Chapter 14
Vulcan
When I wake next, it’s to the sight of Valkyrie stepping into my room, her long blonde hair falling in soft waves around her face. In her hands are two steaming cups of coffee, the aroma immediately reaching my hazy senses.
“Morning, shithead,” she says, her mouth wide open, yawning. Could she be any less ladylike? “Got you a cup of joe.”
“Please tell me it’s not any of the hospital crap.” I sit up and take the cup from her. “I’d rather not stay longer than needed, and I fear that drinking their coffee will only extend my time here.”
“Nah, it’s from Junior’s bodega.” She plops down on my hospital bed.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling a bit more human after my first sip. “What time are you heading to work?” She’s wearing her signature yoga pants and oversized hoodie, further convincing me she owns nothing but workout clothes.
“Oh gosh, please don’t get me started on my new client.” She rolls her eyes.
“Then don’t.”
“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.” She hits my leg. “It’s Marino Wilde, the gold medalist swimmer? You’ve probably heard of him.” I haven’t.
“That sounds exciting, having such a high-caliber client,” I tease, knowing all about Val’s roster of athletes she claims are self-entitled and needy.
She lets out an exaggerated groan. “Exciting? It’s exasperating, more like a royal pain in my ass. This guy’s ego is so inflated I’m surprised he doesn’t float away during our sessions. He thinks he’s God’s gift to water.”
“Seems like you’ve met your match.”
“Pfft. As if. He’s constantly moaning.” She puts on a whiny voice. “‘Oh, Doc, how can I possibly clinch gold if I can’t nail my butterfly stroke?’ I swear, Vully, he makes me want to shave my head and join a monastery.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a real prima donna on your hands.”
“Understatement of the century,” she deadpans. “I’m this close to slapping a ‘handle with care’ sticker on his forehead and shipping him back to whatever chlorine-filled petri dish he crawled out of.”
“Easy there, sis. You don’t want to end up as the PT who sank an Olympic career.”
“Please, with that ego, he’d bob right back up.” She pauses, a devious look in her eye. “Actually, that gives me an idea for a new rehab exercise.”
“Do I even want to know?”
“Let’s just say it involves a pool noodle and a crash course in How Not to Be a Douche 101.” She smirks and glances at her watch. “I’ve got about ten minutes before I need to run. How are you feeling?”
“Like shit, but if I want to get discharged sooner, I need to fake it.”
“Or just get a doctor to make home visits. Like that doctor from last night. She’s feisty.” Val chuckles.
“What are you on about now?”
She takes a sip of her coffee. “I think she was jealous. Did you tell her who I was?”
“I did.” I don’t tell her how Karina apologized for baring her fangs—Val doesn’t need the confirmation.
“So, are you two dating?” she asks.
“We are, and that’s all I’m going to share for now. And I believe your ten minutes are up. You’d better get going.”
“Oh, come on!” she whines, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “You can’t just drop that bomb and leave me hanging. I need details!”
I shake my head, fighting back a grin. “Nope. Doctor-patient confidentiality and all that.”
“Since when did you get so coy?” She narrows her eyes at me. “Wait a minute. You like her, don’t you?”
“You need to go. I’m sure your Olympian is waiting for you.”
“So evasive!” Val’s eyes widen. “Come on, spill the tea.”
“I wouldn’t be dating her if I didn’t like her, Valkyrie.”
She grins triumphantly, like she’s just won an argument I didn’t know we were having. “Well, duh. But this is different. You’re getting all squirmy and defensive.”
“I am not getting squirmy,” I protest, shifting uncomfortably in my bed. Damn these hospital sheets, they make everything feel like an interrogation.
“You totally are. It’s cute. My big brother, flustered as shit over his girlfriend.”
“Get going. We’ll talk later. I promise.”
She rolls her eyes, snatching up her bag. “And don’t you break that promise.” She glances at her watch. “Crap, I need to get going. I’m cutting it close, and I can’t leave his royal wetness waiting.”
“Try not to drown in his charisma.”
“I swear, dealing with him is like trying to reason with a stubborn toddler who thinks he’s Michael Phelps.” She lets out a deep breath. “Hey, let me know if I need to pull strings to get you home visits. There’s an annoying doctor at my clinic who needs more patients.”
“Let me guess, you want him out of the clinic and out of your hair?”
“You know me so well.” She lets out a loud cackle. “His name is Ralph, and he won’t stop asking me out. And you’re going to help get him off my back!” She places her hand on her heart and bats her lashes. “See, this is why you’re my favorite brother.”
