“You can. There’s nothing there for you in that godforsaken town except for Mads. Every man you’ve been with has broken your heart. I’m tired of all of these phone calls with you always upset.”
“Mom, I appreciate you being so concerned about me, I really do, but I think I just wanna sleep on it and then I’ll decide what I’m going to do tomorrow.
She sighs, but relents. “Okay, dear, but please call me if you need anything.”
“I will. I promise.”
My other line rings and I answer the unknown number without even thinking.
“Elania, it’s Nash.”
Annoyed that Nate put him up to this, I say, “Nash, please don’t get in the middle of this.”
“I’m not trying to get in the middle of anything.”
“Well, you called.”
“I had to. Elania, I don’t know how else to say this, but…Nate’s in the hospital.”
The pain I felt earlier is nothing compared to this. The hospital? Right away, I get up, grab my keys, and dart for the door. “What happened?” I demand, getting into my car.
“He was shot. We’re at New Jersey Medical Center. You have to get down here. It’s serious.”
I hang up, peeling out of my driveway. Adrenaline moves me. Nate was shot? How? Why? Christ, my mind races. Vomit creeps up in my throat and the events of the day all wash away as his life hangs in the balance. All at once, I don’t care what he’s done. I can’t lose him. I fucking love him, dammit. Thankfully, the roads are clear and I take the opportunity to drive as fast as possible, whipping and winding as I make my way.
Nash’s words replay in my head, haunting me. Please God, don’t take him away from me. It’s not long ’til I arrive at the hospital and park in a panic, rushing into the ER. The man behind the desk glares at me, and with insistent eyes, I tell him, “I’m here to see Nate Wilcox.”
He types on the keyboard, hitting the keys harder than is necessary, every key stroke feeling like an eternity, but before he can answer me, Nash emerges from behind the closed doors. My hand flies over my mouth as I watch him and Jess walk out. He has his arm over her shoulder and both of them are covered in blood.
“Nash,” I yell, running to them, worry consuming me. “How is he?” I ask.
They both hug me. “He’s alive and stable, thankfully.”
“How did this happen?” Right now, I’m not even sure that matters, but the more I know, the better.
“You need to let Nate explain everything.”
“No, please tell me.” I look between him and Jess, begging for them to be honest with me.
“All he said is some girl he used to mess around with called him all scared and upset saying that her boyfriend had threatened to kill her. Nate tried to help and got her out of town, but the fucking guy is a psycho and tried to kill him.”
“Fuck. Now it all makes sense,” I whisper, and Jess hears me.
“What does?” she asks.
“I…” I’m in a cloud and have to pull myself out of it in order to speak. “I saw him today at the airport with her. I thought he was back with her.”
Nash laughs out loud, “Are you serious?”
I look at him, waiting for a response, but he just stares at me slack-jawed. “Of course I’m serious. They kissed. What was I supposed to think?”
“I can guarantee he didn’t kiss her.”
“I saw it, Nash.”
“Elania, you saw what you wanted to see. He was just trying to help her. Remember, she’s crazy. He felt bad that she was in that situation. He blamed himself.”
I’m silent, unsure of what to say next.
“El, he fucking loves you. I’ve known him for a long time, and trust me when I say, I’ve never seen him the way he has been since meeting you.”
He loves me? My heart wrenches for him. I need to see him and talk to him about everything. “Can I go back there?”
“He just went back for some tests, but should be out soon.”
“Okay,” I respond, following them back into the ER. As we walk through all of the hallways and doors, I imagine what Nate felt coming in here after being shot. I should have been there for him. I should have talked to him. Then maybe none of this would’ve happened.
“We’re gonna run home and shower. If that’s cool.”
I nod my head, not able to look at them again with his blood all over them. I can’t imagine Nate losing so much blood.
“Are you gonna be okay waiting for him?” Nash asks.
I nod my head and wave to them both watching me as they leave. Sitting on the edge of the window inside his room, I can still smell Nate in here. He’s not far away and I thank God that he’s alive.