Chapter 8 Meet And Greet

Calista wanted to hit something. Or someone. Or maybe she wanted to drown in a bottle of hard liquor. She hadn't had that urge for close to a year, but right now it was coming back, and it was coming with vengeance. She would take any of those options right now if they could release the tension from her shoulders.

She was tired, and she felt like crying.

The day had already been bad at the hospital but now it kept getting worse.

"Calista," Jaxon called her softly as the siren got louder. She turned to him slowly, blinking away tears. Aaron had already carried Brian and they were moving towards the door. "Come on, you can't stay here."

"Why can't I?" she asked softly, though she already knew.

"The people outside saw you," he replied gently. "They would surely tell the police about the woman who took three men-one injured-into her house. I know you don't want to deal with that right now."

She didn't.

What she wanted was to get soaked in a bathtub filled with hot water and rose petals floating on it, surrounded by scented candles, and just relax. Then curl into a ball later and sleep. For like ten hours. A week of sleep doesn't seem so bad either.

"Calista, come on," Jaxon urged, glancing anxiously towards the door.

She took a deep breath and followed Jaxon out of her apartment, not even bothering to lock the door as they ran outside and towards the car.

Aaron was already in the driver's seat with Brian at the back. Jaxon got into the passenger's seat while she got into the back with Brian. He had his eyes closed but his breathing was harsh so he wasn't asleep.

"Hey," she called out to him softly as Aaron drove them away from her street. He opened his eyes slowly and looked over at her, his eyes glazed over with pain. "You okay, buddy?"

"I'm tired," he answered weakly, clearly still in pain. He needed sleep. A good sleep before he could regain his strength.

She shifts closer to him, taking his sweaty palm into hers and interlocking their fingers. "Me too, bud."

She placed her head gently on his shoulder, closing her eyes. After a while, Brian placed his head on hers and she sighed.

It had been so long since she'd had the pleasure of human company and contact that wasn't her patients or annoying coworkers that bore the life out of her. It was so comforting that the urge to cry became great, but she held it in.

With Brian close to her-even though he smelled like blood and sweat-and the rumble and rocking of the car as they drove to where she had no idea of, she soon fell into a deep sleep.

***

Jaxon couldn't take his eyes off Calista. She and Brian leaned against each other, fast asleep, and they looked so at peace and vulnerable. But it was mostly Calista that tugged at something Jaxon thought was dead.

She looked so vulnerable and peaceful that you wouldn't be able to compare her with the tough and broken woman earlier. Seeing her like that, he had the sudden urge to... protect her.

The feeling was strange but not unwanted.

"Why do you think looking at her like that?"

He looked away from Calista to face Aaron with an eyebrow raised. "Looking at her like what?"

Aaron kept his eyes on the road as he shrugged. "I don't know. You just have that... soft look in your eyes. It's unnerving."

Jaxon chuckled softly, massaging the back of his neck. "No, it's not. You just don't like her."

"Not gonna deny that," Aaron grumbled as he drove into their mansion, the gates opening.

"You'll come around." Jaxon looked back at Calista's peaceful face. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing her more."

Aaron groaned as he entered the garage, parking the car. "God, I hope not. I can't stand her."

Jaxon got out of the car and walked to the backseat where he opened the door and shook Calista's gently. She mumbled something he couldn't make out, opening her eyes slowly and blinking repeatedly.

"We're here," he said softly. Aaron helped Brian out of the car after waking him.

"Here as in where?" Calista asked, climbing out of the car and rubbing her eyes in an endearing way.

"My place."

She looked over at the garage and the multiple cars parked before she nodded and looked back at him. "I need a bed, Jaxon."

He nodded towards the elevator where Aaron was waiting with Brian. "Come on."

They took the elevator up to the living room, and as soon as the door pinged open, he was greeted with worried eyes.

"Oh, thank God," Aelina breathed as she rushed to hug him, burying her face in his neck. "I was so worried when I got your text."

He rubbed her back. "I'm okay, princess."

"Hey, man," Jacob greeted, looking over as Aaron helped Brian to his room. "Brian got shot?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

Jacob winced. "Shit. Is he–"

A throat was cleared behind him and he stepped aside to reveal Calista who had her hands folded as she glared at all of them.

"Wow, thank you so much, guys, I feel so welcome here," she deadpanned, her face blank.

Jaxon cringed. He pointed at the two people. "Aelina, Jacob, this is Calista."

"Hi!" Aelina walked to her and took her hand, shaking it with a big smile. "You're Calista Calloway, right? The badass doctor that Aaron doesn't like?"

Calista smiled back. "Why, thank you, pretty girl. I am most certainly a badass doctor. And Aaron should have his ass checked. I can see a stick hanging out."

Aelina threw her head back and laughed, still holding Calista's hand. "I tell that to him every time! It's lovely to meet you, Calista."

Calista's eyes were bright. Jaxon could already see things clicking between the two ladies. "Likewise, pretty girl."

Jacob cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him. He blushed from all the attention, adjusting his thick glasses even though there was nothing wrong with it. "N-nice to meet you, Ms Calloway," he said softly, looking at her and holding his hand out.

Aelina released Calista's hand so she could accept Jacob's. She shook his hand firmly with her own smile. "It's lovely to meet you, four-eyes."

Jacob hated to be called that name, and Calista saw it when he winced.

"I'm sorry," she rushed to say, offering a smile. "I think your eyes are cool."

Jacob looked away, shrugging shyly. "They're not, but thank you."

She dropped his hand and looked towards Jaxon. "As much as this meet and greet has been great, I need to sleep before I get grumpy."