by t. h. snyder
I hate it and can’t wait to get back home to my Belle. As much as I enjoyed my visit to see my sister and her family, I’m ready to be back home in Boston with my girl.
Kar was her typical inquisitive self and asked a million and one questions about my relationship with Emma. At one point, I thought Greg was going to backslap her unless she shut her mouth. The woman is overprotective and nosy as hell, but hot damn, she doesn’t need to know every intimate detail of my sex life…or lack thereof.
Although there still isn’t much more to tell, since she gets updates every other day, I did let Kar know that Emma holds a special place in my heart. I’m not willing to let her go any time in the near future.
Before leaving, I gave the boys a surprise gift Emma had packed for them and told the family I’d be back again soon. I promised that the next time I came for a visit I’d make sure she was with me.
Emma truly is someone I never expected to come into my life the way she did, but now that she’s here I never want to let her go. She and I have an emotional connection that I’ve never experienced. Every time we’re together something just clicks. The sexual tension between us is out of control, but….well, that’s a whole other story.
We agreed to take things slow and I can understand why—our past relationships hurt us both. But I think that we’ve proven to one another that we’re here for each other and have no intentions of hurting the other.
It’s been four months since we met and it’s killing me to show her just how much she means to me. It’s not that we haven’t discussed it; it’s just that we’ve never done it. When that moment happens, it’s going to be intense to say the least.
We’ve come a long way in the past few months and she’s helped me realize a few things. Yes, I love my career, my team and my crews, but without her in my life I feel like nothing is worth it. As corny and sappy as I’ve become since I met her, I know that we’re a pair that brings out the best in each other. At least I can say that she brings out the best in me.
Trust is a big deal to the two of us and we’ve made a pact with each other to always communicate how we feel.
With Kathy, communication was something we lacked. I truly believe that if we would’ve talked about how we felt we could have both walked away from the relationship without hurting each other. As for Emma and her ex-husband, well he was a fucking prick that deserves to rot in hell for what he did to Emma and her family. What kind of guy can be so devious to steal what isn’t his? Not only that, but he still has the nerve to come home and sleep in the same bed with the woman he’s hurting?
Let’s just say that if Keith ever crosses paths with Riley, Derrick or me it’ll be an interesting conversation to say the least. I won’t let Emma hurt like that ever again, especially if she’s with me.
It’s not hard to talk about my feelings with Emma; she’s an open book and doesn’t hold back when something bothers her. We’ve gotten so close that at times I feel as though I can read her thoughts just through her facial expressions.
My head snaps up and I’m pulled out of my inner thoughts as the loud speaker announces that my flight is ready to board.
I let out a heavy sigh. Time to get back into the sardine can.
I get in line with the other passengers as we wait to get onto the plane.
It would’ve been so much better if I could have taken a direct flight and returned to Boston sooner, but such is life and I guess I’ll get home soon enough.
If there is any chance I can catch some rest, I’ll need to try and sleep on this flight, I’ve got a busy ass day ahead of me and I don’t want to be sleep deprived. I’m supposed to be meeting Emma for lunch and then getting together with everyone to celebrate Riley and Char’s engagement.
I can’t believe the putz is finally going to pop the question to the little Taylor girl.
I’ve seen Char grow up through the years and can see why her parents are so proud of her. I’m glad that she finally found that one person to make her happy. Riley may be a crazy loon, but he’s perfect for Char. Their personalities are so similar, and even though they drive us all crazy with their public display of affection, I couldn’t be happier for them.
I like our little tight knit group. Emma and I have yet to let everyone in on our little secret that we’ve been dating, but I don’t see how they couldn’t know. Well, I don’t know if dating is the right term. We’ve been hanging out and spending so much time together since she got to Boston. The only thing that’s really changed is that we’ve shared our feelings for each other.
We haven’t said the whole ‘I love you’ bit, but I sure as hell feel as though I fell for her that night she was a drunken mess.
Listening to her southern drawl while she slurred those words to me and holding her up against my body as well fell asleep was the turning point for me. I think—no, I know—I was trying to keep things platonic for both of our benefits, but I can’t hold back with her; she means too much to me now.
Ever since that night, I feel like I give her a piece of my heart each time we’re together.
Boarding the plane, I look for my seat and toss my bag into the overhead compartment. I take my seat against the window, buckle my belt and rest my head back against the seat. If I’m lucky enough, maybe the middle seat will be left empty. Being over six foot and cramped into this tiny space is no fun, especially for a two hour flight.
I watch as the other passengers come onto the plane and find their seats. Some look as thrilled as I do about getting on board and others are smiling and laughing. I shake my head and hope that I can fall asleep, even if it’s just for an hour.
A nice quick nap should help me feel more energized once we land. I close my eyes and picture holding my girl in my arms. That’s exactly how I want to fall asleep every day for the rest of my life.
After a morning filled with running around, I can’t wait to meet up with Pete today. I’m a little over-excited to see him. It’s only been a few days, but I really missed him.
I hop into my car and make my way over to his house.
My phone begins to chirp and a smile immediately comes to my face thinking it’s Pete.
