“I got cleared by the ENT today. Doc needs to sign off. Do you happen to know where I can get a car? I have a motorcycle stashed at my parents’, but I prefer a car in the colder months,” he said as he anxiously waited for the nurses to leave Addyson’s room.
“We have company undercover vehicles. You can borrow one until you find what you want,” Leo offered. “If Doc releases you, text me, and we’ll get you assigned to a bunk and start orientation. Cole’s waiting to work with you and Apollo.”
“Yes, we’ve met a few times. Apollo’s great. Cole texted me about taking him on a practice mission, and he helped you take down the bad guys,” Liam said, already proud of his future partner.
“Yes. You don’t know how badly I wanted Cole to issue the attack command. Some of those bastards deserved a bite in the balls,” Leo said gravely. “I’ll have Saint bring a car over and drop the keys in your room. Did you complete the paperwork?”
“Yes, I gave it to Whiskey last week,” he informed him.
Leo pinched his nose. “I’ll ask Whiskey what he did with it. I’m hoping we’ll see you in the next couple of days.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to joining the team,” Liam said, truly meaning it. He didn’t think he’d have a second chance to do something he loved again. The team members visited him,played cards, and answered all his questions. He genuinely liked them, and they seemed close.
“I’ll see you then. I’m on my way to see my wife,” Leo said, picking up the flowers and a bag of soup and walking to the end of the corridor.
“Hi, Liam. Addyson says you can come in now,” the nurse greeted him.
“Thanks,” he said, rising and following the nurse. She pointed to her room, and he knocked before entering.
“Hey, Addy,” he whispered. “How’s the headache?”
“I’m feeling better. Thank you for catching me earlier,” she said softly and let out a short giggle. “I think we switched places.”
“Didn’t Doc check you out yesterday?” he asked, concerned.
“I saw the ER doc, and he stitched me up. He wanted to run a CT scan, but I didn’t feel any pain and refused,” she explained.
Liam made a face and gazed at her. “Excuse me? Aren’t you Addyson Parker, professional nurse extraordinaire? What if a patient experienced what you went through yesterday?”
“I know. We already ran late, and I needed to get home to Zeus,” she said, playing with the blanket’s edge.
“Who’s Zeus?” he asked.
“He’s my dog and baby. I usually go home and take him for walks on my lunch breaks, and we spend the evening together on my back porch while I crochet.”
“Who will watch him while you’re in here?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I can ask one of the Security Serenity team members to stop by to feed him and let him out,” she said, reaching for her phone.
“You don’t need to ask them. I’m teaming up with one of the K-9’s and I’m good with dogs,” he informed her. “You know they do background checks. He’ll be safe with me,” he assured her.
Addyson sucked on her bottom lip before picking up her purse and handing him her house key. “He gets a scoop of food in the morning and one at night. We go for a walk around lunch or dinner, depending on my shift. Then, before you leave, give him a little treat,” she instructed.
“Shall I tuck him in and read him a book at bedtime?” he teased.
“We haven’t spent a night apart,” she confessed. “I don’t know how he’ll do all alone. He usually sleeps in the bed with me.”
“Does he have a crate? Dogs love them for safety and security purposes,” he explained as he placed her purse on the tray. “How did you get your bag?”
“I asked one of the nurses to get it for me. I don’t use a crate because I adopted him from a shelter where someone kept him crated all the time. The poor baby shook every time I took him for a walk. He’s come such a long way,” she boasted proudly. “Don’t let his bark scare you. As soon as you tell him dinner, he’ll become your best friend.”
“I’m sure we’ll get along,” he said, placing the key in his pocket. “Saint’s bringing me a car to use. How did you get to work this morning?” he asked.
“I walked to Whiskey’s house, and he drove me,” she told him. “I contacted the insurance and sent in the pictures. They’re sending an adjuster this week.”
“Don’t let them low-ball you. Have you checked to see what your car’s worth or how much it’ll cost to replace it?”
“No. The headache started, and I didn’t want to stare at a computer screen,” she said, pulling the blanket over her.
