by Rebel Farris
When he finished, we sat in silence, letting the last chords echo in our minds.
“Thank you,” I said, glancing at him. He nodded and smiled softly, but the concern in his eyes still caused his brow to crease a little.
“Do you know the words to ‘Hotel California’?” he asked.
“Uh, yeah,” I replied. “Who doesn’t?”
“Then sing it. I’ll play it for you.”
“I don’t sing in front of people.”
“Now is a good time to start. Come on.”
“I don’t even know if I’m any good.”
“You have the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard. Your singing voice must be amazing.”
My stomach fluttered. How could I say no to that?
“Fine,” I mumbled, looking down at my lap.
His fingers flew over the strings, bringing to life the intricate sounds of the Spanish-influenced guitar. I was in awe. He was good. He knocked twice on his guitar, signaling my cue to start singing. I started, and my voice immediately cracked. After a few more notes, I found my stride. I sang the song the best I could, putting my heart and soul into those lyrics, trying to find the haunting emotions that lay behind the words. When the song was over, he sat his guitar in the grass and leaned over me, grasping the back of my neck.
“You’re amazing,” he said, sounding as awestruck as I felt. My fingers curled into the front of his shirt. His eyes searched mine. “Can I kiss you?”
Speechless, I nodded, and he leaned in. My breath stalled in my lungs. My eyes fluttered closed as my lips parted. His lips gently brushed over mine as my phone rang. He leaned his forehead to mine.
“You need to get that, huh?” he asked breathlessly.
“Yeah.” My voice came out as a hoarse whisper. “It’s probably my mom. She should be here by now.”
He moved away. I reached for my phone. It was a local phone number, but one I didn’t know.
“Hello?”
“Are you Madelaine Dobransky?” a strange male voice spoke over the line.
“Yes,” I answered.
“I’m a nurse at Hardin County General. You’re listed as your mom’s primary emergency contact. I’m afraid there has been an accident. You need to come to the hospital. Do you have a way to get here? I can have a police squad car sent to pick you up.”
My chest squeezed. My mind raced as I tried to think of what I needed to do next.
“You still there?”
“Umm… yeah. Sorry. I can get a ride,” I said, struggling to draw in a breath. “Is she okay?” Tears welled in my eyes again as thousands of worst-case scenarios played out in my head.
“I don’t have a status update on her yet. They just brought her in. I’ll try to find out more before you get here.”
“Okay, I’m on my way,” I said with barely contained hysteria.
I turned to Jared, who was looking at me with concern. It made me want to break apart right there on the spot.
“Do you need a ride somewhere?”
“He said my mom’s at the hospital, that she’s been in an accident.” Unbidden tears spilled onto my cheeks.
“Hold on. I’ll be right back.” He rushed to his truck, put away his guitar, then came back to help me off the ground. He tucked me to his chest as he murmured soothing words to me. When he started driving, he reached out, threading his fingers with mine. It was a spot of warmth in the numbing cold that had settled over my body.
Now
As I approach the bar, I release Dex’s hand, immediately missing the warmth of the contact. I lean over the bar and yell for Ruby’s dad, Frank, to get his attention. When he turns, his smile lights up his face, and he moves toward us. He hugs me, practically pulling me over the bar.
“Do I get a kiss from the birthday girl?” he teases.
“Of course, even if you’re late to the party.” I plant a kiss on his cheek, and he releases me. I slide back until my feet hit the ground. “Frank, this fine gentleman right here would like to buy me a drink.” I motion to Dex.
Frank eyes him suspiciously, his smile faltering a little. I chuckle to myself because Dex doesn’t seem to be at all bothered by the scrutiny. He holds Frank’s gaze as if communicating something back to him. Frank’s a big guy with a ZZ Top-like beard and a round belly. He’s an old-school biker with tats, leather vest, and steel-toed boots. He can be intimidating. His eyes effectively convey that he’s experienced in causing serious damage and will do so if he decides he doesn’t like you.
