Welding Hearts

Start writing hI always thought everything happens for a reason or at least it’s what I liked to believe. The nice thought to hold on to. I mean I think every one should believe in something… more. I guess even if it’s just in yourself otherwise what’s the point in doing anything. Then the older I got I’ve started to think that fate, or God, or whatever higher power is out there must have an amazing sense of humor when it came to destining out my life.

~Xavier~

“Come on man it really couldn’t have been that bad.” Enzo said laughing at one of his best friends as he was cleaning up his tools. “Naw bro, it was so much worse. You guys set me up with the dumbest girls I swear I don’t know why I even listen to y’all.” Xavier said shaking his head as he was adjusting and testing out his project. “Seriously, you don’t think maybe you’re overreacting.” Axel asked looking at him as he started to put stuff away.

“Dude, she drug my ass out to an expensive place. Ordered a damn grilled chicken salad and ate over half MY food. She texted God knows who over half the time. She talked more about things like Kardashian’s, what gym do I go to, she talked my ear off about stupid shit I couldn’t wait to leave, than when I brought her home, she actually thought I was going to hook up with her. She was a damn trip. Where you guys find these desperate tricks?” Xavier asked scratching his head.

“Well damn dude that sucks. Remember the one girl who came into the coffee shop saw your big ass and left.” Ryder said laughing hard bending over putting his stuff away. “Dude we are all built big, but you the strong, big, silent type for some girls I guess that either means they just intimidated by you, or just want t0 use you. I’m sorry man.” Enzo said.

“Why can’t I just find a laid-back chick like you got man, where you find her, are there more of her species?” Xavier asked with a chuckle. “You know what she got some friends maybe one day we can all I don’t know go out for drinks or something. I’ll ask her about some of her single friends. You know actually Nix lady is one of Brieanna’s best friends.” Enzo said

“Really Phoenix?” “Yeah, sometimes it gets pretty weird though when the girls all go out see two of them don’t get along with the other three. One of them is mainly best friends with the only guy in the group but there is one that I don’t care for she kinda causes problems with the others and it takes a toll of Brie because she doesn’t want any problems but sometimes it can’t be helped. I’ll talk to Brie and Sienna and see what they say.” Enzo said.

Xavier was standing at 6’5-almost 6’6, and huge built like a body builder but really broad shoulders. He was dark skinned 28 almost 29. Between working at his welding shop, his friends and family he was starting to find himself getting lonely and every time he was putting himself out there, he found himself getting more let down and disappointed. The only thing about it is he just couldn’t seem to bring himself to stop looking he knew she was out there whoever she was. Someone to hold at the end of the day, to laugh with and be like his best friend. He couldn’t give up so easily.

“Damn isn’t Johnny done yet? What the hell’s taking him so long I we going to start closing up.” Ryder said. “I’ll go get him.” Xavier said walking to the back. “Johnny, let’s go boy.” Xavier said looking at him as he put the last of his stuff away. “Johnny this doesn’t look like you got it secured in place. I think the bottom part of this door probably going to come down and hurt somebody.” Xavier said looking at the welding job done by the guy about four years younger than him. “Are you sure? It looked like it was holding in place for me. Johnny said as he came around and started pulling down on the bottom door.

The door flew off and came down hard at tight angle straight onto Xavier’s foot. “AWW GODDAMMIT JOHNNY!!!” Xavier hollered out. The other guys came running out, “What was that?” Axel asked loudly. Looking down at Xavier foot and Johnny project. “Never mind come on man, let me go take you down to the hospital and they’ll tell us if it’s broken or not.” Axel and Enzo came and helped him into his truck. Enzo followed behind Axel who drove in his truck, while Ryder followed in his own truck.

~Ana~

“I don’t care what you say I am not going on another blind date from you Amber.” Analeigh said crossing her arms. “You’re just too picky. You complain about everybody we set you up, then you get depressed because you feel alone. There is just no pleasing you.” Amber said back placing a hand on her hip. “Every guy you set me up with is crazy or think they’re going to get laid. Some ego is bigger than their damn IQ. Some are just looking for some kind of mother substitute, or some crazy DDLG shit I can’t believe that guy actually tried to get me to drink from a sippy cup.” Annaleigh threw up her hands in surrender.

