Something Like That

LIA

Lia woke with the sun hot on her face.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she yawned. She gasped, seeing it was after 3:00 p.m.

Lia hopped out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. Half-awake, she began preparing her coffee.

“Hello, Sunshine,” Dani sang from the kitchen table.

“Hey!” Lia cried, happy to see her friend. Dani stood, reaching out her arms for a hug. Lia quickly let her squeeze her close, thankful for the warmth.

“Heard about your rough night. You okay?” she frowned.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” she whispered.

“The guys got your car this morning. It needed a new battery, so Cody got it replaced for you. He headed home a few hours ago for work. Nate’s in the shower now.”

She sat back at the table, sipping her coffee.

“Really? He didn’t have to do that.” Lia sat with her.

“No, he didn’t. But he did for you.” Dani smiled behind her mug, raising her eyebrow.

“What?” Lia asked shyly.

“He totally likes you.”

“We just met—and under crazy circumstances.” Lia rolled her eyes.

“So? Love at first sight, ya know?”

The flit of butterflies collided with a surge of dread in Lia’s stomach. How could she imagine someone loving her after…?

“Love? Who’s in love?” Nathan bellowed as he exited the bedroom. Lia’s cheeks burned red.

“Well, I thought maybe Cody, but your sister is looking flushed too.”

Lia gave Dani a ferocious glare.

“Oh, God,” Nathan groaned.

“You are insane,” Lia chuckled, trying to play it off.

“You should’ve realized that when I said yes to your brother.” Dani kissed him softly.

“We got your car taken care of, Sis. Should be good to go now,” Nathan said.

“Thanks. How much do I owe you? Or owe Cody?”

“Nothing. Cody paid and did most of the work anyway. He ain’t gonna take your money.”

“Ugh. Well, thank you, and please thank him for me.” Lia chugged the last bit of her coffee and set the mug in the sink. A smug smile spread across Dani’s face.

“Thank him yourself.” Nathan nodded at the front door.

Lia turned just as Cody entered, all done up in his Medford Police uniform. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she almost couldn’t breathe. Nathan snorted from the table.

Cody held up a backpack.

“Noticed this in my truck and figured I should drop it by.”

He set it on the counter in front of Lia.

“Oh, thank you. I’m such a helpless mess, I swear,” Lia grumbled, annoyed with herself.

“Since when?!” Dani snorted. “You’ve always been the most organized, collected person.”

“Yeah, well, apparently she took the night off last night.”

“That was one of the worst calls I’ve been on in a while. I think you’re allowed at least one night off.” Cody shuffled on his feet, giving Lia a shy look.

“I suppose.” She shrugged.

“Well, if this isn’t the most boring afternoon ever,” Nathan growled.

“Oh, it gets better, babe! Cake tasting!” Dani squealed.

“Oh boy…” Nathan rolled his eyes.

“Well, I’m going to leave y’all to it and get to work. Eat some cake for Miss Lia and me, enjoy your afternoon.” Cody nodded, heading out.

The rest of the day was uneventful, which Lia was grateful for.

She sent her brother and Dani off to eat cake while she cleaned up the house, took a long relaxing bath, and found herself several times thinking about Cody’s gorgeous eyes and muscular body.

What would it be like to be with somebody again?

Stepping out of the bath, she caught a glimpse of her flushed face in the mirror.

With a rush of panic, she remembered the tile at her Brooklyn apartment. She could see the checkered pattern, the slow-seeping pool of red…

Lia grasped the bathroom countertop, gasping. The dizziness around her vision faded.

He had ruined her, nearly killed her.

There hadn’t been anybody since him.

***

Lia sat with her phone and a plate of reheated pizza at the kitchen island. As she scrolled aimlessly through social media, her phone buzzed, and Cameron’s name appeared on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Lia? I’m so sorry to bug you. I know I said I’d adjust the schedule, but I could really use you tonight. If you’re up for it and available.”

“Yes, of course!” Lia replied, immediately standing.

“Amazing! I’ll be at the front desk; come see me when you get here.”

Lia made her way to the hospital, texting Nathan about her change in plans before she went in.

