Chapter 21
St. Mary’s Hospital
Miami, Florida
Bennett left the room and took Taylor's advice.
He walked down to the coffee station and was fixing himself a cup of coffee when a tall, dark, muscular man walked up carrying pink roses and a suitcase.
He looked rushed and angry. The minute Bennett saw him, he remembered him.
The guy had been the doctor who came to the gala back in March as Poppy's date, her friend from Gulf Shores.
Bennett hadn't liked the guy then. He didn't like the looks of him any better now.
For the life of him, Bennett could not understand how Poppy's friend was also the father of Taylor's child.
Afraid that the guy would barge in and embarrass Taylor, Bennett all but yelled, "Greer, stop!" across the corridor.
The nurses loudly yelled, "Shh! Be quiet! This is a hospital," but it got Greer's attention.
He stopped just short of the room, and Bennett was able to catch up with him before he stormed in on Taylor. Bennett wasn't positive Taylor wouldn't want Greer there, but he wasn't sure she would, so it was better to err on the side of caution.
Greer was not happy about being curtailed, especially by Bennett. Giving him a hateful look, Greer snapped, "What do you want? I want to see Taylor. The nurse said the doctor was with her. I wanted to hear what he has to say."
"Hey man, I get that, but slow down and think for a minute. Taylor is pretty modest, as I am sure you know. I don't think she would feel comfortable with you barging in right in the middle of an exam."
"I'm a doctor. What does it matter?"
"Yes, but you are not her doctor. You're her…whatever you are. Think about how vulnerable she is feeling right now. I think she has enough to deal with without you adding to that."
Greer hated to admit it, but Bennett had a point. Nodding, he said, "Okay, fine. I will wait until the doctor comes out and talk to him."
"Her. You will talk to her. The doctor is a lady."
"Okay, fine, I will talk to her. In the meantime, I have a question for you. What are you doing here? Why aren't you playing the golden boy politician or Ken doll or something?"
Bennett was taken aback by the anger and hostility he could feel rolling off Greer.
What the hell had he ever done to tick this guy off?
Giving him a look, Bennett said, "Obviously, you don't like me very much, and I have no idea why. But I am here because I care about Taylor, and the hospital called me. Last time I checked, I am still her husband.”
"Yes, you are. And why is that?" When Bennett didn't immediately answer, Greer charged ahead, saying, "I will tell you why I don't like you.
You have hurt Taylor, and you continue to hurt her no matter how much you claim to care about her.
You had an affair behind her back in front of the whole club.
Not to mention, you also have a son you never told her about.
Then you ask her for a divorce while you go off and play house with your mistress and son, but you never get around to actually getting a divorce.
As far as I am concerned, Taylor could do with a little less of your caring. "
"First of all, leave Poppy and my son out of this. They have nothing to do with Taylor. Furthermore, Poppy is not my mistress. You have no idea what you are talking about. Lastly, keep your voice down. Do you want someone to hear you?"
"I could care less if someone hears me. I have nothing against Poppy.
She is a talented artist and a wonderful mom.
The only thing I can't figure out is how she got mixed up with you.
I want you and your sorry lying self out of my business.
And make no mistake, Taylor and that baby are my business.
So why don't you go back to DC and run your little campaign and take care of your family, and I will take care of mine.
" At that point, Greer poked Bennett hard in the chest.
While Greer talked, Bennett could feel himself getting madder and madder. He hadn't liked the guy to begin with. But add his hateful tone and words with a sharp poke in the chest, and Bennett lost it. He reared back and hit Greer square in the mouth.
Greer's head hit the wall behind him with a thud, and blood ran down his chin. For a second, he stood stunned. Then, he reacted. Lunging for Bennett, he yelled, "You son of a…" as he dropped the suitcase and flowers scattered across the floor. From there, punches flew, and nurses screamed.
A nurse at the nursing station yelled, "Call security!"
Before security could arrive, two orderlies separated the two men.
Both men were bleeding, and several pieces of medical equipment and chairs in the hallway had been turned over.
