Torrid Affair

by Callie Anderson

  A few more weeks.

  Nate and I took things slow.

  Extremely slow.

  It was probably the way we should have done things to begin with instead of jumping into bed together. There were days when it hurt like hell, and sometimes I needed a few minutes to myself, but in the end we had an undeniable gravitational pull toward one another, and no matter what, we would get through this.

  Still, other things had changed.

  He wouldn’t kiss me on the lips. It seemed to be a trigger for both of us. I’d remember him with her and he would shake his head and mumble Julian’s name. He could hug me for long periods of time but his lips would only touch the top of my head. At first, every time he hugged me, images of him and Delaney flashed in my head, but I soon realized I had two options: I could be depressed and cry at every opportunity or I could get over it.

  So I got over it.

  It had been four weeks since the awful news that Nate and Delaney had been together.

  We had gotten over the hump and we were back to our old way of being inseparable. At times I felt Nate was overcompensating for what had come between us. I was over the whole situation and I honestly could say that I loved him even more.

  We had grown in the past four weeks.

  We were a stronger couple.

  And we both agreed that no matter what, in the future we would talk things out before jumping to conclusions.

  Finals were rapidly approaching and everyone was busy studying, but Delaney seemed different. If I had to label it, I’d say she was preoccupied. Most mornings I was up early for class, and by the time I finished with my day she wasn't in the room. We were living on opposite schedules and that worked just fine for me.

  Until everything changed.

  I sat in the lecture hall of my economics class. My pencils were sharpened and I was prepared for my first final. I'd spent most of the past week studying for this particular test. I knew the material. I was confident.

  But my phone began to vibrate in my purse.

  At first I thought it was nothing, positive it was Nate calling to wish me good luck.

  But then it rang again.

  And again.

  And again.

  My nerves began to ball in my stomach. Had something happened? Foolishly, I rushed through the exam. I skipped to every question I knew the answer for and then went back and tried my best to guess the ones I had an issue with.

  My phone rang twenty-four times while I took that exam. After handing it to my professor, I yanked my phone out of my purse. I was expecting to see Nate's number on the screen, but instead it was my home phone number. My mother or father had been calling. Most likely it was my father calling to ask for money. Money I never had, but it didn’t stop him from asking. Shoving my phone back in my purse, I pulled out my laptop. If there was an urgent matter, my mother knew email was the best way to communicate.

  My mailbox was empty. It wasn't an emergency.

  Brushing off my mild panic attack, I made my way through the hallway and toward the common hall where most of the students had gathered for some last minute cramming sessions. It was that time of the year. Most students were high on caffeine and everyone had their faces deep in textbooks. Turning a corner, I noticed Julian sitting at one of the tables. His head was buried in a book, and there were papers scattered everywhere.

  “Hey,” I greeted him.

  “Hi, Brie.” He smiled back at me. Things between me and Julian had remained the same. After I kissed him and saw Nate at the door, I hopped off his lap and apologized for my actions. I blamed the alcohol. We both laughed about it and our friendship never faltered, though I knew deep down he wanted something more from me. His eyes never lied to me. “How was your exam?” he asked. His hair was disheveled and I imagined he had been up most of the night.

  I sighed. “I passed.” I shrugged. “But I don't think I did as well as I hoped.”

  “I have one in an hour and I'm trying to cram everything into my brain.” He threw his hands up in defeat.

  I smiled at him and pushed the book closer to him. “I'll leave you to it, then. Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  I made my way through the common hall and outside. The air was warm, and late April had the trees filled with green buds. Tugging on the door, I felt my phone vibrating again. Annoyed, I grabbed it. This time it wasn't my home phone number. Instead, a random number I’d never seen flashed on the screen. The area code told me it was from back home. Hesitant to answer, I held the phone in my hand.

  Was my douchebag father that desperate?

