Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel

by Tania De Melo

  That explains everything. It explains all that venomous rage their father has toward me—

  I was cutting Dylan’s strings.

  “Velyn, watch out—”

  Chapter 19

  Dylan

  The ringtone of my cell sounds from in my room. I run down the hall to answer it, hoping it’ll be one of them. They should’ve been here an hour ago.

  “Hello?”

  “Dylan, there’s been an accident.” Not recognizing the number, it takes me a moment to know who it is, then I realize what she said.

  “Who?” I ask.

  “Oh, Dylan, come quickly. They’ve taken them to County General. Hurry,” Joan cries out into the phone.

  I run to the kitchen and rummage through the drawer for the keys to my father’s Rolls. With the phone to my ear, I ask, “Joan, what’s going on?”

  Through the cries, all she manages to get out is, “It’s Velyn and Chase. Oh, dear God, Dylan, it’s bad.”

  With those last words, I end the call and run out the door into the garage where my father’s car is parked, jump in, and fly out of the driveway.

  Please let them be okay.

  When I pull into the parking lot of the hospital, the car has barely stopped when I jump out and sprint toward the Emergency room doors. I search through the halls looking for the main desk, but I find Joan and Stu first.

  “Where are they? What happened?”

  Joan’s unable to look at me let alone answer my questions, so Stu is the one to reply. “Velyn and Chase have been in an accident. Dylan, it was bad. They hit head-on with a transport truck that veered into their lane.”

  Head-on. Transport truck.

  My stomach starts to turn, and I can feel the blood drain from my face as the reality of what he’s telling me hits. A rush of tears pools in my eyes, and the sudden ringing in my head is making everything spin. I try to get the words out, but I can’t. My voice feels like it’s being squeezed down into my chest. I can’t breathe.

  Stu sees me struggling and moves to my side. “You need to have a seat, son.”

  I let him move me through a doorway and into a small room. After a moment, I look up to him. “Are they...are they—”

  He sits Joan beside me then takes the other seat just across from us. “I don't know anything. I followed the ambulance here as soon as they left the scene. I didn’t have any way of getting a hold of you, so I called Joan and then called my brother Glen to pick her up and bring her in. We’ve been here ever since waiting on some sort of update.”

  I rub both hands over my face hard enough almost to peel the skin off. “No, no-no. I need to know what’s happening.”

  I jump from the seat, causing it to hit the wall then head out; Stu doesn’t hesitate following right in behind. Finding a reception area, I head over, almost pushing a guy out of the way. He looks as though he’s going to say something but then must think twice once, he sees the state I’m in.

  “I need to talk to someone about my brother and girlfriend…and now. I need to know what’s going on.”

  The older woman behind the desk looks over, her eyes searching me, then to Stu, who’s at my side. “What are their names, sir?”

  I try to get their names out, but my throat closes as tears erupt and panic takes over. Stu rests a hand on my shoulder, answering for me. “Chase Dandridge and Evelyn Adler. They were brought in by ambulance from a head-on collision.”

  I notice the slight jar of realization in the woman’s eyes before she catches herself. She knows exactly who we’re talking about. Her eyes move to her computer screen as she types in their names. Within seconds she looks to Stu and me. “It looks like they have two teams on them. They’re still with both your brother and girlfriend, sir. I’m sorry, but that’s all I can tell you. A doctor will be with you as soon as they can. You said it was your brother they brought in... can I have your name, sir?”

  I let out a roar of frustration, but before it turns into anything more, Stu’s already giving my shoulder another squeeze. “Son, their priorities are Chase and Velyn. I know it’s hard, but all we can do is wait.” He then looks to the woman. “His name’s Dylan Dandridge.”

  She nods, then continues, “Also, we’ve not been able to find a next of kin on the woman. I know you said she was your girlfriend. Unfortunately, because you are not listed as a contact, we need a blood relative to be notified. Would you happen to have a contact for her parents or siblings?”

