“You lied to me?” Allison stopped pacing. “Wait, Ally… Who’s Ally? Why haven’t I ever heard you mention her before?” She dropped back into the chair. “This is about the girl at the concert, isn’t it?”
I nodded slowly.
“Where is she now?” Her focus was on the wrong person, in my opinion. She should be asking about Kenzie.
“She’s in Texas. With my daughter. Whose name is Kenzie in case you wanted to know.”
“Well, that won’t work.” She stated, standing again. “You’re going to file for full custody, aren’t you? We will find a good family lawyer.” She pulled out her cell phone and typed out a message. “And we will have to find a Nanny. How old did you say she was again?”
“Whoa.” Where in the hell was she coming up with this stuff? “I’m not uprooting anyone. There will be no family lawyer, and there will be no Nanny. I am going to find a place close to where they are now, and we will figure things out.” Allison was not going to be making any decisions for me.
“We can talk about this later.” Allison repositioned her purse on her shoulder. “Well after that bit of information, I think I’m going to make an appointment with the hotel spa for a couple of hours. I’m flying out tonight, but we can talk about this further when you guys come to the studio on Friday.”
I had forgotten we had studio time scheduled this week, just what I needed. While lost myself in working through my upcoming schedule, Allison had kissed my cheek and walked out, and that was it. Allison treated my big, life altering news like it was nothing more than a speed bump in her day. I should have been happy it was done, but her reaction left me uneasy.
Friday arrived, despite how slowly time had passed. The release aired, phone calls and photo requests funneled through Charlie. Kane and Rich were on top of the activities in Texas, which aside from Ally having to leave her job, seemed to be going well. Overall, things were playing out as we had hoped.
Allison was indifferent when we arrived at the studio. It was as if the conversation had never happened. Based on her actions and attitude, it was life as usual. I should be grateful, but I was disappointed. I wanted her to care in some way, shape or form.
“I’m going to count you in,” Allison announced, playing with the switches on the soundboard. “Are you ready?”
“Yep,” I answered, lining up to the studio microphone.
“Yep,” Justin responded, sitting behind the drum kit. We were working on a couple of new tracks to release as singles between albums. I focused on the guitar in my hand instead of Allison. If I wanted to make it through this session, then I needed to remain focused. Looking at Allison would lead to thinking about our conversation, which would result in thoughts of Kenzie and final Ally. Ah fuck, I did it again.
“Tim!” Ian exclaimed, exasperated. “Pay attention.” It was the third time I had misplayed the chords.
“I’m sorry.” I set down the guitar. I needed to clear my head, figure out how to get through this without pissing off the guys. “I need to take a break.” I removed the headphones and walked out of the glassed-in room, leaving everyone behind. The washroom would be my place of refuge, if only for a few minutes. I took my time using the silence to refocus.
I exited the room, immediately feeling the chill from the air conditioner, a direct reminder that I still needed to replace the one in Ally’s apartment. It was always too hot in there. Thoughts of her played through my mind, her fuller body standing so willingly in front of me, the subtle silver stretch marks tracing over her tight stomach, her eyes wide, watching me lift her leg as I pushed her down onto the kitchen table. As much as I wanted the thoughts to stop, I wanted even more for them to continue. I was so fucked.
“Tim.” Ian’s panicked voice called as I closed in on the studio. “Kane just called your cell. You need to call him back.”
“What?” Kane? He didn’t call me, just gave me updates when I called him. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was late, so if Kane was calling something had to be wrong. His call paralyzed me with fear.
“Call him!” Ian demanded, his eyes were wide.
Ian was the calm one, always, so if he wasn’t calm this had to be bad. “Hand me my phone,” I demanded, my tone desperate. Was it Kenzie or Ally? I fumbled to hit redial on Kane’s name, my body shaking.
Both Justin and Ian stood quietly, their arms crossed and expressions somber as I listened to the phone ring, waiting for Kane to pick up.
“Hello, Mr. Lawson.” Fuck formalities.
