Tryst (18 page)

Talie

I was alone when
I woke the next morning.

I suspected I would be, but that didn’t stop the little pang of sadness when I reached for him and he wasn’t there.

I hoped things weren’t as bleak for him in this new day. I hoped that telling someone about what happened to Dani helped him heal, if only a little.

There was no clock on the table beside the bed, and the curtain was partially pulled around
, concealing the wall clock, so I pushed up and leaned forward to get a peek at the time.

My movement was cut short when pain stopped me in my tracks. I was so sore. Even more so than yesterday. They told me I would be, that it was part of the healing process. The healing process sucked.

It made me think longingly of pain medicine.

And then I remembered.

I remembered I was pregnant.

A smile curved my lips and I put a hand to my bell
y. “Hey, peanut,” I whispered and stretched my arms and legs slightly, trying to work out the soreness. I needed to move around. Lying in this bed was only making it worse.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and used the IV stand as support to stand up. My feet were bare and the tile floor was cold. I was dressed in one of those stupid, too
-large hospital gowns and it hung down past my knees.

My entire body felt like a giant bruise, but I kept moving. After maneuvering the IV stand
, I used the facilities and washed my hands. Then I scared myself by looking in the mirror.

My hair looked like it hadn’
t seen a comb in weeks, my face was pale, and there was a large purple bruise along my jawline. A small, red cut was near my left eyebrow, and I saw the top of a bruise under the neckline of the gown. It seemed to be a mark from the seatbelt. My left wrist was in a soft brace from the sprain and the skin inside it itched like there were ants on patrol in there.

I heard the door to my room open and click shut so I called out, “I’m in here
.”

I didn’t want the nurse or Claire to think something happened to me.

The door to the bathroom was practically ripped off its hinges seconds later. The sudden action scared me and I jumped. My weight transferred onto the IV pole, which was on wheels, and unable to catch my footing, I went sliding backward toward the toilet.

“What the fuck are you doing
?” someone growled in a tone that was sooo not the nurse or Claire.

“Gavin?” I gasped
.

He came forward, catching me around the waist and swinging me up into his arms.

“What are
you
doing?” I demanded.

“Stopping you from falling and killing yourself.”

“Oh, please,” I muttered. “Put me down. I want to walk.”

“No.”

“How dare you argue with a woman in the hospital!” I snapped.

“You’re the only one who’s arguing.”

I gave him an evil look. “You’re pulling on my IV.”

He s
et me down but kept a hold on my arm like I was helpless and couldn’t walk.

I opened my mouth to tell him what I thought of being treated like a ninety
-year-old lady, but he narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you sass me. I’ll smack that fine, bare ass.”

I gasped and reached around to close the back of the gown.

He smirked. “Ain’t nothing I haven’t seen before,” he leaned down and whispered in my ear.

Memories of all the times he’d seen my naked body burned through my veins. “I need to get some clothes,” I muttered.

“Claire’s out in the hall, flirting with Stitch.”

“Some friend she is!” I said without heat.
In truth, it was nice to see her flirting. It was something she so rarely did.

I made my way back to bed
. Gavin matched my slow, small steps the whole way and never complained. He didn’t support me, which I would have hated, but he did stand close so that if I needed him he was there.

The aroma of baked goods and coffee wafted toward me and my stomach practically attacked my abdomen to get out. There was a brown paper sack and a couple of coffee cups sitting beside the bed.

I looked at Gavin. He was still dressed in the same clothes he wore last night. His hair was still a wreck and his clothes were more wrinkled than before.

“You haven’t been home?” I said, surprised.

“No.”

“You were gone when I woke up
. I just assumed—”

“I went to get some decent coffee and some food. I thought you might be hungry.”

I paused beside the bed. “You stayed here? All night?”

“Yes.”
He nudged me into the bed and then pulled the covers around my legs.

“But why?”

The door opened and Claire breezed in, looking a little bright-eyed.
Flirting must really agree with her.
“Hey, Claire.”

“Hey,” she said, carrying a bag of what I hoped was clothes and a hairbrush in one hand and a coffee in the other. “Thanks for the latte, Gavin.”

“Anytime,” he replied, handing me a tall, white cup with a lid. “Here, don’t burn yourself.”

“Thank you.”

He pushed the chair closer to Claire and motioned for her to sit as he pulled a giant blueberry muffin out of the bag and handed it to me.

“Mmmm. That looks so good
,” I said, ready to devour it.

“Well, it isn’t a snack cake.”

I rolled my eyes. “No, this actually has fruit in it.”

“Overrated.”

I giggled as he picked up his own cup and took a drink. He made no effort to move away from the bed. Claire was looking between us with surprise on her face.

“What the hell is up with you two?” she said. “Are you
dating
?”

