Page 74 of Best Man on Campus

The kind Jazzy’s never had, at least not until Majik. The misery of her life strikes a fresh blow on my soul and I vow to somehow make it better. As if I can. But I don’t care if it’s arrogant for me to believe I can make her life better, I know I can give her more comfort and love than she’s had, that I need to be there for her no matter what, even if my love is never reciprocated in the same measure.

Standing in the waiting room outside the O.R., I look around and the place is empty. There’s another call I need to make and I dread this one. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I hit the speed dial icon for Majik.

Chapter 18

Jazzy

Opening my eyes to blinding sunlight from large unfamiliar windows, I sit up, but I’m halted by searing pain in my ribs.

“Shit.” Looking around, I realize I’m in the hospital and all the events of the evening come racing back to me.

“Bennie,” I say, tears coming to my eyes, realizing he came to rescue me, realizing he’s not here now.

A door opens and I hear a flushing toilet as Ben emerges from the room’s bathroom.

“Jazzy.” He stops like he’s startled to see me, then he grins and rushes to my side, bringing that cinnamon mint scent of his mixed with fleshy sweat, unique to him and unbearably erotic. He leans over me and kisses my forehead, but I pull him in for a real kiss and he resists for only a blink.

“Hey, take it easy. You have injuries,” he says. “How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

“Is that what happened?”

I laugh, but immediately stop when a pain shoots through my rib cage.

“Take it easy. You have a few broken ribs.”

Several medical types come in the room then, shooing Ben from my side, and poke me, check monitors, adjust the bag and warn me of sudden movement and breathing steady, but I’m watching Ben the entire time.

“You came through surgery well. We were able to stop the internal bleeding with a minimum of invasiveness and your blood pressure is back to normal. We’ll be watching you for clots.” The older man with a pin on his white coat that says Dr. Klonik finishes.

“When can I get out of here?”

“Two days.”

Looking at Ben, I nod. “Good. In time for a hockey game.” He smiles, lighting me up as the doctor’s jaw drops.

“You don’t understand, you can’t play hockey—”

“Relax, doc,” I say. “I’ll only be watching.” As some of the medical types leave, Ben approaches the bed.

“Your activity will be seriously restricted, young lady.” The doctor says. “No bending, lifting—”

“Can I have sex?” I enjoy the embarrassed flush on Dr. Klonik’s face almost as much as the smirk on Ben’s.

“Don’t worry, Dr. Klonik, she’s joking,” Ben says.

“But I’m—” He shuts me up when he leans in and gives me a short, but deep sensual kiss like only he knows how to deliver. If I could patent his kisses… I wouldn’t. Because I wouldn’t want to share them with any other bitches out there.

“Yes, well…” Dr. Klonik recovers himself and continues. “You’ll be on blood thinners and we’ll have you back in a week for a follow-up exam.” He leaves. Finally. And I have my own private doctor unicorn all to myself. I want to jump his bones, but because I know I can’t without causing pass-out pain, I’ll settle for a hand job. Surely I can manage that. Surely I can talk him into it… somehow. I smile like a catbird and he lifts his brows.

“Lock the door, Bennie.”

* * *

Later in the day, just as I’m waking from another nap because apparently blood loss makes a body tired, there’s a knock at the door and I know it has to be Ben because no one else knocks.

“What’s the password?” I call out. He swings the door open and holds out my guitar.