Sucker Punch (TKO #4) (4 page)

Chapter 6

Austin

“Just call me Big Daddy, yo.” Lance grins as I walk inside Joe’s. I swear he has some constant source of caffeine streaming through his veins.

“And why would he do that?” Garrett asks.

“Um, maybe because I helped him get the number of some hottie nurse he met in the hospital.”

“Dude, shut up,” I tell him as I walk to my locker to set my keys down.

“There’s a new lady in your life?” Garrett asks.

I shrug. “Maybe. I guess we’ll see.”

“Did you call her yet?” Lance interjects.

“Get off my nuts.” I laugh as I struggle to get my hand inside my glove.

“Austin, I’m like a squirrel. I’m all over your nuts.”

“You’re stupid, Lance, that doesn’t even make sense. You need help.” Garrett scrunches his nose.

“Okay, Grandpa.” Lance laughs.

Garrett glares before shooting him the middle finger. “I had a wonderful night, thank you.”

“Did Raegan read you a bedtime story?” Lance begins laughing so hard he doesn’t even notice Garrett is getting ready to kick his feet from underneath him. I chuckle as Lance’s body meets the cushiony mat.

“Why do I get the feeling everyone is horsing around?” Howard asks as he steps out of the office.

“That’s because we are.” Lance grins from the mat. “Howie, my man. Tell them I’m Big Daddy.”

“I plead the fifth. Get to work, guys. Garrett, you’re up this week and Lance, so are you,” He reminds them before stepping back into the office.

My face falls as I realize he didn’t say my name. I know I probably need a hell of a lot of training to start fighting again, and I realize I never got any sort of confirmation on whether or not I can fight with one arm. I hate this so much. I should be getting ready with them. At least I can help them practice.

“Austin, want to help me spar?” Garrett asks. “Howard can help Big Daddy.”

“Haters.” Lance sticks his tongue out as he walks towards the office.

“Yeah, I can try,” I tell Garrett. I’ve hit on the punching bag a few times since I’ve been back but I’ve yet to attempt to spar again. I guess we’ll see if I can or not because I know Garrett doesn’t hold anything back, plus he has an advantage over me—an extra arm.

I stand on the mat in position and wait for him to get ready. He throws the first punch but I’m able to block it. Hell, I’m proud I could even do that. I swing back, but his quick reflexes land me on the ground. I groan as I pull myself up.

“You can do this man, just concentrate,” he tells me. Suddenly I realize what he’s doing. This isn’t for him, he’s trying to help me. He’s pushing me to my limit, helping me overcome what’s holding me back.

I nod as I get back into position and throw another punch. He blocks it but I keep myself steady so I don’t repeat what just happened. We go round for round right there on the mat, each only getting one hit on the other.

I’m sweating. This is the most I’ve moved around since the accident. Garrett isn’t holding back—which is good, because I wouldn’t want him to treat me any differently than anyone else in this gym.

The sound of hands clapping together breaks our concentration and I turn to see Howard grinning from ear to ear.

“This is what I like to see.” He beams as he walks closer. “You keep training like this, Austin, and you could very well have another chance at stepping back into the ring.”

“You mean that?” I ask in a hoarse voice. I sure as hell could use some water right now.

“I do. Keep working and I’ll make a few phone calls in the next few days. I’ve never seen any rule stating you can’t fight if you’re missing an arm. That would be discrimination.”

The smile that spreads across my face can’t be hidden. I forget about the water I thought I needed and I’m filled with nothing but sweet fucking adrenaline.

“Ready to go again, man?” Garrett asks me.

“Hell yeah. Let’s do this.” And we begin again. Round after round and I’m feeling better. I’m slowly regaining the confidence I lost in the accident and I love it.

***

Lance pulls up at my apartment and I open my door. “Thanks for the ride, man, I appreciate it.”

“That’s what friends do. Enjoy your Sunday off. I’ll see you Monday.”