“What’s wrong?” My voice cracked.
“I swear man; we had everything covered. I don’t know how this happened.” Kane sounded remorseful. Whatever had happened wasn’t as minor as some tool snapping a photo they shouldn’t.
“What happened?” He couldn’t give me an answer fast enough. Kane was trying to be professional, but my panic couldn’t tolerate it. “Just fucking tell me.”
“There was an incident with Luke Massey.” Kane finally released. “Ally was injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance.” I could hear the words but was numb to their meaning.
I didn’t respond for a couple of seconds, long enough for Ian to reach out for my phone. I shook my head. “Is she okay?” I didn’t know if I wanted to hear the answer. “Is Kenzie okay?”
“Kenzie is fine,” Kane assured. “Ally is in the hospital. No one has heard anything yet.”
“What hospital?” I needed to get to her. In my panicked state, I could barely make out Kane’s words, let alone remember them. “Can you tell Ian?” I handed my phone over to Ian before even hearing a response.
Justin came to me while Ian handled the call. “It’s going to be alright. Everything is going to be okay.” One arm was resting on my shoulder as I started to breakdown.
I looked at him with tears in my eyes. “Can you book me a flight? Can you get me to her?” The walls felt like they were closing in. “Please Just, can you just get me to her?”
“We’re working on it.” He looked to Ian, who nodded in agreement. “Why don’t we get things packed up and get to the airport.” Justin moved around the studio, packing up what needed to be packed and throwing food wrappers and containers in the garbage while I stood shell shocked and useless.
“Our flight leaves in forty minutes,” Ian announced, pocketing my phone. “Kane is going to call if anything changes.”
“Okay.” I agreed numbly. “Ours?”
“You don’t think we would let you deal with this on your own, do you?” Ian asked as he motioned for me to follow.
The three of us were walking down the hall, away from the studio when Allison popped out of the break room. “What’s going on?” She looked bewildered as she took in the three of us.
“I have to go.” I didn’t have time to explain to Allison. I had to get to Ally. She was the one who needed me right now. I would deal with Allison later.
“Where the hell are you going? We aren’t done in the studio yet.” She was blocking our path.
“Allison, it’s an emergency. We’ll figure out studio time later.” Ian persisted, trying to encourage her to move.
“I’m not moving until you tell me what is going on.” Her arms crossed and her long legs parted.
“We don’t have time.” I pleaded, becoming frantic. “I need to get to the airport. Please don’t do this.” I tried to go around her but she moved into my space.
“It’s that bitch, isn’t it?” Her face contorted. “What, did she call you crying, asking you to come running?”
“Allison.” Ian chided. “Now is not the time.”
“Now is the only time Tim gets.” She flashed her teeth. “You explain now, or there is no later.”
“God damn it,” Justin grunted. “Just move Allison.”
“No.” Allison was heated and being impossible. I had more important things to deal with right now, and if she was going to be throwing out ultimatums, I was taking them.
“You’re right Allison; there is no later.
Now move the fuck out of my way.” If she didn’t, I was going to push through her, right or wrong.
“What?” Her shock at my response was enough reprieve for us to get by her. We may have made it ten steps before she hollered behind us. “Tim, if you walk away now, don’t bother coming back.” No response was required, I wasn’t planning to return. I had one goal in mind, and she was waiting for me in a hospital bed somewhere in Texas.
Ian sped toward the airport, Justin sitting quietly in the backseat. I was withdrawn, living out my nightmare. Anything I could have said would have been full of fear, and giving into the fear would make it that much harder to keep myself together. Ian abandoned the car, texting one of our bodyguards who had followed us to take it back to the rental company.
The three of us made our way through the airport, heads down, trying to avoid detection. Leaving the bodyguards behind helped eliminate the attention, and it allowed us to make it to the gate in record time. The only place Ian used our fame was when we were ready to board, to beat the crowd of people and minimize the time we were seated out with the public.