I hit the hands-free button without even looking at the display screen.
“Hello?”
“Emma, it’s Bryce. Where are you?” he asks with panic in his voice.
“Hey, Bryce, I’m actually on my way over to Pete’s house. Why, what’s up?”
It’s not typical for him to call me when it’s not work related; he has me a bit concerned.
“Teresa and I are on our way over to Massachusetts General; Riley and Char have been in an accident.”
“Oh my God, are they okay?”
My body instantly goes numb and I can barely feel my fingers on the steering wheel. I pull off the road into the nearest parking lot.
“We don’t know anything yet; can you get over there as quickly as you can?”
Oh my God, this can’t be good.
“Yes, I’ll go back to the house and get Derrick. We’ll be there as soon as we can,” I say as tears begin to pool in my eyes.
“Thanks, Emma. I’ll keep you posted if we hear anything before you two get there.”
“Thank you.”
The line disconnects and my heart sinks to my stomach. I can’t pull my thoughts together fast enough.
I need to know that they’re okay, that they didn’t get hurt and that by the time I get there they’ll be walking out the doors laughing about the whole thing.
An image of Riley and Char sitting together on the Derrick’s couch flashes into my memory. They’re happy, joking around and teasing me and Derrick about our living situation and the lack of sex in our lives. I’m tossing a pillow at Riley and yelling him that my sex life is none of his concern. Derrick is grabbing at Riley’s head, trying to put him in a head lock, while Char is ticking his ribs.
This can’t be happening. Everything was finally beginning to fall into place for our little family.
<
br /> The last time I received a call like this my entire world fell apart. I’ve lost my parents; I can’t lose my brother, too.
I need to get home and get Derrick; we need to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Seeing that Riley and Char are okay is what I need most right now.
I make my way back home, tears streaming down my face as I say a million silent prayers that my little brother and Char will be okay.
Once I pull the car into the garage I run into the house in search of Derrick.
He’s not downstairs. Where the fuck his he? I run up the stairs and barrel into his room.
He meets me face to face and I fall into him, crying hysterically.
“Emma, what’s wrong. Why are you crying?” he asks, pushing me away from him.
“Oh my God, Derrick, hurry and get dressed; we have to go,” I say in between sobs.
“Slow down, Emma. What’s going on?”
“It’s Char and Riley. There was an accident. We need to go to them. Now!”
“Okay, okay, Emma. Let me get dressed and we’ll go,” he says, searching for some clothes.
I can’t concentrate on anything right now. My mind is in overdrive thinking about every possible little scrape and cut they could have. I think about how scared and worried Teresa and Bryce must feel waiting to find out what happened.
“Oh, Derrick, you have to call Chloe. Teresa and Bryce are on their way to the hospital.”
I watch as Derrick attempts to throw on a tee-shirt and shorts while trying to dial Chloe’s cell phone number. He places the phone between his shoulder and his ear while he waits for her to pick up. Suddenly, he tosses the phone onto his bed.
“Damn it, she’s not answering!”
“You have to keep trying. She has to pick up eventually!” I yell back at him.
He looks at me for a moment; the wheels in his head are spinning.
“Go into the office and grab my briefcase. I’ll Skype her,” he says, digging in his closet for his sneakers.
I run out of Derrick’s room and into his office. I search around the room for his briefcase, shuffle through the bag and grab the iPad.
I come back into his room and see that he’s fully dressed and ready to go. He sits down on his bed and pulls up the Skype app on the iPad. I watch as he hovers his finger over her picture and finally pushes it to start the call.
Thinking that this must be hard for him to call Chloe, I place my hand on his shoulder to show support. He’s been so strong since the breakup. As far as I know he hasn’t even called or tried to contact her. I know it still hurts and in the back of his mind he still loves her.
Derrick has been such a huge part of my life over the past few months; I want to see him happy again. I want all of us to be happy. Oh God, Riley and Char have to be okay.
The line chimes a few times and finally Chloe picks up the incoming call. Her beautiful face appears on the screen and my heart starts to hurt all over again.
“Derrick,” she says in a whisper.
“Chloe, I’m sorry I’m calling you like this but you didn’t answer the call I made to your cell.”
“Derrick, it’s fine. What’s wrong? Why are you upset?”
“Chloe, it’s Char. She and Riley have been in an accident.”
I walk away from Derrick and let him finish the conversation with Chloe. I begin to pace in the hallway as a million images of what could’ve happened run through my head.
Was the accident bad?
Was it just a mere fender bender?
Was it serious and are they both badly injured?
After getting off the Skype call with Chloe, Derrick finds me in the hallway and says that Chloe is getting on the next flight to Boston.
We walk back downstairs so that he can grab his keys and Derrick and I make our way over to the hospital.
On the drive over, I send Pete a text message letting him know what’s going on and to be on alert for any other messages.
We pull into a spot in the ER parking lot and Derrick grabs my hand as we run toward the doors. We both scan the ER in hopes of finding Teresa and Bryce. My heart is pounding and I can’t wait a second longer to find out if Riley and Char are okay.
