Cole turned, grabbed John’s arm and dragged him inside the hotel doors. The reporter wouldn’t dare enter, but they could hear him cursing Cole and vowing to sue for assault.
“Thanks,” John mumbled, somewhat stunned.
“Don’t mention it. I’ll see you later.”
Cole put the do not disturb sign on the door and took a long hot shower. He stood underneath the water as it pelted his naked body, the same body that shook uncontrollably as he cried over AJ’s death once again. Being busy today with Shannon and Cameron kept his mind off his grief, but now being alone it consumed him. It swallowed him up, and he didn’t know if he could find his way free.
If the running water hadn’t turned cold, he would have stayed there all night. The heat from the shower soothed him, but now as he climbed into the empty bed, he felt the tension crawl up his body one muscle at a time until he could hardly move, and he prayed for sleep to take over. But Cole soon found out, there would be no peace in his sleep tonight.
He kept seeing the video of AJ over and over again. Seeing the life slowly drain from his body as he passed from this world to the next. His dreams took him to their first meeting and through all the years on the road, from Lindsey’s murder to his conviction. He dreamed about the years of loneliness and destitution behind iron bars to his release from prison to his love for Shannon, which brought him back to seeing AJ’s death. Cole tossed and turned all night, never coming fully awake nor sleeping deeply. And when the sun rose and extended its fingers into his room, he was glad to get up and begin a new day.
Cole didn’t want to be alone. He didn’t want thoughts of AJ plaguing his mind. His grief was so strong and powerful right now, it overwhelmed him. He needed to be busy. If he dwelled on AJ and the circumstances surrounding his death and the lie that was AJ’s life, nothing good would come of it.
Chapter Twenty
At seven in the morning Cole noticed few people in the small café downstairs. He chose a seat facing the window, which happened to face the street. He gazed endlessly, not really seeing as the blur of people and cars passed by the window. He barely tasted his coffee, although the waitress had refilled it twice. A short time later he stared at his empty plate, not remembering eating his French toast. He existed in solid form, but not really living inside.
“Jackson, mind if I join you?”
Looking up, he saw John standing before his table, his hair still damp from his shower, and Cole gestured toward the seat opposite him. “Be my guest.”
***
John contemplated Jackson’s aloofness this morning and decided the man had been through the axe grinder lately, and maybe he needed a friend to talk to. A friend, now that was something John, never in a million years, thought he would call Jackson.
“I want to tell you how sorry I am about AJ and everything that has happened.”
Jackson inhaled deeply and cleared his throat. “Thanks.”
“His wife and kids must be torn up?”
Jackson snorted. “Yeah, I imagine they are.”
“What’s going to happen to the band now?” John asked, hoping to keep the conversation flowing.
Jackson signaled to the waitress for more coffee. “I don’t know. I don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t talk about it now.”
“I understand.” John could to a point, but to completely understand he’d have to be in Jackson’s shoes. No thank you. His were crowded enough at the moment.
“I would like to tell you something that happened to Shannon while she was in Chicago,” Jackson said seriously.
“Please do.”
“Before I do, you must promise me you’ll not fly off the handle. She didn’t want anyone to know, but I can’t stop worrying about it, about her.”
John’s heart pounded, not liking the sound of Jackson’s voice. “I’ll try not to.”
“I visited her in Chicago. We spent the night dancing at the hotel lounge. I left her shortly after one in the morning.” Jackson swiped his hand through his loose hair. “Someone broke into her room and he had a knife…”
“What,” John interrupted, not at all caring if people stared at him. “Why am I just hearing about this now?”
“There’s more. He said he was going to kill her, so I would go back to jail for murder. Fortunately, a hotel employee saw the masked man enter her room and security arrived, but the man escaped. As far as you not knowing, she didn’t want you to. After that night she hired a bodyguard, but with all that’s been happening with Cameron, she never got around to hiring a new one when she got home. I don’t think the threat to her life is over. I don’t believe AJ killed my wife. I think the killer’s still out there and wants to send me back to jail by any means possible.”
