“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 as something as simple as physical attraction.
“Rose, I’m fine. It was Alex, he’s in the hospital. He got jumped.”
I gasped in shock. “Oh no. Is it bad? Which hospital?” I asked. I had literally just left; I wondered what my luck could possibly be at that point.
“I’m not sure yet, we’re on the way. But it will probably be the same one you work at; the precinct has some weird policies with it. But he’ll be fine.”
“Well I want to meet you there.”
“You don’t have to.”
But I had already turned around and planned to head back to the hospital.
“I want to, I can have the best doctor look at him.” I made some friends in the hospital, but only because I was nice and not manipulative.
“Rose…”
“Nate, I’m going to meet you here. It’s best that I’m with at least one of you.”
I heard him sigh in defeat. “Okay. I guess that’s best anyway, since I have to get back to work. I’m on duty since I was
the one who…it’s complicated. I guess I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. See you.”
I hung up and frantically got a ticket back to the hospital. It was crowded as always, and I walked the short two blocks to go back to work. A few people gave me weird looks when I got to the ER, because they knew I already left and wondered why I was back. I went to the nurse’s station and asked Kelly if she knew anything. Dina was already gone too.
“Hey, did an officer come in here? I mean a detective. And another cop should be with him too.” I tugged my sweater closed and crossed my arms. I fidget randomly when I was nervous.
“Uh, no. Didn’t you leave already?”
I was about to answer her before the door busted open and I saw Nate walking in with Alex practically dragging by his side.
“Nate!” I ran to the double doors to meet them. I started shouting my usual commands and led them to an open bed, but I knew I couldn’t do anything since I was off the clock. Kelly came over and I was glad it was her taking care of him.