Текст книги "Slider "

Автор книги: Stacy Borel

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“A PATIENT WAS JUST BROUGHT into room 213. She’s eight centimeters, and seems to be moving along quickly.” One of the nurses was informing me of the patients on the floor. She was getting off shift as I was coming on.

“Okay. She the only one we got right now?”

“We just had a delivery in 215 but, I’ll to wheel her into recovery before I leave. And about the momma in 213, she’s an addict. We tried to stop the labor because she’s only thirty-three weeks along, but it didn’t work. We’re still waiting on toxicology to come back with everything she’s taken, but she’s not in good shape. Angry and belligerent. So be careful when you go in there. We’ve considered restraining her.”

Great. I’ve only dealt with one other drug addict before when I’ve been working. She had drank through her whole pregnancy and had started using meth in her last month. Fortunately, the baby had no ill effects.

“Okay, thanks.” I picked up her chart and read through everything they knew about her. Looked like they believed she was a meth user, and maybe some sort of depressant. Wonderful. I could only imagine what I was about to walk in on. The neonatal floor was going to need to be called. Lord knew what kind of shape the baby was going to be in. “Oh,” I said before she walked away. “Have they done an ultrasound to see if baby has anything we need to be worried about besides the obvious?”

“Yeah, he’s just a little smaller than we’d hoped. I gave her a steroid injection to help with his lungs about three hours ago, but who knows if it will help.”

“Alright.” I studied the chart, received the tox report, and walked down the hall.

She was screaming before I even opened the door. Her blood work came back positive to methamphetamines and alcohol. This poor baby was going to be a mess.

“Ms. March? Hi, I’m Annabelle, your nurse.” I went to her IV to check her fluids.

“Where the hell is the bitch that said she’d give me something for this pain?”

I looked up at her. “She just got off her shift. If you need something to take the edge off, I’ll get that for you.”

She snapped. “The fucking edge? I don’t want to feel any of this. Now give me the fucking drugs.”

I didn’t do well with people screaming at me. “I can’t have an epidural administered, Ms. March. You have too many drugs in your system that it could hurt the baby. I’m only able to give you something mild to help with the pain.”

She swung her arms around almost ripping the IV out. A contraction wracked her frail, weak body, and she cried with the pain. “Give me something. I can’t do this.”

I left the room briefly to get her something to help control her pain, but I knew she was too far along for it to really do anything. Pushing it through her IV, another contraction hit causing her to curl in on herself.

“Get this fucking thing out of me!” she shrieked.

“Do you mind if I call you Adalyn?”

She didn’t respond.

“Okay, Adalyn, I need you to listen to me. I’m going to lay you back so I can check to see if you’re ready to push. If you give me everything you’ve got and it’s time to push, all this pain you’re feeling will go away.”

“Then fucking do it,” she growled at me.

I wished I could throw the bed back faster than it would electronically move. She was ticking me off with her attitude. I’d been yelled at by other patients, but never out of rudeness. This was just insane.

I got her flat, and checked her cervix for dilation. Sure enough, she was ready. I called another nurse to come in and assist me, and then the doctor when the baby was far enough down the birth canal. We paged the NICU to bring a team down. I wasn’t trained to the capacity that I’d need for a special needs baby. When the full team was ready and set up, Adalyn pushed a couple more times and out came a tiny baby boy. Physically he appeared fine, other than he was definitely smaller than his thirty-three week gestation. But how he really was, I didn’t know. The NICU got him stable in the room, and put him in an incubator and wheeled him out of the room. Chances were, Adalyn wouldn’t be seeing her baby for a day or two. Not even sure she would care. She pushed him out thirty minutes ago and still hadn’t bothered to ask about him.

“Adalyn, do you have a name for your son, so I may put it in his records?”

She gave me a glassy eyed stare. “I don’t fuckin’ care what you call him. Just give me somethin’ for this damn pain I’m still in.”

There wasn’t much that shocked me these days, but that made my mouth drop open. “Did you know you were having a boy? We can leave it all blank for now until you figure out what you’d like to call him.”

She waved her hand at me, dismissing me. “Mistake. How about that? Name him Mistake. If I hadn’t gotten knocked up with the little shit, I wouldn’t be here bleeding, and sore.”

I gritted my teeth. Looking at the doctor whom was currently stitching her up from the small tear from pushing, he shook his head telling me to let it go. I needed a breather.

I asked the other nurse who was remaining quiet, as she cleaned up. “You mind if I step out?”

The look on my face must’ve said it all. “Go ahead, I’ve got this.”