  I can’t see anything through the tears. My heart’s racing and I feel like my legs are about to give out. All I can manage is, “Her mother’s dead, and her father’s a drunk.”

  This time she shows no sign of astonishment. “I understand, sir, but we still need to notify a next of kin.”

  Stu leans in, just in front of me. “The boy’s right. Her mother passed away a couple of years ago, and when that happened, her father fell apart. He’s an alcoholic and most likely passed out. I instructed my brother to go there and to bring him here, so we are just waiting on their arrival.”

  I look to Stu, and he gives a quick glance then looks back to the woman as she speaks. “Thank you, but we do need to speak to him as soon as he arrives. He’ll need to sign medical release forms.”

  “For what?” I ask.

  “Sir, I’m sorry, but that’s something I cannot discuss with you.”

  “Why?”

  Stu shakes his head. “Dylan, you know her hands are tied. We’ll just have to wait for Velyn’s father to get here. Besides, she’s already told us they’re still taking care of Velyn and your brother. Come sit down, and as soon as they have any answers on either of them, I’m sure we’ll hear something.”

  He walks me back to the little room where we have left Joan. She stands as soon as she sees us. “What are they saying? What’s going on?”

  Stu moves to his wife’s side, taking her by the shoulders and guiding her back down to her seat. “Nothing yet, my love. They each have a team of doctors and nurses with them. Velyn’s father should be on his way and—” he turns to me. “Are your parents coming, Dylan?”

  I look to him; I never thought about making any calls. “I don’t have a mother, and I haven’t called my father.”

  Stu nods in understanding. “Dylan, you need to call him. He’s going to have to be here in case any decisions for Chase need to be made.”

  “I’m—” I take in a deep breath. “I’m listed as his guardian. My father transferred all his rights to me, so it would be easier when it came to signing things for Chase until he turned eighteen. My father’s always away, so at the time, it made sense.”

  “I understand, but Dylan, you should still call him,” Stu advises.

  I take a moment, then pull out my phone and dial my father’s number.

  “Dylan? Why are you calling?” My father’s voice comes out abruptly over the speaker.

  “Dad, it’s Chase.” The tremble in my voice doesn’t seem to alarm him.

  “What about Chase? If this is about that damn girl; Dylan, I don’t have time—”

  The anger inside me builds quickly. “He’s been in a bad accident, Dad. A horrible accident.”

  My father lets out a growl. “I don’t have time for this nonsense. Deal with whatever drama your brother has created; I’m too busy for this.”

  Stu leans in. “Mr. Dandridge, you’re not understanding. Your son was in a life-threatening accident. This isn’t something that Dylan should be dealing with alone.”

  My father lets out a frustrated breath. “Who is this?”

  “Stu Harris. Velyn works at my diner, but she’s like a daughter to me.”

  A forced chuckle leaves my father’s mouth. “Then I suggest you concern yourself with her and leave my sons to me. If Dylan can’t handle this on his own, then I guess I was right in my earlier assumptions. Dylan, I’m busy; you know that. Deal with this.”

  My father ends the call, and when I glance to Stu, he looks as though someone just told him the most off the w
all story. “Is he serious. He’s not coming?”

  “Nope.” I shake my head. “Unless it’s going to make him money, there’s not a chance in hell.”

  Stu lets out a breath. “Is there anyone else you can call that can be here with you. Joan and I won’t leave, but I think you need someone else close to you.”

  I shrug. “There’s Connie.”

  “Is she an aunt?”

  “No, she’s our housekeeper, but she’s the one that pretty much raised us. She’s sort of like a mother.”

  “Then you need to call her. She needs to be here,” Stu advises.

  I nod and thumb through my contacts, hitting Connie’s number. When she answers the phone, you can tell she knows something’s wrong. “Mi hijo, what is it?”

  “Connie, Chase has been in an accident. It’s bad.”

  She breaks out in tears. “My precious boy; where is my precious boy?” I try to swallow past the lump in my throat to answer her, but nothing comes out. “Mi amor, where is my boy?”

