all, it’s what I’m trained to do, but I can’t move. I’m frozen in place because in my gut I know he doesn’t want me near her. I’d only get in the way, especially since he thinks he’s the only one who can save her.
He’s barking out orders left and right as the ukulele player drags a cooler out of the tent, rummaging through it for ice to apply to Katie’s forehead. Adam’s feverishly checking for a pulse, and when he doesn’t start mouth to mouth, I know he’s found it. She just fainted, probably from the shock of learning her dream guy knocked up her cousin. Funny how I kept my bearings when I heard the news, but then again, I’m not pale and fragile. It’s my job to remain cool under pressure. It’s no use being weak when circumstances get difficult. I’m made of tougher stuff than that.
“Oh my God, Katie, wake up!” Kelly screeches, turning away from her fuming groom. Heedless of the incoming surf, she doesn’t even realize the bottom of her dress is getting wet, tangible proof of just how much of a train wreck this sham wedding has become.
Everyone stands in a semi-circle around Adam, no one wanting to get too close to the best-man-turned-homewrecker. They don’t ask him if they should move Katie or call 911. They respect his authority, giving him the space he needs to work. And thankfully, Adam’s movements have evened out. They’re not as frantic. By sizing up his body language, I can tell Katie’s going to be okay. I know him well enough to be assured of that. He’s my partner, after all.
Was my partner. I swallow the lump in my throat. I can’t second-guess my decision. He’s a good paramedic—a great paramedic—but I couldn’t stand by and let him put another patient at risk. I had to sacrifice what remained of our relationship for the sake of any more innocent victims who might have fallen prey to his carelessness and neglect. It was my duty to report him, so why do I feel like I made the worst decision of my life? I acted more out of vengeance than righteousness, and if Katie hadn’t appeared out of thin air, I probably wouldn’t have acted at all.
I sink to my knees, running the grains of sand absently through my fingers. I deliberately severed ties with Adam the moment I got Talbot on the phone. There’s no going back now. Whatever feelings I have for Adam will have to be suppressed and eventually eliminated. He’s made his choice. It’s time for me to move on.
Getting to my feet, I cast one fleeting glance at the man I love. And for some reason, my movement gets his attention and his head pops up. Katie is staring blankly at him, and his palm is cradling her face, but his eyes are on me. His gaze is tortured, as if I’m the one who’s haunting his thoughts now, not the girl sprawled across his lap. It’s like we’ve switched places in his mind and I’m the one he can no longer have.
I give him a hesitant wave and he inclines his chin slightly in response. Luckily, no one is aware of our silent conversation. It’s like we’re communicating on another level, one they can’t begin to understand. We issue our goodbyes across the stretch of beach that’s separating us. Things can’t go back to the way they were and I think we both realize that.
Whatever we had is over.
Chapter Eleven
Adam
“I want your shit out of my place—”
“Your place? I think I’m the one who’s paying most of the rent!”
“And whose name is on the fucking lease?”
“I don’t care! You can’t kick me out now. Where am I supposed to go?”
“That’s your problem.”
“Brian, please—”
“No, Kelly. I’ve had enough.”
I can’t listen to this anymore. They’ve been going at it since we got back from the beach. I was the only fool stupid enough to stick around. Everyone else decided to give the raging couple some privacy. Even Katie went along to get something to eat, bandaged head and all. Even though Katie’s obviously avoiding me, I’m too involved to
He’s barking out orders left and right as the ukulele player drags a cooler out of the tent, rummaging through it for ice to apply to Katie’s forehead. Adam’s feverishly checking for a pulse, and when he doesn’t start mouth to mouth, I know he’s found it. She just fainted, probably from the shock of learning her dream guy knocked up her cousin. Funny how I kept my bearings when I heard the news, but then again, I’m not pale and fragile. It’s my job to remain cool under pressure. It’s no use being weak when circumstances get difficult. I’m made of tougher stuff than that.
“Oh my God, Katie, wake up!” Kelly screeches, turning away from her fuming groom. Heedless of the incoming surf, she doesn’t even realize the bottom of her dress is getting wet, tangible proof of just how much of a train wreck this sham wedding has become.
Everyone stands in a semi-circle around Adam, no one wanting to get too close to the best-man-turned-homewrecker. They don’t ask him if they should move Katie or call 911. They respect his authority, giving him the space he needs to work. And thankfully, Adam’s movements have evened out. They’re not as frantic. By sizing up his body language, I can tell Katie’s going to be okay. I know him well enough to be assured of that. He’s my partner, after all.
Was my partner. I swallow the lump in my throat. I can’t second-guess my decision. He’s a good paramedic—a great paramedic—but I couldn’t stand by and let him put another patient at risk. I had to sacrifice what remained of our relationship for the sake of any more innocent victims who might have fallen prey to his carelessness and neglect. It was my duty to report him, so why do I feel like I made the worst decision of my life? I acted more out of vengeance than righteousness, and if Katie hadn’t appeared out of thin air, I probably wouldn’t have acted at all.
I sink to my knees, running the grains of sand absently through my fingers. I deliberately severed ties with Adam the moment I got Talbot on the phone. There’s no going back now. Whatever feelings I have for Adam will have to be suppressed and eventually eliminated. He’s made his choice. It’s time for me to move on.
Getting to my feet, I cast one fleeting glance at the man I love. And for some reason, my movement gets his attention and his head pops up. Katie is staring blankly at him, and his palm is cradling her face, but his eyes are on me. His gaze is tortured, as if I’m the one who’s haunting his thoughts now, not the girl sprawled across his lap. It’s like we’ve switched places in his mind and I’m the one he can no longer have.
I give him a hesitant wave and he inclines his chin slightly in response. Luckily, no one is aware of our silent conversation. It’s like we’re communicating on another level, one they can’t begin to understand. We issue our goodbyes across the stretch of beach that’s separating us. Things can’t go back to the way they were and I think we both realize that.
Whatever we had is over.
Chapter Eleven
Adam
“I want your shit out of my place—”
“Your place? I think I’m the one who’s paying most of the rent!”
“And whose name is on the fucking lease?”
“I don’t care! You can’t kick me out now. Where am I supposed to go?”
“That’s your problem.”
“Brian, please—”
“No, Kelly. I’ve had enough.”
I can’t listen to this anymore. They’ve been going at it since we got back from the beach. I was the only fool stupid enough to stick around. Everyone else decided to give the raging couple some privacy. Even Katie went along to get something to eat, bandaged head and all. Even though Katie’s obviously avoiding me, I’m too involved to
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