Part 7
Pushing my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans I let the heat fall over my skin, taking a deep breath for the first time it felt like the huge weight that was across my chest was lifting. A call, from Bobby, it was all that I needed – to hear him say that Rich had awoken, and that he was doing okay. Walking towards the hospital entrance it was a relief to know that I wasn't walking into this place and facing death – I was going to be able to talk to Rich, and tell him what a screw up he was scaring me like that. I couldn't help however thinking back to the time only a few nights ago when I was so bad I needed Catherine in order to hold me up, just to help me walk through this place. Things had been pretty hard on me and I know that I've been pushing her away, and when I left here that was something that I was going to have to fix.
Making up to the door way to room 445 I reached forward and knocked lightly before pushing it open. "Hey" I spoke softly.
"Sidle" It was Rich, his weak, horse voice. I looked across the room to see him, lay there, no tubes bar one in his wrist, looking like his usual self. Bear chest, toned body and wearing the biggest 'fuck you' grin, his trade mark.
"Rich" I smiled myself, and walked forward, I put my arms around his neck and pulled him into me, "Fuck you…" I held him tight, "Don't scare me like that"
"Sorry" he apologized, he ran his hand up and down my back comfortingly as I cried lightly onto his shoulder, he was the only one bar Catherine and Bobby who I ever let see my like this – and that was only occasionally. "Nice to know I'm worth a few tears though" he joked.
I slapped his chest, and then I lent back and smiled, "Thank you"
He looked at me, tears in his open eyes, "What for getting shot?" He asked with a smile.
"No for not dieing" I explained with a sigh, "there was so much I never told you…"
"Like?"
I smiled, still crying, "Like asking you for my CDs back"
"Love you" he smiled.
"You to Rich-y"
It was then that the door opened, "Hey Sidle, took your time"
I turned to see Bobby lent there, coffee in his hands, "Had to get pretty" I tell him.
"You sure that you weren't preoccupied, with a certain pretty lady" He winked, walking over he passed a coffee to me, and one to Rich.
"Yeah Sar…I was told that you used it as an excuse to get some loving, you know my whole traumatic attack!" Rich shot.
I rolled my eyes, "Yeah right…you know I was getting some loving just before the call…didn't need the sympathy vote, not when I look like this" I offered happy that things seemed so normal – me bobby and Rich.
"So who is the woman, I need to see her to thank her for holding my Sar when she needed it" Rich asked, I settled into a chair at the side of his bed and Bobby did the same in a chair next to me. "And making sure she didn't take advantage of you"
"She's a good woman" I defended.
"Yeah she's a 'good' woman" Bobby smirked with a raised eyebrow and a wink.
I slapped his leg, "She's mine"
"Yeah…and she's a wife"
I looked across to Rich, my eyes showing a little hurt – he always knows how to get to me huh? I reach across and take his hand, "Rich, dude, my woman, my life…the only reason I'm not at you right now is because you have two holes in you. I know she's a wife, and I know that you think I deserve better but I swear to you she is the best…you'll see"
"Will I?" He asked.
"She's a good one" Bobby stood up, "and she has a hell of a way to comfort you with that hug?" he teased.
"You hugged my girl?" I asked. Bobby just smiled, as did Rick. I slugged him in the arm, "you know the deal, I stay away from your girl and you stay away from mine"
"Oh come on, I couldn't resist" they teased me, it's what they did – and right now I couldn't be happier.
"I'm gonna have to see this one" Rich winked.
That was it, we feel back into just how we were. The three of us, tight, and was I happy about that or what.
Night fell and here I was, behind the bar again, pouring beer, passing bottles and offering banter to the punters. One after the other they came and left bar the odd few who lingered a little longer and flirted a little. Now however, the bar was empty – things were closing up – one after the other, punters left and dancers came out the dressing room with the most cloths that they had on all night. One dancer caught my eye, a certain blond who I had a lot to make up to for – she was wearing a pair of tight fitting jeans that did great for her figure and a blood red lo slung top with a black leather jacket thrown over the top and a pair of sun glasses over her eyes. I watched her as she flirted with one of the guys, all hair flick, eye lash batting, hand touching flirting – it stung a little I have to admit. I know however what it was though, her job, that was a punter and Catherine was making sure that he came back. I saw an exchange go between the two, he passed her a slip of paper and she just smirked watching him walk away.
