Page 91 of Game Changer

When you say it like that, Lis, it sounds like I’m an eternal student who can’t graduate college. I delayed entry, it’s not that I have the dumb!

AJ was laughing again. “I’m sorry, doctor,” he began, through his laughter.

“I’m sorry, too,” the doctor laughed somewhat embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to interrupt; I just came to do some final checks for release later today. Certainly seems as though you’re more than ready to go home.”

Yes! Yes, I am.

“Well, trust me, he’s fine. And if he’s not fine, then let’s just say, between friends since I’m sitting here mostly naked and all, that if he isn’t fine, I’m not sure I could even handle him fine. Send him home. I’ll look after him and keep an eye on him. I’ll even spoon-feed him if you want.”

What she said.

The doctor was properly laughing at her now.

“I’d heard the Irish were brazen, but I thought it usually involved alcohol!” the nurse joked.

Yup, I’m definitely going to marry that brazen Irish girl.

“Well, they aren’t all like me. I’m just a frustrated girl who would just like some alone time with her boyfriend, without his best friend, or mother, or random physiotherapist, nurse or doctor walking in. Is that too much to ask?” she questioned desperately as she grabbed her shower bag.

Ha! She’s as horny as I am. Yes, let’s get home and fix that. And have a beer – I could murder a cold beer.

“You,” she said to the doctor. “Pleasedo whatever tests you gotta do. I’m going for a shower and to get out from under your feet because I’m afraid I may end up even more embarrassed and I’m honestly not sure what that might even look like. And you,” she turned to AJ, “don’t go jumping to my defense or anything stupid.” She kissed him lightly on the forehead, “and don’t fail his damn tests, because we all need me the hell out of this place!” She shuffled over to the bathroom, still wrapped tightly in her sheet.

“I don’t think that’ll be too hard, AJ, you’ve really come on leaps and bounds since you woke up. We do want you to have a couple of follow-ups though, just in case. And we need for you to speak up if anything seems off, ok?”

AJ nodded,whatever it takes to get me the hell out of this place, I’ll do it.

Chapter 28

I’m finally free!AJ stretched tall as he stepped out of the hospital.

Ah! Fresh, muggy air. How I’ve missed you, Alabama!

“Can we drive somewhere?” he asked Lisa, hopefully, but knowing full well she’d likely scowl at him and tell him no. She tended to be a stickler for the rules.

“Botanical gardens?” she asked.

“Wait, what?”

She knew this was coming. And had a plan. Sweet.

“You’ve been cooped up in that hospital for way too long. If you promise to take it easy, not go crazy, and rest later, then I will take you to the botanical gardens.”

“You’re kidding,” he asked, shocked.

“You don’t want to go?”

“No, I do, it’s just. I didn’t think… I thought you’d just take me home.”

“I know you love being outside, Pim. And it’s been way too long. If you need some fresh air, then I can absolutely take you. It’s what? A fifteen-minute drive?”

“About that, yeah. You mean it?” he asked, suddenly excited at the prospect of getting some outdoor time.

“Absolutely, let’s go!”

***

They took their time walking around the gardens, sitting to rest on the brightly colored butterfly benches when he got tired. He briefly considered trying to convince her to lie in the hammocks with him, but he thought better of it. If he fell out of it, or got stuck, she’d never forgive herself for taking him here.

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