Nate
Perry looked peaceful and far too vulnerable. No one looked their strongest while lying in a hospital recovery room. Perry’s orthopedic surgeon had left about ten minutes ago. Everything had gone well, better than hoped for. Or, at least, the best that was hoped for. Anesthesia was uneventful, and Perry’s vitals were steady throughout. Assuming everything healed properly and Perry did what he was told, he was expected to get better usage of his blown-out knee and, better than that, less pain.
All that sounded well and good. It was damn near hopeful. I carried that hope deep in my chest, holding it tight but not allowing it to bloom. Not yet. The biggest trick was yet to come, the leap that Perry needed to make for any of us to consider his knee replacement surgery worth the risk.
Perry needed to wake up.
“Anything yet?” Gayle asked while handing me a cup of horrid coffee. I barely tolerated the good stuff and this definitely didn’t make the grade. Nat would have swallowed the warm swill like a shot. I wasn’t as enamored with the caffeine juggernaut most Americans praised as if it were the second coming.
I used the cup’s contents to warm my hands, not rot my gut. “His eyelashes fluttered a little, but that was about it.” The room was chilly. Perry was buried beneath a mound of blankets and had compression socks covering his feet. I desperately wanted to crawl up on that bed and snuggle next to him. Not for warmth, for security. The last few weeks had been trying. I did my best to stay positive for Perry’s sake. He was worried enough about the procedure without adding my stress to his plate. Sleepless nights had become the norm. And the nights I did sleep ended with heart-pounding nightmares that tore me from slumber. Fear constantly gripped my heart, constricting my chest and making it difficult to breathe, let alone think.
The weeks of exhaustion had finally caught up. Waiting for Perry to get out of surgery had driven the nail into my stoic coffin.
Gayle’s hand landed on my knee, and her fingers squeezed. “He’ll wake up,” she said determinedly. “Perry knows I’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t.”
Gayle did the seemingly impossible—she brought a smile to my face. “I don’t imagine he’ll see that as much of a threat if he’s not awake to contemplate his ass-kicking.”
Eyebrows shooting skyward, Gayle gave me a withering look. “I see you highly underrate the threat level. I assure you, Perry does not. He’s known me long enough to understand the danger he’s in should he decide to stay in la-la land.”
I threw Gayle a crooked grin and offered a weak “thanks.”
She huffed, completely unimpressed. “Perry’s made it through worse.” Gayle chewed on her bottom lip while pushing a wayward strand of strawberry- blonde hair behind her ear. The rest of her hair was haphazardly piled on top of her head in a messy bun. I had no idea how only that one strand managed to escape.
Gayle was right. My brain recognized the truth. Convincing my fragile heart was a different matter. I’d spoken numerous times with Perry’s neurologist, Dr. Lakshmi Patel. While Perry’s brain wasn’t normal , it was far healthier than it had been almost four years ago. The brain, according to Dr. Patel, was a marvel. The damaged bits had rewired themselves, and while there might be glitches, increased light sensitivity, forgetfulness, and migraines, Perry’s brain hadn’t thrown in the towel. It healed itself enough to drag him out of a beating-induced coma. I could draw the Florida-shaped scar dancing its way across Perry’s scalp from memory alone. It was a scar that had saved his life, created by the doctors who had diligently worked to reduce the pressure in his brain and allow it the ability to recover.
Leaning back, Gayle propped her sock-covered feet onto the side of Perry’s bed. For better or worse, Gayle and I were as close to family as Perry had. Gayle was the sister he’d never had growing up and me…I was the man desperately in love with him.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and set the cooled cup of coffee on a nearby table. Scooting to the edge of my seat, I clasped Perry’s hand in mine. His fingers were cold, and an IV was taped to the top of his hand. I was careful not to disturb it. The oxygen-reading finger probe was affixed to his opposite hand.
“Hey, sweetie,” I whispered, leaning toward Perry’s ear. “Time to open those beautiful blue eyes.” I brushed his bangs away from his forehead. Perry needed a haircut. He’d thought about getting one before surgery but, for one reason or another, decided not to. I didn’t mind. I liked Perry’s hair long and unruly. I knew he kept it somewhat longer to hide his scar. He wasn’t ashamed of it, but it was a reminder of a time he’d rather forget.
“He’ll be pissed he missed out on such a pretty day.” Gayle twisted in her chair, staring out the window. The light was fading, and soon it would be pitch dark outside. Perry’s room was on the seventh floor. “You never know what you’re going to get in March, especially this early. Sixty-seven felt heavenly.” Gayle let loose a heavy sigh. “By the time he wakes up and gets released, it’ll probably be snowing again.”
“Hush your mouth,” Perry’s nurse scolded as she came into his room. “I’m ready for winter to take a hike,” she added with a smile.
“You and me both. Indiana weather history tells me that’s a pipe dream,” Gayle countered.