I wave bye and walk inside. Ruston is washing a few dishes. I laugh at seeing him so domesticated. “Hey Rus.”

“Hey, Austin. I was just cleaning up a little before I go meet Tam. We have a, uh, date tonight.” His voice is low like he didn’t mean to slip that last part out. I guess he still thinks deep down I’m really bothered by it all when in reality, I’m not.

“Sounds fun.”

“How was Joe’s last night?”

“It was all right. We just had a few drinks and I ran into the nurse from the hospital. I got her number,” I tell him.

“Really? That’s awesome.”

“I have even better news.” I just can’t contain what Howard told me any longer. “I started practicing again today. Howard says with more practice I should be able to fight again.”

Ruston’s eyes widen much like mine did earlier. “That’s fucking awesome, man. You better let me know when you step back into the ring. I want to be there for you.”

“When I know, you’ll know, I swear. I’ll let you finish up and get ready for your date. Garrett fucking worked me today. I’m exhausted.”

“You need anything before I go?” he asks me.

I shake my head and smile. “No thanks man, I’m good. I may order a pizza in a bit but I’m good.”

He smiles and finishes the last of the dishes. He’s already dressed, so I take that as an okay to go into the bathroom and shower. I haven’t had to wash sweat off of my body in a long time and I love it. I dry off and put on a fresh change of clothes. I grab my phone and contemplate texting Paige. I don’t want to bother her, but the talk we had in the early hours of this morning seemed to go rather well.

I lie across my bed and stare at the messages from this morning. I begin typing and glance at my words before I decide to hit send.

Austin: Hey, how was your day?

A few minutes pass before an answer pops up. Like a fool, I just lay there waiting for her response, wondering if it was going to even come.

Paige: Hey! It was okay. It was my day off so I took care of some things around my house and relaxed. That was probably more info than you wanted.

Austin: No, it’s okay. I started practicing at my gym again today; now I’m home.

Paige: Practicing? What were you practicing?

Austin: Fighting.

Paige: Oh, I hope you’re being careful.

I smile. It seems like it’s been forever since someone has cared. She doesn’t even know me and her concern may not be genuine, but I’m taking it that way.

Austin: I’m always careful, I promise.

Paige: Good, I’d hate to see you in the hospital again.

Austin: You won’t.

Minutes pass and no reply. I guess that was the end of the conversation. Minutes turn into an hour yet still nothing. I yawn a little, deciding I better order that pizza before it gets too late. My stomach is growling. I need to eat something. I place the order and sit on the couch. I turn the TV on and start watching some movie. I stare at my phone, wanting it to light up more than I’ve wanted anything in my life, but nothing happens.

The doorbell rings and I grab my wallet before walking to the door. The pizza guy looks upon me with pity as he hands me the pizza box, but I manage. So what if it slides around a little in the box? I’m still eating it. I hand him a couple of dollars for his tip and thank him. I set the pizza on the counter before going back to shut and lock the front door. Opening the pizza box, I grab a slice. I’m a plain Jane guy. Pepperoni and extra cheese is my favorite. It’s hot, nearly burning the roof of my mouth, but I eat it anyway. Three slices in and I’m beginning to get full. I close the box and open the fridge. Before the door can shut, I place the pizza box inside. At least I have a snack for later if I get hungry.

I sit back on the couch and finish whatever is on TV. An hour and a half later, the movie ends and still no reply back on my phone. Maybe Paige doesn’t want to talk to me anymore. Oh well. Another movie starts and I begin watching it. If I weren’t so nervous to drive and had a car, I’d go for a ride, but I’m stuck in this apartment watching God knows what on TV.

My phone finally dings and I look to see a message from Paige. Just when I was giving up all hope, and it’s now almost ten at night, she decides to text.

Paige: Sorry I disappeared. I had a few things to take care of.

Austin: It’s okay. I thought I bored you to death or something.

Paige: No, please don’t think that.

Austin: I’m kidding, I promise.

