Page 9 of Ma Belle Marguerite
Then, the doctor comes through the doors from the back rooms and speaks softly to the men surrounding Rex.
The next thing I know, they are rushing Rex into the back. I find myself struggling to breathe. I can’t face this now. It is too much for one person.
First, I lose Adrien, my husband, best friend, and father of my children, to a car accident. Now, I’m watching the one who was the love of my life, who broke my heart all those years ago, be carted away on a stretcher for the same reason.
Just seeing him lying there has me wanting to forgive and forget, but I know I need to be stronger than that. But I still want to run after them and see what is happening. There are so many unanswered questions that may remain hidden.
Life just likes to play cruel games with my heart. I don’t know how much more I can take.
My mind begins to wander while I wait for a glimpse into the back and to see what is happening.What has Rex been doing all of these years? Does he still work for his father? Did he have any kids? Wives? Did he think of me or move on completely?
Martin always wanted Rex to take his place when he stepped down as leader of the local Mafia, but Rex never wanted anything to do with it. That was why we were going to leave this town together when we were young and naive. We had plans, hopes, and dreams of a life free of this town and the trouble within. Rex said he had to convince his father to let his younger brother Cole take his place as heir. Then, he was supposed to come to live with me and find a job while I went to college.
We wanted to have a normal, everyday life together. The white picket fence, two or three children, the whole shebang. I was supposed to work at the hospital like I am now, and he would have attended trade school. He always loved working with his hands. He had talked about opening his own garage. Was that all a lie? I can’t help but wonder what might be different if I had went down that path instead. Did he give in and do what his father wanted?
The sound of doors banging brings me back to the present, and I look over to see the nurse headed back to her triage room.Will shetell me what’s going on back there?I decide to ask her before I change my mind.
She looks up as I enter her room, gazing at me with a tired look on her face. I almost feel bad for the interruption, but my curiosity gets the better of me.
“So, how is Alexander? Is he going to be okay?” I ask her, hopeful that she will share information with me. I know there is the whole ‘patient confidentiality’ thing, but maybe she’ll let it slide this time.
“He is going to be okay. Looks like a concussion and bruised ribs from the seat belt.” She looks at me curiously. “Do you know him?”
“I remember him from high school,” I lie. If she doesn’t know, then less to explain. “I was just curious because something similar happened in Victoria.” I try to keep it vague so shedoesn’t ask more questions, but hopefully, enough information that satisfies her curiosity. “Thanks,” I say swiftly as I turn to get back to my desk before she can ask me anything else.
I really should learn her name since we will be working together often. I didn’t even think to ask or read her name tag. This whole situation has me so distracted.
I spend the rest of my shift staying in my corner of the emergency department, trying to forget about who is in the back room and the emotions trying to bubble up. Still, my eyes wander, waiting for Josh or Blue Eyes to come out. I can’t bring myself to go in there and see for myself.
Chapter 4
Alexander
What is all that beeping?It hurts to open my eyes.Why is it so bright in here? For fuck’s sake, did I drink too much last night?I am going to kill Josh; this is the last time I am drinking with him! It never ends well when you party with Josh, I am getting too old for hangovers.
“You’re in the hospital, boss. How are you feeling? Better than my Corvette, I hope.”I hear a voice beside me.Is that Josh I’m hearing? What does he mean in the hospital?
“You’re talking out loud, boss man. Yeah, it's, Josh. You got in an accident with my car last night. Do you remember anything?” he asks me. The volume of his words is overwhelming.
I try to open my eyes, but the lights make my head pound. “Can you turn the lights off?” My voice sounds shaky. Things slowly start to come into focus despite the brightness.
“On it!” Josh says loudly while practically sprinting across the room. “Feeling up to drinking some water? The nurse said you should when you woke up.”
“I could use some quiet. My head is pounding.” I reach up to rub my temple, but wince as I feel the tug of an IV. “I feel nauseous, and I just want to go home.” My voice sounds so weak, even to my ears. Then, it’s like something clicks in my brain. “Wait, you said I crashed your car. But didn’t you drive us to the bar?”
“You left the bar early last night. I gave you the keys to the Vette, and I was going to stay in one of the rooms at the bar. You don’t remember?” Josh looks at me with a curious expression. He seems to be acting cautious with me.
“I don’t remember much after leaving my place,” I mumble. “It’s all a blur.”Did we even make it to the bar?
“I was still at the bar when you called me, but the line was dead, and when I tried to call back, your phone went straight to voicemail.” He’s talking so fast that he needs a moment to breathe before he continues. “So, I looked up your phone’s location. That’s when I noticed it wasn’t moving and you were close to the bluff you visit frequently.”
What happened at the bar? Why was I going to the bluff? That was our spot. I usually only go there to clear my thoughts. This is hurting my head; it's all so confusing.
“So I grabbed one of the sober guys, and we drove out there and found you still in the Corvette. It was smashed into a tree in the ditch, and you were unconscious.” The way Josh looks at me,I can tell he is trying to hide his feelings from me. I saw the look of sadness pass quickly on his face before he could mask it; I’m guessing for his car.
“Get D to bring your car to my place so we can look at it, and I can fix it immediately. I’m sorry I wrecked your baby.” I just want to go to sleep in my bed and wake up when my body feels less like it’s trying to kill me. “Can we leave now?”
“Don’t worry about it. The car is not important right now. I’ll go see if I can find the doctor.” Josh leaves the room. Something about how he kept eyeing me has me uncomfortable, like he’s hiding something.