“Where the fuck do you even meet those guys?” Sienna asked as she and Brienna looked at Amber like she lost her mind. “You know when we all go out with Scarlett.” She shrugged back. “Remember that one guy who walked in with his cousin and walked out because he said you were too thick, and his cousin tried taking you home. That boy called you for over a month.” Brienna said laughing hard.

Analeigh and her friends where nurses for a specific doctor at the local hospital. She was standing at a whole 5’1 and had curves in all the right places she wasn’t skinny, but she wasn’t fat light skinned where she was convinced in the winter time if it wasn’t for the slight red in her cheeks and little tan she would glow in the dark. Only at 25. Between work and her friends, she found herself starting to get lonely and after a few set up dates and some online apps, she was starting to regret trying to get out there in the first place. Even her parents were getting ready to start setting her up not wanting their only child to be alone.

“Maybe I should take step back and take a break for a while from the whole getting out there bit.” Analeigh said putting away a finished chart. “Oh, please what you need to do is come out with Amber and me to the club and let loose. Take a couple of drinks relax and see what happens.” Scarlett said coming up from behind them. Analeigh and Sienna didn’t really care for Scarlett but Amber, Scarlett and Brienna where friends and they loved Brienna and wanted to be as civil as they could. Scarlett never had a problem finding a guy for the night. Analeigh found it more gross to bounce from guy to guy that quickly and couldn’t bring herself to hop on the one-night stand band wagon.

“Maybe you can even talk Gunner into coming out with us.” Scarlett said. It was no secret she was practically in love with Dr. Gunner Daniels who was also Annaleigh’s main best friend for the past 12 years. “No, he’s actually on call tonight.” Analeigh said. “Look I don’t really want to go out tonight I would much rather just go home after the long shift.” “Suit yourself but don’t complain when you get all lonely later.” Scarlett said flipping her hair. Sienna rolled her eyes.

“Analeigh, can you please come help me.” Brieanna said stepping back into the patient’s room. Walking in the door. “Oh hey Enzo?” She teased. “This is and the rest of his crew please meet Axel Donovan, Ryder James, and this poor soul is Xavier Knight. Guy’s this is my bestie Analeigh Alderman the best nurse in the whole hospital.” “She lies, but I love it. Please call me either Ana or Lee.” She said waving at everyone.

Once her eyes met onto Xavier’s he couldn’t look away. Where the hell have beautiful women like this been hiding, he thought to himself. She smiled at him. “So, Mr. Knight you want to tell me what happened to your foot there?” “Just call me Xavier please and that’s what I’m here to find out. I got a trailer door slammed down on it by one of my guys down at the shop.” He said scratching his neck. “So, what did the doctor say?” Ana asked looking at Brie. “Well see that’s the thing we were hoping you would page him down her for a consult we already got the x-ray right here.” Brie said looking guilty.

“You put in the order for the x-ray before a doctor even saw him?” Ana asked mouth hung open. “Well, it’s one of Enzo’s best friends and hell even his boss and look at him he needs help.” Brie said putting on the sad eyes. “You lucky I love you so much.” Ana said pulling out her phone. “Hey, it’s me I need you to come to room 23 please. Brie’s at large again. Yeah ok. He’s coming.” Ana said looking around the room. “Who’s coming?” Axel asked.

“The best doctor in the whole city.” Brie said with a smile. “He’s also our friend.” She shrugged hugging up to Enzo. “Baby, you got to stop doing this to him. You going to get in serious trouble one of these days.” Enzo said. “That’s what she uses Phoenix, and Colton for.” Ana said making everyone laugh. “So, Ana, this special doctor you called is he really good? Do you think in your best opinion I should be worried?” Xavier asked looking at her he could help the soft smile that never left his face the longer he stares at her.