Dr. LaGay ran out of Taylor's room, "What in the world is going on out here?
" Seeing the two men both bruised and bleeding, she shook her head.
Frowning at Greer, she said, "Well, I guess you're the daddy?
I knew this was going to be complicated when I found out you weren't," she said, pointing at Bennett.
One of the orderlies holding Greer back said, "Security has been called."
Giving Bennett and Greer her most fierce doctor look, she said, "If you two can't control yourselves and act right, I will have you both thrown out of here.
I don't care if you will be the next, whatever.
There is a lovely lady in that room who does not need this kind of stress.
So what is it going to be? Can you act like you have brains in your heads?
If so, I will have them cancel security, and we can act like this never happened.
Or, security can hold you until the cops get here.
I am good either way, but my guess is that my patient won't be. "
Bennett and Greer looked at each other and then back at the doctor.
Greer threw his hands in the air as if to surrender and walked a few steps away.
Seeing that Greer was backing down, Bennett said, "Fine, we will control ourselves.
I am sorry this happened. Please call security and tell them it was a misunderstanding.
The last thing either one of us wants is to upset Taylor. "
At that point, both men and the orderlies began to straighten the chairs and equipment. Greer reached down and gathered up what was left of the roses he had brought for Taylor.
With the crisis averted, the doctor said to the orderly, "Call security and cancel them.
Then, nodding to Greer, she said, "Taylor tells me that you are a doctor and will probably want a full run down on her stats.
She has permitted me to discuss her case with you.
So, if you will come with me, I will be happy to show you her scans from earlier and discuss her situation. "
Looking at Bennett, she said, "Clean yourself up and say goodnight to your wife.
I am sure that once I am done with this one," pointing to Greer, "she will want to spend some time with him.
It would probably be best if you were gone by then.
" At that, the doctor turned and walked toward a conferencing area with Greer.
Bennett visited the men's room, cleaned himself up the best he could, and then went to see Taylor.
Walking through the door a few minutes later, Taylor saw that Bennett's shirt was torn and his face cut.
Horrified, she cried, "What have you two been doing?
I was worried it might be you two when I heard the commotion outside. "
Touching his chin, she said, "Did Greer start this? I knew he was high-strung, but I never thought he was a fighter. Oh, Bennett, I am so sorry. No one got arrested, did they? I know this is the last thing you need right now."
"Which part? The fighting in the hallway, the wife pregnant by another man part, or the getting the crap kicked out of me by the other man part?"
"All of it, I guess. I really am sorry about all of this."
"Well, don't be. As your boyfriend, or whatever he is, pointed out, all of this is my fault. I know that. I am so sorry. And for the record, Greer didn't start the fight; I did. He kept poking me, and I snapped. I am sorry, Taylor, for everything."
"You did? Really? I am shocked. But it doesn't matter. What is done is done. You had best say good night before he comes back.”
"Yes, I agree. One fight a day is my limit.
" Giving her a quick kiss on the forehead, he said, "I am going to get a room at the hotel across the street.
The doctor said earlier that you could probably go home on Sunday.
I am going to stay until you are released.
If you want to fly home with me, you can.
If you want to stay here, I will respect that too, but I don't think you should be alone.
You need to think about how you want to handle all of this.
Joules is about to die to talk to you, so please call her later.
If you need me, call me on my cell. I will check on you tomorrow.
Love you." While talking, he picked up Taylor's hand and squeezed it.
Taylor replied, "I love you too," as he said goodbye with another kiss on the forehead.
Of course, Greer chose that moment to walk into the room. He didn't say anything but just looked from Taylor to Bennett. Scowling at Bennett, Greer all but growled, "I thought you were leaving."
Taylor frowned at him and said, "Greer, chill. This is not what it looks like. He is leaving."
"Just for the night, "Bennett added. "I'll be back tomorrow." Walking to the door, he turned back and added, "Remember, call me on my cell if you need me. I will be right here."
"Thank you, I appreciate it," said Taylor.
With that, Bennett walked out, and Taylor turned and looked at Greer.