Chapter 23
Unknown
My new nurse doesn’t like to play cards, in fact she looks downright angry.
I’m a little afraid for my safety.
Maybe it’s the drugs they’ve got me on.
They’re making me paranoid. Fuck. Maybe that’s the point?
I roll over and rest my phone on my bedside table with a smile as I shove my face back into my pillow knowing my early morning unknown messages are from Rowan.
I should be keeping my distance from him but I just can’t. I grab my phone and start to text.
Who is this?
Unknown
Your patient. Frankly I’m heartbroken you’d forget me that quickly.
Hospital records are private. You shouldn’t have my number.
This is stalkerish behavior.
Unknown
She’s coming back, I can hear her footsteps. If this is the last time we talk remember the only reason you beat me was because you play dirty.
I laugh in the dark of my bedroom. I know Tilly is his nurse tonight. She’s a veteran nurse of almost sixty. She is gruff and handsy. Imagining her shooting down Rowan as he tries to win her over actually gives me pleasure.
Just do what she says, don’t make any sudden movements and you’ll get out alive. I’ll be back on Wednesday.
I open my group chat with my parents right away.
Did you give King my phone number?
Mom
Not me.
Dad
I did, he said it was important, something about his care at the hospital.
I roll my eyes.
This is my second day off. From what I hear, Rowan may be checking out in a few days. Which means my time with him in the hospital will be over and as much as I originally tried not to let him get back under my skin, I think he might be starting to, and I really don’t know what to do with that. Every night we talked a little more, went a little deeper. During my last night shift, I spent way too much time with him, granted he was only one of two patients I had to care for. I spent most of it eating the remaining snacks out of his basket and playing Euchre. Where I beat him three games to none. When he suggested Euchre just wasn’t his game and that’s why he was losing, we switched to Gin, where I once again beat him. Twice.
It was comfortable. Too comfortable.
Much like it was too comfortable and enticing having his warm skin under my fingers as I was bathing him, but I know I can’t ever let that happen again. Being turned on during patient care is a big no.
I roll over and quickly add him to my contacts because as much as I hate to admit it, I actually missed him yesterday. Fuck. I am in total control, I try to convince myself then blow out a breath.
I hear Hollie stir over the monitor. She’s finally sleeping on her regular schedule now, which means I have exactly thirty minutes before she’s up and bursting with three-year-old energy.
And before my coffee is even finished brewing, she’s asking for cereal and SuperPets .
Rowan
I want a rematch
www.euchre-tips.com
Rowan
Savage.
I smile and set my phone down on the table, it buzzes seconds later.
Dad
Are you and Hols coming for lunch?
I look down at my side where Hollie is cuddled in happily munching dry Cheerios on the couch with me, and I feel the need to just stay close to home today and be with her. Troy is coming to take her for dinner tomorrow night. It will be the first time he’s seen her in three weeks. I kiss the top of Hollie’s sweet smelling head and decide to ask her.
“Do you want to go to Nani and Papa’s for lunch?”
“Can I play with Bishop and Bentley?” she asks about my parents’ two Yorkies.
“Of course.”
“Then, yes,” she answers immediately.
Yes we’ll be there.
Dad
In case I haven’t mentioned it enough, it’s good to have you home kid.
It’s good to be home.
And for the first time since I’ve arrived, I actually feel like Hols and I are right where we’re supposed to be.
“So, how is he?” my mom asks as she fries up grilled cheese. I watch Hollie through the kitchen window in the yard with my dad and their Yorkies playing fetch.
“Who?”
She turns to face me as I sip my iced tea.
“Your star patient who needed your phone number for medical reasons.” She grins.
I sigh. “I think I’m just coming to the conclusion that it’s just time to let past conflicts go, there’s no reason we can’t be civil or friendly even,” I tell her.
“I think he’s got a lot more hidden beneath that cool surface than you realize,” my mother says, flipping the two sandwiches in her pan.
“Of course you do.” I laugh as I drain my glass.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks, sounding hurt.
“Nothing, you just always defend him.”
She turns to face me. “I don’t always defend him.” She points her spatula at me. “You know, since Jacob passed he comes here every time your dad needs something. Helped rebuild the shed. They clean the garage out, and do an annual dump run with all the dead limbs and brush from the property. Helps him open and close the swimming pool. Never forgets a birthday, or Christmas. He has his own parents but he’s the son we lost, Violette. I know something happened between the two of you that you refuse to talk about. And I know there’s a part of you that never recovered from that, but take my advice sweetheart, life is too short. If he’s trying to make up for past mistakes, maybe try letting him.”
As she finishes her little speech, a message pops up on my phone.
Rowan
My day nurse just helped me into the fancy hydro bath and I think she tried to sneak a peek.
I laugh, and I hear my mom mutter, “Mm-hmm.”
Bonnie’s seen it all.
And will fuck with him on purpose.
