Lust or Love (The Love Vixen #2) - Jeannette Winters Page 0,49
to help, but my stomach is overly sensitive now. I think Carlos would’ve had two instead of just one to take care of.”
“And yet you want to get on a plane with me?”
“Want? Well, no. Will? Most definitely,” she smiled, and then faced forward again. “We’d better get going before we chicken out.”
No chance of that. Even if I had to ride on the wing, I was going to be on that plane.
Hang on Jack. I’m coming.
Chapter 22
Jack
This was ridiculous. I only had cuts and bruises. The idiot diver I pulled out of the water was in worse shape than I was. I ran my hand over my ribs and side, feeling the bandage covering the stitches. They weren’t puncture wounds, just slices from the coral and rocks. There was no threat of internal bleeding or damage. Everyone was overreacting and I needed to get the hell out of the hospital and get to a store.
I didn’t regret going into emergency mode and leaping off a cliff to save some poor dumbass. The only thing I regretted was losing my cell phone in the ocean in the process. I normally called Deidre before she went to bed. I’d missed a few times, which she understood because we were both working, but if she didn’t hear from me soon, she might think there was something wrong.
The nurse entered the room and I snapped, “When the hell can I get out of here?”
“Mr. Payne, the doctor will be in later this morning and he’ll be able to advise you. I’m only here to take your vitals. And if you don’t relax, your blood pressure is going to be high, which might delay your departure,” she said, her tone somehow both scolding and teasing.
“I know, I know. I’m being a difficult patient. That’s because there’s no reason for me to take a bed from someone who really could use it,” I said.
She smiled. “Then you have nothing to worry about. We have plenty of empty beds. Now I suggest making yourself comfortable, because you’re going to be here a few hours.”
I let out a half growl, but that only made her smile bigger. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I asked.
As she stuck the thermometer under my tongue she said, “The job has its perks.” Then she pumped up the blood pressure cuff and when it released, she said, “Humor seems to agree with you.”
“You know what would really do me good? Getting out of here,” I said.
“Your breakfast will be in shortly. Hope you like Jell-O,” she said. Then quickly added, “Sorry, that was too easy. It’s scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit. Not the best, but I like to set your expectations low so you’re not disappointed.”
Too late for that.
I knew I couldn’t call Deidre, because a number from a hospital on the caller ID would send her into a panic. But calling Carlos felt safe.
Picking up phone beside my bed, I dialed his number. He answered, “Hello, this is Carlos.”
“Carlos, are you alone?” I asked. Wasn’t about to tell him anything if Allison was in earshot.
“Yes, I am. Jack, is that you?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m calling to make sure everything is okay there. Have you heard from Deidre?”
“Not yet. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Just lost my phone and haven’t been able to call her.”
“Yet you can call me?”
What is wrong with Carlos? “I don’t want her to see where I’m calling from.”
“You mean the hospital?” he asked.
Damn, man. You’re never going to make detective at this rate. “Yeah.”
“Well, that’s too late, don’t you think?”
“Why?”
“You don’t know, do you, Jack?”
“Obviously not. Why don’t you fill me in?” I barked.
“You made the national news. We all know what you did. They’re calling you an ‘Olympian-turned-hero.’”
“The news? You mean Deidre knows that I’m--”
“In the hospital? Yes. And when she couldn’t reach you, she freaked out. But don’t worry, Allison is with her.”
“Just tell Deidre that…”
“Tell me what?” Deidre asked from the hospital room doorway.
“Deidre,” I said, wondering if I was seeing things.
“Oh, good, she arrived. Now you can tell her yourself,” Carlos said.
I didn’t even say goodbye, just ended the call. “Deidre, what the hell are you doing here?”
She came over to my bed and said, “I expected a little warmer of a greeting, but I’m going to cut you a little slack since you’re in the hospital.” When she was near my bed, she took my hand in hers and place a kiss briefly on my lips. “You…look okay. How do you feel?”
“I feel