by Ancelli
“It’s my dad.” Tears swelled in her eyes. “He’s in the hospital.”
“What happened?” Ethan asked, taking the cell phone from her.
“He was involved in a car accident,” she mumbled.
His eyes widened. “My dad?”
“No, I think he’s okay.” Rayn sat on the bed. “He’s the one that called Mom.”
“Is Grandpa going to be okay?” Alex dropped his tablet on the bed and made his way to Rayn.
“I don’t know.” She couldn’t lie to her son. He wrapped his small hands around her neck.
Ethan dialed their airline. “I need to book three flights leaving George Bush Airport today.”
Rayn leaned her head against her son’s. “Let’s say a little prayer for Grandpa.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was after five in the afternoon when they made it back to Tulsa International. The flight was just an hour and forty minutes long, but it seemed to take forever. They dropped Alex off at the sitter’s and then looped to the hospital. Rayn rushed through the glass double doors while Ethan parked the car. Inside, it was chaotic. She’d never seen the emergency room so overcrowded. Her heart was pounding hard as she searched through the congested area for her family. There were still patients waiting to be seen, some bloody and bruised. Here and there, people were being carted in by paramedics, one injured victim after the other. Doctors and nurses were running back and forth.
“Ayesha,” she called out to the head nurse. “What happened?”
“Multiple car pile-up on the interstate. We’re still getting victim transfers from other hospitals.” She rushed away.
Rayn continued looking around the room. Her mother was nowhere in sight. She’d never seen so much action in all her years as a PA. Rayn wanted to jump into her scrubs and assist, but sadly, she couldn’t. She wasn’t here to help; she was here for her father. She spotted Jenny—the last person she wanted to see or talk to—in one of the side rooms, taking a woman’s vitals. Rayn ran up to the doorway. “Jenny,” she called, out of breath. “Have you seen a Mr. Taylor?”
“No,” she snapped as she continued to help the patient. “The ER is jam-packed tonight, as you can tell. I haven’t been taking a roll call.”
“He’s my father.” She swallowed. “Please.”
“I think he was the first one to arrive.” Jenny stopped what she was doing and stared at Rayn. “Check room 110 or 112.”
Rayn didn’t wait for her to finish. She ran down the hallway, sidestepping people in her way. Within two minutes, she reached the hospital room. Her mom was sobbing uncontrollably, while Alexandre tried to console her. Rayn’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. She was numb as she took in the empty hospital bed. Had she told her dad how much he meant to her, the last time she’d spoken to him? Was she too late? Her chest started to heave. So many things were going through her head. You only get one father in a lifetime. Hers wasn’t perfect but he was perfectly imperfect in her eyes. He made mistakes—who didn’t? Rayn’s cell phone rang and she snapped herself back to the present. She grabbed the cell out of her purse; it was her baby sister.
“Nicole,” she sniffled, trying to cover up her sobs.
“I called Mom, but she isn’t answering.” Her sister’s words were rushed. “Did you make it?”
“Yes,” Rayn mumbled. “I’m here.”
“How is he?”
Rayn was going to answer when someone took her phone out of her hand.
“Hey, Nicole.” Ethan began speaking. “He’s going to be fine. Your father’s getting a CT scan. He suffered a few nasty scratches and a broken leg. The nurse assured me his life isn’t in danger. Rayn will call you back.”
She covered her face with her hands as the floodgates opened and tears began pouring. “I thought…” Rayn couldn’t stop crying. She’d feared the worst when she saw her mother in agony.
“I know.” He wiped her tears with his fingers. “He’s going to be okay. Take a deep breath.” Ethan wrapped his strong arms around her. “I’m here…” he whispered.
She circled her arms around Ethan, absorbing his love. “Are you okay?” Rayn eased away as she wiped her face. The last time he’d been at a hospital, his mother was still alive. Being here must not be easy for him. He wouldn’t even visit her when she was at work. He’d told her the hospital was off limits. “You can go home. I’ll keep you informed.”