  Wanting to give him a piece of my mind, I flipped the phone to answer it, but it stopped ringing. Before I could hit the call back button, I heard my name and looked up to see Chloe walking toward me.

  “I need a huge favor,” she said. Her eyes were pinched together, and her hands were entwined as though she was praying.

  “Of course, what’s up?”

  “Do you still have your notes from when you took biology with Professor Gorve’s?”

  I smiled. I'd given Nate all my notes. His tutoring excuse was complete bullshit, but even I had to admit that I took excellent notes, and I refused to let him get anything in that class other than an A. “Actually, I do have my notes. Nate has them at this moment, but I can get them for you.”

  “Thank you so much, Brie!” Her shoulders relaxed. “I slacked off for most of the semester and now it’s crunch time.”

  “When’s your final?”

  “Monday.”

  She still had a few days to study. “I'll have them to you right away.”

  Chloe's eyes brightened and she wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  I laughed, but before I could answer her, my phone vibrated again.

  Mother hell!

  “I need to get this,” I stated. Chloe nodded and walked away. With a shaky hand, I flipped my phone and answered. And listened. The doctor on the other end of the line spoke, but I couldn't respond.

  My knees buckled.

  My words lodged in my throat.

  “Hello? Brielle, are you still there?”

  My piece of shit father was nowhere in sight and I had ignored my mother's calls.

  Finding my voice, I responded. “Yes, I'm here. I'll be on the first plane out.”

  Without another word, I flipped the phone shut and tossed it in my purse. My flip flops smacked against the concrete, the rubber slapped against the soles of my feet as I ran in the direction of my car. Tears blurred my vision and my heart felt as if it would explode in my chest. My mother was in intensive care, I was thousands of miles away, and my father was gone. When I reached my car, I bent at the waist and emptied my stomach; bile burned my throat.

  Unable to think straight, I hopped in my car and drove toward Nate's house. He was the only person who could calm me. He was the anchor I needed to keep me grounded. Within a few short minutes, I pulled into his drive and sprinted across the lawn.

  Frantic.

  Scared.

  Lost.

  Nate pulled the door open and I dove toward him. Unable to control myself, I sobbed. He cradled me in his arms. “Brielle, what's the matter? Please, baby, talk to me.”

  “My mother . . .” I cried out. “My mom had a stroke.” The realization hit home. My poor mother alone at home trying to call me as she suffered from a stroke. My mother was my everything. I’d never agreed with her actions. I despised that she stayed with my father over the years. But she was my world. I was her little girl; she’d given me countless words of wisdom and had raised me on her own. I realized she never left Brian because she truly loved him. And for the first time in my life, I knew what love really was. Stupid as it may be, love was a powerful son of bitch that you could never tame.

  “It's okay.” He held me tighter to his body.

  “It's all my fault.” I buried my face in his chest. “She called me and I didn't answer. I wasn't there. No one was there.�
��

  “Shh . . .” He kissed the top of my head. “It will be okay.”

  Nate’s embrace soothed me. “I have to go see her,” I whispered.

  “I'll go with you.”

  His words were like my saving grace. I looked up into his green eyes. “Yeah?” The thought of facing my father petrified me. I had so much hatred toward him, but until my mother chose to leave him there was nothing I could do. He would be in charge of her care, and that thought alone was my worst nightmare.

  “Of course.” Nate’s eyes scanned mine and there was no hesitation. He wanted to do this for me.

  “I need to get a plane ticket.”

  “Okay. I have one final and then I'll meet you at the airport? Is that okay?”

  “Oh, God.” I lowered my head. “We have finals. You can't miss finals.”

  Nate cupped my face and kissed my lips. “I'll talk to the dean. It’ll be okay, I promise. This is a family emergency. He’ll understand.” He kissed me one last time before I gathered myself and made my way back to my dorm.