“No!” I said swiftly, feeling my cheeks burn. I gave Claire a
what the hell
look and hoped she took the hint.

“We’re just friends. Gavin is Aunt Ruth’s neighbor.”

She looked like she wanted to argue, but I gave her the death stare and she shut up.

Thank God.

Gavin just stood there, drinking his coffee, but I was too chicken to brave a glance in his direction.

“Are
those clothes for me?” I asked, motioning to the bag on the floor beside her.

“Of course.”

“I want a shower so bad,” I said longingly.

“Stitch said he could spring you today
,” Claire said.

The door to my room opened and Joanna breezed in looking like her usual perfect self. She was dressed in a pair of navy linen sailor pants and a white fitted top with ruffles at the neck. Her hair wasn’t down
, but swept up into a neat twist on her head. On her feet was a pair of cork wedges that accentuated her willowy height.

“Talie
…” She began, breathless. “We’ve been so worried.”

“Joanna,” I said, “I’m surprised to see you.” I glanced at Claire.

“
I didn’t know how badly you were hurt when I got here.” She shrugged.

“I don’t know why you would be surprised. We got up and drove first thing this morning.”

“We?” I looked behind her.

“Momma, Daddy
, and Jack are here, of course. They’re parking the car.”

They were all here?
Oh boy.

“You didn’t have to drive this whole way,” I said, wishing they hadn’t. I loved my family, I loved them a lot
, but I really didn’t want them here. Not now.

“It’s only two hours,” she said. “We would have been here sooner, but Jack had some important meeting yesterday he just couldn’t get out of.”

Beside me, Gavin shifted, and Joanna’s eyes snapped to him like he was some criminal in a police lineup. “Who’s this?”

“Joanna, this is Gavin. He pulled me out of the car after the accident.”

“But that was days ago. Why is he still here?”

I sighed loudly. “He has ears
, you know.”

“Please forgive me,” she said
, contrite. “I’m so upset at seeing my sister this way.”

“Not a problem,” Gavin drawled.

“Blake should be here later today,” Joanna told me.

“Why would you call him?” I asked, anxiety spiking in my chest. The last thing I wanted was another fight with him.

“He’s your husband.”

Beside me
, Gavin stiffened.

“Soon
-to-be
ex
,” I said tightly.

Joanna looked between me and Gavin, her eyes calculating. I spoke, drawing
away her attention. “Call Blake and tell him not to come. He isn’t welcome.”

“Talie,” Joanna said.

I knew that tone of voice. I wasn’t going to be swayed this time.

“Now
, Joanna,” I snapped. “I don’t want him here and we are
not
getting back together.”

She was taken aback by my bitchiness. She looked at Gavin like it was his fault.

Claire knew things were about to get ugly, so she wrapped an arm around Joanna and said, “Why don’t we step outside and you can make that call?”

Joanna went with her, glancing back at us only once.

When the door closed behind them, I let out a sigh.

“She’s a piece of work,” Gavin drawled.

“She’s my sister,” I said simply.

“Your room’s about to get real crowded, so I
’ll just leave you to your company.”

As much as I hated it, he was right. “Thanks for staying
… and for breakfast.”

He leaned down, placing his hands on either side of my hips. I lifted my chin to look up into his blue eyes.

“I’m not leaving,” he whispered.

“
No?”

He shook his head.
“I’m going to go find Stitch. Maybe bug the nurses.”

I opened my mouth to ask him why he was staying, but he didn’t allow me to speak. His kiss cut off any reply I would have made.

Slow burn.

That’s how I would describe that kiss. It was slow and gentle, but it started this burn in my lower belly, a burn that I knew had potential to ignite into a full
-on fire. When he pulled back, he pressed another kiss to my forehead and then walked away.

When he reached the door, I noticed our kiss had an audience. My parents, sister
, and Jack were all standing there with mouths slack with shock. Gavin inclined his chin to my father on his way out, leaving me alone.

The rat.

My family came forward, firing a million questions at me.

It was going to be a long morning.

Talie

Four hours of hovering. I never knew four hours could feel like an entire lifetime. I avoided many of their questions by holding a hand to my head and pretending I didn’t feel well. It wasn’t that much of a lie. I did have a headache and my body was sore.

After I finished my breakfast, the nurse bustled in and removed the IV. I was so glad to get that thing out of my hand. I further delayed conversation about what they walked in on between Gavin and me by rushing off to the bathroom with the bag of clothes Claire brought.

I didn’t get away alone
, though. My mother followed me into the bathroom with a concerned look across her features. I didn’t have the heart to kick her out of the room. Plus, she was my mom and I kinda needed my mom right now.

