“Damn, man. These look great. You got some big lucky inside you, my man. I can't believe how good they look. I bet these staples can come out real soon. Look at this light pink scar. No sign of infection at all.” Anthony talked the entire time he worked, even though Nurse Hatchet had arrived. Trevor never had to say a word the entire time Anthony worked on him. He even laughed a couple of times when Anthony goaded Alice about her bedside manner. Even with all the commotion in his room, Trevor kept one eye on the clock above the door. Reed still hadn’t called like he said he would.
“You’re leg’s healing nicely too. The swelling’s down. I hope it stays that way through the flight. I don’t think it will though. It’ll have to be a smooth flight, no banging around, and still it’ll be hard to keep it from swelling up. But once you’re relocated, physical therapy and the prosthesis fitting will begin right away. It’s all super-fast now. They will have you up and running, as good as new, real soon. I heard you were the one to take that Carlos guy down. It’s just the rumor here, but it’s being spread like wildfire. Do you have any questions so far, sir?
“Am I traveling in this gown?” Trevor watched the guy as he handled him with skill and ease. Anthony was strong. He lifted and moved Trevor with no problem. There was no pain in this bandage change at all.
“Nah, man, I brought some loose fitting clothing for you.” Anthony handed him a pair of sweat pants, a t-shirt, and flip flops. “I can help you dress if you like, sir.”
“I got it. It’ll just take a minute,” Trevor said, pulling the clothing from generic shopping bag Anthony handed him.
“Okay, I’ll just turn around and let you dress. Holler if you need me. Well, sir, I’m gonna tell you, you got into one of the world renowned rehab facilities in the United States. They’ll get you going quick, I promise. They’re the best. I put your discharge folder in the chair. I’m supposed to tell you it has all the military contacts, including psychological telephone numbers for each stage of depression this type of injury goes through. And please don’t hesitate to use them if you need it. There’s more I’m supposed to say, but honestly, it’s a bunch of major boring bullshit that you really don’t need.”
Unlacing the gown, Trevor pulled on the t-shirt, and then the sweatpants. His left shoulder and arm stayed on the inside of the shirt as the bandages wouldn’t allow him the flexibility to lift his arm to put it through the sleeve. It took time to accomplish getting dressed, and about once a minute he looked over at the phone. Reed still hadn’t called. Trevor supposed it meant Reed took his warning to heart. Which was for the better, but his heart still ached watching each minute pass without word. If Trevor were leaving, how would Reed know how to find him? But wasn’t that exactly what he wanted when he told Reed to go? Pushing all those thoughts aside, Trevor finally spoke to the nurse waiting on him.
“I’m ready,” he said, pulling his right leg over the bed onto the floor.
Out of nothing more than sheer desperation, Trevor picked up the phone by the bed, listening for a dial tone. Damn it. Everything worked. While the nurse stood by the bed, watching him, waiting for him to begin to rise, Trevor thought of calling Rylie to get Reed’s number just to let him know he was leaving so he wouldn’t call. Knowing what a dumbass move it would be, Trevor set his resolve back to cutting the ties.
“Sir, you ready? Did I tell you I’m also your nurse for the flight? Hope you weren’t hoping for some short, tight, and hot number to accompany you today.” Anthony stood there, eye brows raised, the big grin spreading across his face, waiting on him.
“I’m ready and you’ll do fine. I’m sorry you have to make the trip.” Trevor dropped the phone back in place and moved his body off the mattress. The searing pain in his shoulder held off when Anthony came to his right side to help him into the chair.
“I’m being paid well for this flight; it’s all good for me. I’m afraid though this chair’s as comfortable as it gets. Keep your left leg raised here, sir. Yeah, just like that. I’ll strap it in, but it has to be raised to help keep the swelling down. Is there any luggage you brought for your resort stay here with us?”
“Yeah, that’s it. I travel light,” Trevor said, adjusting himself in the chair, trying to get comfortable before running his fingers through his hair. “I just hate the cost they apply now to extra luggage.”
Anthony barked with laughter at his joke, and reached down to give him a quick fist bump. “Now hang tight, sir. I assure you, by the time you reach home you won’t ever want to see another wheelchair again.”
“Yeah, I’m already there.” Trevor reached out to push the hospital door open. They banged their way through the small opening.
“Yeah, I know, buddy,” Anthony replied, patting Trevor’s good shoulder as they made their way to his flight.
Chapter Sixteen
Nothing went smoothly since Reed returned last night, and now Trevor’s flight was on a delay. The flight crew reported in regularly and from what they said the turbulence stayed a bitch for most of the flight. The on-flight nurse reported Trevor denied pain medicine for the first few hours, only giving in during the worst of the storm. Reed was learning his Trevor could be a stubborn one. The thought made him grin; he liked the idea of Trevor being his.
The Escalade Reed rented based on the prosthesis company’s suggestion was parked close to the small private airport’s runway. He stood outside the truck and dropped his Prada sunglasses in place. The warm early May sun beat down on his face, warming his skin. The signs of an early summer were already hitting the area, giving them a record breaking heat wave for the first time in years. Leaning back against the truck, Reed checked his watch again, mentally going over everything on his to-do list one last time. There had been so much to plan for, so much to do to prepare for Trevor’s arrival.