“You know if you hurt her it’ll be the last thing you do?” Frank says, breaking the epic stare down.
“Furthest thing from my intentions, sir,” Dex says reaching out his hand. Frank takes his hand in a firm shake. “Dexter McClellan, nice to meet you.”
Frank smiles his approval, and just like that, the tension is gone.
“Frank Winchester. What can I get for you, son?”
“Beer, whatever’s cold. And whatever she wants,” Dex replies without hesitation.
Frank’s eyes turn to me. “The usual?” he questions, raising one furry eyebrow.
I nod, and he moves down the bar to make the drinks. I turn to find Dex looking at me again. His lips tip up into a sexy smirk as his head tilts like he’s trying to piece a puzzle. He leans closer.
“Just when I think I’ve figured you out.” He’s still smiling when he shakes his head, looking to the floor. “You’re never what I expect. You surprise me.” When he looks back up, his gaze pins me to the spot. His eyes are heated, serious. “And people stopped surprising me a long time ago.” He reaches out and traces his thumb along my lower lip.
He’s standing so close, his warm breath feathers across my cheek. I look down at his hand as it falls away and peek up at him through my lashes. Whatever he’s doing to me, I can’t describe it. I’m frozen to the spot.
Frank slams our glasses on the bar, jolting me back to the real world. “You two kids be good tonight, you hear?” he says and walks away chortling, fully amused by his antics.
“I need to pay him,” Dex mutters, looking confused. I only hear him because the next song hasn’t started yet.
“Just leave it in the tip jar. That’s what I do.” I shrug. “He never takes money from friends and family. Must mean he likes you,” I shout with a grin over the now-playing music.
We turn to take our drinks back to the table when a woman steps in Dex’s path. I can’t hear what she’s saying to him, but her hand trailing down his chest gives me a good idea. There is an irrational pang in my chest that I’m trying to overcome when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I set my drink back on the bar and turn to look at the person.
I squeal and leap into Evan’s arms. He spins me around in his usual ritual before placing me on my feet and kissing the corner of my mouth.
“Asshole! Why didn’t you tell me you were gonna be in town?” I say as I punch his shoulder.
He clutches his shoulder in mock pain and laughs. “Well, I wouldn’t be able to surprise my favorite girl for her birthday if I called ahead of time, now would I?”
“Fine. I’m glad you’re here. You’re staying at my place?”
“Of course. The Charger was unlocked, so I stuck my bags in your back seat. You really should stop doing that, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah. Not even back two minutes and already giving me big-brother lectures.” I pull him back and hug him again. “God, I missed you.”
“Are you driving out tomorrow?” He tips my chin up so I’m forced to look at him. “I want to go with you, you know.”
Pulling my chin from his hand, I look down and tug the rubber band. The snap reminds me I’m still alive, kills the numbness that threatens to take over. It wasn’t always enough, but this is me doing better. Yay.
“Yeah. We made plans. Everyone will be at your parents’ place. I’m just driving out to the cemetery at some point. No big, you don’t have to come with.” Then, in attempt to light
en the mood, I force a smile and say, “I think your dad’s grillin’.”
I turn back toward the bar as he responds. “I’m going with you.”
We’re both facing Dex now, who seems to have gotten rid of his female companion and is watching us with interest.
“You’re gonna have to tell me what you’ve been up to,” Evan says in my ear. “I’ve been here long enough to know something’s up.”
“Is that your way of fishing for an introduction?” I ask. He grins, and I roll my eyes. “Evan, this’s Dex,” I shout so they can both hear me.
Evan reaches out his hand. “Evan Langford, Maddie’s brother.”
I jab a sharp elbow in his side, but he doesn’t react. They shake hands and size each other up. Males and their testosterone, I’ll never understand. Evan’s a big guy. He spends a good portion of every day at the gym. He’s a trained killer. US Army, Special Forces. It shocks me that they’re both around the same size. Dex is maybe an inch or two taller. They both have tattoos, though Evan has fewer due to military regulations.