The clothes Claire brought me were totally cute. Working in a trendy department store obviously taught her a lot about style. She brought me navy ankle
-length leggings and a kelly-green button-down top that was loose fitting and comfy over my bruises. Beneath it went a thick white tank top, and she added a long, navy-colored necklace with a ship anchor-shaped pendant. She even brought me a pair of kelly-green sandals to match.

By the time I was dress
ed, I felt exhausted. Talk about pathetic. My mother must have seen it written on my face because she ordered me to sit on the toilet so she could brush my hair.

“You cut your hair,”
she said.

“I needed a change.”

“I like it.”

“You do?” I asked
, surprised.

“Yes, your long hair was nice
, but this suits you much better.”

“Joanna told me to wear it long.”

Mom leaned down. “Joanna can be a bit bossy.”

I laughed.

She continued brushing, the action rather soothing. “You’ve been through a lot these past few weeks,” she said lightly.

“I can’t stay with him
, Mom. He cheated on me. He told me he was going to do it again. He doesn’t want a wife. He wants a trophy.”

She kept brushing.

“And I got fired from my job,” I admitted. “The head of the practice is a real douchebag.”

“What’s a douchebag?” she asked, pausing.

I stifled a laugh. “He wanted me to sleep with him as part of my job.”

“You’re right. He is a
douchebag.”

This time I couldn’t keep the laugh inside me.

“Blake would never have made you happy. I’ve always known that.” Her words were flippant, almost casual.

I looked up sharply, surprise bursting through my middle. “Really? Why didn’t you say something before?”

“Sometimes we have to make our own mistakes.”

“You’re not upset that I’m divorcing him?”
I honestly thought my mother’s reaction would be just like Joanna’s. I know I was a grown adult, but the opinion of my mother still mattered to me.

“I’d be upset if you didn’t. You deserve better than a
douchebag like him.” She sniffed.

Oh boy. I think she just found a new favorite word.

“What about Daddy?” I asked, biting my lip.

“Your father wants you to be happy. Just like I do.”
She said it like it was common knowledge. Had I really spent all these years being so hard on myself because I thought they were all silently judging me, when really, the only one judging me had been me?

“Joanna…”

The brush paused over my head and Mom drew back to look at me. “Joanna isn’t your mother. Sometimes she likes to pretend she is, but she isn’t. She’s your sister and she loves you, but she doesn’t get a vote on how you live your life.”

A heavy weight lifted off my shoulders.
“I love you, Mom.”

She smiled an
d set aside the brush. “I love you too, Talie.”

From the shopping bag
, she produced a hair tie and a thin, navy-colored headband. “I think off your face today. Yes?”

I nodded and she began making a small ponytail at the base of my neck.

“About that boy…”

“He’s not a boy.” I sighed. “And his name is Gavin.”

“There’s some sparks there?”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

“Sparks like that can’t be controlled, Talie.”

I glanced up at her again, surprised.

“What?” she raised her eyebrows at me. “I was your age once.”

“You and dad?”

She smiled.

“Gross.”

“You asked.”

“Ugh,” I said, but inside I was actually charmed. I was glad to know my mom and dad had been married for over twenty years because they truly loved each other.

“There,” she said, adding the headband to my head and admiring her work. “Beautiful.”

Tears sprang to my eyes for no good reason.

“Oh, honey,” she said, wrapping her arms around me. “It’ll all be okay.”

“I don’t know if it will
,” I murmured. I thought about Blake and the humiliation I felt when I saw him in bed with someone else. I thought about all the times he flat-out said or implied no one else would want me. I thought about Gavin and the way he overwhelmed me with so much desire and emotion. I thought about the baby who was barely formed inside me. Gavin never said he wanted me. In fact, he said just the opposite.

Maybe it was better this way. I shouldn’t jump into a relationship while getting out of another, even if there was a child involved.

“It will, honey. Life has a way of working itself out.”

I sniffled and pulled away.

“Why don’t you come stay with your father and me? You can take some time to heal from the accident and look for a new job when you’re ready.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

I left the hospital gown on the bathroom sink and took the bag and hairbrush back into my room. Jack and Joanna were by the window, having a private conversation, and my dad was checking EPSN on the TV. Claire was doing something on her smartphone.

“Well,” my mom said. “It’s clear that Talie is going to be just fine. I think we should quit smothering her and go back home.”

“What about Talie?” Joanna asked.

“I’ll bring her home in a day or so. We can stay at Aunt Ruth’s until she feels like travelling.” Claire offered.

“Yeah, I’m sure I’ll have to see about my car before I leave,” I added, incredibly grateful for Claire.

Joanna looked like she was about to protest, but
Mom interceded. “We can stop at the outlets on the way home, do a little shopping. Then we can have a nice dinner.”

I owed her big time.

“Well, if you’re sure,” Joanna said.

I nodded, trying not to look too relieved.

