Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (10 page)

Travis looked at her then. The sadness in his eyes was crushing. “I didn’t want to say anything until all the swelling went down. I was hoping it was gonna be good news, but I…I’m paralyzed, Kelli.”

Kelli gasped. “No.”

“Kelli,” Travis whispered.

“No, this can’t be happening. You can’t…”

“It is ha…happening.” Travis’s voice broke, and he wiped at his tears.

“We didn’t mean to lie to you. We just thought you needed to concentrate on yourself for a while,” Sean said.

Kelli looked away, completely overwhelmed. She couldn’t stay that way for long. She forced herself into action. With a grunt of pain, she wheeled forward. When she was close enough, Kelli reached out. Travis did the same. They clasped hands.

Stillness surrounded them, but strength did as well.

CHAPTER 7

“Ms. McCabe, you remember Dr. Fuller?”

Kelli grunted in response and continued to look out the window. She was damn near fascinated by the tiny specks of dust caught in the light that streamed in from outside. It was better than dealing with this…whatever he was.

“She’s sitting in the dark. Are we sure she’s lucid?” Dr. Fuller asked.

Kelli rolled her eyes.

“Yes,” Dr. Rader answered. “She isn’t the most demonstrative.”

Kelli smirked.

Dr. Rader sighed. “Okay, well.” He flipped through her chart. “Everything is looking good Ms. McCabe. We’re looking at a discharge date of next Wednesday. You’ll need to continue your PT after that point until you reach full mobility.”

Kelli turned to face them and nodded. It was about damn time, but that was still a week away. She was knee-deep in the present. Right now, she needed to pace herself to keep from getting overwhelmed. She had a lot of shit to sift through. It was hard to wrap her head around the whole thing. Kelli shifted her thoughts to Travis. She wasn’t a doctor but she knew she could provide him with something they couldn’t—support and strength. Everything she was feeling—fear, sadness, anger—needed to take a backseat. He couldn’t see her like that. It was selfish, and Travis needed a hell of lot more from her.

“I thought you would be happier with the news.” Rader smiled.

Kelli eyed him warily. He was trying way too hard. “I am.” She bared her teeth in a parody of a grin. It seemed like days since she’d actually smiled.

Dr. Rader chuckled and shook his head. “We’re sure going to miss you around here, especially the nurses.”

Kelli glared.

He raised his hands in supplication. “Although, I’ve heard relations have improved.”

Dr. Fuller snorted. Kelli’s gaze zeroed in on her. The other doctor’s eyes widened, and she looked away.

For a moment, Kelli was somewhat amused.

“Oh.”

They all turned toward the sound coming from the open doorway.

Kelli blinked. Nora stood at the entrance in her usual purple scrubs and lab coat. Honey-blond tresses were piled at the top of her head instead of hanging free. Nora had the tiniest ears, but that wasn’t a bad thing. They were cute. But it was the elegant line of her neck that caught Kelli’s eye. The wisps of hair that dangled around her face made Nora look soft and approachable. There was a woman underneath all the arrogance and ten dollar words. Nora’s femininity was undeniable. Kelli had somehow missed it before, but there was no way she going to make that mistake again. She swallowed. Her throat was dry, and she wasn’t sure why.

That was a lie. Kelli knew.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Nora glanced at the residents before looking Kelli’s way.

Kelli blinked again. She was confused. Nora didn’t normally care who was in her room. She always came in anyway, but all that happened before realizations and…well stuff. Kelli smiled. She couldn’t help herself. “Nora.”

As if it were an invitation, Nora stepped farther into the room. She ignored the other doctors until she was closer to the bed.

Dr. Rader and Dr. Fuller watched them. Kelli was fascinated by the abrupt increase in tension. Hell, she could stab it with a fork and eat it like a steak.

Nora nodded stiffly toward the other doctors. “Still on Dr. Rader’s…service, Dr. Fuller?”

They younger woman turned a very interesting shade of red and left like her ass was on fire.

Dr. Rader was pissed off. Kelli could see it in his eyes. She could damn near feel it. It rivaled the tension for space in the room.

Nora just stood there glaring at him as if daring him to say something. This lady had balls. Kelli liked that. She almost smiled.