They still haven't let go of each other’s hand.
“All right, enough of that.” I grab my drink from the bar. “Are we gonna join the party or sit here for an all-night pissing contest?” I wink at them and head to the table.
“Hey, I’m gonna go see what’s up with that cute PA of yours,” Evan says with a wink, moving off in the direction of the pool tables.
I grin, sitting down at the table. After a moment, Dex pulls up a chair next to me.
“These all girls from your team?” Dex asks.
“Only the ones wearing team shirts. There’re other people here from the league, and some from work.”
“What kind of sport do you play?”
“Roller derby.”
He leans back in his chair. “I’ll have to check that out sometime.”
Ruby places a flaming shot glass on the table in front of me. I know I should slow down, but if you only cut loose once a year, you might as well do it right. Especially since this time of year, things invade my mind that I’d rather forget.
I blow out the shot and down it, slamming the glass on the table. Everyone near us cheers. Dex pulls me close to him and whispers, “Happy Birthday,” in my ear. Tingles race over my body. I remember that I need to move away from him, but my hazy mind can’t remember why, so I just snuggle closer.
Then
As soon as we parked outside the emergency room, Jared was out of the truck, opening my door. I slid from the seat and crossed my arms in front of me to hide the trembling as we walked toward the sliding glass doors. There were two police officers inside talking to each other. I rushed past them to the service desk.
“I’m Madelaine Dobransky. I’m here for my mother, Catherine Dobransky.” The man in scrubs behind the desk looked up at me with pity in his eyes, and I knew something horrible had happened. My knees went weak, and Jared supported me, bracing me with a gentle arm.
“Just a second, miss.” He looked up, and his eyes flashed toward the two police officers. Any hope I had that this was a broken leg immediately vanished.
“Can you tell me where she is?” I asked. “How’s she doing? Can I see her? Please?” My heart raced, and my breath trembled as I exhaled.
Without looking up, he held up a hand to halt my questions. “We spoke with your mother’s secondary emergency contacts. They’ll be here as soon as they can catch a flight. They authorized us to speak with you, which we needed because you’re a minor.”
He was talking about Gary and Rachel, Evan’s parents. They’d gone to North Carolina for a cousin’s wedding.
He tapped on his keyboard, then met my eyes. “Your mother’s condition is listed as critical. That’s all I can tell you right now. If you have a seat, I’ll see if I can find a doctor to give you more details.”
I turned to find the two police officers behind me.
“Would you like to sit down?” One of the officers—the shorter one with a receding hairline—gestured toward the chairs in the waiting room. His face was somber, and his eyes radiated concern.
I shook my head, unable to speak. Jared held me against his chest, and I leaned into him.
The taller, younger officer said, “Maddie…”
My face scrunched up in confusion. How does he know what name I go by?
“I’m Officer Webb. Your mother and I are friends.” He shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable. “You know the police station and the library are next to each other?”
I nodded, still confused as to why I hadn’t known about Officer Webb.
He continued. “We have lunch sometimes. She talks about you a lot. I wanted to be here to tell you about what happened. I’m so sorry.” He looked away. When he spoke again, his voice was strained with emotion. “She was hit by a red-light runner crossing the highway. He was speeding. Her car rolled several times, and she was trapped in the wreckage. First responders were able to get her out and bring her here…”
He kept saying stuff, but I could no longer hear him through the rushing sound in my ears. Black spots clouded my vision. Jared was pushing me toward the chairs as he spoke to the officers. He guided me into a chair, and with a gentle hand on the back of my neck, made me lean over.
“Breathe, Maddie,” Jared soothed. “Breathe.”
My vision started clearing as I listened to his calming voice. I looked around the room and tried to focus on anything that would take my mind off reality. The room was empty other than the neatly lined rows of chairs, a TV softly broadcasting CNN, and an older couple holding on to each other across the room.
