Igniting the Wild Sparks (64 page)

I pull my ponytail around me and curl it around my hand. “Yes. We really do.” Truly.

He asks, “So that little photo session was fun, wasn’t it?” Fun? I’m floored that Shane has that word in his vocabulary. He really doesn’t get out much. Not that I do, but I loathe getting my picture taken, so I’d rather have had a root canal. “It was a hoot,” I mutter as I shove my burger back to Rod.

Rod
comfortingly rubs his hand up and down my upper arm. “Hadley here always breaks the cameras. It’s a curse, she’s so beautiful.” He laughs, pulling me closer to him. My champion.

Suddenly,
Morgan jumps up from the bench, a little too enthusiastically for a pregnant woman, and spins to look at me. “Speaking of pictures. I want more since Shane’s here!”

Caustically inhaling, I shake my head
and say, “I’m good.” Now I sound like Finn.
Sparks…

She crooks her finger
at me. “Oh, no, Hadley. Come on.”

I put my arm around Rod, leaning away from Shane. “Only if Rod gets some pictures, too.”

She rolls her eyes and concedes, “Fine.” There’s that word…

I pull Rod up with me and
we walk over to Morgan as Shane follows us. She warns, “I want some fun ones.”
Fun
is not on my agenda today, or ever again. She bizarrely waves her hand to Shane and then to me. “Shane why don’t you dip Hadley?”

I step closer to Rod. “Do
what
with me?”

She sighs. “Dip. Like dancing.”

Rod abruptly snatches me, twirls and dips me, making me laugh in surprise. He looks up, smiling. “Get your picture, Mortgage.” I hear a click and Rod lifts me back up.

She announces, “Okay. Shane’s turn!” What? No!

“I’m not a ragdoll!” I protest.

Shane takes me from Rod and dips me, delighting Morgan. This is so stupid. She yells, “Be silly!” How? He’s dipping me. Isn’t that enough? Before he brings me back up, he descends and puts his face into my neck. I giggle at first because it tickles, but it’s
unnerving and really too much for me. I urgently push on his chest and he stands me up.

I glare at
Morgan. “Happy?”

“Not yet. Shane, put your arms around her and both of you smile.”

“Must we?” I crabbily dispute.

She purses her lips. “Yes.” Shane puts his arms around my waist from behind
me. She takes one and then says, “One more!” I want to roll my eyes, but that might force us to undergo yet another picture.

Before she can take the picture, Rod stealthily dodges in front of me and pops his head up, and I laugh as she takes the picture.

“You ass!” she laughingly shouts. With Rod still on the ground, I squat and put my arms around his shoulders. He leans forward and I squeal because my dress is going to ride up. Morgan takes our picture and I let go of him so I don’t flash Shane. That makes me feel sick.

“I’m done.” I turn to go back to the bench, but Shane grabs me and says, “Last one.” He drapes an arm over my shoulder and as Morgan raises Rod’s phone, Shane kisses my cheek. I immediately jerk away and try not to make too much of a face.

“Now, I’m officially done,” I affirm. Shane laughs and Morgan grins as she plays with the phone. Shane and Ivan make jokes, while I sit back down and vow to never get my picture taken again with Shane. 

Rod sits next to me, glaring in Shane’s direction. “That guy. He’s… I just don’t know. There’s something about that douchebag.”

I eagerly look at Rod. “Maybe that he’s a douchebag? Could
that
be it?”

His gaze drifts to me as the wind flutters his spiky, brown hair. “Smartass.” I giggle and nudge his arm. I notice the burger still on the bench and I hand it to him. He finally unwraps it and takes a bite.

I say, “I know. Morgan seems hell-bent on me liking him or something. He’s annoying enough at the gym. I really don’t want to spend time with him outside of it. I wish she would stop.”

Between bites, he says, “I agree. She needs to leave you alone. It’s not like you’re ready to date anyone, especially him. He’s a…”
Rod seems to be at a loss for the right word, so he takes another bite.

I fill it in for him. “A douchebag?”

He nods and laughs. “Yeah. I already forgot.”

Shane walks back over
, taking a seat next to me again, and I automatically incline toward Rod. When Shane casually puts his arm behind me on the bench, I can hear Rod practically foaming at the mouth. I wrap my left arm around myself, feeling uneasy. Suddenly, Shane picks up my hand. “Where’s that pretty ring you always wear?”

I wrench my hand back and frown. “It’s at home.”
Attempting to distract myself, I watch people walking on the converging sidewalks.

Shane
asks, “So, is it true that you’re single again?”

I practically growl,
“No.”
Please back me up, Rod.

“Really? You and Wilder didn’t break up?” Good news travels fast.

Rod snaps, “They’re fine. Leave her alone.”
Wow, Rod.
I thought, publicly or around Morgan at least, he’d want to also steer me away from Finn.