I dropped the basin I’d been holding in my hand on the bedtable and shoved out the door. Making my way to the stairs, I sat down and put my head in my hands. What in the hell was wrong with some people? I know drugs mess you up really bad, but this was beyond anything I could even comprehend. That was an innocent baby. One that wasn’t asked to be conceived and brought into this world in pain. The kid was going to have a long road ahead of him. He was nameless and had a mother that was more interested in her next high than asking if he had all ten fingers and all ten toes. Sometimes I really hated people.

I was nervous. Why in the hell was I nervous. I’d been out on hundreds of dates, and never once would you catch me with sweaty palms. Wiping them on my pants for the millionth time, I pulled up to Annabelle’s house and got out of the car. This girl, made me curious. I knew nothing about her except the little bit she’d let slip here and there. Women were normally very forthcoming and wanted to talk about themselves, but Annabelle didn’t. Her life remained private, and it was like a scavenger hunt getting the information out of her. Knocking, she answered right away, the gust of wind from the door blowing her perfume scent across my face. Cotton candy. She smelled like delicious cotton candy, and all I wanted to do was taste her to see if she was just as sweet.

“Hi.” She gave me a shy smile.

“Hi. You look beautiful,” I complimented, my eyes roaming from her head to her flip flop clad feet. She was about a foot shorter than me, and had a tiny waist. She didn’t have large boobs, but definitely a good handful. But that ass . . . and that ass in those jeans. My God, I was an ass man, and hers was perfection.

“Thank you.” She stood in the doorway awkwardly, looking like she was waiting on something. “Sooooo, are we going?”

Jesus, I was staring. The poor thing couldn’t even move to get around me. “Oh, yes. But you might want to change into tennis shoes. Sorry, I should have been specific with everything.” She reached inside and grabbed some pink and black Nike’s and held them in her hand. Okay, let’s do this. Opening the passenger door, she climbed into my black Corvette, and got herself situated. “Comfortable?”

“Mhmm.”

I went around to my side and started the car. The purr of the engine got me every time.

“So, you know anything about cars?” I asked, trying to drop hints where I was taking her.

She looked perplexed. “No, not really. Why?”

“Just wondering.” I smiled.

“You going to tell me where we are going?”

“I will when we get there.”

Her small hands were gently lying in her lap. I wanted to reach over and touch the milky white skin to see if it was as soft as it looked, but I refrained. Trees, and a few city buildings whizzed by as I drove to the south side of Athens. The radio was playing quietly in the background, and I’d only hoped she like country music.

“Okay, I want to play a little game so we can get to know each other a little better. You down?”

Her blue eyes peaked over at me. “Sure. As long as it’s not too personal.”

“What do you think is personal?”

“Turner.” She said my name like she was scolding me. My date was feisty. Good.

I chuckled. “Okay, let’s stick to the basics. What’s your favorite color?”

“Green. Yours?”

“Black.”

“Black isn’t a color,” she shot back.

“It is today, go with it. What’s your favorite food?”

She paused. “Crab legs. But not any crab legs, it’s got to be snow crab.”

Interesting. Most girls said pizza or chocolate. “Mine is steak. Now it’s your turn.”

“My turn?” she asked inquisitively.

“Yes. I just asked the last two questions. Now it’s your turn.”

“Okay. Hmmm . . . ” She tapped her pointer finger on her chin. God, she was cute. “What’s your favorite cereal?”

“Now you’re talkin’. One of my favorite food groups.” She giggled. “Fruity Pebbles, but without milk.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s a kid’s cereal. I like it.”

“It is not. I happen to be a very grown man, and I love the stuff. In fact, I carry a box with me everywhere for a snack.”

She gave a full bellied laugh. “No, you don’t. That’s silly.”

To prove her wrong I told her to open the glove box in front of her. She did. Right in front was a snack size box of cereal. “See.”

“Way to prove me wrong.” Her laugh was musical. “Don’t you get tired of it?”

“No way.”

“Hmmm.” She hummed.

“Give me another one.”

“Do you like being the oldest brother?”

“Good question,” I praised. “It has it’s pluses and minuses. As the oldest, I was the guinea pig for my parents. Whatever worked or didn’t work with me, they did with my brothers. But I was also never babied like the other three.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s true. Mom and Dad were hard on me and expected me to lead by example. Sometimes I wished that they would make their own mistakes and I could do what I wanted to without being watched all the time.”

She nodded and the car got quiet except for the AC blowing. It wasn’t that the silence was uncomfortable, but I had a feeling she preferred conversation over silence.

“You are an only child?” I glanced at her.

“How much further?” She rushed out.

Was my question to nosey? I turned my head in her direction. Trying to decide if I should push or change the subject, I thought it best to let it go and answer her.

“We’re here.”

She straightened up in her seat. Parking, I watched her eyes get wide as she realized where we were. I parked in my usual spot in front of the Athens Speedway Racetrack.

“Are we watching race cars?”

“No.” I paused. “We’re driving them.” I gave her a devilish grin.

