“I’m an Italian boy. Mama’s cooking’s always best.”
“I didn’t figure you for a momma’s boy,” she said with a glint in her eye. But her playful words didn’t do a thing for Saks except to remind him how much he wanted to get out of the hospital.
“I’m not,” said Saks.
The nurse removed his lines and changed his dressing with the swift and sure movements of a person who did this one too many times. “You’re going to need to change this daily.”
“I’ll make sure it happens.”
“Don’t tug on it hard or you could rip the stitches.”
“I’ll have my ma or my sister do it.”
“No girlfriend?” she persisted. “Pretty girl here last night won’t be coming around?”
Saks almost grunted. The remark jolted his heart painfully, and he turned his head away. The image of Chrissy walking away from him while he lay helpless in his hospital bed haunted him like a nightmare that he couldn’t shake. “Nothing serious.”
“Too bad.”
“Not so much. The kind of life I live, women don’t tend to hang around.”
Luke walked into the room just then and snorted at the remark. “Idiot,” he mumbled. He waited till the nurse left before made another comment. “What’s with you, Saks? Women don’t tend to hang around? What a load of shit. You won’t give them the time of day.”
“Shut up.”
Luke shook his head. “Like I will. Hawk texted me to say you’re leaving. What the hell?”
“I’m breaking out. The doc’s checking if I can do so now, but considering all I’m doing is annoying myself and the nurses, they’re probably glad to see me go.”
“Don’t you listen to him,” said the nurse, popping in again. “He’s been fine. Just moody.” She looked at him pointedly. “Because he got shot.”
“Look,” said Luke, “you probably should stay a couple more days, just in case.”
“That bell’s already been rung,” said the nurse, shaking her head. “And Mr. Parks here wouldn’t have any of it. The doc signed off on your release. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts and a prescription for pain meds. We’re referring you to our visiting nurse program, and they’ll get in touch with you later today or tomorrow to arrange visits. There’s the number to call if you have any concerns. If you call at night, it’ll be the answering service that picks up the call, but they’ll relay it to the doctor on call. When you’re ready to leave, ring us and we’ll get you a wheelchair to the door.”
“Give me five minutes to dress and I’m outta here.”
The nurse left and Hawk stepped outside by the door.
Luke shot Saks a serious expression of concern. “You sure you want to do this?”
“Just help me with my jeans, eh? This damn sling they have me wearing is going to drive me crazy.”
“What? Can’t handle your pants one-handed?”
“Damn, you’re obnoxious today.”
“Funny, Emily said the same thing before I left,” mused Luke. He helped Saks with his socks, jeans, and boots. “What about your shirt?”
“We’ll have to take off the sling to get the gown.”
“Maybe we should call the nurse,” said Luke.
A small commotion at the doorway caused them to turn their heads. Hawk steadfastly blocked the door.
“Look, I’m a police officer—”
Saks groaned. Seriously? Now? “Hawk, let him in. He’s my cousin.”