Shane says, “Oh. I saw him hanging out with some blonde recently.”

I shrug and attempt to sound nonchalant. “Probably a coworker.”

“They didn’t seem like just coworkers. Close friends, rather.”

Needing to get him away from me, I helplessly look to Morgan, who is typing something into Rod’s phone, so she doesn’t see my silent screaming. I scowl at her anyway and tell Shane, “He has women friends.” Apparently, women friends who give him blow jobs upon request.

“If you’re still together, where is he?” Do I not sound convincing?

“Working.”

“Is he still not going to
marry you?”
Shut the fuck up, Shane!

I abruptly stand. “Morgan
, I want to go back to the hotel.”

Glancing up from Rod’s phone, s
he puts a hand on her hip and testily shakes her head. “You’re not going to coop yourself up in your room for the entire trip.”

“I want to go now. My stomach is bothering me.”
Shane
is bothering me.

She
stomps over to us, grabs my hand and leads me away from the boys. I look back and see Rod and Shane watching me; however, Rod’s look doesn’t make me want to blow a rape whistle.

Taking me behind
a nearby, huge oak tree, she turns to me and says, “You have got to start moving on.”

Not wanting a lecture,
I fold my arms over me. “I don’t want to
move on
. I want to be left alone!”

She puts her hand on the smooth bark and states, “I know that look in your eyes. You’re pining for him. You’re considering taking him back!”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Morgan! I can’t just turn off my feelings! I still love him!”

“
After what he did to you? He doesn’t care! Why hasn’t he showed up at work, asking to see you? Why isn’t he fighting for you? He should walk through fucking fire to win you back!”

I peer around to see if anyone is paying attention to us. I quietly say, “We’ve been through enough.”

“
We’ve
? Are you kidding me? You think he’s suffered like you have? You caught him…” She also looks around before lowering her voice. “God, Hadley. He’s never going to change. He only thinks of himself. You deserve so much better than that.”

Careful to not be too loud so the guys here us, I hiss,
“You don’t know him like I do!” Shit.
I
don’t even know him like I thought I did.

She rolls her eyes and swings her hair over her shoulder. “Says every woman ever involved with an asshole.” Does she have that little faith in me, too?

“Morgan, you think I’m just going to go running back to him like a good little lap dog? No! Someday, I’d like to be able to at least sit down and talk with him at some point.”

“And
that
someday
will be soon, and then you’ll take him back. I can see it. He has this unexplainable hold over you. He doesn’t love you like you love him!”

“He did love me! I
honestly believe that!” The tears start falling and I angrily brush them away. I’m such a baby.

She drops her hand from the tree. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to upset you. I just don’t want to see you hurt over and over again. And that’s what he’ll do. You’re such a forgiving person and he knows that. He’ll take advantage of you and weasel his way back into your life.”

I whisper, “I love him, Morgan. I’m trying so hard not to, but…” …it’s impossible.

She irritably sighs.
“He’s in your blood. I know.”

“He’ll always be a part of me. I’m just trying to live my life with th
is abysmal hole in my heart.”

“I’m afraid you’ll go back to him and he’ll just keep hurting you.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t even talk to him yet, let alone take him back.”

“I’m only trying to protect you.”

“I know, but I have to work this out somehow. You’ve got to stop trying to fix me up with Shane. It’s annoying. I don’t like him enough to even pretend I do. Just don’t.”

“I’m not trying to fix you up. I’m just trying to
loosen
you up. Get your mind off of things.”

“It’s not helping.”

Rod walks over and says, “Let’s go, Morgasm. I’m driving anyway.”

“Go ahead.
I’ll go with Ivan.”

Shane shows up behind Rod and asks, “Do you want me to come with you?” I immediately scowl. Hell, no!
I want you to leave me alone!

I tug at my hair. “No, thanks. Greg’s with me.” I link my arm with his and he pulls me in the direction of Morgan’s car.

What a fine trip this is. I want to go home.

I want my Sparks.

He used to be my Sparks.

Morgan might be right. Maybe I will take him back. Or
, maybe she’s right in that I need to move on. I wish I knew what to do.

CHAPT
ER 28

I was returned home Sunday night, as promised. We went to some jazz venues, but to be honest, I don’t remember much. From what I did hear, the music was great; however, it was a waste of time and Val’s money. I just hope I don’t have to take a trip like that anywhere else with Shane anytime soon.

Monday morning before Val arrived at work,
I left her a big bouquet of flowers on her desk, thanking her for taking care of me. She loved them, yet she scolded me for wasting my money on
her
. At least my morning started with a laugh.

The workweek crawls
by while I continue to stay with Rod. He claims he doesn’t mind, but I told him I’ll go home this weekend. He said I could always move in with him and we could share his room. Get bunk beds even. Alternatively, we could share his bed, but he said it wouldn’t work out since he’s a blanket hog and I’m a crabby whore. Nice. I know he means that in the most lovingly way possible. It made me smile, though.