Perry’s nurse shrugged. “You’re probably right, but I plan on living in springtime weather fantasy land for a bit longer.” She leaned over Perry and checked a couple of his machines. The whiteboard at the foot of Perry’s bed told me his nurse’s name was Dottie. She looked young—far too young for a name like Dottie. Maybe it was a nickname or family name. Her hair was up in a bun similar to Gayle’s but far less curly, and more auburn than strawberry-blonde. Dottie was a petite thing. I doubted she could turn many patients without assistance.
“You two doing okay?” Dottie asked as she typed something into the computer. “Anything I can get for you?”
I shook my head while Gayle answered, “No, thank you.”
Dottie smiled before heading out of the room. So far, the nursing staff had been a godsend.
Gayle’s phone beeped with an incoming text. Her pink-tinged cheeks told me who it was.
“Delia?” I asked.
Gayle’s cheeks reddened further. “She wants to know if Perry’s awake yet. I already texted her that he was out of surgery a couple of hours ago.”
If Delia knew, so did Malcom Johnson, Perry’s employer and…I was still working out what, exactly, Malcom Johnson was. Or, more precisely, what he truly did for a living. I knew one thing for certain: selling typical insurance policies wasn’t it. Maverick Insurance Company. The last insurance company you’ll ever need. Clever. It was all there, plain as day and yet so far from what anyone would think that no one stopped to consider the meaning behind the words.
Delia Carpenter was in on the action. I might not fully understand all the ins and outs, but what I did understand was that Delia was neck-deep in Malcom’s business. The other fact I understood was that Delia and Malcom liked Perry. I may not understand why, but that didn’t negate the facts. They were also very protective of Perry. While I may not agree with whatever illegal pies Malcom and Delia had their fingers in, I couldn’t argue with how they felt about Perry.
Gayle’s fingers flew across her phone, typing out a quick message to Delia. I ignored the mixed emotions that knowledge brought. I couldn’t afford the emotional distraction. Whatever was going on at Maverick Insurance could wait. The man lying helplessly in the bed in front of me couldn’t.
“They’ll probably kick me out soon,” Gayle said. “I’m just the friend, and I’m already pushing visiting hours as is.”
With Perry’s hand in mine, I turned and said, “You’re not just anything, and you damn well know it.”
Gayle’s lips thinned before she gave a shallow nod. “I know, but they don’t,” she said while hooking a thumb in the general direction of the nurses’ desk. “Besides, I don’t mind so much this time, knowing you’ll be here with him. Four years ago, this was a lonely place to be. I’m glad we’ve got you this time around, Nate.”
High praise coming from a woman like Gayle Ridley. Her hazel eyes shifted from me to Perry and then toward the door. Eyebrows pulled tight, she was still staring at the door when she asked “Did you speak with security?”
Every hospital had security of some type; it was the unfortunate times we lived in. As a homicide detective, they’d allowed me to bring my gun with me. I planned on keeping my holster on all night, my gun at the ready.
“I did. Captain Barrington asked for volunteers to sit at Perry’s door later tonight.” I swallowed hard. I’d been overwhelmed by the number of officers who’d signed up. “Nat will be here later.” Natalie Jones was my work partner and my best friend. God knows why she wanted to partner with me, but I was blessed she had. Nat pulled me kicking and screaming through the detective exam. “I’m not sure of the rotation. Nat told me she’d take care of it and make certain someone’s covering Perry’s door.” I checked my watch. Nat should arrive within the next thirty to forty minutes. I hated taking her away from her husband, Russ, and her children. But when I’d told Nat that, she’d smacked my arm and told me to stop being stupid. We were family, and family watched out for each other. Nat was right. Had the situation been reversed, I would have been posted outside that door, keeping Nat’s family from harm.
“Willie would be an idiot to try something,” Gayle said. “Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem like the idiot type. Demented psychopath—yes. Stupid—no.” The last was said with a growl. “I hate that he’s still out there somewhere.”
Gayle wasn’t the only one. “Me too. He’ll slip up.” He had to.
Gayle frowned. “Yeah, but how much damage will he do in the meantime.” It wasn’t a question, more a shared fear. “At least he stopped sending you creepy messages.” Gayle shivered, and I didn’t think it was from the cold.
“Can’t argue with that.” It had been over a month since Perry had received anything from Willie Slater. That didn’t mean any of us thought Willie had given up, left town, and forgotten all about the man I loved.
A groan pulled my attention toward Perry. Quickly standing, my chair skidded across the room. “Perry? Sweetie, can you hear me? Open your eyes. Can you do that for me?” My tone bordered on begging.
“Open your damn eyes,” Gayle insisted, her tone more order than pleaded hope. “You’ve put Nate and me through enough as is. I’m tired, and I want to go home.” Gayle’s harsh words were fueled by fearful longing.
“You’re so mean.” Perry’s voice cracked, and it was barely a whisper forcing its way over his chapped lips.
