“Is Melody around or are you trying to butter me up with your “nice” voice?” I asked.
He sighed. “The second one.”
I shook my head. “Is this something you’re proposing going to put me on the wrong side of the law?”
He chuckled. “No. And even if it did, Melody would have my balls tied in a nice little sack.”
“You’re one lucky bastard for wifing her up one day… by the way, when will that be?” I kept joking, hoping he would forget what he wanted to ask me.”
He grunted, “Jesus. Between you and B.B, I’m never going to hear the end of it.”
While I appreciated that my friend was happy and safe and truly in love with the man, why waste time? Sure, there was a side of jealousy that tasted bitter in my mouth, but they were made for each other. I only hoped that I would experience a type of devotion and adoration. Maybe with my vibrator or the shower head.
“I need your help again, Mia.”
“I’m listening.”
“I need your help with a stubborn patient,” he bluntly said.
That’s why Melody texted me, she wasn’t back to her baseline for some reason, and she’s the stubborn patient. I’ll admit, my heart sank to think of someone I care about in pain when I could have helped.
“I finished with her a week or so ago. Hound, is she in pain again? She take a fall?” I started triaging.
Another chuckle released from him. “Good to know that you care about my songbird, but not that patient.”
“So, are you needing a former rehab nurse for this one? I mean I could ask my old team if someone could work with one of your men or their partners or kids. Melody was a one off, but after that, Hound, it’s been years since I was back in a rehab unit.” I tried to deter him from the case.
“Mia. Mia. Listen. I know, I remember your speech from the beginning. But you’re the only one I trust and this certain patient may listen to you,” Hound interrupted.
“I can take care of my own damn self. I don’t need that evil nurse.” Another deep voice came from the phone.
Shooter.
“Thought you liked me as an evil nurse.” What the fuck was I saying, I wasn’t entertaining this.
“Bedside manners needed some work…” Shooter started to say, but there was a soft grunt and a threat to finish that statement. Even more reason for me to pass on this. Even if a dark part of me wanted to entertain the idea of him.
“Ain’t no way, Hound Dog. You heard him, he doesn’t want hisfavoriteevil nurse around and I’m okay with that. Dumbass got himself in this situation, he can get himself out.” It was one thing for him to come to my hospital and try to flirt his way into seeing me. But we always had some sort of banter and wanted to claw each other's eyes out.
“See, I’m fine, Prez,” Shooter tried to say.
“Please. He’s not listening to any of us, he’s not taking his meds for his pain, even though clearly the fucker is in pain. He’s trying to walk around and act like he can go back to normal. He’s not using the damn crutches.” Hound sounded desperate.
“What makes you think he’ll listen to me?”
“You got Melody to listen.” I could hear the shrug he was probably giving.
“That’s because she liked me and I liked her. Not so much your fallen comrade. Hound, his own stubbornness and attitude will be the death of him. Not much I can do about that.” I was putting my foot down.
Plus, being around Shooter was one thing, it was being alone with him that was another. I didn’t know if I could survive being alone with him and not feel like I could melt under his touch. When he looked at me, it was enough to feel the heat rise to my cheeks and tingling through my body.
“Stray would otherwise disagree. Something about you saying please to him and he complied.” Hound tested the water with that one.
I swallowed sharply. The flashback of his visit and the way he stared at me, resisted listening to me, but something broke through and made him listen. I couldn’t argue with that.
“Plus, I'll double the payout this time.” And like magic, my attention was there again.
“Double?”