“I’m fine.” He cupped her face. “I’m not going to leave you.”
“I know you hate hospitals.”
“I will always hate hospitals.” Ethan caressed her cheeks. “That doesn’t mean I won’t be here for you.”
This wasn’t how their marriage was supposed to start. First, she’d been accused of something she didn’t do, and now her dad was in surgery.
Rayn took a deep breath as a cop brushed past her in a hurry.
“Excuse me,” he said.
That voice, she said to herself. Rayn watched him talking to one of the nurses on duty, and her heart began pounding hard. Without thinking, she rushed up behind him and grabbed his arm gently, turning him toward her. Rayn needed to make sure it was him.
Colton’s head snapped back.
“You did this?” she yelled. “You couldn’t get to me, so you went after my father?”
“Do I know you?” He smacked her hand away in disgust. “What are you talking about?”
Rayn glared at him, equally confused. He really didn’t know who she was.
Ethan ran up to Colton and without warning, punched him square in the jaw. “Motherfucker! You stay away from her.”
Colton tumbled back into a nurse walking by in the hallway. He grabbed his chin. “What the fuck?” He placed his hand on his holster, and righted himself. “You just assaulted a cop. Place your hands behind your back. You are under arrest.”
“Stop!” Rayn grabbed Ethan’s biceps, holding him back.
“If that’s what you have to do, go ahead and arrest me.” Ethan tightened his fist. “Your attack on Rayn ends today.”
“Take this shit somewhere else,” Jenny hollered, coming out of the vitals room, “or I will have all of you thrown out.” She continued wheeling her patient toward the bank of elevators.
Colton stared at Ethan and then it dawned on him who she was. “Ethan?”
“Colton!” A woman yelled from down the hall.
“Are you following her?” Ethan’s jaw clenched and the vein in his neck throbbed as he watched his old roommate.
Colton looked at both of them and awe transformed his face. “Wait, wait a second. You two?” He laughed sarcastically. “First Maverick, now Ethan?” His smile faded when he saw the expression of confusion on Rayn’s face. “I heard you were living in my neck of woods, but who cares.”
Why would he mention Maverick? Rayn asked herself, and then she looked at Ethan and the answer was on his face. He didn’t seem at all surprised when Colton mentioned his best friend. “Maverick.”
“You didn’t know.” Colton practically spat the words, rubbing his jaw. “All this time, I assumed he assaulted me because he was defending you. I tortured you because I thought you and Maverick planned it and now, I see you didn’t know. You really didn’t have a clue.” He shook his head. “And you, you had to taste the unknown.” He smirked, staring at Ethan. “Sellout. Why couldn’t you stick with your own kind?”
Ethan spoke through clenched teeth. “You’ll never change.”
“Can’t change perfection.” Colton glared at them. “You got away with one sucker punch. Next time you might live to regret it. I’m an officer of the law. I will throw your ass in jail.”
Ethan eased closer, face to face. “Is that a threat?”
Colton chuckled softly and whispered, making sure no one heard him. “Is her pussy that good?”
Ethan went to move.
“Baby, he has a gun.” Rayn pulled harder at Ethan’s biceps, drawing his arm behind him.
“Goodbye?” Colton swallowed. “August, you said it was a minor accident—”
“That’s what I thought. Dad is with her and Mom is on her way.”
Colton took off running toward the room, with his sister in tow.
His sister was dying. Rayn felt for her adversary. She didn’t wish death upon anyone, let alone an innocent bystander. Rayn turned. “Maverick. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t see the need in divulging that information.” Ethan grabbed her hand. “It didn’t seem like Colton knew you worked here.”
“No.” She stared at Colton from a distance as he spoke with what she assumed was his family and one of the ER doctors. He began to sob desperately.
“He hasn’t changed.” Ethan sighed. “Come on, let’s check on your dad.”