“I’m your only brother.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Don’t be a buzzkill. Do you want the in-house care or not?”
“Sounds like a plan. Thank you. And remember,” I call as she heads for the door, “there are plenty of other fish in the sea.”
The sound of her groan echoes down the hallway, leaving me chuckling into my coffee. I settle back into my pillow, and my phone screen lights up with a message.
Karina: In the cafe downstairs, would you like some coffee? Anything to eat?
I smile, fingers flying over the screen.
Me: My sister just dropped off some coffee, but I can go for something to eat—a bacon, egg, and cheese on a cinnamon raisin bagel?
Karina: You got it. See you shortly.
I toss aside the sheets, suddenly motivated to look a bit more presentable. I shuffle into the cramped bathroom, splash cold water on my face, and attempt to tame the mess that is my hair.
When I walk back into my room, dressed in the fresh clothes Valkyrie brought me yesterday, the door opens.
“Good morning. Are you getting discharged?” Karina takes in my attire, her eyes lingering on my sling.
“I was given some pain meds. I barely feel anything so I was hoping to leave today. I prefer to be comfortable; I hate hospitals.”
“Comfort is key,” she agrees, stepping closer and handing me a paper bag with a greasy bottom.
A nurse walks in, clipboard in hand. “Mr. Montgomery, ma’am.” She nods at us both, her eyes flickering with recognition at Karina. “Oh, Dr. Reyes, I didn’t realize you would be tending to our patient.”
Karina’s eyes meet mine briefly. “I’m not. He’s the fire captain over at Station 112 and a good friend of mine.”
“It’s okay to say boyfriend, everyone already knows about the incident in the ER a few days ago.” The nurse smiles.
“What happened in the ER?” I look to Karina.
“Nothing,” she rushes to say. “Let Andrea do whatever she came here to do.” Karina takes a step back as the nurse gives me a rundown of my discharge process, each word sounding more like a promise of freedom. I knew Val was going to pull some strings but damn she moves quick.
When the nurse finally leaves, Karina turns to me, her brown eyes serious. I can see she’s going to like things her way. Not that I have a problem with that, but she’ll have to know that compromise is key in any relationship.
“I don’t know how you managed this, but I don’t think you should leave just yet.” She grabs the clipboard from the bed. “Per the doctor’s note, you’re out of commission for twelve weeks and must leave the sling on for three.”
“Two days out of commission should be fine.” I take a bite of my bagel. “You look more beautiful without makeup on. I love to see your freckles.”
“Thank you, but let’s not change the subject here. As I was saying, it’s not up for debate. It’s an order for a reason and is the only way to avoid infection and further injury.” She waves the paper in her hand. “You follow them as if your life depends on it. In your case, it does.”
She’s right, but I don’t want to admit it.
I won’t let a little shoulder injury stop me.
I have a legacy to protect. My father never let any injury, minor or serious, stop him from doing his job, and neither will I.
I take another bite and nod my head slowly.
The best way to avoid a scolding is to stay silent.
“Don’t just nod your head. Tell me with your words that you understand what I’m telling you and that you’ll take it easy.” She tilts her head to the side, eyebrows raised.
“I understand. I’ll try. I guess with this time off, I could organize the wedding, and meet your family—”
“No, that’s not important. They’re busy.
Also, my brothers go to college in Ohio.
” Her body language tells me there’s a story here, but if she doesn’t want to share, I won’t push it.
Karina and I aren’t close to where I can start poking into all her business.
“Besides, I prefer it just be me, you, our witness, and the officiant. We agreed on a small wedding, remember?”
“I think our definitions of small vary slightly. Our marriage may be contractual, but we’re still legally getting married. My family and the guys at the fire station won’t be happy if I say I do without them.” I would never hear the end of it.
“Umm…” She trails off, and that’s when I notice how stiff she’s become. “I see we want different things. I would hate for you to regret marrying me, contractual or not. I’m just not huge on family gatherings.”
“If you don’t want to invite your family, you don’t have to. And I can invite just my sister and Harry.” I know this wedding is essentially a business transaction, but I’ll still need to explain things to the nosy people in my life. “I’m sure you would like someone there with you, a friend maybe?”
“Yeah.” She tugs at her earlobe, glancing at the ground. Something I notice she does when she’s feeling unsettled.
“Okay, then our guest list is settled.” I smile, and she looks up at me with wide eyes.