Chapter Forty One
1432 Words
♠ Austin Hames ♠
As soon as her ringtone began, it snapped me back to my senses.
What on earth was wrong with me?
This woman really had a huge effect on me.
I mean, flirting?
That was something I hadn't done since high school.
It was just the fact she was sitting so close to me that made my brain go numb.
Since yesterday, I'd been scolding myself and trying to train my body on self control when beside her.
Overnight, that was all I could think about.
Maybe acting more stern or things like that might make her effect on me die down.
But all that was gone as soon as she walked in through the door.
All I could recall was how sweet she'd tasted, and my body just wanted to be near her.
This was annoying.
At least it was good the ringing of her phone had stopped us from doing something we might further regret.
She moved to where her purse laid, retrieving her phone.
“Hello,” her tone came out sharp after she'd answered the call and placed the phone close to her ear.
With a throat clear, she repeated in a calmer tone, “hello.”
There was about two seconds of silence before her brows furrowed, “yes?”
I watched as her skin turned pale, “wh-what are you talking about?”
At this point, my body became alarmed at whatever news she'd been told which didn't seem good.
“Wh-Where is she?” Another second of silence. “Okay, I'll be there now.”
She hung up, dropping her phone in her purse before grabbing her keys with trembling hands, then jumped to her feet.
“What's wrong?” I stood up after her, wondering what she could have been told.
She seemed in a hurry, but turned to me with tears in her eyes, “Oliver is in the hospital.”
“Oh my,”
“I've got to go,” she was about to rush to the door when I grabbed her wrist, halting her movement.
“What the heck are you doing? I've got to go now.” She obviously wasn't pleased with my action, but no way was I letting her go this way.
“Let me drive you,” I found myself blurting, “it wouldn't be nice if you took the hospital bed next to her.”
She nodded, “but please drive fast.”
Certain she wouldn't run off, I let go of her, heading to grab one of my keys, “alright.”
~
The drive had lasted fifteen minutes with her trying Oliver's number, just to be sent to voicemail.
I tried to convince her everything was alright, but she didn't give me any heed.
Her eyes were tear-filled, but no drop fell out of them, with her just nudging me to drive faster.
Finally, the hospital came into view.
Before I had stopped the car, she bolted through the door, scrambling in.
After parking the car, I pulled the hood of my red hoodie over my head, slipped on the black sunglasses I had brought along, and secured the black face mask I had in the car.
At least this way, I could avoid drawing too much attention and allow Kim to have private time with her sister.
Satisfied with my appearance, I stepped out of the car and walked into the hospital.
Behind the front desk sat a blonde receptionist, probably in her early thirties, with a professional, yet approachable demeanor.
"Good morning," she greeted, her voice carrying a calm, welcoming tone. "How may I assist you?"
Smart of the hospital to hire someone with a comforting presence.
"I'm looking for Oliver Stans," I said, keeping my tone low to avoid recognition.
She hesitated slightly, giving me a wary glance before checking her computer. "Miss Oliver Stans is in Room 101 on the fourth floor."
"Thank you," I said with a small nod before heading toward the elevators.
Once in, I pressed the button to the fourth floor and waited.
After a ding, the doors separated so I walked out, moving to Room 101, which was the first room on the floor.
When I got in, Kim was sitting beside the bed where Oliver laid, her hands, legs and forehead bandaged, but still had on a cherry expression.
“Austin!” She beamed, a grin planted on her lips. “Why are you dressed so anonymously?”
She snickered, giving me a pinch of relief that she was okay enough to joke.
“Austin?” That was when I noticed Layla sitting on a couch in the hospital.
Three gazes were directed at me, so I awkwardly offered her a nod, before heading to stand beside Kim.
“What happened?” I asked.
She waved a hand as though to brush it off, “nothing worth worrying yourself about.”
But from the bandages all around her, I could assume this was a big accident.
“I don't get why you won't tell me how you got into a freaking accident!” Kim snapped, obviously not pleased with that.
“Shouldn't the fact I'm alright be all that matters?” At least her tone was soft.
Kim turned to Layla, “do you know what the heck happened to her?”
Layla shook her head, “I just got a call that she was involved in an accident, I don't know anything about what happened.”
“What on earth is your problem Oliver!” Kim seemed to be getting more annoyed at the moment.
So I knew I had to come to the rescue by placing a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to me, her eyes no longer tear-filled, but worry occupied.
It was obvious she was extremely distressed.
“Why don't I take you to get a drink?” I offered lowly, ignoring all the stares focused on us as my gaze stayed glued on her.
She nodded, rising to her feet which made my hand slip from her shoulder.
But that was probably for the best, to prevent emotions I didn't want to start having.
With a huff at Oliver, she moved past me, so I followed behind, as we both left the room.
She didn't stop walking, nor did she spare me a glance.
We both left to the elevator, and moved in silence.
The silence seemed to be comfortable for her, so I didn't say a word.
It was only when we got out of the elevator and out of the hospital, that I grabbed her wrist, since it didn't seem like she planned on stopping anytime soon.
My hands moved to her shoulders, turning her to face me.
Which was when my gaze caught the sight of her tear-filled eyes.
She was scared.
Her eyes spoke fear. Something she'd tried suppressing being the elder of the two.
That realization caused an ache in my heart as I saw her as someone different.
“She's okay now,” my tone was low, but the reassurance in them was strong.
Finally, since she heard the news, she allowed a drop of tear to freely fall down her cheeks.
“The accident was obviously something serious, I don't get why she won't tell me what happened,” her words were followed by sobbing.
This wasn't a situation I was very good at handling, but seeing her in tears hurt me more than it should.
It made me wonder why.
That seemed like something to think about later.
At this time, she needed comfort.
So, I gently placed my thumb and index finger under her chin, tilting her head upward to meet my gaze.
When our gaze locked, my mind raced at how much closeness surrounded us.
Especially with the heat emitting from her body.
But I had to remind myself this was a time to comfort her.
“Don't you trust her? If she doesn't want to tell you, then I'm sure she has a good reason for that.”
“So all that should matter is the fact she's safe and still your sister,” my tone dropped even lower, I had to hope it didn't speak how eager I was to kiss her.
She broke into another fit of sobs, “okay.”
Without second thoughts, I replaced my hands around her head, pulling her to lean her head on my chest where she began crying on.
All I could hope was she couldn't feel my racing heart.
Why was it racing so much?
- Writer