Then I saw her, still stood in the same spot she looked down at the paper, but gave no thought to it, as she turned around and strutted towards me she screwed it up and threw it over her shoulder. I smirked, and I knew I was checking her out but couldn't help it – and who am I kidding she loved it, to see me hung up over her. She finally got to the bar and offered that look, the one that tells me exactly what she wants to do – grab me and kiss me like it'll be the last time she can. "Hey you" she growled lowly.
"Hey babe" I offered quietly so no one could hear – though the place was pretty deserted right now.
"So how's Rich?" She asked, I could tell she was truly concerned.
"He's…better…he woke up today…I went to see him and he's, him again." I sighed, "It was rough time seeing him like that." I explained.
"Yeah" Catherine placed her hand on mine that was placed on the bar, a sourced of comfort that I needed.
"He, err can't wait to thank the woman who was there for his Sara" I tell her.
"IS that right?" Catherine asked.
I nodded, "Yeah, it is. And neither can I" I explained with a look that let her know I would 'thank her'.
"Mm…sounds good to me…but it's not necessary"
"It kind of is, I've been cold with you the past few days" I had been, I'd cut off her calls, I'd let her hit the answer machine and on one occasion I'd called her in the middle of the night and cried down the phone. "I just want you to know that I love you"
She looked around, I know this wasn't the time or place but I needed her to know. She just looked at me, I nodded my head, "I know…not here…" I pulled my hand back and reached over grabbing a bottle and popping the top – I slid it across to her before reaching into my jeans and putting the little change into the till. "Just…I could do with a little you and me time"
"Yeah me to" She agreed.
"What about tonight?"
She looked down at the bottle, "I can't…sorry…I have to…go with Eddie"
I just nodded, I'm sure she could see the pain in my eyes but I nodded my head – "No problem"
"No it is a problem" She says, "A problem that I'm causing you – I'm sorry"
"Look I can't do this…not now…could we leave it a few days before we have another debate about you and Eddie…just go be his wife okay? You know where I'll be when you finish up with him."
She looked regretful.
"Its fine" I tell her again forcefully.
Its then that out conversation is cut short, when I hear him call her from across the club, "Hey baby…baby, baby, baby" He was drunk, or high, or both as he stumbled across and wrapped his arm around her waist, pushing her into the bar and kissing on her neck. I looked away uncomfortably. I didn't need to see this, knowing was one thing but seeing. I just looked into her eyes and then I walked away with a nod of my head. I was lying to myself over and over that all this would be okay – that it was alright. Like hell it was alright seeing him necking my woman.
But what could I do?
Nothing…
I got a little down the bar when he called to me, "Hey Bar staff"
Bar staff? BAR STAFF!
I turned, and looked at him, "yeah?"
Catherine could sense my annoyance, "We should just go Ed" She told him.
"No…we'll have a drink here…two beers, and vodka shots" he ordered with a click of his fingers. No way, was this really happening, not only was I watching them get it on – do the husband and wife shit, now I was tending to them. And the worse thing about it, I couldn't walk away – there was still half hour on the clock., and how interesting this would be…half hour serving them both, acting as if this wasn't ripping at my heart.
I pushed the drinks in front of them both, his hands were all over her, moving under her shirt and doing the exact thing that I should be doing, not him. I had to look away, and I noticed her look down, not making eye contact with me – her hands were all over him though – in his hair, pulling at his shirt. I wanted to be sick. His credit card was face down on the bar – great – he had an open tab; he was here till the end of the night. Okay so it wasn't that long, but for me it was too long – I just hoped I could hold onto my temper.
Thankyou sooo much, for reading this and reviewing. It gives my muse a real boost knowing that you like ;) thanks lot dudes. U guys r the best
