“So did I,” Ty replied. “And I’d love to go home, but I’m staying.” He drilled a finger into Damon’s chest. “And you’re staying. I sent Cassie home already. She’s dead on her feet and if she gets sick, we’ll really be in a jam.”
Anger rose hot within Damon but he didn’t show it. “I have plans tonight.”
“So did I. Shannyn will have to wait and so will Natasha.” Ty was resolute, his stare hard when Damon didn’t reply. “Or do I have to remind you again that we’re all five equal partners? That can be revised if you want out.”
“I don’t want out,” Damon said tightly. “I just have to do something tonight.”
“It’s not fair, Damon, and you know it. Cassie needs a break. The fact that she’s not seeing anyone isn’t a good enough reason to leave her spending every Friday night here at the club.”
Damon took a deep breath and stared around the weight room, composing himself. Tyler was right and he knew it, but he was worried about his mom. “I just need to make one phone call,” he said, meeting the other man’s gaze. “If that’s all right with you.”
“Give my regards to the lady,” Ty said and turned to leave. “I’m going up to change. If you’re not in the club when I come back down, I will find you, even if I have to drag you in there.”
“Got it,” Damon acknowledged. Ty nodded once and left, heading for the elevator and his apartment in the tower above the club.
Damon clenched his fist, exhaled, then punched in the number for the nurses’ station at the hospital. He hated asking for help, but this was about his mom and her comfort.
And there was only one person he could trust to take his place this one time.
Seven
Haley was early for her shift, although she told herself it wasn’t because it was Friday night. No. It was because it was snowing like crazy and there would be people coming to work late and others wanting to get home. The worst of the storm was supposed to hit during the night.
The tom had checked out the apartment thoroughly when she brought him home. Contrary to prediction, he had yet to set his claws on her furniture. He wasn’t much for eating and he tended to sit on the sill, either watching her or looking out the window. He seemed aloof and hadn’t wanted to snuggle or even let himself be stroked.
Haley was pretty sure he didn’t think he was staying. She’d broiled fish that night for herself and given him a piece. He’d gobbled it up then watched her more closely, still wary, still considering her merit.
When she left, she’d looked up from the street and seen his silhouette in the window. Impulsively, she’d waved.
Megan was on the desk in the cardiac ward. Haley nodded to her and went to put her stuff in her locker, wondering what the cat would do in her absence.
She still hadn’t decided on a name for him, although she had sent a picture to her mom.
“Hey,” Megan said, peeking around the corner. “There’s a message for you.”
“For me?”
A bell sounded and Megan swore under her breath, then hurried to the desk. Haley changed and closed her locker, then followed Megan to the desk. The other nurse was on the phone but she held up a finger, motioning for Haley to wait.
“What’s up?” Haley asked when Megan ended the call.
“Oncology called. They asked if you were in, then when you would be in, then left a message.” Megan rummaged on the desk and came up with a pink slip of paper. “Here! They asked if you could come to Mrs. Perez.”
Because Damon wasn’t coming.
“Does that mean anything to you?” Megan asked when Haley didn’t say anything.
“It does,” Haley said. “Thanks. She’s a patient who responds really well to massage. I guess she’s hurting.”
“Wait a minute. Is she the one with the hot son?”
“Well, she has a son. He let me try massage on his mom and she responded well, so I said I could do it again if she needed me. Sounds like she does.” Haley shrugged, trying to sound casual about it. “Do you need me early?”
“Nope. All quiet.” Megan crossed her fingers and smiled.
“Okay. I’ll be back for eight.”
The phone rang again and Megan nodded at Haley before she answered it.
Haley fought her disappointment all the way down to the oncology ward. The message made her realize how much she’d been hoping to see Damon—if only to tell him off for not confiding in his friends and partners. But Oncology wouldn’t have called if he was there. Maybe he wasn’t even coming in tonight. She wasn’t sure whether she should be pleased that she could help his mom, or annoyed that she was just useful.
Then she got to the oncology ward and Khadija greeted her with a smile. “Hey! You did get the message.”
“Absolutely. How’s Mrs. Perez?”
“Not good. Poor thing. Even the opiates aren’t helping tonight.”
Haley felt a wave of compassion. “Getting close?”
Khadija winced. “I think so. They’ve stopped treatment because it’s not helping.”
Haley’s heart squeezed in compassion for Damon again. She walked down the corridor to Natasha’s room with Khadija. “Doesn’t her son usually come in on Friday nights?”
“He called and said he had to work late. He’s the one who asked for you.” Khadija winced. “He sounded pretty upset about work, actually.”
“Really? I expect he worries about his mom, but he doesn’t seem like the type to show his emotions.”
Khadija laughed. “No, his heart’s not on his sleeve. I meant that he was really terse. Jake’s like that when he’s upset,” she said, referring to her husband. “He bites off his words and gets even quieter than usual. Most people miss it when he gets upset, but I’ve learned to look for the signs.”
“Survival instinct,” Haley teased and Khadija smiled.
“You’ve got it.” She tapped gently on the door. “Hello, Mrs. Perez. Are you feeling any better?” There was a weak moan of reply. “She’s had some pain meds,” Khadija murmured. “But that’s her allotment for today and it’s not cutting it. I’ve got a call in to her doc requesting some more morphine.”
Haley nodded. It wouldn’t matter now if Natasha had too much. She bit her lip when she saw that Natasha had curled up on her side. She looked even smaller and more fragile than she had the other night. It was easy to believe that she’d been a ballerina, because she was so tiny. She seemed to be all bones beneath the sheet.
Haley dropped a hand upon Natasha’s knee. “Hello,” she said with a smile and saw Natasha glance at her. “Damon asked if I could visit you. Would you like a massage?”
“Isn’t he coming?” she whispered.
Later, Khadija mouthed then shrugged.
“It’s snowing,” Haley said to Natasha. “The roads are bad. It sounds like he’s been delayed, but I can try to help you now.”
“Haley.”
“That’s me,” Haley said, taking the massage lotion out of the drawer. She smiled. “Is it good or bad that you remember me?”