“You have been oddly happy all morning.” Dina cornered me as I was resting at the nurse’s station. I had just got done with three beds and two admissions; those always take forever because of the transfer of files. But us nurses try and work together, so we can make our lives easier.
“Um, I haven’t.” I tried to lie but Dina saw right through it. I just laughed, and she sat on the desk in front of me.
I never knew how she could keep her full face of makeup looking so good throughout the day.
“Come on, you have been acting super weird the past week. Is it because of that crime scene near your place?”
I sighed. I should have known she would figure it out soon enough. She watched the news just as much as I did. I knew I didn’t want to keep the truth form her anymore either, but I knew even the slight truth would open the entire can of worms. Still, she was my friend. Even if she was only a work friend, though I knew she was more than that. Our work just didn’t allow for much free time outside of the job.
I took a deep breath. “You know that witness they keep talking about? The one that called 911?” I raised a brow at her. She shrugged in response, saying yeah.
“It was me. I was there walking Parker. He went crazy and I followed him. I saw the whole thing, except the shooting. That happened when I was running away,” I blurted.
Her eyes widened as her jaw dropped and her face went over a whole flurry of emotions. It was insane. But she slowly realized everything and then squeezed my shoulder gently.
“Oh, Rose. Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I twisted my lip. “I don’t know. It wasn’t real yet. It still kind of isn’t. I made a statement, but I don’t know if they really need me yet.”
“Holy shit. And you’re okay with going back there? You should come and stay with us!”
“That’s okay. I have people watching me,” I said before I realized it. She gave me a funny look and I knew she wasn’t going to give me any peace before I explained everything.
“These cops…they were at the scene. One of them is the detective I gave a statement to and the other two are cops. Of course, they are all gloriously beautiful, but…I don’t really know what’s going on. The first day I was with them, I realized they were into me. And I’m into them too, all of them.”
“Seriously?” she whispered. I nodded with a guilty smile.
“Yeah. I mean, we haven’t done anything. Well, when they watch me I undress in front of the window but that’s it.” I giggled nervously.
She started laughing and then we were both laughing hysterically. It was kind of funny, and it felt good to finally be honest with someone about what I was going through.
“I never would have thought you could do that. I’m so proud. Why haven’t you done anything? Are you not into it?” she hinted.
“It isn’t that. I think there is just a bunch of shit going on.”
“Hmm. Sounds like life. Well, if you need a break from the watchmen, you can come and stay with us.” She smiled.
“Thanks. I might need it if I have to go another night so sexually frustrated.”
We both laughed and got back to work.
Chapter Eleven: Rose
My shift was busy and I was eager to get home to Parker. It was dark and around nine when I was getting on the subway to go home when my phone rang. It was Nate.
“Hello?” I answered. I stopped trying to use a pretty voice when I answered the phone, so I sounded just as tired as I was.
“Hey doll, it’s me. Listen I have to get another officer to watch you tonight. Max is on duty and I have to take care of something.”
He sounded pent up and worried about something. A bit frustrated, too.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen, are you okay?” I rambled. I stepped to the side of the pay box so the crowd wouldn’t run me over.
“Uh, don’t worry yourself. I can fill the officer in on what is going on with you.”
“I don’t care about that, Nate, I just care that you’re okay. Are you?” I pried. Maybe I was trying to convince him I was interested in more than just some fantasy with him, or undressing in front of the window.
I couldn’t deny the feeling I got when I even thought he had been hurt. I couldn’t ignore it either, or write it off