  Delaney was nowhere in sight. I didn't care to text her. I grabbed my essential items and shoved them in a bag. Maxing out my emergency credit card, I bought two round-trip tickets to Chicago. I immediately felt better. He’d be with me every step of the way. Once I had the confirmation number, I sent him a quick text.

  Me: I got the tickets. I'm emailing you the information. I'll see you at the airport. I love you.

  Nate: I love you, too. I'll be there.

  With my carry-on packed, I waited outside for the cab. The guilt of leaving Delaney without any notice got to me, so I flipped my phone and called her. It rang once before it went straight to voicemail.

  “Hey, it's me.” I spoke softly. “My mother had a stroke. I'm on my way to the airport now. I don't know the state she's in, but I should be back soon. I'll call you when I get there.”

  The cab pulled up to the curb and I slid my phone into my back pocket. “Where to?” the cabbie asked when he tossed my suitcase in the trunk of his black sedan.

  “The airport, please.”

  Climbing in, I sat back on the leather seat and turned my head, staring out the window as we drove through campus. It was then I spotted Delaney running out of Austin's car. Austin was good friends with Stu, Nate’s roommate. We all hung out with the same crowd. Delaney looked as though she’d been crying. What had happened? Or better yet, what was going on? Austin sat in the driver side, his head resting on the steering wheel. I wanted to comfort my friend. I didn’t want to see her suffer. Over the past few weeks our relationship had changed but it didn't mean I didn't still love her as my sister. I didn’t wish any harm for Delaney. But I was on the way to the airport. My mother needed me.

  I gripped my cell phone in my hand once I cleared security. I didn’t want to miss any calls about my mother. The olive green leather chair was cool on my warm skin. My knee bounced as I waited. Had my mother received help early enough? Would there be permanent brain damage? So much could have happened to her.

  I’d planned to spend this summer break in Charlotte—find a small apartment off campus where Nate could spend the night and we wouldn’t have to worry about anyone seeing us. Delaney would be traveling the world with her parents and Julian would be back home. But now I’d have to stay in Chicago.

  Inhaling all the air my lungs could take, I whispered, “One step at a time, B.”

  I flipped open my phone to check for any missed messages or calls. According to the time, Nate had finished his final.

  Frantic, I sent him a quick message.

  Me: Hey, I'm in terminal C. I'll see you soon <3

  Our airplane had taxied and the gate area began to fill. A sea of people traversed the long corridor. My heart raced as I anticipated Nate’s arrival. More minutes passed and still no Nate.

  “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. At this time, we will begin boarding flight 2467 to Chicago.” The airline attendant made her boarding announcement over the loudspeaker. Her voice carried on about boarding groups but I ignored it. Checking my phone again, there was nothing from Nate.

  I hit the call button. I needed to know where he was. It rang twice before he sent me to voicemail.

  I called again.

  Voicemail.

  On the third time, it didn't ring. He sent me straight to voicemail.

  My heart sank.

  Had he gotten stuck with TSA?

  The line to board was growing and still there was no sight of Nate. The line grew shorter, the sea of people disappeared.

  “Ma'am,” the flight attendant said, approaching me. “This is the final call for boarding.”

  “My boyfriend, he's coming,” I reassured her, or myself. It was the first and only time I’d ever referred to Nathaniel Wright as my boyfriend.

  “I'm so sorry, but unfortunately, we need to close the door.”

  I scanned her green eyes and looked down the hallway. I could wait for him or miss the plane.

  My mother needed me.

  I needed Nate.

  I got on the plane.

  Chapter 20

  Brielle

  The air conditioner was turned on max when I boarded the 737. Most of the first class seats were occupied, and I dragged my feet until I found my place among the few left in coach. I counted myself lucky that there was room in the overhead bin and tossed in my carry-on before I took the window seat. The middle seat was vacant.

  Nate would surely get on the next plane.

  Buckling my seatbelt, I closed my eyes and let the tears stream down my face. I cried for my mother, for the empty seat next to me, and for the fear of what lay ahead.

