When I walked into Seth’s room, I found Jacob sleeping soundly in the chair beside the bed. His head was craned forward, his shoulders drooped low, and he looked like an uncomfortable mess. He’d been there every night, and it had become our routine for me to wake him up and send him to the waiting room where he could sleep more comfortably. I walked over and gave him a nudge. “Hey, bud, I’m here.”
With a stretch and a groan, he smiled. “Running a little late tonight, huh?”
“Yeah, it was pretty crazy at work tonight. Sorry I’m so late.”
He stood from the chair. “You work too hard, darlin’. Pretty girl like you needs a fella to take care of her.”
I snickered, “Ya think so?”
“Just say the word. I’ll be at your beck and call.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I smiled. “Go get you some rest.”
Once he had gone I curled up in the chair and pulled out my book. I hadn’t been reading long before my Aunt Janet peeked her head into the room and asked, “How are you doing in here?”
“I’m doing okay,” I answered as I covered my mouth to yawn.
I could see the look of concern on her face as she stepped into the room. “You’ve been here every night this week. You look exhausted. I think it’s time for you to call it a night.”
“No. I’m fine. Honestly. I like being here with him.” I looked over at Seth and couldn’t help but worry. It had been five days, and as far as I could tell, there had been no change. “How is he doing? Really.”
“The doctors have taken him off the meds and ventilator, and he’s breathing really well. His stats are good, so it’s up to him now. I think he’s holding his own.”
“How much longer do you think it will be before he wakes up?”
“It’s hard to tell. Sometimes these things happen pretty fast… a couple of days or even less, but other times it can take longer. He’s been through a lot. We just have to wait and see how he does.”
“But you think when he wakes up… he’ll be okay?”
“I don’t want to get your hopes up, Zoe. He’s had severe trauma to the brain. There’s no way to tell how he will come out of this.”
“So, this could’ve messed him up permanently?”
“There’s always that chance, but he could wake up tomorrow and be perfectly fine.”
“I really hope he’s going to be okay.”
“Tell me again how you know him.”
“Umm… he’s a friend of mine from school.”
“Okay.” She sounded doubtful. “And you said he was robbed?”
“Yes.”
She gave me a knowing look. “Hmmm… Well, that’s strange.”
“What?”
“He still had his wallet… and his watch and ring. They’re in the cabinet with his other belongings. So, what exactly did they steal from him?”
“I have no idea.” My eyes skirted around the room as I tried to think of a plausible response. “Maybe they got scared off or something.”
“So, you aren’t going to tell me what’s really going on with this guy and why you’re so uncomfortable talking about it?”
There was no way I could make her understand because I didn’t understand it myself. Sure, he tried to help me, but that didn’t explain my need to be there in the middle of the night checking on him. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Don’t give me that. You know exactly what I mean. I have no doubt that this all has something to do with those awful men your father called brothers. I told him from the start no good could come from that damned club, but he wouldn’t listen. Now, he’s dead because of them.”
“He loved the club. He was happy.”
“Would he be happy now? Would he want you stuck working in that awful strip club with all that goes on there? The whole thing makes me sick.”
“Aunt Janet.”
“It’s not your fault, Zoe. I know my stupid brother left you no choice. That’s what makes me so angry with him. He should’ve planned for this. He should’ve done whatever it took to ensure your future, but he was too tied up in that club to stop and think.”
“I’m okay. Really.”
“No, you’re not.” She motioned over to Seth as she sighed with frustration. “You’re sitting in a hospital room at four in the morning with some guy those men beat the hell out of.”
“I’m here because I want to be.”
“I get that, but I just don’t understand why. Is this guy some kind of boyfriend or something?”
“No. It’s not like that.”
“Then, tell me what it is like.”
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m worried, dear.”
“You don’t have to be. I can handle myself.”
“It’s not you that I’m worried about. It’s those Neanderthals in that club that I worry about. It could’ve been you lying in this bed instead of him.”
I wanted to tell her about my plans to leave, but I was afraid to say the words out loud. Everything she’d said about the brothers were true, and deep down, I was scared. I had no idea what they would do when they found out I was leaving. I’d like to think they’d just let me walk away, that they’d be glad to be rid of all ties to my dad, but in my heart, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. “I’ll be okay. I promise.”
