“Right this way, Mr. Campbell,” Stephanie says.
“It’s Liam.”
Her steps slow and she gives me a second look. “As in Liam Campbell from Reckless Alibi?”
I smile. There’s no better feeling in the world than when someone recognizes me by name. It’s been happening more and more these past few months. “Guilty.”
Her jaw goes slack. “Oh my God, I love your songs. I listen to them all the time. I play guitar too, and hope to be in a band when I graduate high school in May.”
“Well, thanks for listening to our music, and good luck with yours.”
“I can’t believe I’m walking with you. My friends will freak when I tell them. They’ll never believe me.” She looks around. “Hey, I’m not supposed to have my phone out, but no way can I miss this opportunity. Can I snap a quick picture with you? Please? It would mean everything.”
“Do it.”
Faster than lightning, the phone is in her hands and our heads are close for her selfie. She squeals. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh gosh, you probably want to check on your wife. She’s right behind the curtain. It was so nice to meet you.” She walks away.
Wife?
I peek around the curtain. There’s a doctor with Ella. He sees me. “Mr. Campbell?”
How does he know my name? “Uh, yeah.”
He offers his hand. “I’m Dr. Stone.”
After we shake, I notice Ella has changed into a hospital gown and the blood on her face is gone. There’s a bandage on the left side of her head. I can’t help but stare, glitter hair and all. She’s fucking gorgeous. Onstage I couldn’t figure out why I was drawn to her. A melody plays in my head, and I pat my pockets, wishing I had blank sheet music.
“Ella most likely has a concussion. Due to the late hour, I’d prefer she stay the night for observation. Her blood pressure is higher than I’d like. She’ll be taken up for a CT scan. Assuming there’s no further damage, which I don’t expect, she’ll need to rest for a few days, then ease back into normal activity. I suspect with a little TLC, your wife will be back to normal in no time.”
I cock my head, confused. The doctor leaves.
I step over to the bed. “You told them we’re married?” I say a little harshly.
“Of course not.”
A nurse comes in before I can get out another question. “Ms. Campbell?” She checks Ella’s wristband and then hands her a small cup with pills in it and a glass of water. “The doctor prescribed this for the pain.”
As soon as she leaves, I resume my position at Ella’s side. “Then why is everyone calling you Mrs. Campbell?”
“The nurse didn’t call me Mrs. Campbell, she called me Ms. Campbell. Big difference.”
“Who gives a shit about that? Why do they think we’re married if you didn’t tell them?”
“Listen, if you think this is all a big ploy to get you in my bed, you’re sorely mistaken. I don’t know who you think you are, but you obviously think highly of yourself if you assume women will fall at your feet and pretend to be your wife.”
“But … what the hell?” I think back to when we first entered the ER. “Oh, shit. It’s my fault. I didn’t know your last name. They probably assumed it was the same as mine.”
She laughs, then cups her head in pain. “I almost forgot; Krista told me we have the same last name.”
My face slackens in surprise. “Your name is Ella Campbell?”
She nods.
I chuckle, wondering what the odds are. Then I stiffen. “You’re not related to Dirk Campbell or” —I swallow— “Don Campbell, are you?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Relief courses through me. “Good.”
I hand her the coffee. She looks at it thoughtfully, then regards me for a few moments. “You should know I’m not going to sleep with you.”
My brows shoot up at her bluntness. “What makes you think I want to sleep with you?”
“Oh, come on. The drinks you sent to my table. The fuck-me eyes you were giving me.”
I try to look innocent. “That was you?”
“The knight-in-shining-armor act after my fall.”
“It wasn’t an act. I was being a good Samaritan. And for argument’s sake—not that I want to sleep with you—but why wouldn’t you?”
She looks me up and down. Parts of my anatomy tingle under her perusal. “Look at you. You’re in a rock band. You probably have syphilis or something, not to mention I don’t do one-nighters, nor do I sleep with arrogant men I’ve just met.”
“Arrogant? Who says I’m arrogant?”
“Okay, fine. Maybe you’re not. But you’d be one of the few who aren’t.”
“You know a lot of guys in rock bands, do you?”
“No, but they have a reputation.”
“You mean a stereotype. Not all musicians are narcissists.”
“Are you saying you aren’t?”
I shrug. “If I’m being honest, maybe I am a little, but it’s only because I’m confident in my abilities.”
Her lips curl in disgust. “You think an awful lot of yourself, don’t you?”
I realize what she must be thinking. “I’m confident about my guitar-playing ability. Get your head out of the gutter, Mrs. Campbell.”
She laughs again, then cringes.
I feel guilty causing her pain. “Sorry.”
“I might have lied to you a minute ago. The real reason I don’t want to sleep with you—or anyone—is because I recently got out of a long-term relationship. So, no offense, but I won’t be getting in anyone’s bed for some time. If that’s why you’re here, you’re wasting your time.”
Someone comes around the curtain with a wheelchair. “I’m here to take you up for your CT scan, Mrs. Campbell.”
We glance at each other in amusement.