Mom turned to me. “Call us when you’re on your way. I’ll get your room ready.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

After we said our good-byes, everyone began filing out of the room.

“Jack,” I said, and he turned back. “Is there any way you can make this divorce happen any faster?”

I did
not
want give birth to Gavin’s baby while still married to Blake.

“Maybe
,” he said, slipping into lawyer mode. “If he doesn’t contest.”

“He’s not going to contest,” Joanna said from the doorway. I hadn’t realized she was there.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“Because when I called to tell him not to come
, that tawdry assistant of his answered his private cell. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t mind putting up with his… crude ways just to get his family name and prestige.”

The news didn’t even hurt me. It just made me incredibly sad.

“Well, if he already has another relationship, then I can likely get it pushed through in six months.”

“Please, Jack.”

He looked at me for long moments. I don’t know what he was looking for, but he must have found it. “I’ll make it happen.”

“Thank you
,” I said, rushing forward to hug him.

My burst of affection seemed to
catch him off guard, but after a moment, he returned the hug. “You’re family.”

When they were gone
, I collapsed back in the bed. “I thought they’d never leave,” I groaned.

“You and me both
,” Claire quipped.

“I am so ready to get out of here.”

“Are you ever going to tell me what’s up with you and Gavin?” she asked, folding her arms over her chest.

“Nothing.”

She gave me a look.

I sighed.

“Fine. There’s something, but he isn’t available.”

She groaned. “Is he married?”

“No. Nothing like that,” I said, not wanting to tell her about Dani. I wasn’t sure how he would feel about that, and I wanted to respect his wishes.

Stitch entered the room in his white coat and stylish haircut. His eyes went first to Claire
, and she blushed. Perhaps I needed to press her for details.

“You ready to blow this join
t?” Stitch said, giving me a smile.

“Please
!”

“I’d like to look you over first, but then
, yeah, I’ll spring ya.”

I couldn’t help but glance at the door, wondering where Gavin was.

“I sent him home to shower. He was scaring the patients,” Stitch said, following my gaze. “He wasn’t happy, but I told him I wouldn’t let him back in this room unless he was clean.”

“Oh
…”

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon
,” he said, pulling his stethoscope from around his neck.

“I’ll wait outside,” Claire said, exiting the room.

Stitch’s eyes followed her as she walked away.

“You like her.” I teased.

“Shhh,” he silenced, pretending like he was listening to my heartbeat, but he punctuated it with a smile.

After a general exam
, he glanced at me. “I guess your head is okay?” he asked, looking at the missing bandage and combed hair.

“Uh, yeah. That bandage drove me nuts.”

“Still no more cramping? Any spotting?” he asked, concerned.

“No
,” I said, fear prickling the back of my neck. “Should I be worried about the baby?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. It’s still so early on that I’m sure everything is fine. I would order an ultrasound
, but we wouldn’t be able to see much.”

“
You’re sure I’m pregnant?”

“Your HC
G levels were low, so it’s very new, but yes, you are. Come back in a month, maybe a little less, and we’ll do an ultrasound, make sure everything looks good, take some more blood work, et cetera.”

“Are you an OB?”

He smiled. “No. I’m not a baby doctor,” he quipped. “But that’s my best friend’s baby. I want to make sure you and it are healthy. I’ll have an OB there when you come in. She can read the ultrasound and look at your blood work.”

I know I only just met Stitch, but I trusted him
. I was intensely glad he was looking out for my baby.

“I really appreciate it.”

He smiled. “Until then, take care of yourself. Rest. Don’t push your body. You just went through a serious accident.”

As he spoke
, Gavin entered the room.

Stitch glanced at him
, then gave me a smile. “I’ll go get those release papers. See you in a month.”

On his way out
, he stopped beside Gavin and took a deep breath. “You clean up good!”

Gavin laughed and gave him a shove out the door.

When he turned back, I couldn’t help but stare. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a red T-shirt with the word SURF written across the front. His hair was still damp on the ends and it wasn’t sticking up all over his head anymore.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey.” He prowled to the bedside, his eyes inspecting every inch of my body, making it tingle with desire. “You feeling better?”

“Yeah.”

His azure gaze deepened to a cobalt shade and his eyes narrowed. “Then why do you have to come back in a month?”

“Just a follow-up
.” I lied.

“They wouldn’t schedule a follow-up for your type of injuries a month away. It would only be a week or two.”

“Oh.” Why the hell did he have to be a doctor? I wasn’t trying to keep this pregnancy from him, but I wasn’t about to spring it on him either. I felt like I needed to wait until I wasn’t in the hospital. Maybe by then we would have a chance to talk. “I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Stitch.” I tried.

“Talie
,” he said, a warning in his tone.

I looked away from the intensity of his gaze. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”