“He’s the best I swear. You’re in great hands.” She said smiling back at him softly. “Awe thanks love bug. I think you’re the best too.” He said coming up kissing the side of her head. “Brie what did you drag us into now? Hey guys.” Gunner said with a head nod to everyone. “Wait this one I don’t know. Hello, I’m Gunner Daniels I will no doubt be your doctor.” Gunner said with his hand held out to shake. “Xavier Knight.” He shook his hand. “Yes, I know of you know, well big boss man let’s see what the x-ray says about that nasty looking foot you got there.” Looking at it closely.

Ana came up looked back and smiled at Xavier. “You are a lucky man, Xavier.” Ana said. “She is right it’s not broken or fractured but it was severely close. You are going to be in a lot of pain though so we are just going to wrap it up and you will keep pressure off it for about three days. I’ll give you a crutch to have and some pain pills for about a week. Other than you will be sore for a while. Now can I have everyone fan out so I can look at this a little better, and Ana can you go get the wrappings and wrap him up.” “Yes Dr. Daniels.” She said as everyone else left the room.

~Xavier~

“Alright Xavier does this hurt.” “No.” “Ok I’m just going to feel around your leg a little bit to make sure the rest of you is aligned right ok.” “Alright. So, you seem pretty close to the girls. You guys a tight bunch?” Xavier asked. “Oh yeah we all go way back a couple years give or take at least eight. Well Sienna, Brie, and Ana anyways.” He said smiling. “Except for Ana we go back about twelve.” He said going around the calf. “That’s a long time. You guys together?” Xavier asked fishing around for information. “God no. She’s just my best friend is all, she’s like my sister really. Out of everyone in the world she’s my go to person. She’s actually single right now. Trying to get herself out there. Since I can tell you fishing for information on her and all and your eyes come out of your head looking at her. Seriously man they have not left her.” Gunner said to him with a wink and a deep laugh.

“That obvious huh? Look man I swear I’m good guy. I just can’t handle anymore weird chicks. They are just so scary.” Xavier said rubbing both his hands on his face. “Hey man I’m a single guy to I hear you, it’s creepy as fuck out there. Look your friends are very close to mine, so we will be seeing a lot of each other most likely from now on so take my number and call or text whenever I got a good feeling in my gut about you man.” Gunner said smiling. Xavier took and texted him his number. “We do poker on every other Thursday night why don’t you come over this week. Hang with the guys.” Xavier asked.

“Dude you don’t know how much I would love that, only friends I really got is girls I’m begging for some male company. I swear I should be gay by now with these girls.” Gunner said shaking his head slowly. Making both of them laugh. The door opened. “Hey guys, ok I am all ready to get you started if you too are all set.” She asked looking at both of them. “Sure, thing love bug go ahead and get on it. Make sure he gets his crutches and see to it he gets into his vehicle alright. I’m trusting only you to see to that. Make sure you clock out to your done for the night after this. Oh, hey You know what I may be going on call yet I’m not for sure, so just in case I can’t make it to the movie Friday with you, sorry. You going to have to find someone else to scare the crap out of themselves. See yeah.” He waved off winking at Xavier.

Xavier looked down and seen the disappointed look on her face. “You seem a little let down there Angel.” “Oh well yeah, I guess I am. Here take this pain pill it’s strong it will kick in quickly.” She said handing him the pill and water. She sat down grabbed his ankle and started to wrap it up. “See the best part of having a guy best friend is having someone to watch scary movies with none of the other girls like going with me. A new one came out last weekend and it’s supposed to be really great. I’ll just catch it later. No big deal.” She shrugged.

“Well, I like horror movies. If maybe you would like to go see it with me instead. I mean all of our close friends know each other pretty well so you know we are going to be seeing more of each other. It would be nice to get out after a long week and all. Maybe get to know each other a little bit?” Xavier asked scratching the back of his head being nervous. She looked at him staring at him confused for a second. “Are you asking as a friendly hang out or like a date?” She asked as she finished up her task and he was starting to feel the effects of the pill. “Well, I would prefer it to be a date, but honestly I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give.” He said with a smile.

