Breaking the Cycle

by Tricia Andersen

  “Hey, Chloe girl. Where are you going?” the largest addressed.

  “I’m heading to my workout. If you’ll excuse me…”

  He grinned. “Workout with us. We’ll give you a good one.”

  Chloe glanced around her. There was nowhere to go except the emergency fire exit. If she turned and retreated for the locker room, she would be a sitting duck. She started to tremble. Her stomach churned violently. She hardly noticed the three men approach until one grabbed her chin and pulled her to him.

  “What’s going on here?” Rico demanded.

  The largest fighter didn’t turn. “None of your business, Rico. We’re going to work out with Chloe. So get lost.”

  “It’s my business.”

  All three men turned at the voice. Chloe fought to see between their large, sculpted shoulders. Max stood beside Rico, his fists balled at his side as if he was preparing to fight. Rage rolled off him in torrents. She had never seen him this furious.

  “Chloe,” Max warned. “Go into the locker room and get your things. We’re done. We’re leaving.” He glared at Rico. “Tell Jack he can find new trainers. Chloe and I are through with Hard Drive.”

  “Max, man. Just hang on.” Rico growled at the three men. “Get your hands off Chloe and get out. Don’t come back. Do you get me?”

  “You don’t have the power to throw us out,” one of the three snarled.

  “I do.” The entire group turned to find Jack standing in the mouth of the hallway. “I’m not about to lose the best trainer in Minnesota to three punks who can’t keep it in their pants. That is not the way my gym works. We treat the women in this gym with respect. They’re not our toys. Get your stuff and get out. Your contracts are terminated.”

  The three fighters stormed off, grumbling under their breath. Max crossed over to Chloe. “Are you all right?”

  “Been better,” she whimpered. “But I’ll be all right.”

  Max smiled at her softly as he caressed her cheek. Then, he turned and stalked off to the gym. Chloe followed behind. “Where is Mark?” he demanded.

  “He stayed at work to research something,” Dan answered. “He didn’t say what.”

  “Fantastic. Dan, get on the mat. Spar with Rico.”

  Chloe noticed the petrified look on the blond’s face as he slipped his glasses off and set them in his bag. She reached out and gently touched Max’s arm. He didn’t turn. He didn’t even act like she was there. His face was still enraged as he scowled at the fighters. Rico shot Dan a halfhearted smile as they faced off and practice began.

  Chapter Five

  Max was still in a blind fury as he drove home. He noticed out of the corner of his eye as Chloe clung to her seat in fear. Slowly exhaling, he shook himself free of his temper. He wouldn’t stress her out. He couldn’t deal with the consequences. Not today.

  Parking the Mustang at the curb, he threw open the door. He stomped around the house to the backyard shed. After freeing the lock, he yanked the mower free, filled it with gas, and ripped at the cord to bring it to life. He peeled his T-shirt from his body and tossed it on the picnic table. Silently, he stalked off to mow.

  He paced the yard immersed in his thoughts, never noticing anyone watching him. As he rounded the house to the front yard, he found Chloe standing on the porch. She leaned against the post, her eyes glazed over as they raked over his tan, sculpted arms and chest.

  “I didn’t know you had tattoos,” she breathed.

  Max’s heart clenched in his chest. Oh, lord. She hates guys with tattoos. And I have quite a few. “Yeah, a couple,” he joked. “I guess I never asked what you thought of them.”

  “I think they’re beautiful. Sexy.”

  Max felt his cheeks warm. “Really?”

  “Uh-huh. Is there anything I can get you?”

  “A sports drink would be great, thanks.”

  “Be right back.” She dashed into the house with the slam of the door. He felt the butterflies let loose in his stomach as he waited. Chloe re-emerged from the house with a sports drink in her hand. She trotted down the stairs and didn’t stop until she reached him.

  He reached out, his fingers brushing hers as he took the bottle. He chuckled as she scampered back up the steps to watch him from a distance, her eyes transfixed on his body art. He continued mowing as her eyes followed him. Max fought back his grin, but it was no use. His smile covered nearly his entire face.

