“I'll let you know if I see him hanging around,” Brandi said, “but like I said, he hasn't been back to the shop since he left, and we all know that's become his favorite place to sulk.”
“Thanks Brandi,” Everley said. “I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him.”
“I'll keep an eye out, and I'm sure your knight over there will too,” she winked at Heath. “I gotta get out of here, you can go back to your regularly scheduled make-out session.”
Everley let out a snort at Brandi’s comment, then rolled the window up. “Okay, knight, let's go home.”
“As you wish,” he grinned, starting the car and putting it in gear.
***
By Friday, they still hadn't seen or heard from Benny. He'd missed his court date, and that seemed to put Everley at ease, but it made Heath nervous. With an away game that evening, he'd spent most of the week trying to convince Everley to stay with Ryan and Harper until he returned. Normally, she’d just go with him, but her own work schedule that week had her exhausted and needing rest.
“Please?” he pleaded. “I won't be home until late tonight, and I know you can take care of yourself, but we both know that Benny has gone off the deep end. Just go to Ryan's until I come home.”
She’d spent most of Thursday convincing him she'd be just fine on her own, but he was adamant.
“Did you really come all the way here for lunch just to continue this conversation?” She was annoyed that Heath was still at it, but tried not to let the irritation show, she knew he was coming from a loving place. He was only looking out for her, and she appreciated that, but she was also certain a few hours alone wouldn't be all that bad.
“Everley...” Heath was frustrated, and she hated that she was the one making him that way.
He wasn't pressuring her to do anything terrible, just trying to keep her from being alone. She could understand that, but she felt backed into a corner. Like if she didn't just give in, he'd harp on her until she did. Like he'd been harping on her all week. It was a situation she was all too familiar with, and one she didn’t care for all that much.
“I’m sorry,” he said, before she could even respond. “You're right. You're not a child, and it's not fair of me to try to make you do something you don't want to do.”
“But...” There was always a but.
“No buts,” he promised, “I mean it, I'm sorry.”
She was shocked. “Are you sure? No, 'I know what's best,' or 'just listen to me,' or 'dammit Everley, why won't you just marry me'?” The words flew out before she realized what she was saying.
“I never said that,” he stated.
“No,” she shook her head. “You didn't. I'm sorry.”
“That’s why you're so defensive, isn't it?” he asked, “You've had this conversation before.”
“Yeah,” she nodded, “about a million times, but this is different, and you’re not being an asshole.” Benny was always an asshole, raising his voice, insisting she was wrong, that she just needed to do what he said. “And you’re only trying to protect me, not trying to convince me to make some gigantic mistakes. I'm sorry, I'll go hang out with my friends tonight.”
“No,” he said, “if you want to stay home, please, do. Just promise you'll text me now and then and let me know you're all right?”
“Okay,” she promised. After everything was said and done, she ended up going to Ryan’s place when her shift ended.
***
Harper seemed more than thrilled to have Everley over for the evening. Even though Everley had been careful of their interactions all week, unsure of her own roller coaster of emotions, her friend acted as though nothing was different at all.
“I’m so glad you're not mad at me,” Harper said for the millionth time. She had fawned over Everley the second she walked into the house, and hadn’t stopped, even though a few hours had gone by since.
“I was never mad at you,” Everley assured her, again.
“You’ve just been a little distant,” she said, “and I get it, I really do, and I know it's only been a week, but I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Everley said, “and I'm sorry for being such a bad friend lately-”
“You haven't been a bad friend,” Harper interrupted. It looked like she was about to say more, but the doorbell rang.
“Expecting someone?” Everley asked. Ryan had run off to Owen's for a bit and wasn't expected to return so soon.
“I invited the girls over,” Harper winced, as if she'd forgotten all about it. “It was before I knew you'd be here. I wanted to tell them about… well, you know... and I was so excited when Ryan said you would be here tonight that it slipped my mind.”
“Well,” Everley smiled, “don't leave them hanging.”
With a sigh of relief, Harper got up to answer the door, and was met with Brandi's overly excited voice. “I have gossip! Guess who totally did it- oh! Hi Everley!” She stopped running her mouth the instant she saw Everley on the couch.
Everley said hello and gave Brandi a look that said she needed to shut up. Gabriella just followed silently, not wanting to get caught in the war.
Brandi plopped down next to Everley and wrapped her arm around her. “I've been holding onto this all week,” she said, “but now that we're all here, why don't you fill me in on all the dirty details.”
“You saw us kissing,” Everley said. “Don’t read into it too much.”
“Making out,” Brandi informed everyone. “They were not being all cute and innocent.”
“Wait a minute,” Gabriella finally spoke, “since when do you make out where people can see you?”
“I think we're here for our friend,” Everley reminded them, “not me.”
Brandi pulled away from Everley, and leaned over to whisper to Gabriella, “They totally did it.”
Everley gave Harper a look that she hoped conveyed her desperation. “Harper?” she tried, when her silent plea didn’t work. If Harper didn’t say something soon, Brandi would double down on the interrogation.
“I’m pregnant,” Harper stated just in time.
