Page 42 of Crazy in Love

“Sure,” the nurse said. “Go back the way you came and take a left at the T.” She smoothed her hair and licked her lips. “I’d be happy to walk with you.”

“That won’t be necessary. Thanks,” he said. “What’s that all about?”

The nurse looked to where he pointed. “Faith? She comes in once a week to visit the kids. Give haircuts and style the girls’ hair. Sometimes just to play games or read to them.”

“Oh,” he said, somewhat stunned. “Well, thanks for the directions.” He left before Faith saw him but couldn’t get the image out of his mind.

He got the scan, limped out to the front of the building, and parked himself on a bench to wait for Tess. While he waited, he called his doctor in Boston, told them the situation, and confirmed they could do a phone consult once they received the emailed results of the CT.

Five minutes later, Tess pulled into the circular entryway. “Hey,” she greeted. “How’d it go?”

“Not good,” Nick grumbled. His leg hurt like hell, but he was determined to stay off the pain pills. “This doctor thinks the other guy missed something, and they may need to operate again.”

“I’m sorry, Bro. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear.”

“If I don’t heal completely, my job could be on the line. Then what will I do?”

Tess glanced at him from the driver’s seat. “Cross that bridge when you come to it.”

He remained silent. His whole life was the job. All he’d ever wanted and worked for. Spending the next twenty years shackled to a desk was out of the question. If he couldn’t carry a gun and catch bad guys, he didn’t want to do it.

“When will you find out for sure?” she asked.

“Couple days. I’m having the results sent to Boston for them to weigh in too.”

“What about your chest? Is that healing okay?”

“Yeah. It barely hurts at all anymore. I still don’t have full range of motion on my arm, but therapy is helping with that. Hey, did you know Faith volunteers here?”

“What? No she doesn’t.”

“I just saw her. And the nurse I asked said she comes in every week.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m gimpy, not blind,” he said.

“Huh. She’s never mentioned it. I’ll have to ask her about it.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want anyone to know, and I shouldn’t have said anything. For some reason, it reminded me of a time I saw her bullying someone in high school.”

“Faith bully someone? No way.”

“Way,” he said childishly. “I was the TA for her English class. She was like a foot taller than the other girl and was totally in her face. Threatening like. The girl seemed scared out of her mind. I remember debating whether to tell someone.”

“I’ve known Faith since kindergarten. I would know if she’d been a bully.”

He shrugged. It didn’t really matter to him one way or the other.

“Wait a second,” Tess said. “That would have been your senior year then? So our sophomore year?”

“Yeah. Must have been April because it was the Friday before spring break. That’s why I never did say anything. Lost its sense of urgency over the time off.”

“Hah.” Tess hit the steering wheel. “I know what that was. The girl’s name was Heather, andshewas bullying Alex. Faith found out and told Heather if she said another mean thing to or about Alex, she’d have to answer to Faith. Everyone knew Faith was sweeter than honey, so her threat left a real impression on Heather. Who never bullied Alex again, by the way.”

“Honestly, I don’t care.”

“Alex had no idea,” Tess continued anyway. “None of us did. Faith made Heather swear not to tell anyone.”

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