  Stu finally jumps in. “Hi, this is a friend of Velyn’s...we’re at County General.”

  “Velyn? Is she okay?” Connie asks.

  “Connie, please get here...I need you here,” I let out in between choked sobs.

  “I’m on my way.”

  I end the call. I know it fixes nothing, but Stu was right, just knowing that she’ll be here gives me some comfort that I won’t be alone.

  “My brother just text, he has Velyn’s father and they’re on the way, but it’ll be a good hour before they get here,” Stu says.

  “I can’t just sit here. I need to do something. My father’s right, I need to deal with this,” I let out in frustration.

  “Dylan, there’s nothing you or I can do. I know it’s hard, and you feel helpless, but we have to be patient,” Stu says, then standing to his feet, he continues, “Look, we’re going to be here for a while. I saw a vending machine just down the hall, and I know Joan could use a tea. Would you like anything... coffee?”

  “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  “Very well. Would you be able to keep Joan company? I won’t be gone long?” I nod, and Stu heads off.

  Joan, who’s sitting beside me with her head in her hands, lets out through a sob, “Oh Dylan, it was so bad. I saw the cars on the road. It was so bad.”

  I can feel my stomach turn. “Do you know what happened?”

  She shrugs, lifting her head to look at me. “The horror in his eyes, Dylan. Stu saw the whole thing. When I looked into his eyes, it’s like all his life had been removed from them—Dylan, he saw the whole thing.”

  I hadn’t thought about it, but she’s right. Stu was there and saw it all. Velyn’s like a daughter to him; he must be dying inside. I don’t say anything; there’s really nothing to say. I just wrap my arms around Joan’s shoulder, and she leans in. I haven’t prayed since I was little, but right here and now, I say a silent prayer in hopes that there’s someone up there listening.

  It seems that hours have passed and still nothing. I’m going crazy waiting to hear anything about either of them. I stand from my chair about to head to the reception when Stu walks in with two men. The one undeniably his brother, the other—shit, is that Velyn’s dad?

  I watch from the other side as he walks in, but just barely, Stu’s brother has had to steady him a couple of times.

  Joan walks over and in a lowered voice, says, “That’s her dad. I’m not sure what you all heard about him.”

  Still focused on the three men, I keep my eyes forward and reply, “She hasn't told me much other than he’s a broken man. Those are the words she uses for him all the time.” I let out a breath looking down at Joan. “He just looks like a drunk to me.”

  “We need to be civil here, Dylan. We’re all scared, and adding to that won’t help.”

  I nod. “I won’t say a word. Hell, at least he’s here. I can’t say the same about my father.”

  “Mi hijo!”

  As soon as I hear the familiar voice, I move to find her. “Connie, we’re over here.”

  She spots me from over on the other side of the room and makes her way to me. “How is my boy? How is Velyn?” Her sobs break her words, and I’m sure she can’t see through the tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, mi amor, my little boy.”

  I take her into my arms, pulling her in tight. “He’s going to be okay. He has to be.”

  She pulls from my arms, placing her hands on either side of my face. “He be okay. He be okay. Ay, mi amor.”

  Joan lays a hand on Connie’s shoulder, and just as quickly, Connie takes Joan into her arms. I have to step away for a moment while the two women console one another. I don’t think I can be the strong

  shoulder they need. I’m just as bad off, if not worse. I’m dying inside here. Why can’t I fix this?

  I smell him before he says anything. So, when I turn to look at him, I think I catch him off guard.

  “H-hi, I’m Velyn’s father. You must be Dylan? She’s mentioned you.”

  He’s fidgety. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol, the nerves or a combination of both, but I’m sure my less than welcoming demeanor at this moment isn’t helping.

  Remember what Joan said—play nice.

  “Yes, I’m Dylan.” I try, I really do, but biting my tongue has never been an easy thing for me; sorry, Connie, but I can’t. “You realize you smell like cheap wine?”

  Ashamed, he looks down at his hands. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not the one that needs your apologies,” I let out.

