Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

“I wish I didn’t have to work today,” I groan as we talk towards the front door.

“I wish you didn’t have to either. I was so comfortable holding you,” he tells me.

I double check and make sure everything is locked before heading to the car. The ride to his apartment is quiet. We’re both exhausted. I just hope this day goes by quickly so I don’t have time to think about how tired I really am. I pull up into his apartment complex and sadness takes over me. I’m really not ready to see him go.

He unbuckles his seatbelt and leans over to kiss my cheek. “I had a great night with you. I can’t believe it’s already time for me to be home.”

“I know, it went by way too fast. It’s not fair.”

“I love you, Paige. I hope you have a good day.” He smiles like a kid despite my frown.

“I love you too,” I reply boldly. “You going to the gym today?”

“I am. I’ve got that match coming up so I need all the practice I can get. They’ll probably kick my ass easily today,” he jokes.

“Just be careful.”

“I always am,” he tells me as he opens the door to get out. “I’m going to lie back down for another hour or so. I doubt I will even fall back asleep.”

“Well, maybe you should try to catch a little nap before the gym. Call me later, okay?”

He leans back into the car and kisses me one more time. “Of course I will.”

I watch as he closes the door and heads towards his apartment. I miss him already and I just dropped him off. Already in the back of my mind, I’m counting down the minutes until I get to see him again.

***

I drive up to the hospital, barely able to hold back a yawn. I’m going to need lots of coffee today. I don’t regret last night, though, not for a single second. My phone rings and I notice Brendan’s name. What is he calling this early for?

“Hello?” I answer as I turn my car off.

“Hey Paige, what are you doing?” Brendan asks me.

“I just got to work. Is everything okay?” It’s weird he’s calling me this early in the morning, especially since he knew Darla was staying the night with my parents.

“I need to talk to you about something important.” His voice sounds shaky, but I could also be thinking this because of how tired I am.

“What is it?”

“I’m having open heart surgery today,” he whispers.

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” I’m suddenly wide awake. No way did I just hear him correctly.

“My heart has been monitored. I, uh have some arteries that need to be replaced.”

“Brendan, why are you just now telling me this?” I’m horrified.

“I didn’t want you to worry, plus I’m going to be at your hospital. It’d be kind of odd for you to run into me and I kept this from you. I’ve put you and Darla through enough hell over the past few years.”

“This is why you had a change of heart, isn’t it?” I ask him. “This is why you decided to be in her life?”

“Going through this made me realize I need to straighten my life out and I’m glad I did. I hate it took something bad happening to me to learn this. I was just going to have the surgery and tell you later, but I decided you needed to know before.”

“The surgery is today?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll check on you when you get to ICU, okay?” I tell him. I’ll make it a point to go in his room.