SEALed for Second Chances

–Haley–

The Emergency Room sign pulsed to my right, making me shiver. Turning away, I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and crossed the parking lot to the main entrance. I hated hospitals… I guess no one likes them, but just being there made the taste of bile well up in the back of my throat.

The sterile smells and sickly fluorescent lights triggered the memory of the last time I saw my sister, black and blue, with tubes coming out of her mouth. The broken creature in that hospital bed looked nothing like her, and most of the time I refused to remember her like that.

The video I made for my sister’s memorial featured a montage of ballet recitals, birthday parties, and general sibling shenanigans. It was a clumsy collection of home movies I’d dug out of a box in the attic… Shots of her horseback riding and some theater performances. An old familiar ache clenched around my heart as the image of her smiling face flashed through my mind. That’s how I try to remember her… smiling and happy and alive.

Pressing the button on the elevator, I shook off the memory. A stroke of luck… Or possibly a clerical error had summoned me to the VA hospital in Fort Harrison Montana. The man I’d come to see was the same one I’d been trying to get an interview with for months, but he’d become an expert at dodging my attempts to contact him.

My heart raced as I thought back to our friendship in middle school. After David started dating my sister, I kept my distance. Though, I guess we leaned on each other quite a bit during the weeks after she passed. My stomach clenched and my lips grew warm at a memory just beneath the surface. Something we both agreed to never speak of again and pretend it never happened.

I nearly walked past his room, hardly able to believe that the hulking tan figure laid up in room two-zero-five could possibly be the boy I knew.

My God, Tater… What happened to you? Deep scars of various shapes and colors covered his shirtless torso, and the reason for my visit faded to the back of my mind. Has it really been this long?

There was a time when we’d been close. He’d dated my sister, after all, and that alone sort of made us feel like family, but after she died, we’d lost touch. We’d shared an unspoken understanding that with Julie out of the picture, there wasn’t much left to say.

Our paths had crossed a few times over the last three years. Of course, I’d noticed he looked different… more grown up. But I guess, I still pictured the lanky teenager that dated my sister in high school.

I’ve been pulling research together for a story about an underground crime syndicate involved in illegal trade of weapons, uranium and money laundering– evil people that were operating in tandem with American companies. They needed to be exposed to the public for what they truly were. But the government would always be more concerned with covering their own asses than making the American people aware of what was going on right under their noses.

If people knew the level of corruption tolerated within our own system, they would be so outraged they’d demand change, and the man lying unconscious in the hospital bed in front of me likely had information that could finally put the final pieces of the puzzle into place. All I needed was for him to trust me.

Settling into the seat next to his bed, I folded my hands and let out a long exhale. I shifted my weight, still unsure of what I would say when he woke up. It was nice being near him like this, I didn’t even realize that I might have actually missed my childhood friend, even if it was just a haze of nostalgia clouding my thoughts.

The digital displays and monitors surrounding him beeped and blinked as my eyes moved from his shoulder over his bare chest. I leaned forward to touch the raised pink flesh of what could have only been a scar left by an exit wound of a bullet.

Ironic. I chuffed. He survives jumping out of planes, getting shot, and swimming through shark infested mine fields but a drunk driver almost signed his death sentence.

The warmth of his skin sent an odd thrill through my fingertips when his breath hitched at my touch. As his eyes fluttered open, heat rushed to my cheeks and I sat back in my chair, wondering why, of all the people in the world, David Scott named me as his emergency contact.

‍

–Scotty–

They say your life flashes before your eyes when you die, but I can say from experience that’s bullshit. Some people talk about a warm comforting light at the end of a tunnel, some get a visit from their deceased grandma or a dog they had when they were in second grade. But my heart has stopped more than once, and all I saw was the infinite darkness of the void.

It was over… and then it wasn’t. Light pierced my eyelids as consciousness flooded my body and a face came into view. When that smile sent a wave of butterflies through my body, I admit for a split second, I thought I might be in heaven. Then the pain set in and I realized, this was still very much the earthly plane and that angelic presence was about to be an angelic pain in my–

“Mornin’, sleeping-beauty.” Haley tucked a lock of her long chestnut-brown hair behind her ear as a nurse came in to check my vitals. “I was about to splash some cold water on you.”

“Trouble?” I groaned, remembering the sound of twisting metal just before everything had gone dark. “My car…”

I’d just put the finishing touches on the paint job for my nineteen-sixty-seven Mustang GT500. I’d been working so much I’d barely had any time to work on her over this past year. So much time, energy and expense gone in an instant.

“The fact that you’re walking away with bruised ribs and a concussion is nothing short of a miracle.” The nurse arched a pointed eyebrow. “Somebody up there is looking out for you.”