“Maybe, but I get the job done.” Gayle’s grin lit up her face, and her hazel eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Leaning over, Gayle pressed her lips to Perry’s forehead. His long eyelashes fluttered, and when she pulled back, his lids were parted.
“That’s my boy,” she praised. A stray tear escaped, and Gayle mercilessly dashed it away. “Visiting hours are almost over. I’m heading out and leaving you in Nate’s capable hands. Nice to have you back, honey-boo.”
Perry groaned. “Oh God, I think I want to go back to sleep.”
Gayle’s cackle was filled with mischievous joy. “Don’t you dare, sugar-boo.” She planted a loud, wet kiss on Perry’s forehead before pulling away and turning her attention to me. “If you need anything, call. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Try and get some sleep.” Gayle gave Perry’s arm a final squeeze before she headed for the door, leaving us alone.
I was still standing, Perry’s hand clasped in mine. His eyes were half open, lids fluttering, but he was awake. I should call the nurse. I’d do that soon. Right now, I wanted Perry to myself, if only for a few moments.
“Hey, you,” I said while running my fingers through Perry’s hair.
“Hey,” Perry answered back, a grin tugging his lips. “How did it go?”
I didn’t need to ask what he meant. “The doctor said it went well. No big surprises, and he thinks you should make a good recovery.” With as much imaging and planning that went into Perry’s surgery, I couldn’t imagine how anything in there could possibly be a mystery. Still, I suppose one never knew for certain.
Perry sighed. “That’s good.” He licked his dry lips.
“I’ve got some ice chips.” They were two-thirds melted, but there were still a few frozen pieces hanging on.
“Please,” Perry choked out.
I grabbed the glass and dug out a couple of chips, slipping them into his mouth. “More?” I asked after he’d had time to ingest the first two.
“Yes, please.”
I dug out a couple more. “I think I better let the nurse know you’re awake before you get more than this.”
“’Kay,” Perry mumbled. “Sleepy.”
“I know, but I want the nurse to take a look at you before you nod off again.”
Perry offered me another abbreviated “’kay,” and I pressed the call button. Dottie peeked her head in not two minutes later.
“Hey, sleeping beauty, how are you feeling?” She shuffled closer and looked into Perry’s eyes, checking his pupils and noting some of his current vitals.
“Sleepy,” Perry answered.
“How’s the pain?”
I waited for the answer. Perry’s doctors weren’t sure how his brain would react to heavy narcotics. They were trying to keep him lighter and using local nerve blocks and anti-inflammatories.
“Not bad,” Perry answered.
“On a scale of zero to ten?” Dottie asked.
“Two,” Perry answered without much hesitation.
“Sounds good. You let me know if and or when things worsen. I hate to say it, but you’ll probably feel the worst two to three days after the procedure. That’s when the pain typically kicks in and makes you regret your recent life choices.”
I didn’t wait for Perry to answer and said, “That’s what the doctor told us. We’ve got ice packs at the ready.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Dottie answered. “And even happier to hear the we part in there. Perry’s going to need a lot of help over the next few days to weeks.”
Nat showed up, beating me by answering, “Don’t worry, Perry will have help. Good to see you awake, Perry.” Nat walked around the bed, a huge thermos undoubtedly filled with coffee tight within her grip. Her hand landed on my shoulder, her gentle squeeze indicating her support.
“Good to be awake,” Perry answered and then yawned. “Now I’d like to go back to sleep.”
Dottie chuckled. “I think that will be fine. We’ll probably drive you crazy the rest of the night, waking you up every few hours.”
“Lovely,” Perry deadpanned. His eyes were already drooping, and within a few seconds, his breathing evened out, and I knew he’d fallen back asleep.
Dottie left the room. Nat stayed by my side. “How are you holding up?”
I barely suppressed a hysterical laugh. If Dottie heard that, she might try and admit me to the psych ward. “He woke up,” I finally managed before collapsing back into my chair. Elbows planted on my knees, I leaned my head forward, cupping my face with my palms. The tears came, filling my hands and cascading down my wrists. I sat there and wept—sobbed like I hadn’t sobbed in years. I didn’t know why. I should be smiling, laughing with unmitigated joy. Perry had woken up. He hadn’t fallen back into a coma. He was going to be all right. He was going to come home. He was…
“It’s okay, Harmon.” Nat’s voice was gentle, easing into my brain with the soft, warm cadence of a mother. “Let it out. You’ve been keeping it bottled up too long.”
I sat there, leaning into Nat’s strength, using my partner to prop up my sagging foundation. I expunged my fear, draining it from my body like a festering wound. Maybe I’d be able to finally sleep tonight. There was a couch that could be used as a bed, and it looked increasingly comfortable.
“I’ve got you,” Nat reassured. “I’ll be here as long as you need me.”
I managed to grasp Nat’s wrist, squeezing tight and most likely just shy of pain. Nat would stay with me. She’d watch over Perry and keep him safe while I rested and put all my pieces back together. Nat was right. She was family, and that’s what family was for.