John’s mouth hung open as his blood boiled inside his body. “I can’t fucking believe this. She can’t be alone for a minute until bodyguards are hired. If someone so much as looks at her, I’ll be on them like handcuffs on a criminal.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without her? She saved me,” Cole said, his body visibly trembling.
John didn’t want to think about admiring the guy, but he was close. “I don’t know what I’d do without her either.”
Then he texted Shannon because he didn’t trust himself not to yell at her. He told her to stay in Cameron’s room, that they would be there shortly and they needed to talk.
***
Bill Sullivan took a steady breath as he stared at Amber, his beloved daughter. He curled his fingers around her delicate, lifeless ones as stabs of guilt pierced his heart and he cried.
What the hell happened to his life? Two years ago everything was grand. Amber was a sophomore in high school, an honor roll student and getting all the leads in the school plays. She resembled a happy, healthy and blonde teenager. Amy, his wife, had begun a new and exciting career in real estate. He almost smiled as he remembered how excited she was to join the work force after being a stay-at-home Mom for many years. Oh, she loved being home with Amber, but Amber had grown up, and Amy needed something to make her feel wanted again.
She loved people, loved houses and loved Rhode Island. She made a terrific real estate agent until the news came, the news about breast cancer, and not just any breast cancer, but Advanced Stage IV Breast Cancer. She was tough through the double mastectomy and chemotherapy. Everything looked good for two months. Bill would never forget the day the doctor told them the cancer cells had spread to her lungs and her brain.
The chemo wasn’t working to control the spreading—eight weeks later she drew her last breath.
Bill wiped his tears with his free hand and stroked Amber’s smooth cheeks. “Your mom loved you baby with all her heart. Her only regret had been leaving you at a time in your life when it was so important to have a mother,” he groaned. “I tried to be there. I know I wasn’t. I was so consumed with grief I neglected you. I broke a solemn vow I made to your mother on her deathbed. I promised to take care of you.” He shook his head from side to side and sobbed. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me and come back to me. You’re all I have.”
***
When his dad and Cole arrived in his room that morning, Cameron’s eyes bugged out of his head when he saw the guitar his dad carried. “Wow, Dad. Thanks. It’s great.”
His dad shrugged. “I figured I owed you. You have more color on your face today, and you seem more alert. How do you feel?
“My body’s sore, but my head hurts less.”
“Thank God,” his dad said with a grin.
Cameron glanced over at Cole who stood close to his mom. “Hey Cole, would you play something? I’m so hung up with tubes and casts it’s going to be a while before I can.”
Cole stepped forward, took the guitar from the foot of his bed and settled down into a chair. He began to play without hesitation. He held and played the guitar so naturally it was like an extension of his body.
Cameron watched and listened to a song he never heard before. The words rang sad and haunting but
beautiful at the same time. When Cole finished Cameron suddenly had an idea, and he thought it was a good one.
“Cole, Amber loves music, especially yours.” He paused not sure what Cole would think about his idea. “Do you think if you played for her, it would help pull her out of her coma?”
***
Cole’s heart clenched at the look of both sadness and hope shining from Cameron’s eyes. At this moment Cole would do anything for him, including play for a comatose girl, one who clearly meant an awful lot to him. They would have to have a little heart to heart about Amber later. Cole wanted to know everything. And he wanted to make sure if things had progressed quickly, as in sex, Cameron had used protection.
Cole smiled. Christ, he was already assuming the role of stepfather. His heart suddenly swelled with love and pride for Cameron and damn, it felt good.
He finally answered Cameron’s question. “Anything to help.”
Cameron beamed. “Thanks.”
Shannon took Cole’s hand in hers. “I’ll take you to her and introduce you to Bill, her father. I had a nice long talk with him last night. My heart goes out to him. How tragic it is that his wife died last year and now his only daughter’s hanging precariously to life.”