“Do you think the person…” She didn’t finish her sentence, hoping the two accidents didn’t have anything to do with each other.
“What?” Ethan asked.
“Nothing.” They walked over to her father’s room. Rayn wrapped her arms around her mother and looked at her father-in-law. “Alexandre, what happened?”
“The light turned green and we waited a few seconds before pulling off, and an eighteen-wheeler lost control and plunged into the traffic. He came out of nowhere. One of the cars he crashed into hit my truck on the passenger side.” His hands were shaking. “The accident involved over ten vehicles. I’m praying for whomever was in the car behind us. The rescue team had to use the jaws of life to get them out.”
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes.” Her mother sniffled. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to your father.”
Alexandre patted her shoulder. “Jarod is going to be fine.”
“Dad.” Ethan watched his father closely. “Come on, I’ll take you home. Rayn, I’ll be back. Please stay away from you-know-who, before I go to jail tonight.”
“I will, Ethan.” She gave him a half smile, then squeezed his fingers. “Colton isn’t here to hurt me. I’m the least person on his mind. I think his sister was involved in the same accident.”
He gave her a kiss before leaving to take his father home.
“Mom.” She patted on the hospital bed. “Lie down and rest.” The bags under her mother’s eyes spoke more than any words. Her mom didn’t fight her; she just crawled into the bed. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to check on something.” Rayn glanced down the hall. Whoever Colton was here to see, had to be involved in the same pile-up. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” her mom inquired. “And who was Ethan talking about?”
“Nobody important.” She kissed her mother’s forehead. “I’m going to see if I can help.”
“You’re on suspension.”
“I know.” Rayn stepped out into a circus of people arguing.
“There is no way that man is going to touch my daughter. I don’t want a nig—”
Rayn stopped dead in her tracks.
“Dr. Stuart is one the best trauma surgeons we have,” a nurse interjected, obviously trying to calm the man.
“I don’t fucking care how great he is.” The man pointed at Dr. Stuart. “If you touch her, I’m suing this damn hospital.”
“Fine.” Dr. Stuart raised his hand in the air. “If your daughter dies, it’s on you.” He stormed away.
As awful as the exchange had been, Rayn was confused why was Dr. Stuart back to work and, vacation aside, she hadn’t been called in.
“Rayn.” Jenny walked up to her. “We need your help. Dr. Barbara is stuck in traffic.” She breathed hard. “They called in Dr. Stuart, but the family doesn’t want him.”
“Believe me,” she looked as the yelling man was joined by Colton, “they won’t want me either. I’m a nigger too.”
“Look, they suck, but can you please try?” Jenny begged. “She’s pregnant. It’s too late for her, but not for her unborn baby.” She handed her a tablet with the information they had on the patient so far. “I think the crash might’ve injured the baby, but they aren’t listening to me.”
“There’s no brain activity,” Rayn disclosed sadly, reading the notes. The patient was twenty-seven weeks along. “I can’t,” she said from between gritted teeth. “I’m under suspension. You should know, you did this.” She handed back the tablet.
“I didn’t report you,” Jenny announced. “I know who did and why. I knew what I was doing when I egged her on. She was involved with Alvin and I knew if I poked her a little, she would give in and do my dirty work. I let my jealousy get the best of me, and for that I apologize.”
“I hope you’re happy.”
“I became a nurse to help people. Your voice is louder than mine in this hospital. The doctors will listen to you. Right now, they are just letting that patient and her baby die.”
Rayn walked slowly down the hall, and while Colton and his family were arguing she entered his sister’s room. The woman’s lifeless body was hooked up to the machines. One was keeping her alive while the other was monitoring the baby’s heartbeat. Rayn picked up the white sheet of paper. The baby’s heartbeat was dropping. Where are the doctors?
Her heart stopped when she saw who it was. “Sommer,” she whispered. This woman was Ethan’s childhood friend’s wife. “Oh my God.” She covered her mouth with her hand. Morgan had just deployed overseas, what—a few weeks ago? “Sommer.” Rayn held her hand. “You’re not alone.”