The ER swarmed with activity. A call from dispatch had come informing the hospital that several patients were en route following a barricaded suspect situation with multiple officers shot.

Lia settled in among the bustle of staff tying on their trauma gowns and prepping the stations. Her insides twisted with fear. What if one of the patients was Nathan?

As the victims rolled in off the ambulance, Lia and her coworkers handled the chaos with ease, and fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening.

When Lia took over a few patients for another nurse on a break, she noticed one patient’s name.

Cody Hudson.

Shock jolted through her body. Bracing herself, she opened the trauma room door.

His face was ashen; he sat propped up on a gurney, shirtless. Red seeped from a pad taped to his side.

Lia held back a gasp.

Cody’s thick fringe of dark lashes stirred. He opened his eyes and a stain of color returned to his cheeks.

“Hello again,” Lia said softly as she entered the room. She noticed several tattoos on the muscular span of his chest.

“Lia,” he whispered.

“I thought you were stitched up!” she said, getting her gloves on to tend to his side which was now bleeding.

“Yeah, me too. No offense, but that ‘doctor’ sucks,” he groaned.

“I’m not a fan of Dr. Wallins either, and I’ve just met him.” She rolled her eyes as she cleaned Cody’s wound.

“Oh yeah?” Cody questioned.

“It looks like he just didn’t put enough stitches. I’ll get you sewn up. I’m sorry. Are you hurting?”

“No, they gave me a shot of something for pain, so I’m good. It’s mostly just a scratch.”

Lia tried to concentrate on the sutures, but the feeling of Cody’s intent gaze sent tingles up and down her spine. She disciplined herself not to glance at him until she’d finished the last stitch.

When she looked at him, he had an expression of reverent fascination. Her heart double-kicked her against her ribs.

A squeak from the door signaled the jerk doctor’s return.

“Nurse Morgan. I already stitched this patient,” said Dr. Wallins, his voice laced with reproach.

“Yes, sir. His wound needed additional stitching—”

He interrupted, “You should have called for me.”

“My apologies, sir. It’s taken care of now, though.”

“Well, I suppose I can overlook this infraction if you respond favorably to my earlier request,” he smirked, writing on Cody’s chart.

Cody lifted his eyebrows.

“What was that request?” he asked, his tone severe.

Dr. Wallins shot a dirty look at him.

“Nurse Morgan, we can speak outside once you’ve cleaned this,” he motioned to the stitching mess and Cody, then he stepped outside.

“Well, will you tell me?” Cody asked, staring at Lia intently.

Heat crept up Lia’s neck.

“He asked me out on a date,” she groaned.

“Not interested?” he asked, looking away.

“God. No!”

“Nurse Morgan!” Dr. Wallins called, opening the door.

“Yes, sir, I’ll be right there.” She hurriedly finished cleaning up, and as she stepped toward the door, Cody called out.

“Hey Doc, you can’t blackmail a beautiful woman to date you, especially when she happens to be the sister of the chief of police and a close friend of a deputy. Most men, real men, use their good looks and charm to get a lady.”

He winked at her, confident.

Lia nearly choked on air, not quite sure what to think.

Dr. Wallins replied, “Excuse me? I’m not sure any of this is your concern, officer. You’ll be discharged shortly. Nurse Morgan, triage needs your assistance.”

He closed the door after that.

“Thanks, I think,” she laughed.

“He’s an ass,” Cody groggily replied.

“Who can we call to pick you up?” she asked.

“I got no one.”

“Seriously?”

He gave a tight nod.

“I’ll be back,” Lia said, leaving the room.

“Nurse Morgan,” Dr. Wallins greeted her.

“Doctor,” Lia nodded, grabbing her phone.

“Personal call while working?”

“No. I’m calling a ride for Officer Hudson.” She dialed Nathan.

Lia worked the rest of her shift with ease, avoiding any alone time with Dr. Wallins.

Nathan had arrived not long before her shift was over and taken Cody home. She couldn’t help but wonder why Cody had no one to call; when she looked at his emergency contact, it was indeed Nathan.

Eager to put her first day behind her, Lia grabbed her bag and turned to leave, running into the chest of Dr. Wallins.

“Nurse Morgan.” He smiled.

“I was just heading out.”

