Chapter 120

Call Me Kyle

Rhi POV

I'm still reeling from the fact that they hid everything from me. When I confronted the guys earlier that was the perfect time to tell me who they were. Especially King Kong, who I forgave for being a dick. Unbelievable.

Whatever. I don't have the energy to deal with that right now, nor do I want to ruin the last day of my vacation that I'm actually enjoying. I mean, I enjoyed some of my time with Alex, OK 95% of my time with him, the other 5% was the stress from the whole situation with my hand. However, with all the drama and bullshit that came up and my 'breaks,' I just don't want to deal with it anymore. Not right now anyway. For the most part, I want to deal with everything when I get home. I'm here to have fun and I plan on doing just that. With or without anyone with me. I'm perfectly fine doing things by myself.

The more I think about it, all the drama that's happened has actually been therapeutic. I know it sounds weird but it's true. With everything that's been thrown at me the past few days, I've been able to confront some things that I couldn't even do when I was with Dr. Cameron. That reminds me…

Pulling out my phone, I dial a number. "Hi. May I speak with Dr. W please? This is Rhi…"

A friendly female voice cuts me off. "Rhi! Hello! It's Rachel. How are you doing?" She laughs, "We were just talking about you today."

I laugh too. It's strange how they remember me after one visit to the clinic. "I'm doing great, actually, which is why I'm calling. I wanted to thank you, Susie and Dr. W for making everything go so smoothly for me." I pause, "You really helped me get some emotional baggage off my shoulders. You guys were wonderful and I'll never forget you. I'll have to come visit when I'm in town next."

I can hear her smile in the tone of her voice when she responds. "Oh Rhi, it was our pleasure to have you here and let us treat you. I know we all would like to see you whenever you come back. You're like part of our family here now." She laughs before adding, "Let me get everyone on the line. Hang on a moment."

I hear the phone shuffling but no hold music, which I find a bit odd. However, a few seconds later I hear another voice come on the line. "Rhi! It's Susie! How are you doing? How's the hand?"

This is different. They're so welcoming and friendly. It's like I've known them for longer than a few hours. "Hi Susie! I'm doing really well actually. Thanks to you guys. The hand is much better. Not much pain anymore. I had a pretty good amount of pain after the block wore off. I think it was angry with you guys. You guys just like to torture people don't you?" I laugh, imagining them in leather with whips, chains and all sorts of torture devices. However it's true. I don't even realize it's broken anymore, except for the cast.

"Yeah, we get that a lot. Maybe we need to rename the clinic to The Chamber." She laughs loudly and I hear two distinct other laughs in the background. "We're sorry we had to do it but at least it's done. I hope you're enjoying the rest of your vacation now?"

Laughing again I reply, "Put me on speakerphone, unless you have patients?"

"No patients right now. Hang on a sec." There's a click and I hear all three of them say, "We're all here."

"Rhi? Hey there! How are you feeling?" I hear Dr. W say excitedly.

"Hi Dr. W. I'm doing great actually. Things are turning around and today I'm actually enjoying my vacation. I'm out of my sling and my hand doesn't hurt but it hurt like hell when the block wore off. Fuck that was insane." I laugh.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I should have warned you that would happen." He says sheepishly. "However, this is The Chamber so what did you expect?" He chuckles.

I shake my head laughing, "Yeah, it was pretty angry at you for manipulating it back into place. The sling helped since my arm was dead weight until the block wore off but now it's OK and I don't even need it."

"Just don't go doing too much too soon. It's only been a day." He reminds me. "Though we wouldn't turn you away if you showed up. Though we'd prefer it if you came to visit, not to receive treatment."

"I promise I'll behave Dr. W. I can already do most things on my own so I should be OK when I go back home. I'm still having issues brushing my hair. The first time I tried I got the brush stuck and had to pick my hair out of the bristles." I laugh at the memory. "I'm pretty sure I can manage at home."

I hear Susie and Rachel laughing in the background and Dr. W and I join in. "Rhi, please call me Kyle. Like the girls said, you're like family around here. It feels like we've known you for years."