“You’re not into crazy sex kinks like DDLG are you?” She asked. “What the hell, no. Nothing on that level of weird. “I’m sorry my friends have been trying to set me up lately and some of these guys were just a little scary.” She said looking down. “I understand where you’re coming from see my friends been doing the same and I think I may be mentally and emotionally scarred for life for a little while.” He said making them both laugh. “You know what if your serious I would love to take you up on that date Friday. Give me your phone.” She said, as she put her number in it and texted herself to save his number.

“Let me go clock out and I will get a wheelchair to help you outside which one of the guys is going to drive you home?” She asked. “Ugh Axel sorry the pill is starting to work. Axel going to take me home.” He said shaking his head for a minute. At least the throbbing ache was now gone from his foot. She walked out the room leaving him on the bed with the rails up. “Hey guys he’s all set to go home I’m grabbing his papers and a wheelchair here is his crutch Axel he said you are his ride home. He is on a pain pill he will be a little off for a while. Maybe you should stay with him just until he falls asleep once he does, he’ll be out for hours.” She said with a hopeful look. “Ok yeah I can do that I’ll get the truck and pull it around now. He said as the guys all walked out Enzo had already left to take Brie home.

Getting his papers and the chair she went back into the room to fetch Xavier. He looked up at her and smiled. “You look like as beautiful as an Angel.” He said with a smile that went straight to his eyes. “Well thank you. That must be one hell of a ride you are on.” She said laughing. “Ok Xavier, Axel is waiting for us outside. So, we are going to get you in this chair and go meet him. You’re going to go home now.” She said smiling at him. “Are you coming with us?” He asked as he leaned on her a little bit getting into the chair and adjust the feet part himself.

“Well, no, I’m going to be going to my own home.” She said with a giggle. “Oh no I didn’t mean to offend you that way Angel. I meant are we giving you a ride home too?” He asked looking at her a little concerned as she wheeled him outside coming up to Axel sighing at the lifted truck. “Well, that’s very sweet of you guys but no I am going to be driving myself tonight big guy.” She said with a small laugh. Waving an orderly to follow them so he could retrieve the chair once she got him in the vehicle. “It’s dark outside. How about I walk you to your car and make sure you get there alright?” Xavier asked starting to really feel the effects of the pill.

The rest of his friends are already gone. “Well, that’s a sweet offer there Mr. Knight but I really rather you get home and start resting yourself. Thank you so much though for your worry, honestly it’s unnecessary.” She tried reassuring him as they got out the door. Axel was already waiting by the lifted truck. Looking up at it, back to Xavier who was built like a huge muscly mountain of a man she took a hard sigh. This should be fun she thought to herself. “Alright here we go.” She said with a smile as she pulled him up close and put the break on the chair. Axel took the crutch and placed in the back of the truck.

“Ok Axel he is on a very powerful pain pill that will last for a few hours. He needs to stay off this foot. No pressure at all. He will sleep this all off tonight once he gets settled. Plenty of fluids if he needs to take any more of the pain pills for the week. Gunner gave him about twelve.” Ana said. “This is going to be a fun night than gotta make sure I get most of it on camera. Hey dude do you think you could start filming this as we get him in the truck. Please because if I go to tell him anything tomorrow, he’ll want proof.” Axel asked the orderly behind her. Looking to her she shrugged. “Go ahead it’s not in the hospital.” Ana said with a shrug. “Ok Ax, help me get him in there.” She said with a sigh.

“Axel, hey man thanks for the ride. Hey man, I got us a new poker buddy.” Xavier said trying to keep things in focus as everyone got him to his one good foot. “You did, did you. Who might that be bro?” Axel said as he was trying to get a better grip on Xavier. “Gunner. He was a cool guy. He’s going to come next time.” Xavier said as he was trying to get his balance. “Sounds fun man.” Axel said. Ana had Xavier halfway on the seat Axel was on the other side getting ready to pull him through as he was sitting to far on the edge of the passenger door. “You got him?” Ana asked. “Yeah, I’m good, you can let go.” Axel said as he went to pull him but slipping on his shirt. “Oh shit.” Axel said as Xavier’s body was coming down on top of the very tall truck, on the very small Ana. She yelped as they hit the ground.