  When I look at Velyn’s father, I imagine at one time before he started drinking, he would’ve been a bigger man. With his actual height, he’d probably have matched my size.

  “I’ve wronged my daughter in so many ways. But most of all, I hate that it’s taken this to happen for me to see that. I do want to make this right,” he explains.

  I have no patience right now, so his heartfelt words come through to me more like empty promises. “Talk is cheap, Mr. Adler.”

  He moves in front of me. Now, eye to eye, I have no choice but to listen and not just hear.

  “You’re right, it is. I don’t expect you to believe me or even care. But I do want to make this up to Velyn. Fix what I’ve broken over the past two years.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong; I do care. I love your daughter; that’s why I’m skeptical. I don’t want to see her hurt even more when you fail.”

  He nods almost conceding. “And I probably will. The difference is, this time, I’ll get back up and try again. That much I can promise. I will keep trying to make it right until it is.”

  I hold my gaze with his, and I see it. I see what Velyn’s defended this whole time—the man he used to be.

  Extending my hand, he looks down at it, slowly raising his to take it. “Mr. Adler, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Is the family of Evelyn Adler here?” A woman dressed in hospital scrubs appears in the doorway.

  “Yes, I’m her father.” The woman approaches both of us looking up to me when she stops in front of Mr. Adler. “It’s fine he’s family,” he informs.

  She nods then starts. “I’m Dr. Adams. I was the surgeon that operated on your daughter. She sustained quite a bit of injury. My team and I have managed to repair most of the fractures to her arms and legs, but she will need more surgery. It’s going to be a slow and ongoing process to get her back to where she’s able to walk again.”

  “But she’s okay?” he asks.

  “Mr. Adler, let me explain. I’m only talking about her fractures. Evelyn’s still in a coma. She’s been stabilized and moved to the ICU, but the rest we can only determine with time and more testing.”

  “When can I see her?” her father asks.

  The doctor looks him over then takes a small step closer, lowering her voice. “Mr. Adler, have you been drinking?” With tears in his eyes, he can only give her a soft nod. “Sir, unfortunately, with the state you’re in, I can’t allow you i
nto the ICU. I’m sorry, but it’s hospital policy.”

  “I understand. Can he see her?” he asks softly, looking in my direction.

  The doctor smiles at me. “Of course. Once she’s settled in, one of the nurses will be down to show you up. You won’t be able to stay long, but that will change once she’s a little more stable.”

  Mr. Adler and I thank her. When I turn to look at him, Joan’s moving in beside us. “Mr. Adler, Stu’s got you a motel room.”

  “Oh, I don’t need a room. I want to wait here.”

  Joan looks to me then back to Mr. Adler. “Have you ever detoxed?”

  He shakes his head. “No, but I should be fine in a couple of hours.”

  “Mr. Adler, my father was an alcoholic. He tried many times to get sober, and each time was the same. Anxiety, shaky hands, insomnia, and severe vomiting, and all that’s just after the first few hours you stop drinking. Within the next three to four days, you could experience more serious problems like hallucinations and seizures. That’s not even the most severe. The fact is Mr. Adler; you can’t be going through withdrawal in a hospital waiting room.”

  With his face gone pale, he asks, “What do I do?”

  Joan takes his hand. “Stu’s going to be staying with you. He did it with my father, and he’s the one you want to help you.”

  Mr. Adler shakes his head. “I can’t ask him to do that.”

  “There’s no choice. You can’t be alone through this either,” Joan replies.

  I look to Joan and ask, “What about Velyn?”

  “Before Stu takes her father, we’ll have to get papers signed where he gives me the authority to make any medical decisions in his absence. Mr. Adler, I promise I will not decide anything without consulting you first, but in the chance that you’re not coherent, someone needs to be able to,” Joan explains.

  He nods. “Okay, I'll do it.”

  A nurse walks into the room. “Is the family of Evelyn Adler present?”

  “We’re here,” I call out.

  “We’ve moved her into a room. She’s able to receive one visitor at a time. Immediate family only.”