Paige: Okay, good. What are you up to tonight?

Austin: Watching movies.

Paige: So exciting lol.

Austin: Yeah, tell me about it. What are you up to?

Paige: Just relaxing before I go back to work tomorrow.

Austin: Well, get some rest okay?

Paige: Goodnight, Austin.

Austin: Night, Paige.

She doesn’t type anything else and I turn the TV off and go back to my bedroom. I should get some sleep too. Tomorrow, I’m not doing anything but lying around again. I lead quite the exciting life nowadays. I bet everyone wants to be like me.

Chapter 7

Paige

As soon as Austin and I tell each other goodnight, tiny footsteps fill my ears. I look up from my phone to see Darla walking into my room, sleepy-eyed with her favorite pink stuffed tiger in her hands.

“You okay, baby girl?” I ask her.

“I had a bad dweam, mama,” she sighs.

I climb out of bed and go pick her up. I place her in my bed and lie beside her. When all else fails in my life, I have this beautiful little girl that can brighten anything. “It’s okay. I’ve got you now. You can go back to sleep.”

“Hold me,” she says softly through a yawn. I wrap my arms around her and in a matter of minutes, she’s sleeping soundly again.

The sounds of her snoring lightly makes me yawn. I need to get to sleep anyway. I’ve got a long work day tomorrow.

I felt bad not answering Austin earlier but I was tending to Darla. I don’t know where any of this is going with us, but I won’t tell him about her anytime soon. I just really met him and I need to know who he is and what his intentions could possibly be with me before I truly let him into my life. Darla is my world and I will protect her no matter what. I doubt he’s like Brendan, and I hate my ex left such a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to potentially introducing men to Darla. I close my eyes and slowly drift to sleep holding onto my sweet baby girl.

***

I hand Darla a pop tart and a cup of apple juice as I sip on my coffee. I watch her slowly eat and hate I had to wake her this early in the morning, but work beckons. I hate even worse my mom is awake this early to watch her, but she insisted she keep Darla for the summer before she starts preschool in the fall. It’s so hard to believe a few years ago, she was learning to babble and I was changing diapers. Now, she’s got a whole mind of her own and she’s becoming so independent for only being four years old. Time has flown by way too fast.

My parents keep toys for Darla at their house but she always insists on packing what seems like half of her bedroom. I shake my head, laughing as I pack what she brings me in her small suitcase. Once that’s all done, I step into my room and quickly throw on the scrubs I laid out the night before. I toss my hair into a bun and apply a thin line of eyeliner before being satisfied. Darla is still in her jammies but that’s fine; she’ll probably fall back asleep anyway.

I continue my morning routine of packing her into the car and driving to my parent’s house. I kiss Darla goodbye, wishing I didn’t have to leave her, but I know in a few hours, I’ll be picking her up. I walk back to my car and grab my phone so I can plug the auxiliary cord into it. I barely listen to the radio—I hate commercials. I have more than enough music downloaded onto my phone. I burst into laughter when the first to play is one of Darla’s favorites. A song from one of her favorite cartoons blares across the speakers and I press the button on the stereo to turn it down. Finally something I can relate to comes on and I sing along until I pull up at the hospital. I’m hoping for an easy day, although you never know just what you’re going to have inside those walls. I sit in my car every morning and say a little prayer for the souls inside, some never to leave. It’s a tough place to be but there’s no greater feeling than being able to help someone.

I lock my car and head inside, heading down the halls.

“Hey Paige!”

I turn to see Nora walking up behind me. “Hey Nor, you’re awfully chipper this morning.”

“Eh, what can I say? Coffee works wonders on me.” She grins.

“Yeah, well I wish mine would kick in.” A small yawn escapes me.

“So, have you talked to that guy since the other night?” she asks. The small conversation Austin and I held last night flashes through my mind. Funny, I’m not used to this.

“Actually, yes. He texted me and called. He seems really nice.”