“What the fuck are you doing in my sister’s room?” Colton opened the door wide.
Rayn gently placed her hand on the mattress. “Her baby can be saved.” She turned around, squaring her shoulders. She needed to face her fears, and the embodiment of all of them was standing in front of her at this exact moment. “If you don’t allow them to perform an emergency Cesarean on her now, you will lose both your sister and her baby.”
“Sommer’s still breathing.” He walked up, placing his palm over her chest. “She’s a fighter, like me.”
Did he know she was brain dead, or was he in denial? If she mentioned it, he might crack. Rayn looked at his gun. Colton wasn’t thinking as a cop at the moment. He was an emotional wreck, and who could blame him? His sister was dying right in front of him, and there was nothing he or anyone could do. “Her unborn child still has a chance.”
“What do you know?”
“She’s one of the best PAs I have at this hospital.” Dr. Barbara entered the room with a tablet in her hand. “She’s correct. If we don’t get her in the OR in the next half an hour, you will be saying goodbye to two family members,” she stated directly and honestly. “Your choice.”
“Will you be operating?” Colton’s father asked, entering the room.
“Yes, and Dr. Stuart will assist.”
“No. The hell he will.” His father spoke sternly, this time without yelling. “No nig—”
“Excuse me.” Dr. Barbara glared at the older man, not allowing him to finish the word. “You will not use any degrading words in this hospital. I don’t care what race anyone in this room is. As doctors, we are here to help, but I will not allow you to disrespect any staff member. We are losing precious time.”
Colton looked at his father and then at her. “Rayn.” He swallowed. “Please, please save my sister and her baby.” Tears ran down his cheeks.
“I can’t.” Tears filled her eyes too.
“Is this payback for the shit I did to you? You owe me!” he sobbed. “My baby sister has nothing to do with me, and my sins from the past.” He pointed at himself. “Fuck!” he yelled. “I’m fucking sorry for everything I’ve ever done to you. I need you!” Colton begged.
>
That awful night resurfaced in her mind. He’d begged her to stay with him, instead of walking away and what had that cost her? Five years with Ethan. If she even thought of entering that OR it would probably cost her, her career.
Rayn closed her eyes for a few seconds, saying a silent prayer. She’d chosen the medical field for a reason.
“Why are you begging her?” his father scolded.
“It’s because of you!” Colton yelled at the older man. “Rayn.” He got down on his knees. “Please…” He grabbed her hands. “Please…”
“Taylor.” Dr. Barbara stared at her. “Get ready. We have less than twenty minutes to get her baby out.” Her mentor made the decision for her. “Tell Dr. Stuart to meet us there. Let’s go.”
Everything happened fast and then in slow motion. One minute they were in the hospital room, then prepping for surgery. Dr. Barbara, Dr. Stuart, and Rayn did all they could to save Sommer, but her injuries were too severe.
***
“I’m so sorry,” Dr. Barbara said, walking into the waiting area. “We tried everything to save her…”
Colton stared at Rayn for a frenzied moment, and then abruptly ran out of the room.
Rayn took a deep breath, and against her better judgment, followed him. He was in the stairwell, crying out in sorrow. “Colton.” She could barely hear herself speak.
“Are you happy?” He glared at her with hatred.
That was her cue to turn around and leave but she couldn’t. “I never understood why you hated me so much until I met your family today. You have it in you to become better than your father.” Rayn opened the door. “By the way, you have a tiny niece waiting to see you on the fifth floor. And you’re welcome.” She walked out of the stairwell, straight into Ethan.
“Where have you been? Your dad’s been out of surgery for a while.” He wrapped his strong arms around her. “I thought Colton did something.” Ethan kissed her temple. “You’ve been gone for hours.”
“I’m sorry. An emergency came up.” She placed her hands in the front pockets of her blouse. “Is he up?”