I sat impatiently in the seat, my knees bouncing rapidly. We weren’t moving fast enough and the sardine packed coach seating wasn’t helping with my anxiety. Couldn’t the pilot fly faster?
“Calm down.” Ian pleaded, noticing my restlessness. “Freaking out will not get us there any faster.”
“Thanks for coming with me.” I threw my head back against the seat. “I don’t know if I can hold myself together.” The admission was full fledged.
“I know it’s hard, but you have to, for Ally and especially for Kenzie.” He was as supportive as possible. “Justin and I can take care of Kenzie, and you can focus on Ally.” It sounded like a perfect plan. Ian had always been one to think quickly on his feet. “Ally needs you, and I will finally be able to meet my niece.” His smile was small, making me feel horrible for keeping them away from their unofficial niece.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, realizing how selfish I had been this entire time. I had to be, to protect Ally and Kenzie, and to protect myself.
“It’s alright. You were doing what you thought was best.”
The clouds were dark gray as the plane descended. I fidgeted with my phone continuously, waiting for the landing. Once the plane hit the ground, I would be calling to check in with Kane.
“Kane?” I greeted frantically, following Ian through the airport to the rental car agency. We were so focused on where we were going that we weren’t paying attention to staying out of sight. Hundreds of eyes were on us, following our movements. All the previous effort I had put in to remaining incognito seemed childish at that moment. I should have always been open and exposed. If I had of been, maybe Ally would be okay.
“Where are you?” Kane’s tone remained even, not frazzled in the least with the situation.
“Airport.” My words were quick. “How is she doing?”
“We haven’t heard much. Ally’s friend Maggie was in with her for a few minutes. She’s sleeping now, and they have given her some medication for the pain.”
“Pain?” I winced. “God Kane, how bad is it?”
“I’m giving you as much information as I have.” I ended the conversation. When we arrived at the hospital, nothing was going to stop me from getting information.
Ian pulled up to the emergency entrance and let Justin and me out. I stumbled into the waiting room to find Maggie and Kane seated in the corner. I rushed to Maggie.
“Maggie, what happened?” Her face was wet with tears.
“Ally… stairs…blood.” She was hyperventilating. Kane awkwardly patted her back, eying me in a way which told me this wasn’t the first time he had tried to comfort her.
“What happened?” I tried again. “You said stairs. Did she fall?” Ally wasn’t clumsy, and given Kane’s prior accusation, my gut told me Luke was responsible.
“No.” Maggie’s sobs racked through her body. “She was pushed. So much blood.” She was gasping for air. I was going to find Luke when this was over and show him what it was like to be pushed around.
“How much blood?” Maggie had to give me something.
“She has a lot of stitches.” Her words were quiet.
“How many?” Stitches I could handle.
“Thirty-some.” She yawned, exhaustion taking over. “And a broken wrist and rib.”
“Thirty?” I choked on the number. Luke was going to pay.
“Where is she?” I needed to see her.
“I was with her for a few minutes down here, but they’ve moved her, and no one will tell me what room.” Maggie dropped her head into her hands.
“I’m going to find out, okay?” I reassured her.
I walked to the information desk with a purpose. The two nurses gawked, their jaws dropping. “What room is Alyse Little in?” I asked, with conviction. One of the women typed quickly on the keyboard, while the other one looked around nervously.
“I’m sorry, we aren’t allowed to release that information. Unless you are family.” One woman responded while the other answered: “She’s in 234”.
“You’re Tim Lawson, aren’t you?” Justin loped in behind me at that moment. “And Justin.” She tried to hold her shriek, but it still escaped her lips, garnering the attention of a few other people.
“Yes.” There was no point in denying it. “Thanks.” I turned to find the elevators. Thank god fame paid off when it counted.
“Do you want any help finding the room?” She offered.
“No, I should be fine.” I continued walking. “Thank you though.” I tossed over my shoulder. Justin fought to keep up with my lengthening stride.
