Chapter 48

Kadie was just finishing up with yet more gauze and tape when she caught a glimpse of Jay’s watch and swore softly.

“What’s wrong, babe?”

“Nothing. I just…….I need to go, Jay. I’m working a weird early shift tomorrow - I start at three o’clock.”

“In the morning?”

“Uh-huh. I need to get some sleep.”

“Well, okay, but I……..”

“Jay, why don’t you go home, too.” Billie interrupted. “I’m tired, and you must be, too. Go home, get some rest.”

“But…….”

“I’m fine, Jay. Honestly. Well, okay, I’m not fine, but I’m okay right now. Go get some rest.”

“If you’re sure.” He said dubiously, and Billie nodded firmly.

“I’m sure. Scat!” She smirked at the young couple. “And I said rest, so try to get at least some sleep, please!”

“Mom!” Jay blushed, and Billie chuckled, the laugh fading to another groan of pain, but she waved off his obvious concern.

“I’m fine!”

“Okay, okay.” Jay grinned, getting to his feet again.

Cautious of the newly applied bandages, he hugged Billie, then Kadie did the same before they headed for the door. Before they left, Jay looked back at his mom for a long moment, then he just smiled silently and let Kadie lead him from the room. When the door closed, Billie gave a shuddering moan of pain, finally letting herself admit to the agony now that he was gone. Part of her couldn’t help but feel that she deserved this somehow. Okay, didn’t deserve to have been violated in such a brutal way, but deserved some pain for the lies she’d told her only child for so long. As the pain blossomed into an all-over ache, she gave in, reaching to the call button to have a nurse bring her more pain meds.


A few hours later, as evening turned to night, Mike strolled into Cuba Libre, the current favorite nightspot of the team, finding his buddies - minus Jay, of course - already ensconced happily in a raucous corner. He was greeted with the usual kind of friendly abuse a guy had to expect, especially when he was running late, and there were the usual teases about which woman had kept him from the party so long. Before he arrived, he’d pretty much decided to keep quiet about Jay’s mom, since it - she - wasn’t really his problem. Of course, though, he’d only just settled his butt onto a chair when Kenny Henderson looked across with a frown.

“Hey, where’s your kid brother?” He asked, teasing Mike for the way he’d taken Jay under his wing since his arrival.

“He’s, uhh…….” Mike shrugged. “He’s up at TJU - his mom’s in hospital there.”

“Really? Shit!” Kenny turned instantly serious, lowering his beer. “Is she okay? What happened?”

“She……” Quickly, Mike got off his stool, walking across rather than yell it across. “She was attacked last night. She was pretty bad, but they think she should be okay. She’s out of surgery anyway.”

“Shit.” Kenny said again, at a loss for anything more profound to say, then he surprised Mike when he slammed his beer bottle repeatedly on the table until the rest of the guys were looking in his direction.

“What?!” Mabry yelled in annoyance.

“Shut the fuck up!” Kenny said, eloquent as ever. “Listen, assholes - Jay’s mom’s been…..” He glanced at Mike, seeing the tiny frown. “Been hurt, and she’s up in hospital. Right here and now, I want twenty bucks out of each of you, to send her some flowers.”

“Kenny!” Mike protested.

“What?” The big guy shrugged with a sheepish grin. “I liked her, Mike. Least we can do, right?”

And it seemed a common sentiment, as each of the guys instantly handed over twenty bucks, the bills making their way across to Kenny’s outstretched hand. He did a quick head-count, then grabbed his phone, dialling a florist and giving his card details. When the florist asked for the hospital room number, though, he frowned at Mike, who shrugged.

“Dunno. Lemme call Jay.”

The call was quickly made, answered and ended, Jay asking Mike to pass on his gratitude for the guys’ concern, and Mike turned back to Kenny.

“Room four twenty three.” He lowered his voice. “That’s the fucking ICU floor.”

Neither of them noticed Nick loitering close by as Mike relayed the number to the florist.


After dragging a somewhat dazed Jon from the waiting room, Richie had led the way outside, raising a hand to summon one of the few cabs waiting nearby. Half shoving Jon into the backseat, he’d climbed in and given the driver his address, ignoring the surprised look on the guy’s face as he obviously recognised them. Hell, particularly when they were together, they were pretty hard to miss!

Fortunately, Jon remained locked in his own thoughts during the ride, only rousing himself when the driver stopped and read off the fare. A swift glance around told Jon where they were, and he followed Richie inside, his brain still numb enough that even the elevator ride to the penthouse apartment didn’t bother him.

Inside Richie’s apartment, Jon paced silently, his brain racing so fast Richie could practically hear it. And he’d a pretty good idea that Jon wasn’t coming up with many answers right now. Sighing, glad his alcohol ‘issues’ were far enough behind him that he didn’t feel the need to keep his home ‘dry’, Richie opened the liquor cabinet, pouring a three finger jolt of whisky.

“Here.” He held out the glass. “Drink this and sit the fuck down before you wear a hole right through my floor.”

Jon threw him a deadly glare, but Richie had known him long enough to just sneer back, flipping Jon off without another word before going to the kitchen to make himself some coffee.

When he returned to the living room, Jon was on the couch, staring into the glass, but his expression was now merely thoughtful.

“What did you tell Dot when you came up here?” Richie slurped coffee, and at the question Jon’s head snapped up.

“Shit! I didn’t tell her anything. She was asleep when I left.” Jon looked at his watch. He’d been gone most of the day. “Shit!”

“Call her.” Richie said flatly.

“Yeah.” Jon was already reaching for his phone, dialling fast, and when he heard the panicked note in Dot’s voice he cursed himself anew. “S’me, Dot.”

“Jon?! Oh thank God! Where are you? What happened?”

“Long story, darlin’. I’m fine – I’m at Richie’s place.”

“Richie’s......? What happened?” Jon could hear the frown in her voice. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine.” Jon replied. Sweet hell, but what should he tell her? He’d a pretty good idea that the truth wasn’t the best idea. Not, at least, over the phone. “I just came up here to see him – he called after you went to bed last night.” So far, so good. It wasn’t technically a lie. Why does it matter? He asked himself. Not like we’re trying to stay together any more. Dot has her new man, and we’re getting divorced. What could telling the truth do?

But even as he debated with himself, Jon knew he wouldn’t tell her. She was pissed enough over Jay – who knew how she’d take the news that he’d run to the bedside of his first son’s mother?

“You could have at least left a note, or called sooner.” There was a shrewish note to her voice that grated on Jon’s ears, and he rolled his eyes at Richie as he placated her.

“Sorry, Dot. I didn’t think. I’ll probably stay up here with Rich tonight – I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She gave a long-suffering sigh, but then said okay, she’d see him when he got back. Jon snapped his phone shut and closed his eyes.

“What the fuck am I gonna do, Rich?” He asked softly.