Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,8

my head. “This is kind of embarrassing but that guy is … we went on a date recently and it didn’t end well. I just needed to get out of there.”

She hums in understanding. “Honey, we’ve all been there. Go on and clock out. I’ll take care of him.”

Ten minutes later, I come back from the locker room changed into street clothes. Jackie is talking to a tall, dark-haired man. That must be Vin’s brother, which means he’ll be discharged soon.

I turn and walk the other way.

It was a total fluke that I happened to be on shift when he got hurt but working in the hospital, you see people you know more often than you’d think.

It’s tempting to hang around for one final glimpse of him. The thought that I’ll never see him again hangs over me like a cloud.

But this is the way things have to be.

4

There’s thunder in my head.

And a lightning bolt in my arm.

Only no one notices my torment. I watch through hazy eyes as they all smile at my brother. Andre peers down at me with concern, his eyes taking in the splint on my wrist before running over my face. Once he’s satisfied I’m in no immediate danger, he spares a smile for the women hovering at his elbow.

“Thank you for calling me, ladies. I was most distressed to hear there was an accident. I’m still not sure why he told you his name was … what was it?”

“Mickey Mouse!” The bubbly redheaded nurse flinches when the older woman going over my chart glares at her.

“Back to work everyone!”

They all scramble to leave but not before one of the women touches Andre’s sleeve and then squeals with excitement. He clears his throat before carefully extricating his arm. It’s a curious thing but I’ve observed it many times before. People feel compelled to touch him almost like they can’t believe he’s real unless they do.

“Mr. Lavin, now that I’m aware of who you are, I can understand why your brother put down a false name.”

Andre puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Yes, I’m sure he was just trying to prevent any commotion in your hospital. Perhaps there is a way we can leave without attracting too much attention.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” The older woman’s attention swings to me then. “You’re all set, hon. The doctor said you don’t have a concussion so we’re going to discharge you. Just make sure you take it easy. You got really banged up. Luckily your wrist wasn’t broken.”

I start laughing and then once I start, I can’t stop. My body is bruised all the way down my left side, I have a sprained wrist and my head is splitting. Nothing about this day feels lucky.

It feels more like the universe tried to take me out and just happened to miss.

Thinking of that makes me wonder. If today had been my last day, what would I regret? The fog in my brain clears long enough for me to realize Ariana never came back.

“Bella, where are you? She has escaped once more.”

Andre leans down to hear me. “What? Who escaped? Dear brother I think you might be high from the pain medication.”

“Yeah, probably.”

Accepting his arm, I stand carefully. The room spins and for a moment I’m convinced that everything I ate earlier is about to make an unwelcome appearance. But then the world turns right side up again and I take a deep breath. The air seems too thick, like I can barely take it in.

Hopefully I’ll feel better once I’m away from this place and no longer have the smell of antiseptic and sadness in my nose.

This is not what I imagined my life would be as a young boy. Feeling trapped and restless in my work and even worse, jealous of my own brother. This is not what my father would have wanted for me. Thinking that he would be disappointed in the man I have become is unbearable.

“Do you believe in fate, Andre? Like the stories Papa used to tell?”

He sighs. “Tonight, I took a woman on a date. It was crashed by the man she was meant to be with. I believe fate drives us all where it wants us to go. It’s just not always a pleasant ride.”

It’s not often my brother doesn’t get the girl so this news is a surprise. It’s petty but it actually makes me feel a little better.

“That means I’ll see her again.”

“What?”

I ignore his questioning glance.