Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

high up felt so peaceful. Unreal. An illusion afloat from the ground and away from the realities of what was down there—safe from any assassins or sex predators. I shuddered to think what Jill must have gone through when she saw her attacker come at her.

I looked at my watch: still no call from David and today was Friday. Fridays seemed to always be busier in the ER. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that Josh was on my computer and the other two agents were gone. I couldn’t seem to clear my head enough to do some work or call a few parents. Anger and frustration began to build up inside me. Oh, this was impossible! How dare these fucking criminals make me feel so vulnerable! Not in my hospital! I threw my hands in the air and headed for the ER in a huff. I didn’t bother with Josh or the idea of being protected. I was pretty damn good at handling things myself. I heard Josh calling but I didn’t stop. If he wanted to know where I was headed, he’d just have to catch up to me.

He managed to catch me at the elevators, and grasped me by the elbow. “Hey, come on now, we’re on the same team! How can we be an effective team if one of us won’t communicate?”

“Yes, you’re right, I’m sorry,” I said embarrassed. “I just can’t stand how these bad guys are making me feel like a victim.”

“Isabel, I don’t like it either but no matter how angry or frustrated you get, please communicate with me. If anything ever happened to you I…I…” He was at a loss for words, raking both hands through his hair.

The elevator doors opened and David stepped out. “Oh, hey, Isabel, I was just coming up to fill you in on your friend.” He didn’t bother to look at Josh, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and leading me to my office. He was talking low so only I could hear. I glanced back at Josh; his look was intimidating, angry almost, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, as if he were ready for some sort of fight.

Once we were in my office, David released me from his grip and turned me around so he could look at me. He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. I could hear Josh shift uncomfortably.

“Do you have any questions for me so far?” David said, sounding arrogant.

“Um…yeah. Can you repeat everything you just said? I don’t think I got any of that. My mind was somewhere else.”

Josh snickered, covering his mouth as if he were coughing.

“Actually, David,” I said, changing my mind. “Why don’t you take us down there to see her,” I insisted. “I’d really like to see her. I know you said she’s in ICU and you’re Dr. David Summers…I know you can make that happen for me.”

We stared at one another for a few seconds. It almost felt like we were playing chicken—who would give in first?

“Sure, I can do that,” he said with annoyance. We all headed toward the ICU.

Josh held my hand as we walked to the elevators, probably for David’s benefit. I decided to squeeze his hand a couple times like before but this time he just turned to me and grinned, not surprised by it at all. There now, moodiness all gone. I gave him a playful smile. David saw our exchange and furrowed his eyebrows. I didn’t understand why this would bother him since he didn’t want to be with me; moreover, he had nurse Ginger spreading her legs for him. Something he had wanted from me but I wouldn’t give, hence slutty nurse.

The elevator was crowded but we got in regardless. I got in first and David followed, not letting Josh go before him. This put David’s body that much closer to mine since he had to make room for Josh. We literally jammed ourselves in. Josh walked in, his expression unreadable and his eyes glued on David. The elevator stopped again and the doors opened. David placed his hands on my waist and gently maneuvered me further back toward the wall. Everyone shifted and Josh was now separated from us with two people in between David and himself. David practically hugged me and began to bury his nose in my hair. I will admit, I absolutely loved this, being in between David’s arms. I closed my eyes and inhaled his cologne. I essentially ran my nose across his collarbone. There had been so many instances I lost sleep over this man and almost gave in to him. I’d always wanted him but he wasn’t willing to understand or be patient. I felt his hot breath in my hair which snapped me out of my reverie, and I opened my eyes to see I’d placed my hands on his arms as if we were taking a prom photo. David gave me a sardonic grin. If I were not well aware that David was only using me to irritate Josh, I would have some hope, but unfortunately, he was. My eyes darted to Josh—his face looked pained. Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

The elevator doors finally opened on the first floor. Everyone exited; Josh was already out waiting for us. David kept his hand on the small of my back as we walked out, again for Josh’s benefit. If David wasn’t careful, he was going to get punched and it wouldn’t be by Josh. We headed to the ICU in silence. No one was trying to hold my hand or help me along by wrapping his arm around my waist. We walked into Jill’s room and I gasped at the sight. She was connected to so many machines, all beeping loudly, and they still had her intubated. Stevens was sitting next to her bed in a bloodstained undershirt with his left arm