Yeah right… I pressed my lips together in a flat line as I glanced at the cross hanging around her neck as she took my blood-pressure. Out of all the people who deserved a miracle… kids with cancer, soldiers overseas with pregnant wives waiting at home… or someone like Julie…. A sweet nineteen year old girl with her whole life ahead of her… and the big guy upstairs picks an asshole like me for a miracle?

No… there’s no one looking out for us.

Haley’s gaze warmed my skin, but I couldn’t bring myself to look her in the eyes. I’d always liked her, even in middle school when I had a stupid bowl cut and she wore overalls and pigtails. The summer I told her how I felt, our junior year of high school, she told me she thought of me as a brother.

Ouch.

I kept a stiff upper lip and told her she was right, but I’d never felt like she was my sister… not even later on when Julie and I got together.

After the nurse was finished with me, she said she’d send the doctor in to bring me up to speed, and I found myself alone with my childhood friend.

“You don’t look like a guy that just got a second chance.” Haley frowned, poking my shoulder. “You okay, Tater?”

Tater? I almost laughed at my old nickname. No one had called me that since… well, since I was a kid.

“I’m fine.” I sat up, wincing as  “Fit as a fiddle.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” She chuckled, her brow still furrowed in concern. “We should go ride the mechanical bull at Tito’s later. Maybe hit the gym and do some indoor rock climbing.”

“Ha-friggin-ha.” I shifted my weight, clenching my jaw as I sat up.

Still a smart-ass. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw those deep dimples in her cheeks. Our particular brand of humor wasn’t for everyone, but it was a welcome distraction in this case.

Haley’s soft, cherry-blossom pink lips framed a wide smile that showed off her perfect white teeth. Her blue-gray eyes glinted with mischief but there was a sadness tinting them ever since Julie died, something that always hid just under the surface of her quick wit and sarcastic humor.

“Do you need anything?” She stood up and the long flowy skirt clinging to her wide hips swayed. “Water or… bourbon?”

“You got a flask hidden in that tiny purse?” I nodded to the white clutch hanging over her shoulder, my eyes dancing down her legs to the open toed flat sandals that showed off her delicately painted toes.

“You’d be surprised.” She chuckled, leaning in to put her arms around my neck, and the smell of her hair spilled over me in waves. “It’s good to see you.”

It was a natural scent that seemed to cling to her skin; green meadows, freshly plowed earth, and just a hint of that smell you get after it rains. There was a reason I used to call her Trouble.

God, this is the last thing I need right now. It had been a while since I’d been this close to a beautiful woman. I cursed my luck that it had to be her, and under these circumstances, nonetheless.

“So, uh… No offense but, what the hell are you doing here?” I gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder and she stood up, taking a step back.

“I don’t know, David.” She crossed her arms, the smile on those luscious lips dissolving into a frown. “Why am I listed as your emergency contact?”

Shit… I thought back to when I had to fill out my most recent insurance information. I meant to list her as a beneficiary for my life insurance, but the auto-fill on my computer kept entering her information into other random fields.

“I have no idea,” I lied. “But now that I’m awake, I can handle things from here.”

“Chief Petty Officer Scott.” A red-haired doctor sashayed into the room, speaking in a German accent as he picked up the clip-board hanging on the end of my bed. “You’re looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” He looked at Haley. “You must be zee missus?”

“No.” She laughed and it was annoyingly musical. “He hasn’t put a ring on this finger yet.”

The doctor clicked his tongue.

“Shame on him.” The doctor’s pale blue eyes blinked from behind his coke-bottle glasses.

“Thanks, Doc.” I cradled my ribs. “Look, I feel like I got hit by a truck– can we wrap this up?”

“You did get hit by a truck, Chief Petty Officer Scott.” He studied my chart. “Zee drunk driver of zah semi that hit you is facing criminal charges. Your car was partially crushed before flipping into a ditch and catching fire. It’s a–”

“I get it.” I held up a hand. If one more person tells me what a miracle it is that I’m alive, I might actually vomit. “I’m… lucky to be here. Now that I’m up and about, do you think I can get going?”

“Get going?” The tall thin doctor’s neck curved like a turtle as he put his hands on his hips. “You just suffered a serious head injury, not to mention broken ribs, and extensive cuts and bruises.”

“Listen, I appreciate your concern.” I gestured my torso, pretending my ribs weren’t screaming every time I moved. “But I’m a quick healer, and I’ve got plans to drive down to Florida to help my mama fix up her new place.”

“Is he zis stubborn at home?” The doctor glanced over at Haley.