They left Cameron’s room and walked quietly down the hall. “You’ll like him. Even though he’s immersed in grief, I can tell he’s a straight shooter.” Shannon stopped outside Room 327. “Here we are.”
Cole stood riveted just inside the doorway and took in the depressing scene staring back at him. The pale, frail looking girl lying motionless in bed, tubes everywhere, the constant whoosh of the oxygen helping her breathe. She looked like she slept peacefully, only Cole knew she slept anything but peacefully. She had crossed over to a land where she slept in an unnatural state, and Cole prayed her brain was healing and she would wake up soon. The alternative was too gut wrenching to contemplate.
The tall, lean, slightly gray haired man stood looking out the window, his back toward Cole, his head and shoulders hunched forward looking defeated. Although Cole couldn’t see his face, he could well imagine the pain, worry and anguish it would show, not to mention the haunted look in his eyes.
Bill must have sensed someone’s presence because he turned around and locked gazes with Cole. Cole had been right on the mark, he was devastated and looked even worse than he’d imagined.
Shannon spoke up, “Bill. I’d like you to meet Cole Jackson. Cole, this is Amber’s father, Bill Sullivan.”
Cole took Bill’s outreached hand and said, “I’m sorry. I hope Amber recovers soon.”
“Thanks,” Bill mumbled back
“Bill.” Shannon gently laid a hand on his arm. “Cameron was wondering if Cole could play some music for Amber. He told me how much she loves music.” She paused and swiped at her tears. “Maybe it can help.”
Bill placed his large hand on top of Shannon’s and squeezed. “Thanks.”
Then he turned to Cole. “Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to help. Especially when I know you’re going through a rough time yourself.”
“I’m glad to do anything I can.” Cole kissed Shannon’s cheek quickly. “Go be with your son. I’ll be along shortly.”
Shortly turned into several hours as Cole zoned out to his music, so intent on playing for Amber, he lost all track of time. Never noticing the hunger pains, or the ache of his arms, or the numbness of his fingertips, all he could do was play, and play he did. He played everything and anything he could think of.
He prayed to God his presence and his music were helping this girl. She was too young to die. She had her whole life ahead of her, a life that hopefully would include love, marriage, children and happiness. When, not if, she came out of this coma, she would have a long healthy and prosperous life.
When Cole heard Bill calling Amber’s name, he stopped playing.
“She squeezed my hand.” Bill looked at Cole, his eyes filled with hope and excitement as well as tears. “She actually squeezed my hand. My God, maybe she’s going to come out of it after all.”
Cole’s spirits soared as he walked back down the hall to Cameron’s room. He stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. John slept in a chair in an awkward position destined to bring on a sore neck. Shannon lay in bed next to Cameron. They both slept, snoring lightly, like mother, like son, and his heart skipped a beat. Another man occupied a chair, staring at his cell phone. He glanced up as Cole’s boots squeaked on the floor.
“Hi, you must be Cole Jackson. I’m Mitch, Shannon’s brother.”
He stood up and shook hands with Cole.
“Nice to meet you Mitch,” Cole said as he glanced again to Cameron and Shannon on the bed. “I only wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean, but hell, my nephews a fighter.”
Cole smiled. “Yeah, he is.”
“My two sisters and my parents are down in the cafeteria, would you like to grab a bite to eat?”
Cole’s stomach flipped at the thought of eating with Shannon’s parent and her sister Bridget. “I don’t know.”
“Come on, I heard you playing nonstop for the past three hours. You must be starving, if not thirsty and needing water. Besides, my parents don’t bite, Rachel either, now Bridget...” Mitch threw his head back and laughed. “She’s got mighty sharp fangs, but I promise I’ll protect you from her blood sucking ways.”
Cole found himself laughing and relaxing as he walked toward the elevator with Shannon’s brother. He liked him. He seemed decent and friendly and nonjudgmental. Cole tried to remember what Shannon told him about Mitch. Oh yeah, he used to be a navy pilot, now he flew a private jet for a large international company. Not a bad job, probably came with plenty of perks.