  The next morning marked another day at Hard Drive. Max winked as he held the door open for Chloe to walk through. He made a mental note to apologize to Dan for his actions the day before. He had let his temper get the better of him. Dan was good fighter, but not near the caliber of Rico. Fortunately, Rico had assessed the situation and had taken it easy on him.

  He stopped short as he heard his named called.

  “Max!” Mark shouted from the walkway overhead. The door of Jack’s office was open behind him. Max frowned. Jack wasn’t expected until after noon.

  “What?” he replied.

  “I did the research you asked about. I think I figured something out.”

  Max’s breath caught in his throat. Mark had volunteered to research whatever plagued Chloe. Could it be possible that he had found something? Max dropped his bag and sprinted up the stairs.

  Mark powered on the computer and waited for it to boot up. Max stood behind him, anxiously waiting as the desktop appeared. Both men exhaled slowly in unison as the password screen popped on.

  “Great,” Mark grumbled as he stood from the desk chair. He stalked to the railing. “Dan, get up here.”

  “Not your trained Chihuahua, dude,” Dan’s voice floated from below.

  “Nope. A Chihuahua has more talent,” Mark retorted.

  A few moments later Dan appeared in the doorway, looking rather annoyed by Mark’s comment. Mark motioned toward the screen. “Can you get us to the Internet?”

  “Of course I can. You doubt me?”

  “No, I don’t. I’m wondering how close you are to building that robot girlfriend of yours.”

  Max couldn’t help but chuckle as Mark grinned at Dan impishly. Dan scowled at him. “I’m seeing a girl right now.”

  “Really? That was fast. Are you running her on Wi-Fi or is she hard-wired? Do you run her on remote control?”

  Dan glowered at him as he spun on his toe for the staircase. Mark grabbed his arm. “Sorry, Dan,” he apologized, his jovial mood suddenly serious. “This is actually important. Can you help?”

  Dan pulled free and stomped into the office. He typed a few letters then glared at Mark.

  “That’s it?” Mark bellowed.

  “Jack’s password is Ferrari28. His car and his age.” Dan slid into the background, a frown still firmly plastered on his face.

  Mark plopped back into the chair, his large frame making it squeak. He opened the browser and typed. Then, he slid away from the computer and motioned Max toward it.

  Max studied the website header. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association. He looked at Mark, puzzled. “What is this?”

  “I asked a buddy of mine, who is a gastroenterologist at Mayo, about Chloe’s symptoms. Alone, I was coming up with squat. He dug a little further and came up with this. Are those her symptoms?”

  Max scanned the list. Nausea. Vomiting. Pale. Listless. Drool or spit. Abdominal pain. A “conscious coma.” As he read each one, his eyes grew a little wider. “Yes, as far as I know. We’d have to ask Chloe to be sure. I’ll get her.”

  He raced to the railing and looked down. Chloe was seated on the mat, stretching. “Chloe!” he called. “Come up here.” Stepping inside the office again, he waited with Mark and Dan. Moments later, Chloe appeared.

  “You guys, Jack isn’t going to be happy you invaded his office,” she warned, her hands clenched stubbornly to her sides. Mark rose for her to sit.

  “It’s important.” Max motioned her to the chair. “Sit.”

  With a huff, Chloe sat down gingerly. Max pointed at the screen. �
��Chloe, baby, are those your symptoms for that thing you have that makes you sick?”

  She scanned the list silently, her eyes flickering at every word. As she reached the end, she whispered, “Yes.”

  “Bingo!” Mark shouted triumphantly as he punched the air above his head. “My buddy said he’d get Chloe in to run the tests to confirm it. His name is Chad Nicholson. I’ll get it arranged and let you know the date, so you don’t have to hassle with scheduling. He thought he could get you in to see him in a couple days.”

  “That’s incredible, Mark. Thank you,” Max gushed. He looked around the room at the overjoyed faces. Even Dan had forgotten the insults and was grinning. Then, Max’s smile fell. Chloe wasn’t pleased with the news. She stared forlornly at the screen. “Chloe, what is it?” Max asked, concerned. “You should be happy. This may be an answer to your problem.”

