Free Taming the Playboy by M. J. Carnal

no.  We aren’t.  In fact, a few months ago I hated his guts.  I had a fight with someone I cared about and Caleb was there to pick up the pieces.  But then this accident happened.”  Layla sighed.  “It was our fault Mark was upset.  It was all a huge misunderstanding.  I wish I could take it back.” 
     
    Tears fell down her face.  Tears for Mark.  Tears for Sophie.  Tears for what might have been with Ryan.  She walked through the sliding glass door into Mark’s room.  The beeping of the machines was becoming too familiar.  She set her coffee next to Caleb and crawled into his lap.   His face was pale and his hands shook as he wrapped his arms around her.  “You need to go home, Caleb.  Go take a shower, sleep a few hours and take a break.  I will stay with him.  I promise I will call you if anything happens.”
     
    Caleb shook his head.  “We did this to him, Lay.  How can I leave?  It should be me lying there.  I would do anything to take his place.”
     
    “I know you would.  But you aren’t doing anyone any good making yourself sick.  You need to at least eat something.  Please, Caleb.”
     
    “You need to listen to her.”  Caleb’s head snapped up at the sound of the doctor.  His pulse quickened but he ignored it.  She put her hand on his shoulder and he tensed.  “We are going to take some x-rays and run some tests.  You can’t be in here for that.  This would be a good time to go get something from the cafeteria.  If you are going to stay here all day, I am going to insist you get something in your stomach.”
     
    “I can’t.  I can’t keep anything down.  If you don’t mind, I will just wait in the hall while you do the tests, Dr. Turner.”  Caleb looked back to Mark.
     
    “It’s Jena.”
     
    “What?”  Caleb looked back at her.
     
    “My name is Jena. I am going to have some food sent up for you.”  Dr. Turner stepped out of the room.
     
    “Holy shit, C.”  Ryan’s voice startled them both.  “You look like shit, man.  And the good doc is still checking you out.  Did you get her digits?  Two words for you.  Balls deep.”
     
    Layla stood up and walked to Ryan.  When they were only about a foot apart, she spoke.  “Don’t be a jackass.  He’s devastated.  This is not the time to be making jokes.  Why don’t you run along and find your little play toy and leave the adults to care for Mark.”
     
    “Lighten up princess.  It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.  You think Mark wants you parading around here with tears in your eyes?”
     
    “You are a huge jackass, Ryan.”  Layla spat.
     
    “What the hell is your problem, Lay?  I have been back three days and you haven’t said shit to me.  All your little smart ass comments can stop now.  You have a problem with me?  Let’s talk it out.  But stop being a bitch.”  Ryan stepped around her and sat down across from Caleb.
     
    “Guys, this is not the place.”  Caleb snapped.
     
    “A bitch?  Really, Ryan?  Is that the best you’ve got?”  She turned her back to him.  She would wait until he was gone to sit back down.  And with her luck, little Ms. Perky, man stealer would be along any minute.  Layla had had just about enough.
     
    “Thank God we are in a hospital, Layla.  Maybe we can have the stick in your ass surgically removed while we are here.” 
     
    With that, Layla left the room.
     
    ****
     
    Ryan slammed his front door.  He fumed.  Ripping off his t-shirt and jeans, he walked straight into the back yard and dove into the pool.  “Damnit” he yelled as he broke the surface.
     
    “Rough day at the office dear?”  Aria looked up from her magazine.
     
    “Women suck.  No offense.”
     
    She laughed.  “None taken.  I called Rich a while ago and he told me Mark was stable.  So what one earth has you all worked up and floating around the pool in your boxers?”
     
    She jumped into the pool and swam toward him.  Her bikini