The hospital cafeteria looked crowded, but Cole spotted Shannon’s family immediately. Even if he hadn’t met Rachel and Bridget before he would have known Shannon’s mother instantly, the resemblance was uncanny. Cole’s legs turned a little rubbery the closer he got to the table as four sets of eyes stared at him. Was his imagination running wild? He didn’t think so, they were staring and he could physically feel Shannon’s dad sizing him up. Oh shit!
“Mom, Dad, this is Cole Jackson. Cole, these are my parents, Edward and Alberta
Gallagher.”
Edward Gallagher stood up to his full six-foot-something height. So that’s where Shannon got her height from. They shook hands. Alberta Gallagher stood to an incredible height of maybe five-feet and to Cole’s surprise, she hugged him. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Cole.”
He didn’t know what to do or say. Thankfully Mitch spoke up. “You remember Bridget and Rachel?”
Cole smiled at both sisters. “Yes, how could I forget?”
It was a stressful lunch for him, but he muddled through, and when they all piled into Cameron’s room later, claustrophobia set in. He excused himself and went outside the main lobby entrance. Relief washed through him immediately when he eyed no reporters anywhere. Maybe Shannon’s press release had done the trick, and they would get some much needed peace.
“Hey.” Familiar arms wrapped around his waist, and a warm soft body pressed up against his back.
“Hey yourself.”
“I spoke with Bill and he told me about Amber squeezing his hand. He wanted to know if you would play again tomorrow.”
Shit. He had to go back to Chicago tomorrow. “I can play first thing in the morning. My flight is in the late afternoon.”
He felt Shannon’s body tense up and he mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
Shannon squeezed him tight. “Don’t be sorry. You need to do this. I admire your strength and courage.”
“Courage.” Cole laughed. “It took every ounce of courage I possessed to meet your parents. I was scared out of my mind.”
“They like you.”
“Hmm, do they now?”
“Yeah, they said so.”
“I like them too.”
“I’m mad at you.” She
nipped his ear.
“Is that right?”
“You told John about the attack.”
Cole’s body trembled. “I had to. You aren’t taking this seriously. Someone tried to kill you.”
“I know.” This time her body trembled, giving away her nonchalant attitude.
“I find it hard to believe, but it must’ve been AJ. Now that he’s dead, I’m safe.”
Cole reached for her arms and pulled her in front of him so he could see her face.
“Contrary to what AJ confessed to, he didn’t kill Lindsey.” He smacked his chest. “I know inside here he didn’t do it. That means you’re not safe. You may not notice them, but John and I hired an agency to watch you 24/7 until Lindsey’s real murderer is caught. There are four security personnel on you at all times.”
She turned her head looking all around them. “I don’t see anyone?”
“Precisely,” Cole said, trying to gage her emotions. For the first time since the night it all happened, he witnessed fear on her face and in her lovely blue eyes. “If you can’t see them, then neither can your attacker. But don’t you fret, they’re watching and keeping you safe.”
She placed her soft hands on either side of his face and smiled at the same time tears glistened in her eyes. “Thank you. I love you.”
Now tears threatened his eyes. “I love you, too.”
“Come back inside with me. Being cooped up in that room with my family is more than I can handle right now. Don’t get me wrong. I love each and every one of them...it’s just...it’s crowded and…” Shannon laughed, but it was fake. “I don’t know, the stress and worry from Cameron’s accident and what we just discussed…” she fake laughed again and he felt her hot breath on his neck. “When I’m tense or stressed or worried I tend to seek solitude.”
This time he cradled her face in his hands. He could see the strain and stress around her mouth and eyes. The dark circles under her eyes reminded him of a raccoon, not that he’d tell her that.
He kissed her gently. “Let me take you back to the hotel so you can get some much needed rest?”
BlackJack (A Standish Bay Romance Book 1) Page 24