“You say that, but there’s no way you can know for sure. These men have no conscience. You have to get away from them.”
“I’ll figure it out, but for now, I just need for Seth to be okay.”
“I’ll talk to the doctor when he comes in and see if I can find out anything, but only on one condition.”
“What?”
“You go home soon and get some rest.”
“I will. I promise,” I assured her.
“Good. I worry about you, sweetheart. You are all I have left of your father, and I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
“I’m going to be fine.” I walked over to her and gave her a hug. “How’s Uncle Dan? I would’ve asked earlier, but…”
We’d all been caught by surprise when we’d found out my uncle had colon cancer. He was a health nut, always exercising and eating right, but everything changed after a routine checkup. When they got the news, Aunt Janet started working nights at the hospital so she could be there with him during the day. It had been hard on the entire family. Every time the doctors thought he was making progress, there’d be another setback. I hoped for good news, but I could tell from the expression on her face that he wasn’t doing well.
She shrugged. “There’re good days and bad days, but he’s doing okay. Hopefully this next round of treatment will do the trick.”
“I hope so, too. Please tell him I’m thinking about him.”
“I will.” As she started for the door, she added, “Don’t forget our deal.”
“I won’t. I promise. Thank you for everything.”
Once she was gone, I sat back down in my spot and looked over at Seth. I’d spent the last week talking to him, sharing stories about myself, and reading, and I had no idea if he could even hear me. It all felt so silly. I felt a pull to him, and the guy wasn’t even awake. I had no idea what kind of man he really was, or if he’d even be interested in someone like me. I found myself wondering about all of those crazy little things—his favorite color, his favorite food, his favorite movie—and I wondered if we had anything in common at all. Even though there were so many unanswered questions, something in my heart told me I was right where I needed to be.
I was still watching the rise and fall of his chest when a cute, young nurse came bopping in the room. With a bright smile, she sat down her supplies. “Hey, I’m Macy! It’s time for his bath.”
“Um, okay,” I said after an awkward pause. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, I’ve got it.” She went to the bathroom to fill the basins with hot water, and when she returned she said, “I do this all the time. I’ve gotten my own little routine.”
The voluptuous redhead walked over to him and, after removing his blankets, started to undress him. A twinge of jealousy shot through me as I watched her untie his hospital gown and start to tug it down his shoulders, gently slipping his arms out of the sleeves. I tried not to glare as she pulled the gown further down his muscular torso, stopping at his waist. She then carefully tucked towels beneath his chest and arms before dipping the sponge in the soapy water. After wringing it out, she began gingerly stroking his face with it. Once she had rinsed him off, she started on his arm, and that’s where my envy reared its ugly head. I felt the sensation of hot lead in my stomach as I watched her hands slide along his body. Her eyes lingered on his toned bicep as she patted it dry before turning her attention to his sculpted torso. I watched apprehensively as the damp sponge moved across his neck and shoulders, and as I glanced up towards her face, I was immediately irritated to see that her eyes were focused intently on his defined V. As she rinsed his neck and chest, I caught a glimpse of her cheeks flushing.
When she moved to wash his lower abdomen and I noticed her biting her lip, I couldn’t take it anymore. It was like I wasn’t even in the room as this stupid slut-bag ogled him like a piece of meat. I wasn’t having it. I stood up to confront her, but stopped when the door suddenly opened and an orderly rushed in.
A tall black man in green scrubs hurried over to the bedside. “Hey, Macy. I’ve got a situation next door. Can you give me a hand?”
Her freckled nose crinkled in disappointment as she glanced down at Seth’s bare chest. With a reluctant sigh she replied, “Yeah… can it wait a sec? I really need to finish up here.”
I eagerly interjected, “No. No. You can go ahead. It’s no problem! I can finish up here for you.”
She looked at me with near repulsion as she shook her head vigorously. “That’s not necessary! I really need to finish this. It won’t take much longer.”
Trying to contain my annoyance, I walked over to the side of the bed and placed my hand on his chest. “I’ve got it. Really.”
