Chapter Seven
Aiden
“Dammit.” It was bad enough knowing my bike was ruined, but my phone being dead, that was another whammy. The screen was shattered, but I hoped a dead battery was the only other issue it had. Regardless of its fate, I’d left the hospital in such a damned hurry with it that I hadn’t thought to call a ride, and since my bike was in Harley heaven, I didn’t have a way home.
I stood out front of the hospital dressed in my scrubs and wishing the accident had put me out of my misery when the world’s greatest nurse drove up in a hot little red Camaro.
Her window lowered as her brake lights lit up. “Didn’t anyone walk you out and make sure you had a ride home?”
“They tried to get me in a wheelchair, but I told them to fuck off.”
“So, do you have a ride?” The smug look on her face made me want to tell her to fuck off, too, but something stirred in me as I realized the smart-mouthed little lady was the only person helping me.
“Are you offering to call me one? My phone’s dead.” I held up the device so she could see the shattered glass.
“I could, or I could give you a ride if you need one.” She looked up at me with an expression was so full of pity, it turned my stomach.
“I don’t need your pity.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I didn’t have many options.
If I called Layne, he’d give me a lecture I didn’t want to hear, though I was sure he’d already heard about the accident. The cops who’d spoken to me would most likely tell him. If I called Glen, he wouldn’t be able to leave his bar to come. I’d learned from too many of my rides home with Scott the Uber driver that he attended college during the day. Calling Mattie wasn’t an option, either. She didn’t drive downtown, not even for my sorry ass.
“If that’s the way you see it, never mind then. I’m sure you can manage.” She lifted her shoulder in a casual way, lowered her sunglasses from her head, and then her window started to rise.
Shit. “Fine, I could use a ride.” Her window stopped, and her brow cocked over her shades. “Please.”
“Get in.” She released a breath so deep she seemed to deflate, and I hurried around the car and got in.
“Thanks.” I put on my seatbelt, and she handed me a phone charger, which I plugged into my phone.
“Maybe it will charge enough on the way so you can see what the damage is. Have you contacted anyone since the accident?” She pulled up to the highway and put her arms out. “Where am I taking you?”
“I’m at the Olde House in the historic plantation district.” She turned out on the highway, and I waited for her to remark on my address.
“Nice area. I love the old trees out there. They’ve always been my favorite part of its charm.”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful.” I had mumbled the words and stared out the window hoping to avoid conversation.
She gave me a nudge. “So, have you? Contacted anyone, that is? You never answered me.”
“There’s no one to contact, really. I don’t have any family, or friends for that matter. But then again, it’s nice not having anyone ask me unnecessary questions all the time.” I gave her a blank look, hoping to make my point.
“Wow, Aiden, you’re a real peach. It’s hard to believe you don’t have any friends.” Her phone buzzed, and she gave it a glance.
“I suppose a girl like you has enough for the both of us.” I turned to stare out the window as she changed lanes and took the next exit, which led to my end of town.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? A girl like me?” Her tone told me she was offended, and I tried hard not to smile.
“Come on; you’re not taking a special interest in me because of my sparkling personality.”
I wondered if she knew who I was. She didn’t seem surprised that I lived in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Savannah, and my name wasn’t exactly unheard of. The accident had been all over the news, sure, but my family had great influence in the community.
She held her hand up over her shoulder as if she could slap the piss out of me. “Excuse me?” Her hand fell to her chest. “You act like I came onto you in some bar. Might I remind you that I’m the only person who has given a damn, despite you behaving like an asshole.” She shook her head and then gripped the wheel with both hands, white-knuckled.
I shifted in my seat to face her. “Because you probably know who I am. You can’t tell me my name’s not familiar, especially considering where I live.”
Her face fell, and she didn’t deny anything. “Maybe your wealth doesn’t mean shit to me. Have you ever considered I’m not some poor little gold digger after your money? My bank account is nothing to sneeze at.”
“So, you do know who I am? And, I’m to assume that’s why you’re being so charitable.”
“Not at all. I guess if I was in your situation, I’d hope that someone would help me. That’s all. Nothing more, no hidden agendas. But trust me, I understand.”
“My situation.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yes, being in the hospital after a horrible accident.” She turned down my street and then approached my gate. “You know, I don’t care if I ever see you again after today; you obviously have issues with trust, and while I can understand that, your defensive nature is a tad too much for me.”
Her words hit me like a brick. I hadn’t considered myself defensive, but I guess that was one way to size me up. “I don’t do well with pity. I guess it makes me a little defensive. Eighteen fifty-five.”
“Eighteen fifty-five?” She seemed confused, and I smiled.
“The gate code.” I pointed to the small black box by her window.
As a soft, tiny laugh escaped her and broke the tension between us, I realized I wanted to see her again. “Could you come inside for a drink?”
She lowered her window and punched in the code, then as she drove through the opening gate, she sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve worked a long night, and I wouldn’t want you to mistake my company for pity.” I let out a breath, and my jaw clenched. I didn’t like her fucking with me.
“When my family died, everyone was treating me like a ten-year-old orphan. I finally had enough of it and let all of the staff go, even the groundskeeper, as you can probably tell.” I wasn’t sure why I was telling her that, but I hoped it would help her understand the reason I hated being pitied.
She stopped the car just outside the front entrance and shifted in her seat to face me. “This place does look like hell, but it won’t take much to get it back to its glory, I’m sure.” She reached out and stroked my beard, and my blood rushed right to my cock at her touch. “The hedges aren’t the only things that need a trim. I have a feeling there’s a good-looking man under all this.”
“Or a complete asshole, right?” I opened my door, but she grabbed my arm before I could stand.
“Wait.” She reached for my phone and unplugged it. “Maybe there’s enough charge to see if it works?” She pushed the power button, and as I took it from her, it lit up.
“It seems fine. A new screen and I’m all set.”
She placed her hand on mine where I held it. “Good, so maybe you can test it out and add my number? Maybe call me back over sometime for that drink? Like, when I haven’t been working all night.”
“Sure, but I’m not shaving my beard.” I opened up my contacts and handed her the phone.
She typed in her number and handed it back. “I think I could get used to it. Or maybe I’ll shave it myself. I’m just as handy with a razor as I am a pair of scissors.” Her face reddened as she laughed.
It took a second to realize what she meant. “You really cut my clothes off? Was I ass naked in front of God and everyone?”
“In nothing but all of your glory in front of a roomful of nurses — yes, you were.” Her laughter made me want to kiss her. “But don’t worry, we’ve seen it a thousand times. No one was gawking at you.”
“Well, why the hell not? I like to be watched.” I braced for her elbow as it sailed my way, and then I realized I needed to ask one more thing. “This might sound terrible since you’ve seen me naked, scrubbed my wounds, and given me a ride home, but I don’t know your name.”
The blank expression on her face made me feel horrible, and I tried to remember her having a name tag. But then she offered me a smile that put me at ease. “I have a lot of junk hanging off my name tag at work, so no worries. I’m Lexa. I put it in your phone.”
“Thank you, Lexa. For everything. Maybe next time I even the score and take off your clothes?” I gave a friendly laugh to let her know I was kidding, but then she shook her head and giggled.
“You’re terrible.”
“So I’ve been told, but hey, fair is fair.” I wanted to kiss her, but I’d wait for another time. I had a feeling I was walking a thin line, and I really wanted her to come back for that drink. I got out of the car, and she giggled again as I shut the door.
“Goodbye, Aiden.” She drove forward through the circle, and I stood and watched her go until she was well down the road.