Chaos (20 page)

“Pix,” Shane was fighting to stay awake.

“Sh, Shane. I’m not going anywhere until morning. I promise
to wake you to say goodbye before I go. You need to sleep now.”

“Don’t let me go.”

“I won’t. Stop worrying. I’ll be right here while you sleep.
You need to get your strength back. I want you fully recovered by the time I
get home for good.”

“Deal. Can’t believe you came,” Shane whispered as he
finally gave in and slept.

* * * * *

“Brett, Jesse, is he worse? Why are you guys here?” Jordan
insisted on dropping Kiley off at Brett’s house, needing to see Shane alone
first.

“He’s sleeping.” Brett jumped in front of the door.

“He’s fine.” Jesse moved next to him.

“Kiley didn’t tell me until my show was over and then she
refused to let me drive.”

“She’s a good girl.” Brett was rapidly considering the
possible outcomes of letting Jordan see that Alyssa was with Shane or trying to
get him to walk away with Jesse so he could get her out of there.

“I know even though I wish she had told me as soon as Dad
called her. I want to see him.” Jordan couldn’t understand why they were
blocking Shane’s door.

“I don’t think this would be the best time for that,
Jordan,” Jesse spoke up, taking the decision from Brett.

“What? Why?”

“He’s not exactly alone.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Jordan,” Brett was ready to tell him but Jesse stopped him.

“What the hell is going on in there? What happened now? Mom
said he was going to be fine.”

“He is.” Jesse pointed to the chairs across the hall he and
Brett had spent the night in. “I think you should sit while we explain.” Jesse
waited for him to take a seat before he continued. “When I said he wasn’t
alone, I wasn’t referring to his doctor. Alyssa is with him.”

Jordan was clearly shocked. “Alyssa? With him? Here? Now?
How?”

“I called her,” Brett informed him. “At the time, I didn’t
have any idea how bad he was. When she said she wanted to come, I got her a
ticket. She made me promise to tell her if something happened to him while she
was away.”

Jordan considered this. “I thought you both told me they
were just playing around and having some fun for a little while.”

“That’s what they both keep telling us,” Jesse said.
“Neither one of them is ready to admit that it goes deeper than that.”

“Wow,” Jordan said quietly. “Imagine that, Shane and Alyssa.
What am I going to tell Kiley?”

“Not a damn thing,” Jesse declared. “She’s leaving in half
an hour. I think you should disappear until then and let her think she got away
with this visit. Shane was pumped full of painkillers. Who knows what he may
have said last night.”

“He’s right, Jordan,” Brett agreed. “If he told her any of
the things he told me and Jesse, she’ll be in quite a state without having the
need to explain her presence to you.”

“What was he saying?” Jordan asked, even though he doubted
either one of them was going to tell him.

“Please don’t ask that.” Brett couldn’t break Shane’s trust,
not even for his best friend.

“I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Jordan studied
both his friends. “I don’t even want to know. I can’t lie to my wife if I don’t
know anything, right? I’ll go to the cafeteria and get some coffee. Jesse, come
get me when she leaves. Brett, do what you can for both of them. I have the
feeling that they’re going to need as much guidance as you can give them
without letting them be aware of it. Man, I hope this works out without
destroying either of them. Kiley will never forgive any of us if we let them
get hurt.”

“You’re not asking for much.” Brett sighed, knowing they
were in trouble, no matter how Shane and Alyssa resolved this.

“No, not much at all,” Jesse commented. “On one hand, your
wife could be pissed that we let them burn each other. On the other, they could
end up together and she’ll be furious that we didn’t tell her what was going on
all along. No, Jordan, this is going to be a piece of cake, no matter what
happens between them.”

“I know, I know. But they both said they didn’t want to
cause our first fight. What do you think my chances are of her not going
ballistic if I remind her of that when she realizes we knew more than we
mentioned to her?”

“Zilch. Now get out of here.” Brett waved his friend away,
knowing that he wasn’t the only one who would need to face Kiley when the time
came.

* * * * *

Brett slowly opened the door and stuck his head in. Alyssa
was still stretched out next to Shane but she was wide awake. She looked as if
she hadn’t moved all night. “Sorry but if you’re really going back this
morning, you only have about twenty minutes.”