After a couple seconds of silence, as if they couldn't believe what had just happened, the two women started screaming and gushing congratulations. Girl talk began, and soon, the topic had moved from Harper's impending bundle to when Gabriella would have one.
“We might give it a shot after the wedding,” she said, “but we still haven't picked a date for that yet. What about you and your doctor?”
“Oh please,” Brandi rolled her eyes, “I run a business, and he's a doctor. We don't have time for that. But I do have time for nieces and nephews.”
Everley was a little uncomfortable with the conversation, so she didn't contribute much, but everyone else's excitement kept a smile on her face.
Brandi had other plans with the baby talk. She turned to Everley, content to get out of the hot seat. “What about you?” she asked. “Things seem to be going great for you and lover boy.”
“Brandi,” Harper scolded.
“What?” she asked, feigning innocence. “You know those two are gonna get married someday.”
“I just got divorced,” Everley reminded them, “and Heath and I have only just started seeing each other again after not having any contact for a long time.”
“But when it’s right, it's right,” Gabriella told her, “and you'd have cute babies.”
“I don't think that’s gonna happen,” she mumbled.
“Why not?” Brandi asked, rolling her eyes when Harper tried to shush her. “I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be insensitive, but a lot of women go on to have healthy babies, and come on, you two would have beautiful babies.”
“I’ve lost two,” Everley reminded her, “and I really don't want to talk about this anymore.” Everything came rushing back to her. The beautiful little girl that was ripped away too soon, and the child that was gone before she even had a chance to see it.
“Everley...” Brandi frowned.
“I’m going to go lie down,” she said. “Is that okay?”
“Of course,” Harper nodded as she gave Brandi one of the dirtiest looks Everley had ever seen.
As she disappeared into the spare room, Everley heard quiet discussion. It wasn't until she buried herself in blankets that realized someone had come in and shut the door.
“Everley?” It was Brandi. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I know I've got a big mouth, and I really didn't mean any harm… I just… I mean, we were talking about babies, and you seemed happy, so I thought I'd just ask. It was stupid and insensitive, and I'm really, really sorry. Please don't hate me.”
“I don't hate you,” Everley mumbled, still buried underneath a mountain of blankets.
“Come out of there?” Brandi begged. Everley emerged from her nest and was immediately pulled into a hug. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-”
“Okay,” Everley let out a little laugh, “I'm not mad at you, I just… it's not something I like to talk about. I mean, I don't mind that you guys are all happy and talking about your plans, but… I just don't think it's in the cards for me.”
“Are you sure about that?” Brandi asked.
“I’ve lost two babies,” Everley stated, “and both times I got zero answers on why. Instead, I got the usual 'you didn't do anything wrong' speech.”
“Okay,” Brandi nodded, “so, no one’s actually said that you can never ever have babies, right?”
“Brandi-”
“Just hear me out,” she said, “let's start with the big question. Do you want babies?”
“I really don't see how this will make me feel better.”
“I want babies,” Brandi said, a hint of sadness in her voice. It was a complete turnaround from the enthusiastic gossip she had been churning out earlier.
“You said you didn't,” Everley said.
“No,” Brandi shook her head, “I said I didn't have time for them. That's not entirely true though.” She frowned, as if she wasn't sure what to say next. “I know I'm a gossip, Everley, but you know that I'd never say anything to intentionally hurt the people I love.”
Everley raised an eyebrow, not sure why Brandi was telling her this. Sure, the woman had always been known for her gossip, and was usually always on board for teasing and good natured ribbing, but Everley knew there were never bad intentions attached to any of it. “Brandi, I know that. If I told you something really bothered me, you'd stop.”
“So this conversation doesn't leave this room?”
“I won't say anything,” Everley promised, though she wasn't sure why Brandi suddenly clammed up.
“I want babies,” Brandi said again, “but I can't have them. I found out a few years ago, back when I was considering settling down with Nate.”
“Nate the mechanic?” Everley asked.
“Yeah,” she laughed, “crazy, right? Anyway, I was with him for a long time, and we tried for a bit, but when nothing happened, I figured I'd see what the problem was. My problems could probably fill a novel, so I won't get into them, but I was told that the likelihood of me ever getting pregnant was slim to none. Nate didn't like those odds, so we parted ways.”
“Ouch.”
“Oh, it's okay,” Brandi assured her, “because Lee had just come back to town and we started talking. But not the point. The point is, I was told point blank that babies probably wouldn't happen for me. So, let's start again, same question. Do you want babies? I don't care if you want them now or far into the future. Just a yes or no.”
“Yes, but-”
“No buts,” Brandi shushed her. “Now… has anyone ever told you that there is no way in hell that you will ever have one? And I don't mean your idiot ex. He's not a doctor.”
“No,” Everley said. She'd never had any obvious female problems, and never received any horrible news after any checkups, but that only meant she wasn't dying. Right?
“So, maybe it is in the cards,” Brandi smiled, “and you should really stop listening to Benny.”
“I’m not at a place where I can really think about bringing a kid into this world right now,” Everley said.
