Matty's POV
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“Yes, Rachel I think he will be able to eat a burger" I say sarcasm just ebbing out of my voice. Shes pouting at me, bright pink lips. She huffs continuing to scroll takeaways for lunch.
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I don’t know what’s more insane; that she just doesn’t really care or that she expects him to just be able to wolf down a burger. Ross woke up briefly in the night. He was hazy and confused and he’s been asleep since. The one name on his lips came as a shock to his mother who met Taylor just yesterday.
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I sigh as the door swings again and the nurse is back. She's becoming a part of our daily lives and soon she will be in my nightmares. Olivia the nurse that just won't quit. I am sleep deprived again. The only thing keeping me going, is the black coffee and the text that Jay sent me last night.
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It was brief, just a few words.
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Tonight a few days, please I owe you man.
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As I watch Olivia do her routine checks and battle with Rachel over lunch ideas I ponder why it’s taking them so long to get here. I’m guessing that Jay leaving for a few days is a big deal to them too. I try desperately to not let that thought take over.
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“A word” Olivia says and Rachel looks up at her as if she’s speaking french.
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“Sure” I say to Olivia, looking at her green eyes that are just like mine.
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“Pizza that way we can share it all out” I say to Rachel just before leaving she smiles, looking at me dumbfounded as to why I’m leaving with a nurse.
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I softly close the door behind myself and follow her just slightly down the hall. What could she possibly want from me now after my show yesterday with Taylor.
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“I just wanted to say” she begins looking at me. I scoop my hair back exasperated by the women in my life. Olivia is not essentially in my life I remind myself, she’s just a temporary stop. I gaze out of the window which looks over a garden wishing I could be out there, without all of the problems I have in my life.
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“That your little show yesterday was totally stupid and annoying. And you’re not fooling anybody especially yourself” she says a smug look on her face.
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“What show” I say dumbfounded although I know exactly what she means. How dare this woman demand so much of my time?
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“You know I’m presuming she’s your ex, the one that just married your friend” she reminds me.
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“You should not be presuming anything about my life, Olivia. With all due respect I just feel like you don’t even know me, maybe you think you do…” I begin and she laughs. Infuriating.
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“Look I’m sorry, I just know guys like you. Get stuck on the girl and can’t move on. And actually I was trying to just talk to you” she says and I’m beginning to question this women’s sanity.
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“Right. Appreciated. Now can I go back to my friend and check she’s hasn’t ordered the whole of Pizza Hut for an unresponsive hospital patient” I sigh.
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She laughs and her head swings back, it’s only then that I realise how close she is to me. One hand on my shoulder and the other around her clipboard. Just as I’m beginning to distance myself from her claws, Jay walks past with Taylor.
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Jay giving me the eye of a best mate, which says get in there Matthew. And Taylor, radiant beautiful Taylor looking at me as if I’m somebody else. A man who chats up nurses whilst their mate is in intensive care. I brush my hair back, removing myself from Olivia’s vicinity.
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“I guess you’re quite happy about that” I say sarcastically.
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“Not at all, I don’t mean to cause you more problems” she says spinning on her heels and walking away.
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I sigh and follow her, an idea popping into my head. I pull my leather jacket on and make sure I’ve got my cigarettes on me, patting the pocket to check. I’ve dressed differently today, no soft jumpers and chinos. Im back to my old dress code; leather jacket, black jeans and a khaki T-shirt. Rings on my hands including Taylor’s, and a few rope bracelets.
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I pull out a cigarette and head down the white hall behind Olivia. I can’t help but to notice her heels and nurses dress. I thought nurses wore crocs but who am I to complain. I place the cigarette behind my ear intent on going outside and just forgetting this hospital besides I can’t go back into the room and face all of them.
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“What are you doing? Following me now?” Olivia says still facing forwards but she’s aware I’m just behind her.
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“Is it your business that I’m heading out for a cigarette” I say.
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“I didn’t know you smoked and wore leather jackets” she says as I catch up to her.
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“See thought you knew it all” I smirk and I wink at her.
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“Oh I know it all Matty” she says.
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I walk past her and out of the double doors, she follows me. I can hear her heels clinking but I blur her out of my mind. Focused on nicotine, and escape.
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I get out of the hospital and head for the designated smoking area. It’s empty and I sigh and light up.
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“Smoking is an awful habit” she says standing next to me lighting up her own cigarette.
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“You’re a fucking nurse” I laugh chastising her.
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“A fucking nurse on her cigarette break” she laughs.
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“You know it’s stressful dealing with patients. It’s more stressful dealing with their loved ones” she smirks taking a long drag.
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“Are you allowed to do that, just take yourself off” I ask her.
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“I’m allowed a break, yes Matty” she laughs.
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“Are you allowed to just leave, I mean whatever will you go back too, a million pizzas” she laughs and I smirk at her.
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We smoke in quiet, and I feel my stress levels practically disappear. Drag after drag they just die down. I take a seat and light up another.
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“Look it’s not my fault okay” I say to her.
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“Oh I know it isn’t” she says a grin on her face as she sits down next to me.
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I take a pull.
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“She was my life. She hated him. We got pregnant, and we lost it. It’s not her fault either, she fell out of love with me. And he just swooped. I couldn’t stop it. And none of it ever ended for me. The baby, the life we had.” I tell her, wondering why the hell I don’t learn to shut up.
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“I was his best man. For their wedding. And I had to watch her marry him. Watch her tell him I do. I’ve even agreed to look after her for a few days whilst he’s away on” I begin and then I sigh.
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“Okay that’s asking a lot of you” she says and she just listens.
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“How can I look after her, take her home to their massive house and be that guy” I say exasperated.
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“Okay” she says softly.
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“I get it now. That’s a lot to go through with somebody” she begins and I look at her properly for the first time. Olivia, with the red hair and the smart mouth.
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“You however have a choice.” She says looking at me.
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“You either work out that this isn’t for you or you roll over and keep being there for somebody that doesn’t reciprocate your feelings” she says. See such a smart mouth.
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“I know all of that until she’s there in front of me” I say standing up and ditching the cigarette buts in the tray.
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We’re quiet as I look down at her, I suppose she is pretty. The guy I was before Taylor would have jumped at the chance to get with this woman. He would have charmed her, bedded her and who knows what else before he left.
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“Nice chat” she says standing.
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“Let me know when you want another cigarette escape” she smiles placing her end in the ashtray.
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