“Thanks, Brett,” Alyssa sniffed. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

Brett rejoined Jesse, shaking his head as he sat. “She’s
been crying.”

“This is going to be a long month. For all of us,” Jesse
sighed with Brett. “I’d better go check on Flynn. That’ll be his first question
after she leaves.”

“McKade,” Alyssa said softly as she ran her hand over his
chest. “You told me to wake you. I gotta go soon. McKade.”

His arm tightened around her. “I thought I was dreaming.”

“Nope. I’m really here. How you feeling?”

“Hurts. Bad. Woulda been worse without you.” He buried his
nose in her hair and took a deep breath. How did she manage to smell so good
after riding in a car all day, hopping on a plane with no notice and spending
the night in the hospital with him? Memories of the things he’d said floated
through his mind. Was it really a memory or had he been dreaming because he
wanted her to know how he felt so desperately? “Pix.” He stroked her back. “You
didn’t sleep.” He noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

“I was afraid to. I didn’t want to move and bump you.”

“Shoulda slept.” He gritted his teeth when his slight
movement sent pain shooting through his leg.

“I’ll take a nap on the plane. And I can sleep in the car
today. They weren’t predicting any storms when I left. It should be a quiet
day.”

“I still can’t believe you came. Means a lot.”

“Yeah, well, what can I say? You’re not as bad as I
thought.”

“Neither are you,” Shane was afraid to open his heart now
that the effects of the drugs had worn off.

Thank goodness, he didn’t remember! Alyssa had spent the
night dreading their conversation in the morning. Since he wasn’t repeating his
declarations, they could get back to the way things had been when she left.
“Thanks. Where are you going to be? When they let you out of here?”

“I think I may have told Mom I’d stay with them for a few
days, until I can get around better. I’ll have my phone with me though, if you
want to call and tell me how it’s going with you. After that I may let Jordan
and Kiley fuss over me for a little while.”

“You going back to work?” Alyssa’s heart skipped a beat at
the thought of it.

“I already told my captain I was done but he refused to let
me resign. He wants me to reconsider it while my leg heals. I let him think I
would but I’m done being a cop, Pix. Or at least a city cop.”

“I shouldn’t say this but I’m really glad to hear it. You’ll
have to let me know what you’re doing next.”

“I really doubt if much of anything will be decided before
you get home. You are still coming home when this storm season is over?” It was
Shane’s turn to hold his breath.

“Sooner, I hope.” Alyssa knew she had to go. “I’m sorry,
McKade but this is probably going to hurt.”

Shane stopped her before she moved. “Still worth it, having
you hold me last night. Thanks, Campini.”

“No problem. Sorry it had to be like this.”

“Me too. Rather have spent the night like we did before you
left last time.”

“Yeah, that was quite a night.”

“I’ll make it up to you when you get home next time.
Promise.” His eyes held hers. When their lips met, neither knew who moved
first.

A short time later, Brett cleared his throat, hating to
interrupt but knowing that Alyssa didn’t want to miss her flight. “I could kiss
you forever, Pix,” Shane whispered against her mouth. “I will when you’re
back.”

“I’ll be looking forward to that, McKade.” She caressed his
check. “Don’t give the doctors a hard time, ok?”

“Okay,” he agreed as she slid from his side.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated every time her movements made him
flinch.

“Worth it,” he smiled when she stood next to him. “One more.
Please.”

Alyssa leaned over him and kissed him one last time. “See ya
soon, stud. Don’t push it.”

“Deal if you stay out of Oz.” He released her hand. “Hey,
Brett, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it, Shane. I’ll be back later. I think Jordan
will be here soon and Jesse is still around here somewhere.” Brett answered his
question without Shane needing to ask it. “Ready, Lyssa?”

“Yeah, let’s go. McKade,” she leaned back down next to his
ear, “pleasant dreams.”

Shane groaned as he felt the quick touch of her tongue.
“You’re killing me, Campini.”

“Just giving you a reason for a speedy recovery.” She
grinned wickedly before rushing out the door which Jesse had just opened.

“Shane,” Jesse had to laugh at the expression on Shane’s
face. “Aren’t you a little too sore for what you’re obviously thinking?”