“So?” Brandi shrugged. “You might be in a couple years. Never hurts to ask a few questions, right?”
“I’m afraid of the answer,” Everley admitted. Even though she wanted them, the potential for another heartbreak might just be enough to do her in.
“But what if it's a good answer?” Brandi countered. “I'll go with you.”
“Really?” Having an answer would be nice and having a friend to confide in would be even better.
“Really. And I won't say a word to anyone.”
“Thanks Brandi.” She wasn’t sure she’d cash in on the promise, but on the off chance she gathered up the courage to try again… “Really. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” She hugged her again.
“Everley!” Harper came running into the room. Everley and Brandi took one look at her and instantly knew something was wrong.
“What’s going on?” Everley asked, standing up, ready to run if need be. Her friend sounded panicked, and the fear in her eyes had Everley’s heart racing. “Harper?” she asked again when her friend didn’t say anything.
“Heath's been in an accident,” Harper finally managed, and Everley’s heart dropped right into her stomach. “Just outside of town, they're on their way to the hospital-”
“How did you hear all this?” Everley asked, pulling her phone out of her pocket. Aside from a couple texts earlier in the evening, and one just an hour ago telling her he'd be home soon, there was nothing.
“Ryan's his emergency contact,” she explained, “but that's not the point, I don't have details, but Ryan says we probably need to get down there.”
Shit. “You should probably get down there,” was never a good sign.
Chapter 18
Numb. That was the only way she could describe what she was feeling, because she couldn't feel anything. Brandi stayed close, never letting go of Everley's hand as Gabriella drove the four of them to the hospital.
Ryan met them in the waiting room, and the look on his face said that there was no good news. He went straight to Everley and pulled her away from Brandi and into a hug. “He's in surgery,” he told her, “it'll be okay…”
Everley shoved away from him. “You don't know that! Don't tell me it's going to be okay when you have no clue!” She'd lost so much already, she couldn't lose him too. She broke down when Ryan pulled her into another hug. “I'm sorry…” she choked out. “It's not your fault.”
“Not even mad,” Ryan assured her. “Just vent.”
“Everley,” Harper whispered as she moved closer to the two of them. “We're here, okay?”
“Okay,” she sobbed, unable to say anything more.
They smothered her for what seemed like forever, and if she had any fight in her, she would have pushed them all away. At the moment though, she could barely remember to breathe. Once Ryan let go of her, she sat in silence, waiting for any kind of news. The longer it took, the less optimistic Everley was.
“Where is my son?”
Everyone looked up to see Masters at the information desk, making demands.
“Ryan...” It was too much of a coincidence. And if it was what she thought, Everley wondered why it took hours for Masters to show up.
Ryan didn't answer, instead, he went to try and deal with Masters. “Hey, you need to calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down,” Masters argued, “one of your deputies calls to tell me that my son is being rushed to the hospital, and you want me to remain calm?”
“First of all,” Ryan said, “your son is fine. Second, he missed his court date, so once the doctor gives him the okay, he's going straight to a holding cell.”
“Pops!” Benny came out of the room, a deputy at his side. “I'm fine! Not a scratch.”
Everley looked over at Benny, then at Ryan, and his face said it all. “You!” She stood up and started t
owards Benny, ready to kill him. This was his fault, she knew it.
“Everley!” Brandi ran and grabbed hold of her friend. “Everley, you can't lay a hand on him.”
“What’s your problem?” Benny rolled his eyes. “I said I was fine.”
“Everley,” Ryan held his hand up, “just stay back. He's going to a cell where he'll be under lock and key. He won't be able to hurt anyone.”
“He already did!” Everley protested.
“Contain your cousin, Deputy,” Masters commanded, “before she causes a riot in the hospital. That would be bad press, now wouldn't it?”
“Get him to the station,” Ryan instructed. The sooner Benny was out of Everley's line of sight, the better. As soon as he'd been taken away, Masters followed.
“What happened Ryan?” Everley asked, “What aren't you telling me?”
Ryan sighed, obviously not wanting to get into it, but knowing he had to. “I can't give you all the details right now,” he said, “I don't even have them yet. I’m only the emergency contact, so outside of showing up to make sure Heath was okay, I’m not involved.”
“Benny?” she asked, though she knew the answer. “He did something, didn't he? Because it's too much of a coincidence that they'd both end up here at the same time, and now Benny's being hauled away to the station. Over something the court isn't even all that worried about?”
“Okay,” Ryan sighed, “all I know is they were both involved.”
“It was on purpose, wasn't it?” Everley asked.
“I hate to interrupt,” Lee's voice carried through the waiting room.
Everley held her breath as the doctor approached.
“He'll be fine,” Lee said, “in a hell of a lot of pain for a while, but thankfully, nothing I couldn't fix.” He started going over the list of ailments, which included a broken arm, two cracked ribs, internal bleeding -that had been stopped, so one less thing to worry about- and a decent-sized gash on his forehead. “He's asking for you,” he told Everley, “but don't expect too much from him. He's pretty out of it.”
“You want us to come with you?” Harper asked.
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