Chapter Eight
Lexa
I rolled over and the warm sun of Saturday morning hit my face. I winced at the light and threw my arm up to protect me. I had left the shades up the day before and hurried to my feet to close them. I was glad to be done with my night shift duties for a while and hoped to enjoy my first full day off in weeks.
It had been a couple of days since I’d dropped Aiden off, and though he’d texted me to ask for instructions doctoring his wounds, he hadn’t gotten personal. I had made up my mind that was probably for the best, even though something inside wanted to get to know him better.
My phone rang as I heard a car pull up outside. I unplugged it from the charger on the nightstand and answered it as I walked downstairs to make a cup of coffee and answer the door. “I see you outside, Bre, but thanks for the ten-second head’s up.”
“Hey, I didn’t want to show up unannounced.” She giggled through the phone, and I could hear her on the other side of my front door.
I opened it up and hung up the phone. She held hers up and winked. “Like my new phone case? Isn’t it adorable? I got it on sale for half price at the mall. I got you one.” She pushed past me and hurried into the kitchen where she placed the case she bought for me on the counter and headed to my Keurig. “So what’s going on this morning?”
“I was about to make a cup of coffee. I only opened my eyes three minutes ago.”
“I’ll make it for you. So, I bet you’re glad to be off. Any plans?”
“Not yet, and it’s kind of nice. I want to take things slow, so the day lasts as long as possible.” I hadn’t had a day like that in ages, and I was afraid Bre would try to pull me out to the mall for another one of her shopping trips. She had a bit of a shopping addiction.
“I’m off to the flea market today, if you want to come. I’m on the hunt for a new table for the breakfast nook. If I can’t find one I like, I’m painting the old one. I’m thinking a tiffany blue, what do you think?
“That would be pretty, but no thanks. I’m hoping to stay off my feet as much as possible, and I know the way you drag me around. I can’t keep up.” I’d come home with blisters and a sunburn the last time she’d forced me to go.
“I understand, but I want us to go hang out. I feel like between Daniel and your crazy hours, we never get to spend enough time together.” She passed me the coffee and then inserted another cup for herself.
“I know, and I really need some girl time, what with this damned lawsuit bringing me down. My parents are acting like I don’t exist again, including my suffocating father, which comes as a shock. I think he’s being weird because the whole thing was Mom’s idea.” I pulled the coffee cup to my lips and blew softly before taking a sip.
Bre shook her head. “Do you really believe that, or is it easier to think since you’ve always been a daddy’s girl. I mean, they both seemed pretty on board at dinner, and he didn’t bat an eye about it.”
I took a deep breath and raked my hands through my hair. “You’re probably right. They’ve both changed, and I don’t know why anything either of them does surprises me at this point. I’m not used to being the only child. I miss Shawn.” My heart broke over and over each time I thought about my brother, and what sucked the most was nothing was ever going to change that. Not time and not circumstance.
My phone vibrated, and I glanced at it to see Aiden’s number. “I’ve got to take this.” I stepped into the other room after a shrug from Bre. I hadn’t had a chance to tell her about Aiden, and I supposed I’d have to after the call. “Aiden?”
“Yeah, who else did you expect calling from my number?” His warm laugh was a welcome tone, but I had mixed feelings about its effect on me.
“I didn’t think I’d hear from you.” I pulled my lips into a tight line, regretting the way the words may have sounded.
“Didn’t think you would, or didn’t want to? I can hang up if you like.” His tone was back to the familiar bitter one I’d come to know and loathe.
“No, don’t. I didn’t mean it that way; I’m glad you called. What’s happening? Are you healing up well?”
“If I say no, will you come over here and kiss my boo boos?” The suggestion made me warm all over, and I could imagine the smirk on his face matched one I’d seen before.
“You should be so lucky. I’ve been told my kisses are magical.” If he wanted to flirt, I could give it right back to him. I wondered if he hoped to shock me.