I'm not sure how long I sat there staring at them. My mind an utter blank, devoid of any thoughts. Jared sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders at some point. When the doors leading to the ER opened, my gaze snapped in that direction. A woman wearing scrubs and a surgical cap strode toward me. When I met her eyes, the last piece of hope died.
“Are you Madelaine Dobransky?” she asked.
I couldn’t speak. I knew what was coming and I didn’t want to hear it. Hearing it would make it real, and this couldn’t be real.
Jared squeezed my shoulders and answered for me. “She is.”
“I’m Dr. Hall-Meyers, chief of surgery. I’m sorry…” Her lips kept moving. I heard none of it. I just kept chanting to myself that this was a nightmare.
Jared knelt in front of me, and I could see his lips moving, but I couldn’t hear a thing he was saying. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on his shoulder. He rubbed small circles on my back, but I barely felt it—there was a pervading numbness spreading over me. There were no tears, no nothing, just a soundless void where my life once was. I looked around the room, searching for my mom. This wasn’t real. She’d be coming through the doors looking for me, so mad that I left the party when I knew she was on the way.
A boy around my age, maybe a little older, walked out of the ER into the waiting room. He had a bandage on his head, and his arm was in a sling. I was staring at him because he was the only motion in an otherwise motionless room. He walked to the older couple sitting across from me, but his brown eyes were locked on to mine and didn’t look away.
“Can’t you have her father do that? She’s been through enough already,” I heard Jared ask.
“He’s dead too” were the only words I could force out as I shifted my chin on Jared’s shoulder, still looking at the other boy staring back at me.
The boy closed his eyes tightly and turned from me when the woman laid her hand on his uninjured arm.
Jared said something else to the officers and doctor. The next thing I knew, I was floating. Not floating, but being carried. I could hear the steady rhythm of Jared’s heart where my ear rested against his chest. He placed me back in the truck and dialed a number on his phone. I still didn’t hear any of it. I just stared out the window of his truck, seeing absolutely nothing.
Now
; The party is a success. More karaoke and more alcohol. I’m afraid now I’m a little bit smashed. I’m standing next to the pool table as Dex and Evan finish their game. They seem to have gotten over whatever it was between them by the bar. Now they’re acting like they’re best buds.
I try to be graceful as I walk to our table, only stumbling once, I think. I snatch up my purse and dig out keys. I turn back toward the pool table, only to be confronted with a face, framed in neon-pink tresses, so close to mine it startles the fuck out of me. I yelp and fall back, crashing into the table. Smooth, Maddie, real smooth.
“Definitely not, lady.” Chloe rips the keys from my hand.
“Not what?” I ask. “I was looking for a DD. I’m drunk, not stupid. You can’t have them either,” I slur, trying to snatch the keys back.
She holds them overhead, and I stumble forward to catch them. It confirms my drunkenness because that stops me from getting them, and Chloe’s shorter than I am.
“Yes. I’m the DD tonight. This is sweet tea.” She shakes her mostly empty glass, causing the ice to rattle. “I haven’t had anything since the shot during your birthday toast. Which was…” She squints at her phone. “Over four hours ago. I’m good to go.”
“Awwwww… my baby bitch is taking care of me. I love you.” I throw my arms around her neck. Chloe’s only twenty-one, which makes her the youngest of our group of friends.
She starts rubbing my back. “Yeah, I think she’s ready to call it a night,” she says over my shoulder to someone behind me.
I turn to find Asher. “You leaving?” I ask. He nods. I dive into his arms, hugging him. “I love you, too, Ash. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You be safe.”
He chuckles. I can hear the rumble from where my ear presses into his chest. He squeezes me tighter. “What am I going to do with you, woman?”
“See me on Monday?” I ask, peeking up at him.
A shadow passes over his eyes. “Yeah, Monday.” He releases me and steps back. “I’ll see you then, Mads.” He smiles weakly, grabs the back of my neck, pulling my head toward him and kissing my forehead briefly. “Take care of her,” he says to Chloe, then leaves.