Kelli’s gaze went from one to the other. It was like watching an intense game of tennis. Kelli knew there was some weird shit between them, but this was like a soap opera on acid. She waited for someone to cue the dramatic music.

Dr. Rader turned and looked at Kelli. His smile was tight and fake. He left quietly. What choice did he have? Nora just cut him off at the knees in ten words or less. When they were alone, Nora seemed to physically relax. Her shoulders dropped.

“Gee, you really know how to clear a room. I wanna learn that trick,” Kelli teased.

Nora’s expression warmed when she met Kelli’s gaze.

“Good morning to you too, Ms. McCabe.” Nora sat down in the chair by the bed.

Kelli quirked an eyebrow. “Ms. McCabe. We’re back to that?”

“We are.”

“Mmm.”

Nora’s eyes twinkled.

“I’m not your patient.”

“You are a patient in this hospital, however.”

“So, when I see you after next Wednesday you can call me Kelli?”

Nora paused. “I don’t think so.”

“I won’t be a patient anymore.”

“You’ll be an outpatient. Therefore—”

Kelli laughed. “You’re a hard sell. I like that.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

It felt good to do this—talk, laugh, and trade snarky comments. It was a release of sorts. “You’ve graced my door twice in twenty-four hours, doc. Isn’t that some kind of record for us?”

Nora released a long breath. “That is partly due to Mr. Travis.”

“You’re his doctor?” Kelli had a hunch she was right. Otherwise, why bring up Travis at all?

“Due to HIPAA, I can’t confirm or deny. But I did what I thought was best.”

“I’m gonna assume that’s a yes.” Kelli wasn’t irritated by the omission. She was relieved. Her partner seemed to be in good hands.

“If that helps.” Nora inclined her head slightly.

“Okay. That will have to do.” Maybe a change in conversation would help since the subject was closed for now, and she just wasn’t ready to talk or think about the clusterfuck with Travis today. Not yet. “I’m not complaining, mind you, but what’s the other reason you’re here?”

“Pardon?”

“You said it was partly because of Travis.”

“Oh.” Nora looked a little lost. “I’m not sure.”

Kelli snorted, but it was without humor. “Aren’t we just peas in a pod? I’m not sure what the hell I’m doing either.”

They stared at each other.

“He’s very important to you…Mr. Travis?” Both Nora’s words and her expression were hesitant.

Kelli was confused by the display. “Of course he is. He’s my partner. Hell, he’s like one of my brothers really. What kind of quest…” Kelli’s question died as she figured it out. “You don’t have brothers or sisters?”

“No, I’m an only child.”

“Why? Your parents realized they could only handle one of you?” Kelli teased.

“I don’t know. They never told me why.”

“You should ask. Tell them inquiring minds want to know.”

Nora shook her head. “I can’t ask them. That’s impossible.”

“You’re parents are gone?”

Nora nodded, but she looked unaffected.

“I’m sorry.”

Nora didn’t even blink.

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” Kelli said because she simply didn’t know what to say.

“You didn’t.”

Things had taken an odd turn. “Mmkay, so why are you asking me about Travis?” As she waited for answers, Kelli pulled all the strange pieces of the conversation together to get the bigger picture. “You don’t have anyone…do you?” That was pitiful. Kelli couldn’t understand it. All a person had to do was take the time. Nora was way too interesting to just brush off. “No friends?”

Nora’s gaze wandered.

Kelli knew she had pushed a little too far. “You’re uncomfortable. I can change the subject if you want.”

Nora just looked at Kelli. Her eyes were unreadable. “I didn’t have friends. Even the socialites were an acquired taste, or, more accurately, thought I was. I don’t have any now either.”

“Well shit. It’s their fucking loss. Fuck them, all I say.”

Nora just continued to stare.

“Uh, sorry about the language.”

“No you’re not.” Nora almost smiled. Kelli could see the beginnings of it tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Kelli smirked. “That’s beside the point. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“I thought you liked me that way.”

“There’s a difference between uncomfortable and flustered, at least in my dictionary.” Kelli tilted her head to the side and gave Nora a full-blown smile.

Nora’s eyes widened, and her cheeks turned pink.

“That’s flustered.”

Nora cleared her throat. “I see.”

“Mmm, so about that subject change?” Kelli asked.

“Yes, please.”

“Uh, you don’t like Dr. Rader.”