At work on Thursday morning
, I go into Rod’s office and take a seat. Freezing mid-signature, he looks up from his paperwork with drawn curiosity.

I hesitantly ask,
“Have you heard from…Finn?”

“No
t since last week. He’s been quiet. I told him to give you space. So, that’s what he’s doing. He didn’t forget about you. I promise. He’s one phone call away if you ever decide to talk to him. He’s not going anywhere. Okay?”

I tentatively nod. “I don’t know when I’ll want to. I feel like I’m getting closer to it, but I…”

He understandingly nods and when he sits back, I notice he’s bouncing his legs underneath his desk. “Take your time, Hadders.”

“He begged me to marry him, Rod. What if we get back together and he really doesn’t want to marry me
? He lied to me again?”

Rod
astutely smirks. “I 100 percent believe he
would
marry you this time. He knows what it’s like to actually lose you. I bet he’d even skip the church and take you to Vegas.”

“He mentioned that.”

“I think he’d even marry you in all 50 states.”

I doubtfully scowl. “That’s a bit extreme.”

Rod grins. “I know.”

I shake my head. “I can’t even look at him, let alone consider marrying him anymore. Why am I even discussing this then?”

Tapping his pen on the desk, he perceptively answers, “You know why.” Frowning, I glance at the floor. “Do you want me to text him?”

I
glance up at his colorful fish tie. “Not yet. I’ll let you know. I was just wondering out loud, I suppose.”

He nods
and his gaze studies me. “Are you feeling okay? How’s your bruise?”

“Still there. It’s a lot smaller, but it still hurts a little. It’s actually a nice distraction from other
things.”

“I didn’t think of it like that.”

“Mostly, I have a headache and my body aches from not sleeping.”

“I know. I hear you up at night.”

“Yeah. I’ll be gone this weekend.”

“You don’t have to go yet. I like the company
. I’ll need to do some grocery shopping, though. You ate all my Fritos, jerk.”

I unexpectedly smile.
“I’m sorry. I wanted something salty.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll just buy you a damn salt lick. You can break my nose, date my sister,
shred my posters, kick my ass or set me on fire, but hands off my Fritos.”

“Get some professional help, Gregory.”

“Why do I hear that so much?”

Thursday evening after work, Rod and I sit on the cou
ch, eating Chinese take-out. He

e
ats. I mostly pick at my General Tso.

“You
really okay?”

I look up at him and wanly nod. “
You asked me that this morning. Why again?”

“Because you look pale.”

“Oh.”

“PMS?”

“Yeah, if you must know.”

“Sorry. I’m out of Guy-dol.”

I smile. “Cute.”
Cute…

“Are you sure that’s all that’s bothering you?”

I weakly shrug and pick at my food. “You know.”

He sighs and sets his box down on the coffee table. “I’ll call him for you, if you want.”

“No. I need to forget him.”

“You won’t, though.”

I bite my lip to keep the tears at bay. “No. I never will. I’ll always love him.” Tilting my head, I stare at the couch cushion, contemplating. “He’s a part of me. He forever will be.” I look at Rod. “But, that doesn’t mean we belong together.”

“Maybe you do.”

“He broke my heart. How can I ever forget…?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t, either.”

“Well, Morgan seems to want you to move on. With Shane.”

“Not happening. I feel nothing for him. He gives off the creepy vibe way more than even you do.”

Rod nods with a shrewd smirk.
“You got that, sister. He’s like an annoying fly buzzing over a rotting carcass.”

“Am I the rotting carcass?”

“Oh, yeah!” He giggles and smacks my arm.

I rub my arm and grumble,
“Thanks so much. How’s Eden?”

“She’s doing better. Tabby said she watches the video of us dancing a lot. What a bitch.”
I softly laugh, thinking of Eden and Rod’s sparring.

Setting my
food down on the table, I say, “Well, she must be a sucker for a good laugh.”

“No doubt.”

Getting up from the couch, I don’t make it two steps when a searing pain rips through my abdomen, dropping me to my hands and knees, leaving me heavily gasping and clutching my stomach. The pain is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. White-hot lightning is what comes to mind.

Hazily,
I hear Rod jump up from the couch. Within a second, he’s on his knees next to me, his hand on my back. “Hadders, what’s wrong?”

Moaning, I
desperately cling to his arm. I can’t even speak. The pain tears through me again and I loudly squeal. He asks, “Is it your bruise?” Confused, I nod and shake my head. I have no idea.

“Let me get you up on the couch.”
He stands and tries to help me to my feet, and I pull up on him, but the pain slashes through me again and I fall back down.