Derrick spots Bryce and Teresa and we rush to where they’re sitting. Teresa stands and wraps her arms around both me and Derrick. Bryce gives us minimal details about the accident and lets us know that Char was rushed straight into the O.R. for immediate surgery.
My stomach is in knots as Teresa cries into my shoulder. I watch as Derrick falls into the chair and the shock of what’s happening hits us all hard.
Today was supposed to be one of the most important days of Riley and Char’s life. Now, as we sit and wait, I’m scared that their lives may be at stake.
The four of us sit, then pace, then sit while we wait to hear any updates from a doctor.
Time goes by and we still don’t know the status of either family member.
I’m beginning to feel sick.
Derrick’s parents, Rose and Bud, show up and again we still haven’t received an update.
Two hours have gone by and the six of us are still waiting. The anxiety starts getting to me and I need to go for a walk. I let Derrick know that I’m going to the cafeteria for some coffee and to call me if anyone comes to talk to them. Rose offers to go with me, and after a lot of persuasion on everyone’s part, Teresa decides to go along with us.
The three of us walk arm in arm to the cafeteria.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Teresa cries.
“I know,” I say, pulling her into my side.
“Emma, you must be frantic,” Rose says.
“I’m praying they’re okay. I just don’t understand why it’s taking so long for someone to come down and talk to us.”
“It’s ridiculous if you ask me,” Teresa says.
“All we can do it sit and wait, it’s not fair,” I reply.
“Has anyone heard from Chloe?” Rose asks.
“Derrick’s been communicating back in forth with her. She’s on a plane right now.”
“I wish she was here right now,” Teresa says.
“Soon we’ll all be together to help support and pray for Riley and Char,” I tell her.
As much as I want to cry and curl up in a corner, I have to be strong for Teresa and Derrick until Chloe gets here.
The three of us each grab two coffees and head back to the ER waiting room. Just as we round the corner I hear Derrick yelling.
“This is fucking ridiculous! Someone has to tell us more. They could both be dead right now for all we know,” he says as we all watch him punch the chair next to him.
“Derrick Mason Peters, don’t talk like that!” his mom shouts.
“Damn it, Mom, someone has to know something. This isn’t right. What if one of them needs us? We can’t help them from out here.”
I walk over next to him and hand him a cup of coffee.
“Here, take this and let’s go walk outside,” I say, gesturing my head toward the doors.
He looks up at me with his blue eyes rimmed in red, pauses for a moment and then gets up to walk outside with me.
“Some fresh air may help to clear our minds,” I say as my cell phone begins to vibrate in my pocket.
We make our way outside and over to a concrete wall.
“Yeah, I guess so,” he replies taking a seat.
I pull out my phone. It’s Pete looking for an update.
Pete – any news?
Belle – no, still waiting
Pete – I’ll be there soon, Belle. I’m meeting the guys and then picking up Chloe from the airport. LMK if you hear anything else.
Belle – I will xoxoxo
Derrick and I sit out on the curb for what feels like forever, drinking our coffees, until we see Bryce coming out to get us.
“We just spoke to the doctor that saw Riley and Char when the ambulance brought them into the ER.”
“Thank fuck, it’s about time
. What did they say?” Derrick says.
“Well the good news is that Riley’s okay. He has a broken humerus, collar bone and a few cuts from the windshield breaking, but we can go see him in a few minutes.”
I let out a heavy sigh. What a relief.
“Okay, so if that’s the good news, what did they say about Charlie?” Derrick asks.
Bryce’s face floods with tears.
“She’s still in surgery. She’s broken the majority of her bones on the right side and has a severe head injury. Even after surgery it will be difficult to know what will happen for a few days. She needs to wake up and come back to us. Then we can help her heal with the rest of her injuries.”
Tears fall from my eyes as Derrick grabs onto me and Bryce.
The three of us walk back through the door and into the ER to sit with our families.
We wait…and we wait…and we wait some more.
I’ve always thought I was a patient person. That is, until today.
How is it possible that a place filled with doctors and nurses can take so long to let us in to see a patient?
After about another hour’s wait, an ER doctor comes out to let us know we can go in to see Riley.
Right now he’s limited to only two family members per visit so Teresa and I volunteer to go in first.
Even though I know Riley has limited injuries, I’m still nervous to go in and see him.
The doctor escorts us through the doors and toward Riley’s room.
My stomach feels sick and my heart is beating a mile a minute. It’s been a long day of sitting and waiting. We finally have our answers about Riley, but there’s still the looming concern of what’s happening to Char in surgery.
Teresa tells me to go into the room first. I’m scared and don’t know what to expect.
When I walk into the room, Riley is sleeping. He’s propped up with pillows in a hospital bed wearing a light blue Massachusetts General Hospital gown. His head is wrapped in a white bandage and random pieces of his brown hair are coming out the top.
As I move in closer, I can see that he hasn’t been cleaned up yet. He still has dried blood on his face, neck and chest. His arm is in a crazy looking cast contraption. How the hell can he be sleeping in that position?