“Worse.” Haley snorted. “You should see him trying to build a piece of furniture.”

“Wait just a–” I shot her a glare. She was having way too much fun with this. “You know what, nevermind all that. Can you just give me the bottom line please? I have a long drive ahead of me.”

“The bottom line, Petty Officer Scott, is zat I can’t, in good conscience, release you. You’re in no shape to be without a caregiver and you certainly shouldn’t be driving for at least a few weeks.”

“Weeks?” I raised my eyebrows. “That’s not gonna work for me.”

“I’m afraid zis is non-negotiable.” The doctor placed my clipboard back on the little hook on the end of my bed. “Your VA insurance should cover in-home care. You can interview a few candidates this afternoon if you like.”

“No… No.” I shook my head. “I don’t need a caregiver.”

“Without a caregiver, I must insist that you remain here until I’m confident you can take care of yourself.” The doctor crossed his arms. “Ze last sing we need is you falling in ze shower wiss no one to hear your cries for help.”

“I can be his caregiver.” Haley raised her hand and we all looked at her. “I’ll drive you down to Florida. I’ve been wanting to catch up with you anyway.”

This is ridiculous… I seethed looking from the doctor’s wide expectant eyes over to Haley’s smug grin with those deceptively adorable dimples. I had no intention of letting her babysit me, but, if playing along was the only way that doctor was going to let me walk out of that hospital, so be it.

***

Haley thought she was slick, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. She was after something. When we were kids, she was horrible at keeping secrets, and couldn't lie to save her life. It made for a lot of lost friendships at school since secrets were basically currency to girls. It didn’t exactly make her popular, but I’d always admired her for refusing to be anything but herself.

Plus, I guess I officially owed her one for signing my release papers and listening to the doctor’s spiel about what to look for in case my concussion warranted further examination.

Trapped in the car with a reporter for the better part of a week… sounds like fun times.

Since they cut my clothes off in the ambulance, the doctors were nice enough to give me a set of scrubs to wear home. I followed Haley down through the lobby and into the parking lot.

My phone screen was cracked all to hell, but as I held down the power button, somehow the thing managed to turn on. A notification popped up… Two missed calls and a text from Smitty, the tech expert for the company I started with all my buddies from SEAL team six.

Jax wants us to partner up for a job.

Emailed you the details.

Opening my email, I scrolled through the ad for a contemporary art expo in Nashville happening in three days.

The artist had been the topic of some controversy because of some work he did depicting gun violence and since then, he’d received a number of death threats. There had also been some buzz on social media from a small group of white supremacists that gave the art venue’s curator some safety concerns.

According to the email, there was also an infamous art thief that interpole suspected might be in attendance. They would need to beef up security as well as surveillance. No wonder Jax wanted to put Smitty and I on this one.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Haley glanced over at me as we reached her car, an old beat-up sedan with faded orange paint that had to be at least ten or fifteen years old.

“Sorry.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Look, I really appreciate what you did back there. But I was just thinking… I really don’t need you to drive me.”

“Nice try.” She opened the door for me and helped me position myself as I carefully turned to slide down into the seat. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

“Haley...” Pain tore through my lungs when I reached for the seatbelt and I clenched my teeth. “It’s really not as bad as he made it out to be.”

She sighed.

“What would I tell your mama if I let you drive off when the doctor’s orders were for me to stay with you?” She raised her eyebrows, taking the seat-belt from me and leaning across me to plug it in. “Now, we can take turns picking radio stations, but I’m driving you and there’s nothing you can say or do that’s going to change that. Capiche?”

“And I’m the stubborn one?” I muttered.

Her hair cascaded over her shoulder like a waterfall sending that tantalizing smell undulating over me.

It had been less than forty-eight hours since I’d packed my suitcase and hit the open road with my newly restored vintage muscle car. Now, I’d be stuck in this beater with my childhood crush who also happened to be a reporter after the inside scoop on a classified government contract. The car sputtered to life and dark smoke billowed out of the tail pipe as we backed out of the parking space.

On the way to my place, I filled her in on Smitty’s request for help on the Nashville job. She questioned why I wouldn’t just tell them about the accident and ask someone to fill in for me.

All for one, and one for all. Haley had always been a bit of a lone wolf. I didn’t expect her to get it.

Even if I wasn’t in fighting condition, I had responsibilities to my team. We shared every victory and defeat as a family. We’d bled and grieved together, and I had no intention of not showing up whenever and wherever they needed me, no matter what shape I was in.

She twisted her hair up into a messy bun and stuck a ballpoint pen through it to hold it in place and I found myself fixated on the little fly-aways at the nape of her neck. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have some company on this drive.

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