“Can’t hurt to think about it. Can you blame me? Even like
this, she still makes it hard not to react to her.” Shane struggled to slide so
he was sitting. “How’s Flynn?”

“Still out. They gave him enough so he’ll be out until at
least lunch so he wouldn’t try to move. Should have done the same with you,”
Jesse commented when Shane continued to grimace. “I spoke to the doctor who had
just finished checking him and everything is as expected. They’ll come get you
as soon as he shows any signs of stirring.”

“Good. We just have to get Jordan and Kiley out of here
before then. I don’t think they should know until this is a little more
resolved.”

“I hate to say it but I agree. We should hear something
about his father soon.”

“Thanks, Jesse. For everything. I didn’t really know who you
worked with but…”

“You’ve always known who I work with—Frank and Wyatt. The
Feds are only here because they owe us some favors. I’m not part of that
group.”

“Oh. Sorry. I just thought…”

“You just thought, since they showed up and acted as they
did that I was one of them. Hate to disappoint you but we’re more independent
than that. Too many rules, not to mention the paperwork. Don’t look at me like
that. We’re still the good guys. Ask any of the Feds and they’ll agree. I was
talking to some of them last night and they really admire what you’re doing. We
all like it when a kid gets out and has a chance for a decent life. It doesn’t
happen often enough for any of us. Add in your personal involvement and you’ve
gained a lot of respect. They’re all pulling for you. It’s not every day that a
cop of your caliber walks away from all of it, putting an unknown kid first. I
know, you’re doing it mostly for you too but they don’t know you as well as I
do. I think we should let them wonder.”

“Whatever you say, Jesse. You’ve already worked miracles so
I’ll do what you think is best.”

“You guys are really something.” Jesse more than admired the
trio he’d met by chance. “Since you’re being so agreeable, I think I’ll find a
nurse to give you a shot. No, not one to knock you out, just one to take the
edge off. As Brett said, Jordan will be here soon and I know you want to
introduce Flynn to your parents. I’m sure a bunch of your buddies will be in to
check on you too. It’s going to be a long day and Alyssa isn’t going to come
back so you can sleep tonight.”

“I thought I was hallucinating when I opened my eyes and she
was standing there last night.”

“She cares, Shane, even if she’s not ready to admit it yet.”

“I hope so. I think I may have said some things last night.”

“Things like you were telling me and Brett? Well, she was
still here this morning so either you didn’t really say them or she’s not as
opposed to the idea of the two of you as you seem to think.”

Jordan chose that instant to make his appearance. He had
found a window in the cafeteria where he could see Brett’s car and knew Alyssa
was gone. “Hey, Shane. Sorry I didn’t get here sooner. Kiley and Dad decided
not to pull me away from the show so I didn’t know until this morning. Then
Kiley insisted on driving.”

“I’m fine, Jordan. Hardly more than a scratch.”

“Shut up! I can see by the look on your face that you’re in
pain.”

“Jesse was just going to find someone to give me a little
shot. I’ll be okay. Thanks for coming anyway but you really didn’t have to.”

“Shane.”

“I know. You’re going to say the same things Mom and Dad did
so I won’t bother to continue. Instead I’ll tell you that I was in the wrong
place at the wrong time and am very fortunate to not have been hurt worse than
I was. I may as well also tell you that I’m resigning as soon as my captain is
willing to listen. Thanks to you, I can take a little time and decide what I’m
going to do next.”

“You’ve been thinking about this.”

“Yes. I would have gotten to the same point eventually
anyway. This just pushed me a little faster.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Jordan was stunned. His brother
had always wanted to be a cop. When had this happened?

“How about telling me I can spend some time in your
gatehouse while I’m recovering? I’m going home with Mom and Dad for a little
while but I’ll need to wrap things up here. I’m sure I won’t be permitted to
drive for a few weeks and I thought I could maybe hang out with you and Kiley
and ride back and forth with Brett sometimes.”

“Of course you can stay with us.”

“Thanks.” They were interrupted by Jesse and a nurse with a
shot for him. “Why don’t you get out of here for a few hours and I’ll let this
take effect? Come back later with your wife and then you two can go home. You
have that show tonight on the animals and I don’t want you to miss it.”