Before they wheel her away, she stops the man pushing her. “Liam, I’m not sure I ever thanked you for everything you did for me tonight. It was very nice meeting you. I enjoyed your music, and I plan on downloading more, but I’ve got it from here. Goodbye, Mr. Campbell.”
She is taken away, and I have to lean against the wall because of all the fucking noise in my head. I go to the nurse’s station. “What time do patients usually get discharged after staying overnight?”
“If she’s transferred to another floor, it’ll probably be late morning or early afternoon, but it depends on how backed up they are.”
I check the time. Eleven thirty. That gives me nine or ten hours. I do a quick google search before racing out the door.
Chapter Four
Ella
I am wheeled back to the ER after my CT scan. The chair in the corner is empty. I’m not sure why it makes me sad that Liam isn’t here. I told him to leave, and I meant what I said. I’m not interested in a romp in the hay. Still, I feel the corners of my mouth turn down. I guess it was nice to have someone famous giving me attention, that’s all.
Dr. Stone comes in. “As I said before, I’d like to keep you overnight for observation.”
I glance at the curtain. “I have to stay here?”
“We’ll admit you, and you’ll be moved to another floor.”
“But I can leave tomorrow?”
“More than likely. I didn’t find anything significant on the scan. However, there’s still the issue of your hypertension. We’ll observe you tonight, but my best guess is it’ll resolve itself by morning, and you’ll be good to go.”
“When can I get back to running?”
“Take a few days to rest, but after that it’s largely dependent on how you feel. Take cues from your body. Start slowly and work up from there. Having a running partner might help keep you from overdoing it.”
I lost my running partner two weeks ago. “Okay, thank you.”
“Someone will be in to move you shortly.”
He pulls back the curtain to leave, and familiar brown eyes are staring at me. I turn away.
“Looks like you have
another visitor,” Dr. Stone says. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“Jesus Christ, Ella. What happened?”
“How did you get in, Corey? I thought they only let family back here.” I momentarily think of Liam and how everyone thought he was my family.
“I saw something Jenn posted on Instagram about you being rushed to the hospital. I tried to call you. I got worried. This is the third hospital I checked. I told them I’m your brother.”
“I need to talk to this place about their security,” I grumble under my breath, then I realize I haven’t checked my phone in a while. I should let Krista and Jenn know I’m okay.
“Come again?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. I think you should leave.”
He pulls up the chair. “I’m not going anywhere while you could be dying.”
I point to my head. “I’m far from dying. I fell. I have a concussion. No biggie.”
“Then why are you still here? Shouldn’t they be discharging you?”
“They’re keeping me overnight for observation.”
Concern wrinkles his forehead. “Sounds serious.”
“It’s not. Like I said, observation. Corey, we broke up. You should go.”
He takes my hand. It feels so familiar. “I think I should stay. When you get out tomorrow, you should come home with me so I can take care of you.”
My jaw drops. “You cheated on me. Two weeks ago you cheated on me, and you want me to stay at your apartment?”
“I didn’t cheat on you two weeks ago, Ella. That’s just when you found out.”
I rip my hand away. “I don’t care if it was two weeks or two months. You slept with another woman.”
“I was drunk. I told you it will never happen again. I love you.”
He’s said the words a thousand times. I’ve said them back just as much. This is what I was worried about. Corey has always had this uncanny ability to make me want what he wants. It’s why I locked myself in my apartment for two weeks. I was afraid if I saw him, I’d take him back. I need more time away from him so I can build my walls and become stronger.
“I can’t be with a man I don’t trust. It’s hard for me to believe she was the only one, and I can’t be sure you’ll never do it again.”
“You have my word. I promise.”
“Have you quit drinking?”
He looks like I asked him if the sky is green. “No.”
“Then you can’t promise it won’t happen again.”
“You want me to stop drinking to prove how much I love you? Is that what you want?”
“I don’t doubt that you love me. I still love you. Those feelings don’t go away overnight. But I can never be with you.”
He traces my jaw. “You still love me. I knew it. We’re meant to be together, Ella.”
I reach around on the bed, find the call button, and push it. A moment later, a nurse comes around the curtain. “Is there something I can do for you?”
I nod. “You can escort him out. I don’t want any more visitors.”
“Ella. No.”
I turn away.
“Come now,” the nurse says. “It’s late, and she needs her rest.”
He leaves without another word.
My head slumps into my hands, and I cry until my forehead throbs.
~ ~ ~
“Knock knock,” someone says at the door. Krista and Jenn walk in with balloons.
I smile. “You didn’t have to come. I’m being released this afternoon.”
“Yeah, but hospitals are boring, and we feel guilty about dragging you out against your will last night.”
“I wish I knew you were coming. I’d have asked you to bring—”
“Ta-da!” Jenn reveals the Starbucks cup hiding behind her back.
My eyes mist. “I love you guys.”
Jenn pulls the tray table over and puts down my latte. She hugs me and eyes my bandage. “Seriously, though, are you okay? You took one heck of a fall.”
“More importantly,” Krista says, “you got to ride in a limo with Reckless Alibi.”