Her head started shaking and her pupils dilated. “Turner, I can’t drive a racecar.”

My brows came together. “Why not?”

“Because they’re dangerous, that’s why.”

“Mhmm, that’s what makes them so fun.”

I got out of the car, refusing to let her keep arguing with me. I knew this was an unconventional date, but something told me, she needed this. I’d picked up on some of her discomfort when it came to pushing boundaries. Annabelle may not know this, but I’ve been watching her. I learned her parents died in a car accident but I still don’t know if she was in the vehicle with them. She told me about the house, but I wanted to know more. I needed to know more. My little rule follower was going to step out of her shell for a day.

Coming around to her side I opened the door. She took my hand, and immediately released it when she stood on her own. It’s okay, I planned on getting closer than hand holding later.

Annabelle stayed quiet as she followed me inside the building, and I led her out to the track where a gorgeous racecar sat fueled up and ready to go. A pit crew was off to the side and suits hung on a line near the car. I snagged one and held it out to her. She stood with her long strawberry blonde hair blowing in the slight breeze, and her arms crossed over her chest. Did she realize when she did that it pushed her breasts up on display for my viewing pleasure? I felt my dick stirring in my pants as I shifted on my feet to try and readjust. Didn’t work.

“Throw this on. You want me to drive first or do you want to go?” I asked.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder in pure defiance. “Turner, you can’t be serious.”

I hid my smile and pegged her with a hard stare. “I’m very serious. Put the suit on.”

Her mouth dropped. “You’re awfully bossy, you know that?”

“Yes, I do. Now put it on so I can show you how to do this.”

She wanted to argue with me, but I was leaving no room for it. I took my suit and pulled it on. She hesitated before she mimicked what I was doing. I could have sworn I heard her grumbling under her breath. It was kind of cute. Once she was set, my old buddy from years back approached us.

Reaching out I took his hand and shook it. “Evening, Richard.”

“Turner. You ready to go for a spin?” He looked at both of us.

Annabelle was wringing her hands in front of her. I wanted to soothe her and tell her it was going to be okay, but I wanted to get her alone and in the vehicle first.

“Yes, sir.”

“Alright, well, the track is all yours. Pit crew will be waiting on the side ‘til y’all are done. Have fun, and burn some rubber.” He chuckled.

When he walked away, Annabelle leaned over to me. “Burn rubber?”

I couldn’t hide my smile this time. “Yes, ma’am. That was my friend, Richard. Known him for a long damn time. He closes the place down sometimes when I want to come get some aggression out.”

I swallowed. “Sounds ominous.”

“Nah, come on.” This time I did grab her hand. “This is an old NASCAR Sprint Cup race car. She was driven in the Brickyard 500 two years ago and then she was retired. Pretty sure I’m one of the few that still drives her, other than Richard.”

She watched as my free hand tenderly caressed the hood of the car. “And uh, is she yours?”

“No, I wish. Me and a bunch of buddies tried to buy her when they wheeled her in, but apparently money can’t buy everything.”

“Sounds interesting.” She wasn’t in the least bit interested. Annabelle was too busy trying to prevent herself from a total freak out moment in front of me.

I needed to get her in the car. She needed to get a feel for it and see there wasn’t anything to be afraid of. Besides, I hadn’t planned on letting her go much over one hundred miles per hour. She had no experience behind something with this much power before. I pulled her around the car to her side and told her she needed to climb in through the window. Annabelle was less than impressed.

“You’re little, you can do it. Imagine being my size squeezing in there.”

She giggled. “Okay you got me there.” She slipped in easily. When she was in her seat, I poked my head in and strapped her into her harness. Her blue eyes were watching me intently, moving with every motion of my hands. I was careful not to linger when I got to the buckles around her chest. I didn’t want her to think I was copping a feel, although I wanted nothing more than to see how she fit in my hands. Instead, I pulled away when I was done and got in on my side and buckled up.

“Okay, you ready for your lesson?” I asked.

“Doesn’t look like I have much of a choice. I’m kind of trapped in here.” Her side glance, and the idea of her being at my whim was more of an aphrodisiac than it should have been.

Giving her some peace of mind I told her, “You want out at any time, just let me know. If I’m going faster than you’re comfortable with, let me know. If you need anything just let me know, and I’ll stop.”

She brought her bright round eyes to mine. It was a moment, connecting and building a sense of trust in a matter of a couple second. She nodded giving her approval.

“So for starters, I’m going to pull up to the start line. When you’re in this seat, you’re in control of everything. The car will not move unless you are in gear and you are the one pushing on the gas. It’s just like any other vehicle other than there is an engine in it that has 900 horsepower. It’s powerful Annabelle. I want you to understand that.” She was listening to my every word with rapt attention. “This vehicle can get up to 200 MPH. We are in a roll cage and are quite safe, but you have to know how to handle this thing around the corners. You shift it just like any other car. Have you driven a standard before?”