“232” I read, walking down the white hall. “234” I gently pushed the door open, careful not to wake Ally, since they had said she was sleeping. Ally was wide awake, the left side of her face was bruised, and her body was covered in bandages. She looked worse than I have expected, but she was alive.
“Tim?” Her face gave away her pain as she turned to look at me. “What are you doing here?”
“Kane called.” I walked directly to her bed, while Justin watched from the door. “What happened?” I sat cautiously beside her, laying my hand on her leg. She grimaced. I moved it quickly. “Did that hurt?”
“Stitches.” She looked toward the door. “Justin.” Ally gave a pained smile.
“Hey, Al.” He gave her a small wave.
“Can you let Maggie know what room she is in?” My request had more to do with wanting alone time than it did anything else.
“Maggie told me you were pushed. Is that what happened?” I adjusted myself on her bed, wanting to be close without causing her any pain.
“Um…” Her eyes closed tightly. “I think it was an accident.” She was lying.
“Ally.” My tone was unintentionally disapproving. It was important she be honest, not only with me but with herself.
“Luke.” Her response was quiet. “He said he just wanted to talk. I gave him two minutes. Things became heated. I honestly don’t think he meant for this to happen.” She paused. “I shouldn’t have gone out there.”
“He’s going to pay.” I knew both Justin and Ian would stand with me on this.
“Tim, I just want to drop this. I’ll file a restraining order, but that’s as much drama as I want to deal with.”
I ran my hand along her arm, careful to steer clear of the bandages. The contact was helping to calm me down. “This is my fault. I should have never left.” Ally groaned in disagreement. “Ally, you scared the shit out of me. That phone call Ally…” I had to pause, choking back on emotion. “…that phone call. I felt like my life was ending Al. I don’t want to live without you.”
“Tim.” She protested, making eye contact with me. “I know this is a lot to take in, and that you feel guilty for what happened, but you have a relationship to consider, and guilt isn’t a reason to ruin it.”
Allison hadn’t even crossed my mind. I wouldn’t doubt if I never thou
ght of her again after her hall blocking episode. “Guilt has nothing to do with this.” I took her uninjured hand in mine and squeezed. “I ended things with Allison. I should have ended them day one. Ally, no matter how many times I try, I will never get over you. This…” I motioned between us. “…is what we are supposed to be, and I am finished pretending that I want anything different. This isn’t guilt Al; this is a wake-up call.”
I walked back to the waiting room to find Ian, Justin, Maggie and Kane missing. One of the nurses from the desk pointed me in the direction of a private room. Apparently, Ian and Justin were garnering attention and becoming a distraction.
“She looks like she’s in rough shape,” Justin admitted when I walked through the door.
“I am going to kill him.” I threatened. “How could he do that to her?”
“You know, this is all your fault.” Ian put the blame directly on me. “You shouldn’t have tried to play this game. You should have told her right away how you felt, instead of keeping everything a secret. This wouldn’t have happened.” As if I didn’t already know that.
It was my fault, that much was true. Regardless of what Ally argued, if I had of declared my feelings earlier, pushed harder for her and Kenzie to come with me, this never would have happened.
“Maggie, can you go stay with Ally until I get back? She’s in room 234. I am just going to drive Justin and Ian to Ally’s so they can stay with Kenzie.”
“Okay.” She looked exhausted and worn out. She needed to go home and sleep, but I knew she wouldn’t be alright with leaving Ally alone while I ran out.
Ian drove to the apartment, in silence, following the car’s GPS system. All three of us were processing the tail spin of the past few hours. We climbed the stairs, using my key to enter the apartment. Sarah was tired, worry lines marking her face. Kenzie was sleeping, not surprising considering it was now five in the morning. I would have to wait until Kenzie woke up before returning to the hospital. I couldn’t allow her to wake-up to strangers.
I had never met Sarah in person, but I knew she already knew who I was. “My friends are going to help out with Kenzie, so you can go home and get some sleep. Please get some rest.”
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