  “Max,” she breathed. “There have been a lot of doctors with a lot of diagnoses of what it could be. None of them were right. Thank you, Mark, for everything you’ve done. I just don’t think this is it.” She stood and strode silently from the office, leaving the baffled men behind.

  Mark held true to his word, and within twenty-four hours, Chloe was scheduled with Dr. Nicholson on Monday. The first item of business on Max’s agenda when he arrived home was to share the website Mark had showed him with Liz. Not even a Cubs win could pull her away from the information. Liz was elated. Max understood. She wanted nothing more than to see her daughter live a normal life. Truthfully, he wanted the exact same thing.

  The only one not excited for the appointment was Chloe. She was moody. She was sullen. And every day that passed until their trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, her disposition grew worse. Max frowned at her grouchiness. He couldn’t understand. If he felt healthy for the first time in twenty years, he would be shouting from the rooftops.

  Time crawled by, but Monday finally arrived. Max jumped out of bed, tugging a shirt over his head and stepping into his shorts. He slipped down the hall until he was able to poke his head into Chloe’s room. “Up and at ’em, sleepyhead! We have quite the drive.”

  The only sign of Chloe was the human-shaped lump hidden beneath the downy thick comforter. Max grinned as he strode over to the bed and ripped the covers free, leaving Chloe exposed in her baby doll tee and boxers. She snarled as she fought to find the cotton sheets.

  “Are you guys coming?” Liz called from downstairs.

  “As soon as I drag Chloe out of bed,” Max shouted back. He turned to the woman curled up on the mattress. “Come on, baby. We can’t be late.”

  “Why can’t you guys leave me alone?” Chloe pouted.

  “Because we want you to feel better. We love you, Chloe. Why are you so dead set on not going?”

  Chloe stared at him, looking dumbfounded for a moment, before she visibly shook herself to her senses.

  She heard me say I love her. Good.

  She sighed. “I’m tired of getting my hopes up. There’s always a doctor who thinks they can fix me. They couldn’t. I doubt this one can. I’m just broken.”

  Max sat on the bed beside her. “We should at least try, don’t you think? It would be horrible if you walked away and this is the doctor who can help you. If you really are broken and can’t be fixed, it won’t change how I feel. I don’t want this for me. I want this for you. So, come on. Get up and get dressed. If you aren’t ready in five minutes, I’ll come up and dress you myself.”

  Winking at her, he flashed her a sinful grin. Then he rose and left the room, closing the door behind him. He couldn’t stop smiling as he jogged down the steps. He would never forget the awestruck look on her face at his playful threat.

  Max helped Liz program the GPS with the Mayo Clinic address as he watched the clock. Four minutes. He briefly imagined the battle that would ensue if he was forced to make good on his threat. Not that I would mind. I would get the chance to hold her in my arms. He turned as the stairs creaked.

  Chloe slowly descended, dressed in a baby blue T-shirt and jean shorts. Her purse was slung over her shoulder. “Let’s go,” she sighed.

  Max wheeled Liz out to the car and helped her into the passenger seat. He lifted the wheelchair into the trunk as Chloe climbed into the backseat. Slipping into the driver’s seat, he secured the GPS to the front window then fired up the ignition.

  The hour and a half drive was silent except for the radio playing classic rock and the purr of the engine. Max could feel the tension around him. They were all anxious for the visit. Would it be Chloe’s miracle or a colossal waste of time?

  Max glanced at the rearview mirror at Chloe and smiled. His heart skipped a beat when she returned the gesture. Then, he glanced at Liz beside him, catching her knowing look. She reached over and patted his arm gently as she chuckled.

  It didn’t take much for Max to find the Mayo Clinic. Once they arrived in Rochester, he no longer needed the GPS. The medical complex sprawled throughout the downtown area. Following the directions Mark had given to him, he maneuvered the car into the parking garage and found an empty handicap spot.

  After hanging Liz’s temporary handicap permit on his rearview mirror, he stepped out then turned and offered his hand to help Chloe. Together, they retrieved Liz’s wheelchair from the trunk and helped her into the seat.