Rowan
Should I be offended or happy that she said it takes a lot to impress her? Am I impressive or not? I might not sleep without the answers to these questions.
I laugh out loud as my mother plates our lunch.
“Guess you don’t need my advice, judging by the look you’re wearing. But take my word for it, Vivi. He’s a good one, give him another chance. He might surprise you.”
I look down at the GIF Rowan has just sent me of Homer Simpson backing into a hedge.
I blow out a breath with my smile.
“So everyone keeps telling me.”
By the end of the day, Hollie and I have visited with my parents and played for over two hours at the local park—which is Hollie’s favorite thing in the world to do. I’ve caught up on all the laundry and tidied the house. It’s been a full day with my baby, and normally I’d be ready to get her bath done and sink into my sofa with a movie, but today I’ve just been distracted.
Distracted waiting for the texts from Rowan that really haven’t stopped since I opened my eyes. Most recently, a selfie of him at lunch when he wooed Betty, the grandmotherly lunch porter, to give him an extra plate of roast beef and potatoes. An update that Bonnie was nicer than Tilly, but she still wouldn’t play cards with him. And finally by suppertime, an invitation to download an app so I could play online Euchre and various games against him.
Which brings me to where I am now; cuddled up on my couch while Hols and I catch what feels like our twentieth episode of SuperPets, as I beat the pants off him at cup pong while sending funny GIFs back and forth every time I do.
Rowan
I’m really very good you know. I’m just letting you win so you’ll keep talking to me.
Oh yeah?
Rowan
Yeah.
I don’t buy it, you’re too competitive for that. I’m just better, face it.
Rowan
Wanna bet?
Depends.
Rowan
On what?
The stakes of course
Rowan
I win, you go out with me.
I don’t date hotshots
Rowan
I’m not a hotshot right now.
I don’t date my patients.
Rowan
Well, that’s easy, I won’t be your patient after tomorrow either.
I sit up a little straighter.
They gave you the go ahead for release?
Rowan
Yep.
As happy as I am, I fight the feeling of my heart sinking just a little.
Rowan
Now, call it what you want, a simple hang out, date, coffee, whatever… but if I win, you agree to see me.
And before you get any smart ass ideas, I mean after I go home tomorrow.
And if I win?
Rowan
What do you want, Vi?
I think for a second because I honestly have no idea what I want. The only thing I know is that I don’t want to give him up just yet.
For our date to NOT be at Shifty’s.
I wait as I see three little dots pop up, then disappear, then pop up again.
Rowan
Holy fuck I can’t believe you agreed. Deal.
You still have to win, you know that right?
Rowan
Yep. I pick the game.
Agreed.
I wait a few minutes, trying to picture his face as he thinks really hard about what he could possibly beat me in.
I laugh out loud when a request to join him in a game of Wordbubbles comes through. It’s a game where you have to spell words with your available letters over different colored bubbles that give you points based on their color. First to 250 wins.
Seriously? Word games are my jam. I’m going to wipe the floor with you.
Rowan
I guess we’ll see.
The first word comes through from him. GLOWING.
I quickly scan my letters and spell the only word I can. HOLD.
A few seconds goes by, and his second word pops up. PAST.
I add my next word. FIRST .
I’m sure I look like an idiot sitting here staring at my phone when his next word comes through. STRONG.
I smile, slapping a word in, when more letters generate. SAFE .
He retaliates a few seconds later with: LOVING.
I feel the blush creep up my neck. I shift a little in my seat.
I check my board, and grin, firing back with: HOT.
I wait with bated breath.
EYES.
I feel heat creep up my throat as his next words continue to filter through.
I’m convinced that he’s definitely got to be cheating somehow. BEAUTY.
I send back a real banger. BLUE, but it’s a double point word.
When the next word comes through, I feel that last little thread of control I was holding onto begin to slip right through my fingers.
GRACE.
I shamelessly smile down at my phone like a lovesick teen and send him back: HANDS
I wait what feels like minutes for him to enter his next word, I’m just about to text him to see if he fell asleep when it pops up.
PERFECTION
Rowan
That’s game. I win.
Sure enough I look down and see that he’s hit 250 points already.
I openly giggle, as I bite my bottom lip. What am I letting this man do to me?
I. Don’t. Date. Hotshots.
“Mommy, why do you have a big smile like this?” Hols asks, smiling wide and looking up at me.
“I’m just happy, babe.” I giggle as I bend down to kiss her head.
Rowan
Also that was the hottest game of Wordbubbles I’ve ever played.
No idea what you mean.
Rowan
You know exactly what I mean Vi.
I decide to just give in for tonight, not caring how much we text back and forth, not overthinking. I know if he changes his mind it’s going to sting, but for tonight, I don’t care, it just feels good to have him.
As I tuck Hollie in and our messages continue, I keep laughing and smiling until the early hours of the morning. So much so that when I wake up with my phone in my hand the next day, my cheeks hurt.