Opening her eyes, she realized she was not on the ground, but on Xavier’s chest, he had tucked her under him and flipped before they hit the ground. “Are you ok, Angel?” He asked a little more sobered up. “Oh my god Xavier are you ok. You didn’t hit your foot, did you?” Ana looked down to see he wrapped it around her. Taking a deep exhale happy to know his foot was unaffected by the impact. “Look at that big guy, two great saves in one shot.” Axel said with a proudful smile. “OK, let’s try this again. Here this time Ana take a step back I think the fall sobered him out enough for him to help a little more. In just two minutes both guys were able to get him in the truck, as Axel walked around to get in.

He was struggling for a second, so she crawled up and buckled him in. He was looking at her intently the whole time even on the way down. “Well, it was great meeting you guys.” Ana said handing Axel’s phone back to Xavier from the orderly who has already left with the chair. “So, I’ll see you Friday, right?” Xavier asked in a hopeful voice. “You will see me Friday, I have a half day I’m covering for someone, so I’ll be working 6a.m. to two. Since Gunners practice is actually in here, Sienna, Brieanna and I are his private nurses we just help around the hospital when they get short staffed, and he offers his services to be on call for other doctors in need. Feel free to text me, you got the number.” She said with a smile. “If you won’t let me help you to your car, could you please text us you get home, ok?” Xavier asked in a sad and nervous voice. “Uh are you sure, I mean don’t you think you should focus on getting rest? “She laughed at him tilting her head with her hands in her scrubs.

“I don’t think I will get much rest wondering if you get home alright in the middle of the night. Just one little text.” Xavier asked in more of a pleading tone. “Alright I promise I will send you a text when I get home, as long as you promise you stay off that foot.” She said pointing her finger to him. Xavier made a symbol of crossing his heart. “Thank you for your help taking care of me tonight.” Xavier said. “Seriously, thank you it was nice meeting you.” Axel said as they drove off down the road. Xavier kept looking at her through the mirror watching her get in and turn on her car before they made a left turn down the road. Axel laughing shaking his head.

“So that Ana huh? Got big date this Friday already? We leave you alone for thirty minutes with a beautiful woman, and you come out with a date. What happened to a couple of hours ago when women were crazy?” Axel asked still laughing. “I only said the women you guys set me up with were crazy not all of them. She’s, I don’t know man. Something about feels different I guess.” Xavier said rubbing the back of his neck. “Different how?” Axel asked being curious. “I don’t even know, but I honestly can’t wait to find out.” Xavier said smiling back to him.

After getting him out of the truck and handing him his clothes so he could change and use the restroom. He came back in to help him back into sitting up in his bed. “I’m going to take one of the guest rooms man. I don’t really want to leave you just yet. Plus, it’s late.’ Axel said as he rubbed a hand down his face to his jaw. “Cool bro, could you just hand me my phone so I can get on the charger.” “Yeah.” Axel said handing it to him with the cord to hear the phone ding. They both looked at it, Xavier smiling widely.

“Ok Mr. Knight here is my side of the promise. I made it home safe and sound, ready for bed, all locked up. Now you keep your promise and stay off that foot. We can’t have you hopping around in pain on a first date now, can we?” Ana texted him with an emoji winking at him sticking out the tongue. “She was actually pretty cool dude. I hope it all works out well for you man.” Axel said waving him off with a chuckle. Xavier took his phone and started to write back. “I promise no pressure on the foot. Besides if the pain gets too bad at least I know a beautiful nurse to help make it all better. G’night Angel.” He answered back with a wink and kissing face. He could always blame it on the pain pill. He laid down and started thinking about her smile and finally felt excited to have something to look forward to.

ere…