I chuckle.
“Come on, sister, spill!”
They take a seat on either side of the bed.
“I don’t remember much more than being morbidly embarrassed. I mean, the guy picked me up and carried me to the car like a baby.”
“Eek!” Krista squeals. “Not just any guy. Liam fucking Campbell.”
A smile spreads across my face.
“What is it?” Jenn asks.
“They thought we were married.”
They are both about to jump out of their skin. “Tell us everything,” Krista says. “Don’t leave out a single detail.”
They hang on every last word as I tell them what happened.
“You got pictures with him, right?” Jenn asks, glancing around the room. “What did he sign for you?”
“Uh …”
Krista’s biting stare scolds me. “El, tell me you got some swag out of this.”
I shake my head.
Krista feigns heart failure. “And you just let him leave?”
“Weren’t you listening?” Jenn says. “She told him to go.”
“You’re crazy!” Krista shouts.
I cringe, because I still have a pounding headache.
“Sorry, but you really missed an opportunity there.”
“Blame it on the head injury,” I say.
There’s a knock on the door and Dr. Stone walks in. He has my chart in his hand. Flipping through it, he says, “I know you saw Dr. Su this morning, but I like to follow up once my patients leave the Emergency Department. Looks like my prediction was accurate. Your blood pressure is right where it should be. You feeling okay?”
I touch my head. “Only a little throbbing.”
“That will go away sooner rather than later. Try not to overdo it when you get home. They’ve issued discharge orders so you should be good to go in a few hours.” He glances at Krista and Jenn and then back at me. “I also heard there may have been an unwanted visitor last night. I apologize. We’re training new staff, but that’s no excuse. It never should have happened.”
“It’s okay. Thanks for all your help, Dr. Stone.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck, Ella.”
After he leaves, Krista and Jenn go into full swoon mode again.
“First the gorgeous rock star and now the hot doctor,” Jenn says. “Some girls have all the luck.”
“Was he serious about the unwanted visitor?” Krista asks. “Did you actually make them throw Liam Campbell out?”
“No, not Liam.”
“Then who?” Jenn asks. She sees my apprehensiveness. “Oh my God, it was the dickhead, wasn’t it? Shit, Ella. I should have known when he commented on my Instagram post. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. He seemed genuinely concerned about me. Even asked me to go home with him so he could tend to me. He said he still loves me.”
“Stop it,” Krista says. “He’s a lying, cheating bastard.”
“I know, but it was hard seeing him again. I guess I miss him more than I thought I would.”
“Nope,” Jenn says. “No way. I see the look on your face. You are not getting back together with him.”
“Why do you think I had him kicked out? I don’t want him back. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss him.”
“Maybe it’s not him you miss,” Krista says. “Maybe it’s sex.”
Jenn swats her arm. “Maybe it’s being in a relationship. Being in love. Knowing someone has your back.”
I drop my eyes. “He didn’t have my back. He cheated behind it.” I sink into the pillow. “I wish I could, I don’t know, disappear for a while.”
Krista offers a sad smile. “Hey now, that’s why you have us. We’re your people. We’ll always have your back, no matter what.”
A nurse pops in. “I have the discharge papers for you to sign.”
“We should go,” Jenn says. “Call me later if you want a
ride home. Or if you need ice cream. Or alcohol. Or anything.”
I hug them both before they leave. Then I fill out the twenty-five forms the nurse left. “All this for one night in the hospital?”
“Need help?”
My heart flips when I see who’s in the doorway.
“I mean, who better to help you fill out all that shit than your husband?”
Chapter Five
Liam
“Come in,” she says.
I cross the room and hand her a vase of flowers so big, she almost drops it.
“Here, let me.” When I take them back, her hand brushes mine and our eyes meet. It’s easier to see hers clearly today, as the large bandage from last night has been replaced with smaller Band-Aids. She has the most incredible brown eyes—lighter in the middle and several shades darker around the outer edges. They’re exotic. I can’t shift my gaze away.
She pulls back. “Why are you here?”
I get the papers from my back pocket and hand them to her.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a song I wrote. Or rather, it’s a melody. Crew and Bria write the lyrics. I write the music to go with them.”
She seems confused. “Sorry, I can’t read music. I’m not sure what I’m looking at.”
“It’s the first Reckless Alibi music I’ve written in months.”
“Okay.” She pretends to be interested in the sheet music that probably looks like a foreign language to her.
“You don’t get it. I haven’t been able to do this since last fall. My bandmates have had to step up and compose music for me. I’ve been in a slump—the biggest one I’ve ever had. Then you fell into my life and voila, a new song.”
“You’re right. I don’t get it.”
“Last night after I left, I found a music store and bought blank sheet music and a used guitar. I got a cheap hotel room down the street, because my place is back in Stamford. Well, Crew’s place is. Anyway, the point is, instead of staring at blank sheets, I filled them. It took me less than seven hours to score a complete song. That might be a record for me, and I have you to thank.”
Reckless Invitation (The Reckless Rockstar Series) Page 3