She starts babbling. “Ooo! Is there a date coming up soon? You haven’t been on one of those in
years
! I want to help you get ready.”

I stop dead in my tracks and turn to face her. “No, Nor, no one has said anything about a date and I doubt I would go on one. Nothing against him, but I have Darla to think about.”

“You can’t be alone forever, Paige. If this guy asks you on a date, you’d seriously turn him down?”

“Right now, probably so. I don’t have time.” I turn back around and keep walking.

“Paige, you can’t be serious. I’ll watch Darla for you if I need to. Does he know you have a kid?”

“I just met him. All he knows about me is I work at the hospital. That’s all he needs to know.”

“I’m just going to buy you a litter of kittens for your birthday. They can grow old with you,” she mutters behind me.

“Make sure they’re pretty at least. I love calico cats, oh and maybe a smoky gray one.”

“You’re insane.” She laughs as we both clock in.

I grab my badge out of locker and clip it to my scrub top. I glance at my phone one last time before shutting my locker, and I’ll be damned. Austin just texted me.

Austin: I hope you have a good day.

Paige: Thanks, you too!

I reply with a smile on my face. Nora leans over my shoulder, grinning. “That is so sweet. I still can’t believe you’d deny him a date.”

I set my phone in my locker and shut it making sure the padlock is secured. “Drop it, Nora,” I deadpan.

“Fine, you win.” She throws up her hands in surrender. “If all goes right, I’ll meet up with you for lunch.”

“See ya then,” I tell her as I begin walking towards the ICU. It’s one of the most heartbreaking places to work inside the hospital, in my opinion, but I’ve always been told I have a big heart full of hope for the patients; I wouldn’t want to work in any other part.

The first half of the morning seems to fly by. I’m all smiles as I see at least one patient getting moved to a regular room, but shortly after, the worst case scenario comes. A teenage kid who was critically injured in a car accident just hours earlier flatlines and we try everything to bring him back, but he is gone. I wasn’t here when he was first brought in because I was with another patient, but I’m one of the closest nurses when his mother yells from his room. I stay strong when we realize he’s gone but the moment I step out, I nearly run towards the restroom.

I lock myself inside of a stall and let the tears cascade down my cheeks. I’ve never lost a patient before. I knew this was going to happen one day but I wasn’t prepared. I glance at my watch and wonder if half an hour early is too early for my lunch. I need to breathe and regain my composure.

I pull myself from the ground and unlock the bathroom stall door. I go to the sink and splash some cool water on my face. I’m still all red and splotchy and I’m sure people will stare, but it’ll be okay.

I leave the bathroom and don’t dare glance towards the room where we lost the teenage boy. I look around and let the head nurse know I’m going to eat a little early. She knows I’ve been crying. While I wait for her to scold me, I’m surprised when she offers me a sympathetic look and tells me to go ahead.

“This is your first time, isn’t it honey?” she asks me.

I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I remember my first too. It’s not easy, but unfortunately it happens. All we can do is say a prayer for their soul. Go relax and hopefully the afternoon will be a little better.”

“Thank you.” I could hug her for understanding but I walk out and straight towards the breakroom. If I smoked cigarettes, now would be the perfect time for one, but I just open my locker and get some change out of my purse.

One soda and a turkey and cheese sandwich later, I’m feeling a little better. Nora walks in just as my break is about to end.

“You took an early break?” she asks as she sits beside me.

“Yeah. I, uh lost a patient and it hit me hard. The head nurse let me take a break.”

“Oh no, I’m sorry, Paige.” She reaches out and grabs hold of my hand. Nora is lucky; she hasn’t had this happen to her yet.

“I’m fine now. It was just shocking at first. I better get back.”

“The day will get better,” she tells me with a smile.

I grin back, hoping she’s right. I check my phone one more time before closing my locker and I see Austin’s name. I want to check it but I decide it can wait until my shift is over. This way, I have something positive to look forward to no matter what the rest of my day brings.