Chapter 13

PHOENIX

PRESENT DAY

As I sat at the nurse's desk, my mind whirled as I stared at Jacob's name on the computer. My chin cupped in one hand as I drummed the surface with my other hand.

"Earth to Phoenix…" I blinked when I heard my name and looked up.

"Sorry," I stared at one of the other nurses. Jenni had started at the same time as me and we'd been friends since. "Everything okay?" I asked as I shook myself out of my trance.

"Yeah, the guy in number two is asking for you."

From where I was sat, I couldn't see the cubicle that Jacob was in. It was why I'd chosen this seat. Every time I'd left the desk, Danny was watching, I didn't know what he wanted from me, but I just couldn't deal with it. So, I headed back here after Jacob was taken for an X-Ray and CT and basically hid.

Yes, I was a coward.

"What does he want?" I asked, chewing nervously on the inside of my cheek.

"I don't know. I asked if I could help and he said he wanted to speak with you as you're his nurse."

Fuck. "Have we any results back yet, do you know?"

"I think so," she answered and smiled tightly before she left to attend to a patient.

I quickly went into the files and looked for his results. As I opened them, I checked the image. I read the notes the radiologist left and saw there was nothing abnormal. Inside I was so pleased that everything was okay, but honestly, who in their right mind would put themselves through what he did.

My stomach was in knots. I had to wait for the Doctor to look at the results for confirmation but nothing stopped me from checking. I knew I had to go back into that cubicle and see him. I just wanted to be prepared. I guessed at least this way I could patch him up and send him on his way. I closed the CT scan report and opened his X-Ray. His hand was broken, that was a definite, and would need a cast. I needed to get my head on straight. I had to get through this so he could leave, and I could go back to basking in ignorance and forgetting every good thing there had ever been about us.

"Phoenix, it's me and you in number two." I looked around and smiled at the doctor. "Have we got results?"

"Yep, I was just checking them."

We exchanged places and he took my seat as he went through the results. "Ouch." Doctor Stevens said as he looked at the X-ray. "Bad break. How did he get like that?"

I shrugged, "He didn't say." I sipped from my drinks bottle while he went through Jacob's results before I put it back on the desk.

"Come on, then. Let's go and give him the good news." I forced a smile before I got up from the chair and quickly closed the file while I followed behind him. At least I didn't have to go in there by myself. I guess there is a God after all.

When we reached the cubicle, Danny was outside the cubicle and on his phone, he looked up as I approached. Rounding him, I drew back the curtain and went in.

"Mr King, I'm Doctor Stevens."

"Doc." Jacob greeted.

"I've taken a look at your CT scan…"

"Did you find a brain?" Ethan piped up and I bit back a smirk.

Doctor Stevens chuckled lightly but I could tell he wasn't amused. It hadn't been an easy shift. We'd had all sorts in today. I was actually counting down the hours to the end of my shift when Jacob was brought in. Since then, my mind has been full of Jacob and time seemed to slow down.

"Anyway, I've also looked at the x-ray on your hand and arm. Two of your metacarpals are broken. You will need a cast, but there is a lot of swelling right now around the breaks, we'll put you in a splint while the inflammation goes down and bring you back into the department in a week for another x-ray. Fortunately, the CT scan on your head was clear. You're a lucky man, Mr King. Phoenix here will clean you up and put some stitches in those cuts."

I looked between Jacob and the doctor but not once did he look at the doctor, his eyes were on me the whole time.

My stomach churned even more now. I didn't want everyone to know that we were once a couple because there would be way too many questions. The gossip round here would spread like wildfire.

"When you leave here make an appointment for outpatients in seven to ten days at the A you did your job. I told myself that over and over until I'd opened my eyes and forced my feet to move towards my car.

As I turned the corner I wasn't looking where I was going and walked straight into a hard chest. "Oh shit," I almost bounced back as I looked up and saw Jacob smirking.

"Fuck's sake, Jacob." I panted. "I thought you'd left already."

"I had to wait. I had to talk to you." He ground out.

"No, Jacob. No. I can't do this again. I told you that earlier."

We stared at each other, but I refused to back down. I'd grown up since we parted. I was a different person, but his hands moved towards my face much quicker than I could get the words to form. His hands held me as his lips touched mine. And as he kissed me, a part of me told me I should savour it, yet another part of me questioned my sanity. Jesus, his lips felt so good.

He brought the kiss to an end and rested his forehead against mine. "I miss you, Nix."

"Jay…"

"No," he kissed me again cutting me off. "I still love you, Nix. Please tell me we can work this out. I refuse to be apart from you any longer." He smelt so good, and I wanted to bottle up his scent and take it home with me. My forehead fell against his chest and his large hand cupped the back of my head. "We can do this, Nix; I just want us again."

I lifted my head and looked up at him, my teeth chewing on my top lip as I studied his beat-up face. "We're good together, Nix. We always were."

My head shook as a heavy sigh fell from my lips and I stepped back. "Jacob, I can't." I turned my back and walked away. I knew he was still behind me as I made my way to my car, but I carried on regardless.

"Nix…" My eyes were downcast as I opened my door. "Please Nix." I looked up and saw the seventeen-year-old I once knew.

I had to walk away. I'd come a long way. My lips tingled from his kiss still and as much as I wanted to tell him yes, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Was he choosing me over fighting like I'd asked?

I was so confused in my mind.

Could we work things out and be a couple again? I just didn't know anything.

All I knew was that Jacob King would always be my lobster, but was it enough to take the chance?

THE END…for now