I can’t hear what’s being said on the other end, but I notice the change in her demeanor. Those deep chest rising breaths gain momentum, and her expression goes from worrying about her job to terrified about whatever she is listening to on the other line.
All the color drains from her face. Her voice takes on an edge of panic. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Riley spins around and starts towards the door. “I’m sorry, Nic. I can’t do this with you right now.” It’s the only thing she says before she disappears, walking out of the room.
What the fuck? I stand there perplexed before I spring into action. “Riley,” I call, catching up with her just in time to jump into the elevator with her. The elevator doors close, once again enclosing us inside.
“Riley, what’s wrong? What happened? Who was that on the phone?”
She turns away from me and snaps, “None of your business. Just, please, leave me alone!” The desperation in her voice hits me in the chest.
“I’m your boss, and I demand to know what’s going on if you are abruptly leaving work.” I know it’s a low blow and completely uncalled for, but right now I just want to know what the fuck is going on.
She turns to face me, her arms crossed, a frown on her face. “Ugh, you are impossible! My mom called. My dad had a heart attack. Happy?”
“Fuck. I’m sorry. Please let me drive you to the hospital. You’re in no condition to be driving yourself, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. No strings attached, I just want to make sure you make it there safely.”
Typical Riley. She shakes her head. “No, thank you, I can drive myself.”
“Damnit, do you have to fight me on everything? I’m taking you, whether or not you like it!” My words are piercing but sincere, and although reluctant, she concedes and nods.
Riley doesn’t say anything during our drive to Boston Medical Center, and I don’t push her to. This is not the time to talk about our relationship and she is too upset to talk about her parents.
When we arrive at the hospital emergency room, I drive up to the doors and Riley rushes from the car and runs inside the building. I park and walk inside, looking around the seating area. A flood of calmness overwhelms me at the sight of her. She’s hugging an older woman, who I’m assuming is her mom. Both women are crying, and my mind immediately imagines the worst.
Walking over to them, I stroke my hand over Riley’s back. “What’s going on? Is there anything I can do?”
Riley looks up at me, breaking the hug with her mother. Now that I can get a good look at her face, I am sure that’s who she is. Her face is weathered, fine lines webbed around her piercing blue eyes, but she is still a beautiful woman. Just like Riley.
“Mom, this is Nicholas Brooks,” she introduces me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Moore, though I hate the circumstances.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” she sniffles.
“Could I have a word with you, please?” Riley touches my arm to get my attention. I give her mom a tight smile and let her drag me away to the other side of the room. I’m not sure what she is about to say, but if she thinks I’m leaving, she is wrong. Very wrong.
15
Riley
“Mr. Brooks…”
“Nick,” he corrects me, catching me off guard. Part of me wants to tell him we should keep it professional, but we both know that we are way past a working relationship.
“Okay, Nick. Thank you for all of your help, and I’m sorry for the trouble, but I’m good now. You can leave.”
“It’s no trouble at all, and I would like to wait for you.”
“No, I can’t ask that of you. Really, I’m good. I have no idea how long it’s going to be, and you have more important things to focus on.”
Nick scowls. “I brought you here, and I will wait for you. Stop arguing with me and take care of your family. I’ll be right here.”
Gosh, he’s such a stubborn and caring asshole. “Fine,” I say. He shoos me away with his hands, and reaches for my mother when he sees the Doctor behind me.
“Go on and talk to the doctor. I’ll wait here.”
“Hello, I’m Dr. McGuire,” a man that looks far too young to be a doctor introduces himself to me. “I’m assuming you’re the daughter? Your mother mentioned that you would be coming right away.”
“Yes, yes, that’s me. Is everything going to be okay? How is he?” I pepper him with only a handful of the questions I have.
He frowns. “He is stable at the moment, but he is not out of the woods yet. Your father has a hole in his heart, and is going to need an operation to fix it. I cannot stress how important it is that he gets this surgery done.” He pauses and the ground beneath my feet shakes at his next set of words. “Without the surgery, he’s life expectancy looks grim.”
My hands shake, and I have to force myself to breathe. Can the shit stack any higher?
“If you agree on the surgery, we’ll have a specialist come in to assist. You can talk it over with the rest of the family, contact your insurance, and make a decision.”
Insurance… there is none. I don’t even want to know what this surgery will cost, but there is no way we would ever say no to my father having a surgery that could save his life.
“We don’t have insurance, but I don’t care what it costs. Save him, please.” The desperation that spews from my mouth makes me feel incredibly weak. “We’ll set up a payment plan with the hospital. We’ll do whatever it takes.”
“We’ll do whatever it takes to save his life.” The doctor gives me a pitiful smile before walking down the hall, leaving me behind feeling extremely angry and frustrated. At this moment, I feel so defeated. Everything is breaking apart, crumbling right in front of my eyes.
Not ready to face Nicholas yet, I decide I need a moment alone. “I’m going to get something to drink,” I tell my mom, and walk to the vending machine area.
It’s on the other side of the waiting room wall, but it seems far enough away for me to breathe a sigh of relief. Digging out some change from my purse, I try to buy a bag of chips, but the stupid thing gets stuck between the glass and the release lever. “Damn it!” I yell, letting all my frustrations out.
Before I know it, I’m violently kicking and shaking the vending machine. I’m ready to punch in the glass and scream at the top of my lungs when two strong arms wrap around me and I’m pulled into a firm chest.
“It’s going to be all right, Riley,” Nicholas whispers into my hair. “Hey, want to take a walk with me? Some fresh air might help you calm down.”
I shake my head, saying no, even though I want to say yes. I’m so confused, I feel like my whole world has been turned upside down in a matter of hours.
“Come on, just a few minutes outside,” he pushes, tightening his arms around me.
Without thinking, I lean into his embrace, letting my head rest on his shoulder. “Okay.” I finally agree.
I untangle myself from his arms, and feel cold immediately. All I want to do is curl up into his lap right now and have him hold me, but I have to be strong for my mom. I have to get my shit together. I quickly let mom know that I’ll be right back.