  Max occasionally glanced at the scrawled instructions as he guided the two women through the clinic building to gastroenterology. He looked up at Chloe, watching her wrench her hands together nervously. Liz must have seen it also because she reached out and took her daughter’s hand, holding it comfortingly as Max pushed the wheelchair through the corridors.

  They found the correct waiting room with minutes to spare. Chloe steeled her shoulders back as she stepped up to the receptionist desk. Max sighed as she deflated when the plump, friendly blonde handed her a pile of papers to complete that was nearly an inch thick. Chloe shuffled to the waiting area with the papers and pen in hand. He followed with Liz as Chloe plopped into a chair.

  Chloe had barely made it through the first page when her name was called. She stood hesitantly. Max could see her hand shake. Liz spoke softly, “Honey, do you want us to stay out here?”

  “No, come with me. Please. Both of you.”

  The nurse smiled brightly as they approached. She led them to a small alcove to take Chloe’s height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure. The nurse nodded quietly in approval at the blood pressure, temperature, and height, her tied-back, auburn curls and bright green eyes echoing in agreement. But as Chloe stepped down from the scale, her cheeriness faded. She scribbled down a few notes then instructed them to follow her.

  Chloe’s face fell as she shuffled along. “I guess I didn’t realize I was overweight.”

  “Chloe, baby. You’re not overweight,” Max breathed, his voice low and nearly dangerous. “I saw the number. You’re very underweight.” Chloe met his deep blue eyes with alarm. He continued, “Baby, we’ve got to find a way to fix this. Now. I’m terrified what will happen to you if we don’t.”

  The nurse escorted them to an examination room and ushered them inside. She deposited the chart outside the door, telling them the doctor would be in to see them in just a moment. Chloe lifted herself up on the table as Max took one of the two available chairs. Liz maneuvered her wheelchair out of the way of the door, next to Max.

  It felt like they waited forever in silence. Max glanced down at this watch. It had only been ten minutes. They heard a scuffle at the door before the knob turned. A tall, well-built man in a white medical coat stepped in as he studied the file in his hand. His sandy brown hair lay back in soft waves. He glanced up at the occupants of the room with warm brown eyes.

  Max eyed the doctor warily. Max turned toward Chloe, catching her wide-eyed look at Dr. Nicholson. He barely detected her flinching. Men terrify her. How is she going to react to him?

  “Hi, I’m Chad Nicholson. You must be Chloe,” the doctor addressed. He reached out to shake her hand. She offer
ed it to him timidly. He then spun slowly to Max and Liz. “And you must be Max. Mark told me everything you’ve done for him.”

  Max slowly stretched from his seat and squared his shoulders as he offered Chad his hand. “All good, I hope,” he responded.

  “Absolutely. Mark really respects you. And Liz? It’s nice to meet you.”

  Liz shook his hand emphatically. Max grinned. It certainly seemed that Liz was quite entranced with the young doctor.

  Chad took another look at the file. “Chloe, I did some additional research on Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. With the notes Mark sent me, I really do think this is what you have.”

  “Can you cure me?” she asked quietly.

  “Unfortunately, no. However, there are medications out there that can keep your episodes under control.”

  “So, you can write me a prescription, and I can go?”

  “It’s not that easy. We have to run tests to eliminate other causes of your vomiting. We’ll start with an X-ray with barium and go from there.”

  Chloe frowned. “X-ray with barium?”

  “Yes. We’ll have you drink some barium, and then trace it through your system. If that test comes out negative, we’ll start scheduling the others. I’ll see about getting you in the next day or two. All right?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m going to do a quick exam.”

  Chloe lay back on the exam table obediently as Chad donned a pair of gloves.

  Max stood as the doctor pulled up her T-shirt to just below her bra and pulled her shorts to just about her panties. He thumbed toward the door. “I’m going to step outside,” he volunteered.

  Chloe smiled at him. “It’s all right. Sit.”

  Max sat back down in his chair nervously then stared at the wall as Chad gently poked against the soft flesh of Chloe’s belly. Then, he tugged her clothes back to where they belonged. He followed his exam with several questions to clarify what Mark had already told him. He closed the chart and looked up at Chloe. “Everything seems good. Let me go get that test scheduled.”