“I won’t disparage a fellow doctor,” Nora said.

“You don’t have to. He looked like he was going to piss himself.” Kelli grinned. “It was kinda hot.”

Nora sighed. “Ms. McCabe—”

“Okay, fine, but the shit was hilarious. And that girl you said was sleeping with him—”

“I said no such thing.” Nora shook her head, her body inching closer to Kelli as if to make her point.

“Alluded to or insinuated, whatever you want to call it.”

Nora’s lips thinned.

“Do you ever smile?” It wasn’t what she was about to ask, but it’s what came out.

Nora’s gaze sharpened.

Kelli chuckled. “Let’s hold on to that one.”

“Let’s,” Nora agreed.

“So, you and twinkle toes have a history?”

“History is far from the correct term.”

Nora was sharing. In the couple minutes Nora’d been in the room, Kelli learned more about her than she had during all her other visits combined. Kelli wanted to know more. “Do tell.”

“When I find an adequate descriptor, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Deal, but I’m gonna let you in on something. I don’t like him either,” Kelli whispered. “Not sure why yet, but I’ll figure it out.”

“Indeed.”

“Yep.” Kelli’s gaze wandered toward the window again. Her thoughts went to Travis. “How is he?”

Nora took a moment to respond. “I don’t have a satisfactory answer for that.”

Kelli closed her eyes, and she could see Travis’s anger and his tears as clear as day. “I still can’t fucking believe this.” She exhaled shakily. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t expect this.”

“His paralysis was kept from you?”

“Yeah, they were trying to protect me. Can you believe it? Protect
me
.”

Nora stayed quiet, and it was exactly what Kelli needed.

“If I could just get away from all this for a few minutes. Gain some perspective…gain something. I can’t do a damn thing in this bed except wallow in it.”

Nora stood, a thoughtful look on her face. “I’ll be back.”

Kelli watched her go, but she was left wondering. Nora was a mystery, but Kelli couldn’t help herself. She wanted to put the pieces together and see what it made.

A few minutes later, Nora came back with a wheelchair in tow.

“I can’t see him feeling like this.”

“We’re not going to ICU,” Nora countered.

“Then where?”

“Outside, Ms. McCabe.”

Kelli’s breath caught. She didn’t know what to say, but she got another piece of the Nora puzzle. Kelli just didn’t know where to put it.

* * *

Nora blinked as the mid-morning sun shined in her eyes, but her vision adjusted quickly. The landscape around them looked almost alien even though she’d seen it a thousand times or more in passing. It was different to actually make time to peruse the well-kept greenery. Well, it was different to actually make time for anything other than surgery. The topiaries were severely pruned into symmetrical designs. The lines were clean, precise. Nora took a moment to admire the view because it was a perfect foil for the messiness that churned inside her.

Despite the emotional upheaval of the prior day, Nora was sure that her epiphany would provide a sense of peace. Maybe she was being naïve to think she could simplify and categorize all these new, foreign emotions into nothingness. Today, Nora woke up floundering even more than she had before. Thankfully, she was able to pull herself together enough to leave her home by eight.

When Nora had entered the hospital this morning, she immersed herself in the familiar. Routine acted as a warm, comfortable blanket and settled on her shoulders. The sense of peace lasted through the monthly departmental meeting which she detested because it was more about the bottom line than patient care. To her, they were formal affairs, and she always looked the part with a high-end pantsuit and properly coiffed hair to show an elevated level of professionalism. The easy calm ended abruptly when she spoke with Gerald Travis Jr. He mentioned his partner with such deference that Nora allowed her own growing regard for Kelli to seep through. It produced a warmth of a different kind, and she let the feeling take her where it wanted to go. Her destination was obvious, but still she was just as bewildered as Drs. Rader and Fuller when she’d entered Kelli’s room. What was happening to her? Better yet, why was it happening?

Nora glanced downward. Kelli’s spiky auburn tresses moved softly with the breeze. She swallowed. Kelli brought with her a level of excitement and chaos that Nora found herself drawn to despite her internal warnings. She had no idea how to stop it, and at the moment, Nora wasn’t sure she wanted to.

Nora turned the wheelchair along the pattern of the sidewalk. She enjoyed the continued silence between them. It seemed to fit. People hurried past them, but they moved slowly.