I'm touched by their sincerity. Find myself blinking back tears and have to swallow the lump in my throat. It takes me a minute to compose myself. My throat still tight, I reply, "Thank you guys. That means a lot to me. You have no idea how much that means to me." Family is hard to come by, blood or other, and I never take it for granted. "You guys are all amazing and I really appreciate what you did for me yesterday." Why am I getting so emotional? What the fuck is wrong with me?

"Are you OK Rhi?" Dr. W, Kyle, asks, concern lacing his words.

I swallow hard then clear my throat. "Yeah. It's just been a long day." I sigh as I try to snap myself out of this funk I suddenly found myself in. "I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me. You made the treatment bearable and actually enjoyable. Well, once we got past the beginning stuff." I chuckle. "Which reminds me, you really made a huge impact on me and I've turned a mental corner. My therapist back home will be surprised and may call you to thank you personally."

He laughs, "I don't know about that. I just asked questions and you answered. I'll leave the credit to the professionals."

"Kyle, you're the only one I've really been able to talk to about things. Well, the only one who isn't emotionally or personally connected to this mess." I tell him, clarifying.

"Rhi, I'm the one that should be thanking you. Thanking you for trusting me with the little bit of your life you shared with me. You needed the opportunity to make the decision about what you wanted to do." He replies, "Only you know what you need. No one else can make that decision."

"See? That's what I mean!" I exclaim. "You knew that and gave that to me. The choice. It gets so old having people telling me what I need and should to. You gave me the strength to stand up and do what I want to do and how I want to do it."

"Yes, I can see your point. No one likes to be told what they need and how they need to do it." I can hear the smile in his voice, "I'm glad that you're doing better."

"I think it's a little bittersweet for everyone though." I respond.

"What do you mean?" He asks curiously.

"I'm pretty sure Ana and Kate are pretty surprised that the old Rhi has made her appearance." I laugh. "I mean, I know they missed her but I think they got used to the weak version, or at least some parts. I may have retained some of them but it's hard to tell when they pull the shit they have recently."

He's silent for a moment before he responds. "You're a special person, Rhi. I know you'll do big things and make a huge impact on people. You've already done that in the few days that you've been here. The girls and I have kept up with things on social media and the change in energy around here is amazing. We're so blessed to have the opportunity to know you and witness your unsurpassed energy and spirit. We'll keep following you on social media. I'm sure the treasure hunt will follow you wherever you go."

I'm speechless. "I'm touched. Thank you Kyle, Rachel and Susie. You guys are amazing and I truly appreciate everything you've done." I laugh, tears in my eyes. "Now, stop with the mushiness. Ha! Is that even a word? Well, I made snuggable a word so I guess mushiness can be a Rhi-ism."

I hear the girls laugh in the background and Kyle laughs too. "Rhi-isms. You should publish a book of your own words. That would be a best seller!"

"I'll have to work on that. Maybe someday. Thank you guys. For everything." I reply. "You have my cell number. Please use it. Feel free to text or call me any time. I'm serious." We all laugh and say our goodbyes with a promise to visit when I'm back in town.

I think Kyle was the turning point for me coming back strong and with a vengeance. I'm sure I need to be more considerate of other people's feelings, like Alex, but I've never been one to soften my words. I guess there are some things I need to work on still. Especially if I want Alex in my life. Which I do. I think. So much has been thrown at me that I don't know what to think anymore.

Granted, Alex doesn't know the 'real' Rhi but I was going to talk to him and warn him that things aren't all sunshine and roses in my life. It's going to take some time for me to open up to him completely but I do want to. He's such a good man and I truly don't deserve him. He deserves so much better than me.

We still need to talk but I don't know if it's right to do it here. Or at least right now. Emotions are running too high and that's never a good thing when you're trying to explain things logically. Maybe I can get him to come visit me in Seattle?

I don't want to hurt him but tonight I want to just go out and have fun and do whatever I want to do. I know he's working, and that's fine, but I need to do this for me. I need to make up for lost time. I hope he understands that. Three out of five days have been shit because of everyone and I'm trying not to take it out on him but he's added to the mix himself. I just want to forget the past few days and focus on what time I have left here before I head home tomorrow.