“I can imagine. But on a serious note, I wondered if you’d consider coming by for some lunch. I’d like to thank you for taking such good care of me and pulling strings to get me out of there so fast.” The original offer had been drinks, but lunch sounded much better. I had hoped we’d have more time to talk.
“Sure. I have the day off, so I think that’d be great. What time?”
“Noon is fine, if it works for you?” His tone was hard to read, but it was almost as if he didn’t care if I showed up or not.
“I’ll be there.” We said a short goodbye, and I hurried back into the room where Bre waited with her coffee.
“So, that sounded like plans were made.” She gave me a nudge as I across from her and sipped my coffee.
“It was.” I took a deep breath knowing it was time to tell her. “That was Aiden Walker.”
Her face fell, and she sank back from me. “The Aiden Walker? As in Allison’s brother, Aiden Walker?” I nodded, but I knew she wasn’t finished. “So, did you reach out to him because of the suit?”
“He had a wreck on his motorcycle and ended up in my ER. I tended his wounds and then drove him home.” I closed my eyes and shook my head. I didn’t have to tell her that I had other thoughts; she was my best friend, and if she couldn’t tell by looking at me, then she didn’t need me to admit it.
“You drove him home? Wow. I’ve never known you to take such special interest in your patients.” She smiled and gave me another nudge. “Is he gorgeous?”
“Yeah, but that wasn’t it. He didn’t exactly have anyone to call.” I didn’t need to tell her why. Her face fell into a frown.
“That’s horrible. I’m assuming since I’m only hearing about this now that you didn’t tell your parents you two are talking.”
“He doesn’t know who I am.” Her mouth fell open, and I held a hand up to hold her off as I explained. “I told him my name was Lexa, but I didn’t feel right telling him I’m the girl whose parents are suing him. He was being assholish enough.” I knew that wouldn’t help my case.
“Wait, so he was being an asshole?”
“Yeah, He’s kind of an asshole. I mean, he can be, but I don’t know… There’s something there. I don’t know if it’s because he reminds me so much of his sister and I’m hoping there will be a light inside him as bright as hers, but I’m interested to find out.”
She put her cup in the sink. “If he’s capable of being an asshole, it could get worse. Promise me you won’t get in over your head with this guy.”
“I promise.” I held my hand up to swear.
“How serious could it be with you lying about who you are, much less your parents not knowing what’s going on? Are you going to hide him from them forever? You can’t hide who you are.” She placed her hands flat on the counter and took a deep breath. “Aren’t you the least bit nervous he’ll flip out on you when he learns your secret?”
“Yes, but I don’t plan on keeping it from him forever. I’ll tell him before it gets too far.” I felt a wave of panic thinking of how he might react. The last thing I wanted was for him to hate me.
“The look on your face is frightening, my friend. I’m not convinced that you should entertain this another minute, but I know you. Once you set your mind on something, you’re going to go through with it.”
I knew she couldn’t begin to understand the way I felt. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings because she’d been there for me through everything with losing Shawn, but at the same time, I had felt so alone in my grief. Maybe a small part of me needed to be close to someone who was feeling the same thing, someone who understood that grief the same way I do, who experienced the same pain.
“I’ll be careful, but promise you won’t say anything about him in front of my parents.”
“I’m not crazy. No one wants to see that aftermath, much less be caught in the crossfire. If it comes down to it, you can tell them when I’m nowhere around.” She took her bag from the counter and fished out her keys.
“It’s a deal.”
“I better run so I can stop by the bank and still get good parking. I’m not in the mood to walk any more than I have to, either.” I walked her to the door, and she stopped and gave me a hug. “Be careful with this one.”
“Yes, mother.” I broke the hug as we said our goodbyes. I shut the door behind her and turned to lean against it. I had to get ready, and I had no idea what to wear.
I hurried upstairs to my bedroom and threw open the closet door. I found a nice casual skirt and a low-cut, sleeveless blouse and decided to pair it with sandals. The weather was warm, and it wasn’t like we were going anywhere special. I didn’t want to overdo it, but I wanted him to see more skin than my work scrubs had allowed. It’s only fair, considering.