“You can’t get up?” He sounds
completely alarmed, which alarms me even more. I shake my head, wheezing for breath. He firmly states, “There is something seriously wrong with that bruise.” That’s when I think of what my dad said after Easter about Jared having appendicitis and how it runs in the family. Plus, I did get hit with a softball near that general region. That’s not good, either. Shit.

I stutteringly cry, “Appendix
!” The sharp pains oddly ease up slightly, but threaten to return at any second.

“Are you going to fight me if I take you to the hospital?”

I frantically shake my head. Rod hurriedly goes to the kitchen to grab his car keys and runs back to once more help me stand up. As he does, the pain grabs me again and I loudly shriek. Briefly looking undecided, he gently, but quickly, sweeps me up and carries me out of his apartment, down two flights of concrete stairs to his truck, somewhat struggling to open the door before carefully sliding me into the passenger seat.

On our way
to the hospital, I can only sit curled. If I straighten, the pain is worse, just like after I was hit. Although still looming, the pain seems to level some with only intermittent, blinding pain.

Not able to walk much, Rod
carries me into the all-too-familiar ER.

They give me a clipboard of paperwork to fill out. Really? I guess I did wait with a broken wrist, so what’s agonizing stomach pain?
Fortunately, after sitting me in a chair, they call me within a few minutes.

A black-haired nurse in navy blue scrubs does the usual assessing. She also plays with my stomach, as did the previous nurse
when I was here last time. She questions about my bruise and Rod has to fill her in when I can’t talk.

“
Appendicitis runs in my family,” I whisper, as if the pain is a sleeping beast.

“Make sure you tell the doctor that.” She takes my blood pressure and temperature without remarks. When she’s finished, she tells me she’ll be back
.

As I lie on
my side in a ball, Rod asks, “Do you want me to call Morgan?”

“You can tell her, but she doesn’t need to be here.”

He rolls his eyes. “You know she’ll want to be, though.” Rod texts her and he’s right, of course. Again.

A blonde
, male doctor wearing glasses enters and asks me some more repetitive questions before telling me to lie on my back so he can examine my lower quadrant. I know Rod is laughing on the inside over that suggestion. I’ll have to remember to ask him if he’ll use that line on dates. Unfortunately, he probably will.

Rod
grabs my hand to help me slowly roll from my fetal position. The doctor then pushes down below my bruise, above my hipbone. “Does that hurt?”

“Some.”

“But that’s not where the pain is localized?” I shake my head and he moves his hand closer to my bruise and lightly presses. I yell and dig my nails into Rod, who in turn, screeches louder than I do.

The doctor says,
“Could be your appendix. I want you to have an ultrasound to check. I also want to check your blood and urine for abnormalities. A nurse will be back to collect those for me before your ultrasound.” He leaves the room and Rod frenziedly waves his hand in the air from the claw marks.

“Shit!”
He dances around and then laughs. “Collect your piss? That guy needs a hobby. I bet he has all the ladies clamoring for
his
number.” I want to laugh, but I’m afraid the piercing pain will return if I do, so I bite down on my lip hard, and close my eyes.

The nurse eventually comes in with a clear cup and helps me off the gurney. She and Rod then walk me across the hall to the bathroom where I have the most painful pee of my life. The squatting and the act of urinating itself are unbearable. How’d this suddenly come on? I was
okay earlier. I was crampy most of the day, but I sometimes have random days like that, so it’s not unusual for me. Even though my dad and brother have had problems with appendicitis, I guess I’ve never given actually having it much thought.

When I come out
of the bathroom, Rod holds onto my arm and guides me back to the room, while the nurse transports my pee somewhere. Rod picks me up again to place me on the bed. The nurse then returns with a cart and tells me she’s going to draw blood.

Rod asks
her, “You don’t hang from belfries, too, do you?”

She raises an eyebrow and laughs. “Well, aren’t
you
adorable?”

Grinning, he shrugs.
“That’s what they tell me.” Rod. Making friends wherever he goes…except when he steals office supplies from Crick or breathes the same air as Morgan.

“No belfries, but I do glitter in the sunlight.”

He giggles. “I see where you’re going with that.”

I turn away as
the vamp nurse sucks my blood. When she’s finished, she says, “The doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes. Then, I’ll have you taken to Ultrasound.” Sure. A few minutes. I’ve been here before, lady.

While Rod and I wait, he answers a text from Morgan. He then starts investigating the equipment in the room. Nothing like Finn did when he was here. He was so nervous.

Not Rod.

“Do you think a lot of people have died in this room?”

I cringe. “I don’t know! Shut up!”

Contrite, Rod sucks air between his teeth
. “Oh. Sorry. You’re not dying, though. Geesh.” He removes a rubber glove from a box on the wall and starts blowing it up like a balloon. When it’s fully inflated, he puts it on top of his head.