She slowly shook her head.

I grinned. “No, no big deal. Alright, you ready? I’ll take the first lap slow. After that I’m going to open her up.”

Pushing the gas I felt the familiar purr of the engine. I’d driven this car more times that I could count. I knew it well. Creeping up in speed, I was still on the straightaway. The bleachers were breezing by, but I had tunnel vision. Shifting, I kicked it up a notch. I was creeping up to 90 MPH just as I was hitting the first corner. Annabelle’s hand came up and she was about touch my forearm, when I downshifted and slowed before turning the wheel. She dropped her hand into her lap. I wanted to look at her and tell her it was okay, I was going to keep her safe, but I had to keep my eyes on the track. These cars were unpredictable. I would have spoken to her, but the engine was too loud.

We took both corners at about the same speed. The second one, she kept her arm down and gave me the trust I was silently asking for. I’d only hoped she was enjoying herself just a little bit. As I hit the end of my first lap, I was ready to open it up. I wanted to feel the adrenaline pumping in my veins. I knew it was probably not the wisest choice to give it what I normally did, because I knew she was already on edge. If I wanted Annabelle to feel comfortable, I’d need to take it easy. When I started the second lap, I pushed on the throttle harder than the first time. I let the speedometer creep up to 100 MPH. Even at this speed, you can feel the force of the G’s pushing you back into your seat. Instead of bringing it down to a comfortable speed for her when I got to the curve, I only downshifted once, and kept up the momentum. Surprisingly, she didn’t freak. Maybe she was okay with this after all. I continued on the track and at the end of the lap, I came to a complete stop in the pit. The crew immediately began fueling the car back up, and checking tire pressure. I looked over at Annabelle, and she was staring at me with such wonder in her eyes. Never had a woman looked at me like this.

“You doing okay?” I asked.

She didn’t answer right away. It was like she was trying to find her words. “I’ve never gone that fast before.”

“It’s a different feeling isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Would you like to drive? I can teach you.” I wanted her to so bad. I wanted to see her let loose and mesh with the car. It would have been the biggest turn on. But I could see her answer already.

“No, I’m okay. I don’t know how to drive a stick and I’m sure they don’t want to replace the transmission on this thing if you try to teach me. I’d rather just sit and feel if that’s okay?” She hesitated, expecting me to push her into changing her mind. I wasn’t.

“That’s fine.” I smiled to offer reassurance. When she smiled back, the feeling that shot through me was incredible. I wanted to make her happy. I’d never given two shits about other women I dated, it was always about making them make me happy. But that smile she gave me, my God, it could light up a room.

We ended up going around the track about ten more times before calling it quits. I pushed the car and her comfort level to about 140 MPH before Annabelle, did in fact reach over and touch me. She’d had enough and I’d maxed out her level of comfort. I was fine with that. After we’d taken off the suits and we were walking back out to my car, I grabbed her hand. Rubbing my thumb back and forth over the smooth skin on her wrist, she was as soft as I’d imagined. Getting her settled in, we drove the whole way to her house in silence. The only thing I asked was if she wanted something to eat. She said she wasn’t hungry, and I knew what she meant. It was almost as if both of us were trying to take in the evening we’d just had. As soon as we arrived at her house, I helped her out and walked her to her door.

“I hope you had a good time,” I said uneasily.

“Mhmm, I did.” She glanced down shyly.

“I’d like to take you out again, if that’s okay.”

She pondered it for a moment and then said, “I’d like that.”

There was no stopping the smile that spread across my face. “Alright then. I’ll be in touch. I need to think about where I want to take you next.”

Her eyes got big. “No more dare devil stuff.” She laughed. “Not sure my poor heart can take it.”

“Did you get hurt today?”

She was confused. “Well . . . no, but . . .”

I cut her off. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know when I’ve got the next date set up. And Annabelle . . . it will be fun.”

She sighed, knowing she wasn’t going to win. “I’ll wait for the call then.”

Leaning forward, I tenderly kissed her cheek. The scent of cotton candy was lingering on her skin. I heard her small gasp and I wanted to kiss her on the mouth, but some things were better waited on. Next date, I was going to take what I wanted.

“Goodnight, Annabelle. Thank you for a good evening.”

“Goodnight, Turner.” She twisted in her cute little tennis shoes and went into the house.

She’s different. I’ll give her that much. I was very intrigued by her. I was going to need to think of something that I could do with her, something that we could actually sit and have conversation. Unfortunately, the race car was too loud for either of us to hear the other person. This was going to take some thought on my part. I wanted to break her out of her shell and see what she was made of, but I could tell it was going to be a process. Annabelle was my new project, and I was looking forward to seeing who she really was.