  The plane touched down at O’Hare right on time. Most people dove out of their seat to be the first off the aircraft, but not me. I was operating at a sluggish pace. I powered my phone back on and waited for service. Following the line, I took down my carry-on and disembarked. Small baby steps.

  There was no news from Nate or Dr. Christensen. No news was probably good news.

  As I made my way down to ground transportation, my eyes locked on a familiar face. My lips pursed with hatred as his grew with a welcoming smile.

  “There’s my girl!”

  “What are you doing here, Brian?” I couldn’t hide my distaste for him. I hated that my mother named me after him. He’d wanted a little boy more than anything. But when the doctor handed me to my mother, she still chose to honor his name. Brielle Rose Hansen.

  “Is that any way to talk to your father?” His tone was sharp, and I smelled liquor on his breath.

  I sighed. There was no point in arguing with him. “How’s Mom?”

  “She’s still in a coma. When I got to the hospital, the doctor told me she called you and you were on your way. Figured I’d give you a ride.”

  “Can I have the keys?” I put my hand out. Brian cocked an eyebrow. “You’ve been drinking. I can smell it coming out of your pores.”

  He dug into his pants pocket and pulled out his car keys. “You think you’re so smart now that you have a college education.”

  Ignoring him, I switched to autopilot mode and walked toward the parking deck.

  The sight of my mother with tubes down her throat destroyed me. I rushed to her side, held her hand, and cried.

  “I’m so sorry, Mommy.” Warm tears dripped off my cheeks and onto the crisp white sheet.

  My father stood in the far corner, tense as he regarded her.

  The doctor cleared her throat as she walked into the room. Her white lab coat covered her hunter green scrubs. Her dark brown hair was pulled back in a low bun.

  “Hi, I’m Dr. Christensen. We talked on the phone earlier.” Her voice was low when she spoke. “When Mrs. Hansen arrived in the ER, she was unresponsive. The CT scan showed that she had a hemorrhagic stroke, which is a ruptured blood vessel that caused the brain to bleed. We were able to fix the rupture, but there was a lot of swelling to the brain. Currently, we have her in an induced coma to allow the
swelling go down.”

  “Will she be okay?” My voice was so low I wasn’t sure if she heard me.

  “Right now, we won’t be able to say much. Her heart is weak and she was without oxygen for quite some time.”

  I bowed my head. This was all my fault. If I’d answered when she called. . . .

  “The next forty-eight hours will be crucial. Do either of you know if she has a Do Not Resuscitate or did she request extraordinary measures?”

  My head snapped up. “What?”

  “She took out a few life insurance policies when she was pregnant with Brielle,” Brian said. “I don't think she’d want any additional measures.”

  Anger boiled through me.

  This was why he showed his damn face.

  Money. It always resulted in money.

  “Out.” I seethed. Brian’s eyes met mine. “Get. Out.

  You selfish prick!” I shouted. “That’s why you’re here! You want to collect on my mother’s death!” I marched toward him, but Dr. Christensen stepped in front of me. “Get out, Brian! Get the fuck out!”

  “Ms. Hansen, I need you to calm down,” Dr. Christensen stated in a firm voice.

  “He’s fucking drunk. He’s drunk right now!”

  She looked over at Brian. “Maybe you should leave.”

  “She wouldn’t want to live if she was a burden for us,” he said.

  “Leave, Mr. Hansen, or I’ll call security to escort you out.”

  My father left and my strong stance faltered. Like a helpless child, I crumpled into Dr. Christensen’s arms and cried. Sadly, I found comfort in a complete stranger.

  I sat on the recliner in my mom’s hospital room for hours. The nurses took pity on me and brought me dinner and water, but I had no appetite. Once I calmed, Dr. Christensen returned and I explained the situation between my parents. Unfortunately, she informed me, because my parents were still married, Brian was her next of kin, and unless there was a living will that stated otherwise, the decision was his.