“I would love if you’d join me for dinner this evening.” He handed her his card. She fought the urge to throw it away in front of him.

“Dinner is the furthest thing from my mind. I’m sorry, Dr. Wa—”

“Please, call me Trevor.”

“Trevor. I’m just getting started here and dating, or dinners… I’m just not interested,” Lia said, chewing her lip.

“Hmm. Well, perhaps that will change in time. You have my number; my personal cell is on the back.”

He turned and walked away. Lia shook off the gross feeling and left for home.

When Lia walked into the house, she spotted Cody fast asleep on the couch. Nathan sat at the kitchen table while Dani was cooking breakfast.

“Morning all,” she said in a sing-song voice.

“How was your first shift?” Dani asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Why did you not warn me about Dr. Wallins?!” she growled, turning to Nathan before Dani could answer. “How is he?” Lia nodded toward Cody.

Nathan smirked. “He’s fine.”

“Dr. Wallins is an ass, but I didn’t think he was that bad as to need a warning,” Dani said, handing Lia a mug of coffee.

“He’s an ass and then some.” Lia took a sip.

Nathan raised an eyebrow at her.

“Cody said he had to put him in his place. I thought it was the meds talking.”

“No, he gave him a few words for being a jerk,” Lia giggled.

“Do I need to go talk to this guy?”

“No. He’ll be gone in a month or two. The doctors never stick around here.” Dani slid a plate in front of Nathan before serving Lia and herself.

“I’ve got to get to work in a bit. I assume you ladies will nap for work. Can you keep an eye on the baby over there?” Nathan said between bites.

“I’m heading home. Laundry to do and lots of sleep. It’s up to her to keep him alive.” Dani winked.

“I was just filling in last night. I doubt Cameron will need me again with you back. I’ll be on shift with you tomorrow, though.” Lia bit into her bacon. “I suppose I can keep him alive.”

A voice came from the couch.

“Y’all realize I can hear you? I can also smell the breakfast no one bothered to offer me.”

“How are you feeling, man?” Nathan asked Cody as he tried to sit up.

“Like a bullet from a barricaded suspect grazed me.” He peeked over the couch.

“A likely story,” Dani teased.

Lia made a plate of food, took it over to Cody, then went back to begin cleaning the kitchen. Nathan and Dani both headed out, leaving them alone.

“Feeling okay?” Lia asked quietly, sitting next to Cody on the couch.

“Yeah, I’m good. No thanks to Dr. Jerkface.”

“Ha! Well, thankfully, you had an awesome nurse who possibly saved your life.” She kicked off her shoes and leaned back.

“Yes, I’m very thankful.” Cody attempted to stand, but clutched his side and sank back. “Okay, guess I’ll just stay here.”

“It’s okay. I’ll get it.” Lia grabbed his plate and took it into the kitchen. She was feeling tired but wanted to enjoy Cody’s company a little longer. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Do you have family around?”

“Ah, tired of the wounded man already?”

“What?! No! I was just surprised that Nathan was your emergency contact. Your only emergency contact,” Lia explained.

“Oh yeah. Pretty sad, isn’t it?” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“No, I’m sorry. I was nosy and rude.”

“It’s okay. My parents split years ago, and my mother lives out west now, and my father, well, he’s dead. My family isn’t that close with one another, so my friends are family.”

“I’m sorry for prying,” Lia said, staring at the floor.

“It’s really okay.” He laughed, patting her knee.

“I’m going to freshen up and change; then I suppose I can keep you company.”

“I’d like that, but I’m sure you’re tired. Silly cops keeping you busy all night,” he joked.

“I’m good, for now at least,” she said, heading to change.

When Lia came back, she noticed Cody on his phone. Trying to stay quiet, she fixed herself a glass of juice and stood at the kitchen island.

“I’m fine, seriously; it’s like a bad scratch,” Cody groaned into the phone. He listened for a minute, then sighed. “Yes, yes, sir.” He hung up, sitting there staring at the wall.

Lia cleared her throat and made her way back to the couch.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Oh, it’s fine. Just your brother being my boss.” He laughed with sadness in his eyes.

“Oh? Do I need to have words with him?” she raised her eyebrows.

