Hawk
I don’t remember Tessa being that infuriating. I also don’t remember her being that skittish. That’s because she wasn’t. Not with me. Not with anyone.
The way she recoiled from my touch was like a fucking knife through the heart. She had to have known that I would come when she called Bianca. It shouldn’t have been a surprise for me to be here, but when that nurse brought her in, and she saw it was me, it was like she saw a fucking ghost. No, scratch that, it was like she was reliving a fucking nightmare.
Seven fucking years and not a word from her.
It took everything I had not to grab her and hold her until the old Tessa came back to me because I’m damn sure the woman standing in this room only moments ago is not the same Tessa I grew up with. Did the attack change her that much? Who the hell knows if that’s the only issue? It’s been seven fucking years. Anything could have happened in that time. Just because my life hasn’t changed much doesn’t mean that hers hasn’t.
* * *
I rub my hand down my face out of frustration, growling. “Fucking shit.” It took everything I had to turn my back on her and see what was happening with Rose. The look on Tessa’s face, how she snapped at me, I knew she was only seconds away from bolting, so I gave her the easy out. Something I don’t plan to make a habit of.
My body jerks awake when the door opens, casting a sliver of light to shine in my eyes. Blinking, I watch as the nurse from before enters the room. “I figured it would take you more time to run that girl from this building. I underestimated you.”
I lean back in the chair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She gives me a small laugh shaking her head as she comes further into the room. “Sure, you don’t. Tessa has worked here going on four years now. I’ve been close to her going on the same amount of time. I know who you are, Hawk. I know a lot. Tessa, she’s been through a world of hurt.”
She looks out the window, I can tell her mind starts to drift. I want to ask her what she’s thinking about but I know she won’t tell me, especially if her thoughts have to do with Tessa. This lady gives off the same vibe Bianca does, protective, and there’s no way she’s going to tell me anything I want to know.
She grunts and turns to look at me. “People tend to have skeletons in their closets. Things they’re ashamed of. Things they have a hard time letting go of.”
“No disrespect, ma’am, but I’ve known Tessa my entire life. I think I know what she keeps in her closet.”
“Boy, just because you know what’s between her legs doesn’t mean you know what she keeps hidden, and let me tell you, it ain’t pretty.”
I have no idea what to make of that statement, but it doesn’t help the urge to leave this room and charge the halls looking for Tessa so she can give me those answers.
She walks around to the opposite side of the bed, smoothing out Rose’s hair and flipping the covers back to check on her catheter bag. “It took courage for her to make that phone call. To get word that she knows where your mama is. She ain’t hiding anymore because of that.”
“There wasn’t any reason for her to hide in the first place.”
“Oh, sweet boy, that’s where you’re wrong.”
My patience is getting weak. She’s talking in circles, and that’s something I’m not used to dealing with. “Then tell me,” I whisper harshly.
“That’s not going to happen. Not my story to tell.”
“Then why even hint that there’s something there if you aren’t going to tell me?”
She laughs again. “Because, Hawking, from what I know of you, you need the hints. From what I’ve heard, something can be right there under your nose, and you wouldn’t see it. I’m telling you, boy, so you can open your eyes and see.”
She picks up my mother’s chart, scribbles down a few things and walks out of the room. Without another thought, I bolt from my chair and follow her.
“Where can I find her?”
When she turns around, she’s smiling. “Now that, my boy, I can tell you.”