back in her seat. "I'd almost forgotten about that."
"You don't want to risk your job. You can help many more people by staying employed as a paramedic than by trying to find Walter's old girlfriend."
"Well, when you say it like that…" A dry note entered her voice as she smiled back at him. "Despite your pessimism now, you were caught up in the moment back there."
"I'll admit that when he found the loose brick, I felt a jolt," he said, although that jolt had also had something to do with holding Kaia's hand.
"Me, too. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I thought he was going to pull out a clump of dirt, not a love song. That was amazing."
"It wasn't something I expected to see."
"Do you want to stop and get a smoothie? I could use something cold and refreshing."
He wanted to say no because it seemed important to get Kaia out of his car before she wanted to talk about Walter's request that he play the song. On the other hand, he was hot, and a smoothie sounded good.
"There's a great juice bar a few blocks from here," she added. "While you're still deciding whether you want to get rid of me or not."
"I was just debating whether I wanted a smoothie."
"You do. They make them with fresh, organic fruit. They're great."
"As in gelato great?" he asked with a smile. "Because great seems to be one of your favorite words."
"Only when it comes to cold treats."
"Fine. Give me directions."
*.* *
Kaia directed Jax to her favorite smoothie place, fighting the urge to ask him at least one of the dozen questions running through her head.
Why had he said he couldn't read or play music when, clearly, he could?
And why had he tried to help Walter, but then drawn the line on playing Reina's music?
But she couldn't ask him anything, because she wanted a smoothie and more time with him, and none of that would happen if she made him jumpier than he already was.
His mysterious background aside, he was also the only one who could understand and share in the craziness they had just experienced, and she wanted to talk about it with him before he retreated into his apartment at Ocean Shores.
And maybe back into his life, now that the thread connecting them had been tied off.
When they reached the small shop with a sidewalk patio, she ordered a fruit-and-veggie smoothie while Jax opted for one with just fruit. Once they'd picked up their drinks, they sat down at an outside table that was thankfully in the shade and close enough to the ocean to catch a breeze.
"You don't have to work today?" Jax asked.
"I'm on graveyard shift tonight, so I go in at eleven."
"That's rough. You work all night?"
"Eleven to seven."
"Aren't you going to be tired?"
"I'll take a nap this afternoon. I'm good at running on a few hours of sleep."
"Is your schedule always so varied?"
"Not usually, but we have had some people out lately, so we've all had to be flexible."
"It must be an exciting job. You never know what you're going to get, right?" he asked as he sipped his drink.
"That's for sure. Every call is a new adventure. Some are routine. Some are critical. Some are strange. I see people from all walks of life. It can be a wild ride."
"You love it, don't you?"
"Most of the time. But lately, I wish I could do a little more than just put a Band-Aid on someone and drop them off at the hospital."
"I'm sure you have to apply more than Band-Aids. You're downplaying your value."
"It still doesn't always feel like enough."
He gave her a thoughtful look. "What would you rather be doing?"
She hesitated, not sure she was ready to voice her idea, not just to him but also to herself.
Finally, she said, "There's a new program called paramedicine that's starting in various places around the country where paramedics are called in for more than just triage.
They work with individuals who might need more complex care with issues like drugs, alcohol, mental health, and poverty.
It's for people like Walter whose neighbor called 911 for him three times in the last two weeks.
He's what we call a frequent flyer. This program would allow me to get more involved in helping the patient find care outside of the emergency room. "
"That sounds right up your alley."
"It's probably not as exciting, but lately there have been several calls, not just involving Walter, where I wanted to do more follow-up than I'm allowed to do. Anyway, it's just something I'm thinking about."
"You'd be good at it. Your empathy with Walter is impressive."
She was touched by the compliment. "Thanks, I…" She shrugged, not sure what else she wanted to say because she was better at giving praise than taking it.
"What?" he asked, his gaze meeting hers. "What were you going to say?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm torn between playing an empathetic and supportive role and handling a possible life and death crisis."
"How did you get into being a paramedic?"
She wanted to get to know more about him, but once again she was answering questions instead of asking them. But if it helped him to trust her, then she'd go down that road.
"My mom got cancer when I was ten. One day she was so weak that she fell and cut herself badly.
There was so much blood, I was terrified.
I was the only one home. I called 911 and the paramedics came.
The female medic wrapped a tourniquet about my mom's arm, and she saved her life.
" Clearing her throat, she wished the memories of that day weren't indelibly printed in her brain, but they were.
"She still ended up dying a year later, but she didn't die that day, and I was grateful for that.
I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to do something that could save someone's life, and that's why I ended up where I am. "
Understanding filled his gaze. "And that's why you're torn about leaving a position where you are helping someone in crisis versus moving to a position where it's perhaps less intense but more satisfying in the long run?"
"That's a good summary. Any thoughts on what choice I should make?"
"I can't make decisions about my life, much less yours."
"Speaking of your life, I have some questions, Jax."
Instead of immediately shutting her down, his expression darkened, and he simply said, "I know."
"Will you talk to me?"
"At some point, yes."
"Is that point now?"
He slowly shook his head.
"Okay," she said, feeling like she'd at least breached one wall, small though it might be.
"Okay," he echoed in surprise. "That's it?"
"For now." Although she wanted to know more about him, she couldn't force it, and she did need to take a nap before she went to work.
As they got into the car, Jax suddenly swore. Following his gaze, she saw a man with a large camera across the street, and he appeared to be taking photos of them.
Jax started the car and pulled out of the parking spot with a squeal from the tires.
She'd barely finished fastening her seat belt as he raced down the street. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded, bracing her hand on the door as he took a fast turn around the corner.
"He's following us. We have to lose him."
"Lose him?" she echoed. "Lose who?"
Jax didn't seem to hear her. "Can't go back to Ocean Shores. Gotta go somewhere else."
She didn't know if he was speaking to her or to someone else. She made a split decision. "There's a hidden beach only the locals know about. Take the next left."
He shot her a quick look and then refocused his attention on the road, making another fast turn. She gave him more directions as she checked the sideview mirror and saw a car following them. But she knew this area better than anyone else. She drove these streets every day.
"There's a warehouse coming up around the next corner. Turn down the driveway. It comes out on the opposite street."
Jax didn't question her, just did as she told him, driving fast and with confidence, which she was grateful for.
As he turned down the driveway, she pointed him to the exit and then down some winding roads until they reached a small beach parking lot with room for about three cars.
It was hidden from the road above and completely empty.
He backed into a spot under one of several tall trees, and they waited for several minutes in tense silence.
As her pulse began to calm, she looked at Jax and said, "Okay. Enough is enough. You need to tell me who you are and who the hell was chasing us just now."
He turned his head and met her gaze. And for a moment, she couldn't help wondering if she'd put her trust in someone who did not deserve it.