“Ha! I think I’m going to like having you here.” Cody grinned, and Lia felt that flutter in her belly again.

“It’s fine though, just rules, protocol, whatever. I hate being off. I feel useless and get bored.”

“Ah, desk duty after your recovery?” Lia asked knowingly.

“Yep. But enough about all that. What fun are we gonna have couch surfing today?”

“You’re going to be loopy on pain meds soon, and I’ll be slap-happy from lack of sleep. What’s more fun than that?”

“No pain meds for me. I’m good. We’ll still have fun, though.” He winked, and Lia raised her brows. “Innocent fun.” He corrected.

Lia reached to turn on the TV, scrunching her nose up at all the remotes. Cody’s laugh rolled like a soft burr in his chest.

“Nathan’s TV is like a space station!” she cried.

“No, he has an awesome surround setup. The basement—now that’s like a space station.”

When Lia glanced at his teasing face, her heart skipped a beat.

“Of course.” She handed the remotes to him.

Cody got everything on and turned on a random sitcom. He leaned back, propping his feet on the coffee table, hands behind his head.

Lia took in his body head to toe. In sweatpants and a plain black T-shirt, he was just gorgeous. One of his tattoos peeked out from under his sleeve.

“Any story behind your tattoos?” she finally asked, breaking the silence.

“Ahh, more prying?”

“Sorry!”

“I’m just joking.” He pulled his sleeve up. “This was just a tribal design I liked, and this”—he pulled his shirt up, revealing his beautifully sculpted abs. He ran his fingers over a tattoo of Roman numerals—”is my sister’s…”

His lashes fluttered, his dark brows drawing together.

With a jolt of realization, Lia noted that the two dates must be his sister’s birth and death. He hadn’t mentioned a sister earlier.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Cody coughed and shifted uncomfortably.

“And this is just another design I liked, and your brother has a similar one,” he chuckled.

“Matching tattoos?”

“No, not matching. Similar…,” he corrected.

She nodded with a smirk.

“Do you have any?” Cody asked.

“A few small ones,” Lia smiled with a little twinkle in her eyes, telling Cody their location was a secret to him, at least.

“Ah, I see.”

Lia picked up her phone, seeing several texts. She quietly checked them while Cody dozed off next to her.

With Cody asleep, Lia rose to go to bed.

As she stopped to put her coffee mug in the sink, her phone rang. She smiled, thinking it was probably an impatient Meg, but a number she didn’t recognize appeared instead with a New York City area code.

“Hello?” she answered cautiously.

“Ms. Calia Morgan, please?” came a woman’s voice.

“Yes, this is she.”

“Good afternoon. Your name and number are on the Victim’s Notification list. I’m calling to notify you that the offender…”

Lia couldn’t breathe.

This is seriously happening right now, she thought.

She steadied herself against the counter, turning away from the living room so as not to disturb Cody even at this moment.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. Can you repeat that?” Lia whispered.

“Yes, sure. Offender 117800591, Brett Brosen, will be released from the Queens facility on Monday morning. We’re notifying you as part of the Victim Notification Program.”

Fear filled Lia’s body. Tears poured out without her even realizing it.

“Do you have any questions?”

“No, ma’am.”

She laid the phone on the counter and looked up to see Cody standing next to her, holding his side. His beautiful features were marred with concern.

“I realized you got up, then I saw you frozen in here. I’m sorry. You’re obviously not okay. Do you wanna tell me what’s going on?” he said softly, like she might bolt at any moment.

Horror knotted at her throat, her eyes stinging with tears.

Lia blinked hard, shoving the feelings back down her throat. She did not want Cody’s pity or to be seen as a victim. She sure as hell didn’t want her brother or even Dani to know, and she couldn’t ask him to keep her secret.

Cody was holding his spine stiffly, and she realized he was clearly in pain.

She spoke in barely a whisper. “You need to sit.” Holding his arm, she led him back to the couch.

He went with her silently. As he sank onto the couch, he squeezed her arm, and she thought the emotions might come rising up again.

“I need sleep is all, I’m exhausted.” She laughed nervously. “You rest.”

And with that, Lia hid away in her room before Cody could say a word.