Chapter 13
13
EVE CASSIDY
‘I get the feeling that you’re implying I should bring him home with me?’ I ask the doctor I know all too well before glancing at Foster, who can’t keep his eyes off me.
Sure, I’ve been here every day since his accident. But this isn’t going the way I expected. My original plan was to quietly tiptoe out, escaping undetected before he stirred from his sleep. Now I’m unexpectedly being volunteered to nurse the man back to health.
‘He’s going to need round-the-clock care as his mobility needs supervision. He’s still got a great deal of internal injuries healing. His cervical spine is bruised, and he’ll probably be wobbly on his feet for a bit. You’re literally the best person for the job.’
My heart speeds as I try to maintain my calm exterior. ‘OK,’ I say, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty.
‘As I’m sure you’re aware, Mrs Foster, every injury is unique and requires a customized approach. He’s lucky to have you in his life right now.’
My mouth involuntarily falls open in surprise and I shoot Jeremy, my co-worker, a glare – he knows damn well my last name isn’t Foster.
‘Cassidy,’ I correct him. ‘It’s been Cassidy since the day we met.’
Dr Sully smirks. ‘My apologies,’ he says under his breath with a chuckle.
‘I don’t know if I can take that much time off work,’ I say.
‘You can with a doctor’s note,’ Doctor Sully reminds me, a sly smile on his face.
Matty nods like he knew that all along.
‘Can I, uh… talk to you?’ I ask Matty, refusing to see how Foster is reacting to my hesitation. ‘In the hall?’
He raises his eyebrows in confusion. ‘Sure? Just let me grab a doughnut first.’
As he stands, I make my way outside Foster’s room. Matty walks out a moment later with a famous Voodoo Doll doughnut whose head he’s currently biting off.
‘Shall I quit my job too?’ I ask, lowering my voice so we’re not overheard.
‘What else is he supposed to do? He can’t road-trip or fly, you heard the doctor – you’re the best fit for this job.’
I sigh heavily. ‘I know, but besides the last couple of weeks, I haven’t seen Foster in years. We’re divorced! I can’t bring him home with me.’
‘Yet you were good with pretending to be his wife since he got here.’
I moan. ‘Only because I have a heart. But moving him into my place? My tiny, one-bedroom apartment? That is hugely different to visiting him in the hospital.’
‘Can’t be that bad. I’d bet it’s probably got all the same things he’s got here. Why can’t you play home nurse? Clearly you like to help people. Maybe it’ll be fun? You two used to have so much fun together that you decided to get married after a month. Why not explore that a bit longer?’
‘Because exploring that will probably include wiping his ass – those are wife duties.’
Matty grimaces. ‘Maybe buy a bidet?’
I drop my head back, frustrated but also wondering why I don’t already have a bidet. I’ll look into that.
‘Despite the fact that I once loved him, and those feelings are slightly stirred within, I’m pretty sure I no longer do. So, I don’t think him moving in with me will be all sunshine and rainbows. Do you realize the responsibilities that come with taking care of someone injured the way he is? I’ll have to help him get dressed, prepare his meals, assist him to and from the bathroom, shower, make sure he’s moving enough and doesn’t overdose on his pills or get addicted, and drive him to his doctor’s appointments – all on top of possibly going back to work because my vacation days are going to end very soon.’
‘Or you could pretend you once loved the guy and make sure he gets the best care possible.’
I cross my arms over my chest.
‘I bet he’d pay you,’ he says, taking another bite of his doughnut as if this conversation is as casual as it gets.
I glare. ‘Matty, I don’t have the room or the time.’
‘The fact that you’re standing here says you’ve got the time. Plus, how much room could he take? Just make sure he doesn’t die. Easy-peasy.’
‘Easy-peasy? Ha! What if I miss giving him his meds on time? And shall I give him my bed too?’
‘That’s up to you. I’d suggest the couch but you’re the professional, if you think he needs to be in your bed I don’t think he’d shy away.’
I glare. Hard. But it’s almost like it spurs him on. ‘You’re delusional.’
‘You haven’t said no, so – sounds like we’ve got a deal?’ Matty says before heading back into Foster’s room. As I follow, he whispers into my ear. ‘Why are you really here? For a man you pretend you can’t stand. Maybe think about that.’
I groan to myself, following him into Foster’s room. I shift my gaze toward Foster, captivated by his piercing blue eyes which seem to reflect the depth of his soul. His unwavering stare makes me feel vulnerable, almost as if he can see right through me – like he knows what I’m about to say. A strange sensation takes hold of me, but I can’t quite discern whether it’s the flutter of butterflies or the sting of bees.
‘It’s complicated,’ I say, attempting to soften the blow of me saying ‘no’ to this.
Foster nods. ‘Eve,’ he says, glancing at my hands.
I look down, my fingers intertwined as I spin my ring around my finger. ‘This is a fidget ring. I’m using it exactly as it was intended.’
‘I don’t expect you to take care of me. I’m a grown man. I’ll check into a hotel. Maybe I can sweet-talk a maid into helping me out here and there. Uber Eats can feed me, and I’m sure it’ll be fine.’
My heart slows. I don’t doubt he could sweet-talk a maid into doing whatever he wants, but he sounds so disappointed by the idea of it. His tone doesn’t match the mask of the casual smile he’s wearing either. How would he get the food Uber leaves outside his door? A hotel room is smaller than my apartment. What if he doesn’t take his meds right and gets worse? What if he bleeds out and dies in his sleep – alone?
‘No,’ I say, surprising even myself. ‘You’re not going to a hotel.’ I sigh heavily, sitting in the chair near Foster’s bed and resting my head against the back. ‘My apartment isn’t far from here. I’m sure we can make it work.’
The smile on Foster’s face makes the swarm of fluttering in my chest feel less lethal than it did earlier. Maybe this will be fun? I mean we did used to have fun together. Matty’s not wrong about that.
I block out the chatter between the three of them now and worry about what my friends will think of me having just volunteered to nurse Foster back to health, in my apartment.