Sensing the tension between us, the kind orderly raised his eyebrows at Macy. “Come on. I need you next door. This can’t wait.”
With a disgruntled huff, she mumbled, “Fine.”
As she dropped the sponge into the basin, she rolled her eyes and started for the door. After she’d left, the orderly smiled and said with a wink, “It’s hard to find good help these days. Let me know if you need anything.”
Once they’d gone, I took a deep breath to collect myself and focus on the job at hand. It wasn’t easy as my eyes roamed over his tanned, firm chest before traveling to the tantalizing ridges of his abdomen. The light dusting of hair trailing down his belly and underneath the folded sheet had my entire body flushed with the heat of an uncontrollable desire. I knew it was wrong, but I just couldn’t compose myself. He was my every fantasy rolled up into one beautiful package, and what a package it was. I tried to block the unwanted thoughts from my head, but it was just too hard. I couldn’t stop imagining what was hidden beneath that blasted sheet.
Doing what I could to control my raging hormones, I grabbed the sponge and quickly finished washing his chest and arms. Once I was done rinsing him, I hurried down to his legs, placing fresh towels beneath him to help keep the bedding dry. After I’d finished washing him, I knew the time had come. The decision hung in the air like a dark cloud of lust and indecision, and I knew what I had to do.
I dropped the sponge into the basin and headed for the door. As soon as I stepped out into the hall, I spotted the kind orderly from earlier. Trying not to draw the attention of the redheaded slut-bag, I whispered, “Excuse me. Can you help me for a minute?”
“Sure. Whatcha need?”
I motioned for him to follow me back into the room, and once he was inside, I stammered, “Umm… I need your help… washing his… you know...”
“Goods?”
“Yes.” I blushed, relieved he filled in the blank.
“No problem, honey.” Like it was no big deal, he chuckled and headed over to the bed. He grabbed the blankets and pulled them down his hips, exposing him. My eyes grew wide with shock when I noticed his massive erection.
“Umm… uhh… Is that normal?” I asked, pointing with embarrassment.
“Yes, sweetie. It happens. Nothing to worry about.”
My jaw dropped with wonder as I gawked at the size of him. Just like the rest of him, it was huge. A light bead of sweat trickled across my brow as I turned to watch the orderly reach for the sponge. As soon as he started washing him, I realized it was much worse than if I’d done it myself. Thankfully, it didn’t take him long to finish cleaning him. As soon as he was done, he dried him off and covered him back up. I was still staring at his midsection when the orderly asked, “Have you gotten to his back?”
“No. Not yet,” I answered as I fought to regain my composure.
“Mind giving me a hand?”
“What do you need me to do?”
“I’ll ease him over on his side while you give him a quick wipe down.”
“Sure. I can do that.” I reached for the sponge and smiled. “Ready when you are.”
With one hand on Seth’s shoulder and the other on his hip, he tilted him on his side. It was then that I saw something that yanked the rug from underneath me. In my wildest dreams, I would never have expected it. Just like his friends, he’d seemed like an average guy.
As soon as the orderly lowered him back onto the mattress, I dropped the sponge into the basin. He gave me a surprised look when I said, “I’ve got to go.”
I rushed towards the door, but stopped cold when I slammed face first into Jacob’s chest. He’d been sleeping in the waiting room while I sat with Seth, and it was clear by the expression on his face that he’d just woken up. After glancing over at the orderly, he looked down at me with confusion. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
“No. Everything’s fine. It’s just… I’ve got to go,” I stammered as I fled from the room.
My mind was racing a mile a minute. I tried to convince myself that there was no way I could’ve seen it coming. There was no cut. No ink. No motorcycles. He’d just been a nice guy standing up for what was right, but there he was with a club tattoo on his back. And not just any club: He was a member of the Satan’s Fury MC, one of the most notorious clubs in the entire state, and I never even had a clue. In that moment, everything changed. The fantasy was over. No matter how much I might have wanted him or wanted things to work out with him, it could never be. The brothers would never allow it, and I would only end up hurting Seth. I cared too much to let that happen. So, I had to walk away from my knight in shining armor. I had to protect him in the same way he’d tried to protect me.