Chapter 19
Michael looked like a trapped animal as a nurse walked toward him screaming. Not just any nurse, but the one I had soothed in the bathroom days ago.
Her hands were balled into fists at her sides as she approached with a red face, sneering.
I looked at her and back to him.
Fuck me, it couldn’t be possible. Was he?
No, no.
Son of a bitch!
“Where the hell have you been?” She placed her hands on her hips, standing toe to toe with him.
“Do you know her?” I asked hoping I was wrong.
She turned her glare toward me. “This is the asshole I was telling you about.”
“Wait a minute,” Michael said. “Let me explain.” His face turned white as he reached for my hand.
Suddenly, my mouth felt dry as her words hit me full force. “He’s your fiancé?” I asked still in shock. I stared at them, blinking as my mouth hung open.
“Yes and the father of my baby.” She smiled as she stood there with her hands on her hips. Her right eye ticked at the corner.
My heart sank as a wave of nausea hit. “Is this true, Michael?” I asked, turning to him, needing to hear his answer.
I looked at him and could see sheer terror.
He shook his head with wide eyes. “No, it’s not true at all. Please, let me explain, Mia.” He tried to touch me again but I backed away.
I felt like a fool.
How did I honestly think I was the only woman in his life?
I knew better than to believe the bullshit of a smooth talking beautiful man, but I used my heart instead of my head.
I looked at the floor, shaking my head as I tried to decide if I should stay or go.
“Tammy, you’re a crazy bitch. I’m not your fiancé. For fuck’s sake, don’t do this to me,” he pleaded with her as the veins on the side of his neck protruded and visibly pulsed.
“What’s this then?” she asked, thrusting her hand in his face.
He gawked, his mouth moving but nothing came out.
“You asked me weeks ago before I even told you about the baby,” she said, pushing her hand closer to his face.
She to me with a wide grin to show me the large princess cut diamond ring. My chest ached as my heart thundered against my insides.
I felt sick. I wanted to curl into a ball and cry.
“You knew about the baby?” I asked in horror.
His nostrils flared as he blinked slowly. “She’s not having my baby, Mia,” he said through gritted teeth.
Tammy pushed on his chest. “How can you deny your own child!” she screeched.
“Shut the hell up, Tammy,” he roared as a crowd began to form in the hall.
I had never been so embarrassed in my life. I hung my head, gathering my thoughts.
I needed to get the fuck out of here.
“Mia, you’ve got to believe me. She’s crazy and making it up,” he begged, holding out his hand to me.
Looking at his hand, I took a step back. “She has a ring, Michael. I don’t know what to think. I need time.” Wiping the tear with the back of my hand as it slid down my cheek, I said, “Don’t call me anymore.”
“But Mia.” His eyes were large and sad.
“No,” I replied quickly. “Don’t touch or talk to me. You need to work things out with your fiancé and future mother of your child. There’s no room for me in your life. I don’t date cheaters and I certainly don’t fall in love with men that run out on their responsibilities.”
His hand dropped to his side as he stared at me. “Mia, you know she’s crazy, right?”
“I’m right here, dickhead,” Tammy yelled, punching him in the arm.
His arms flexed and his hand twitched. “Don’t fucking touch me, you insane bitch. I know where the fuck you are, you’re like a crazy nightmare that won’t go the fuck away.”
“I don’t have time for this bullshit.” I shook my head, tears threatening to turn into sobs. “You two deserve each other,” I said, before turning my back to them.
“Mia,” Michael yelled as I walked away.
Hanging my head, I hid my eyes from the onlookers that had gathered in the hallway. I could hear their voices as I disappeared in the bathroom.
Finding an open stall, I closed my self in and shut the outside world out. I sat on the toilet and rocked. Silent tears racked my body. I realized the only person that had made me feel safe turned into my biggest fear, heartache and devastation.
Michael Gallo crashed into my world and turned it upside down.
I couldn’t sit here and cry over a man that I’d only known a couple of weeks, even though I wanted to. Patients waited for me. I couldn’t spend another moment wallowing in what could’ve been and will never be.
Fuck Michael Gallo and that crazy whore too.
Anger bubbled inside as I stood and walked out of the stall to dry my face.
My phone started beeping, text messages coming in rapidly from Michael. I turned the ringer off and stuffed it in my pocket before reaching for the door.
It was going to be a miserable shift at the ER.