We peek in the room and see his mom, bruised and bandaged. She appears to be sleeping but I know it’s worse than that.
“Where’s my father?” There’s a hard edge to Chase’s tone, and I think part of him is wondering if this is his fault.
“We’re not sure. He hasn’t answered his calls.”
A hard laugh escapes him and he nods in understanding. My heart breaks watching him rub a hand over his jaw.
The door opens and a severe Asian woman walks out, turning to us. “All of her injuries are minor. She’s a very lucky woman. She has bruising but no internal damage. I believe the airbag must’ve knocked her unconscious with the impact. You can go in now. Just be careful of the wires and her injuries. She’s waking up and asking for family.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Kathleen’s parents enter the room first, rushing to their daughter’s side.
Chase is frozen, panicked once again, hovering on the threshold. Sliding my hand in his, I help him walk toward the bed, offering him strength in any way I can.
33
Chase
Seeing my mom lying in the bed, beaten down, is a punch to the stomach. Was it really an accident or did my father do this to her? I’m sure, one way or another, he’s related to this.
“Chase?” Tears well and fall in an instant in her blue eyes, turning them into two swimming pools of sadness. She didn’t expect me to be here and the mere fact that I am shocks her. How did we get here?
“Mom, what the hell happened?” I inch closer, taking a seat on the chair beside her bed.
“I’ll give you some privacy.” Hailey steps out of the room and my grandparents offer to take her to the cafeteria.
“You’re in love with her.” It’s not a question, but a mere statement of fact. A small smile pulls at her mouth despite her condition. I pray this is her rock bottom and maybe she’ll return to the mother I know she can be.
I have early memories of a loving woman—caring for me when I was sick, baking Christmas cookies, and cheering me on at hockey games. Then my father destroyed her emotionally and he started beating me and then she allowed her alcoholism to take over.
I give her a curt nod, because yes, I’m madly in love with Hailey, but I’m not here to discuss my relationship. I’m here to discuss hers.
With a heavy sigh and a subsequent wince, she reaches for my hand. When I don’t offer it up, she crumbles a little, falling in on herself and adjusting her blankets to avoid looking me in the eye.
“I was drunk.” Her words are watery and hard to understand. “I drove home from book club with the girls.” Book club, where they enable her to continue drinking, but whatever. “When I got home, your father was in bed with another woman.”
My hands clench around the arm of the chair. He can’t even keep his infidelity out of their marital bed?
“I know he cheats. I’m not stupid. But knowing it and seeing it firsthand are two very different things. I was already drinking and then when I got in my car I had another bottle under my seat.” She wipes away at her tears, wincing as she pulls at her IV.
“Mom,” I wait until she meets my eye. “I’m head over heels in love with Hailey. I’ve never been happier and I want you to be as happy as she makes me.” She nods as another bout of tears escape her and I grab her hand. That shocks her enough to stop crying. “I’m serious, Mom. This has to be the end. You know how he is. I can see what he’s done to you. You deserve better than this, than him.”
A knock sounds on the door and Hailey walks in with my grandparents in tow. I can already tell they’re under her spell just like I am. I don’t blame them. She’s easy to love.
“Hailey, I want you to meet my mom, Kathleen. Mom, this is the love of my life.” I see a glimpse of my old mom, the tender one full of love and not the hard woman I’ve come to know.
“It’s an honor to meet you.” For the first time in a while, I see hope blooming in my mom’s face. “I hope after I get out of rehab I’ll be able to get to know you better.”
“I would like that.” I smile at my family and my future and the moment is perfect.
Until it’s not.
Leave it to my shit-bag of a sperm donor to choose this moment to make his appearance.
“Kathy? What happened?” His faux concern turns my stomach and on instinct, I block Hailey from him.
“Cut the shit, Tony.” My mom’s tone allows my dad’s face to turn from his fake distress to the real monster he is. “I saw you fucking that whore in our bed. I’ve had enough.”
He laughs in her face, dragging an obvious eye over her in the hospital bed. “What’re you going to do about it? You’re going to leave me and then what? You don’t work, never have.”
“It seems you’ve forgotten who I am after all these years. I don’t need your money. In fact, you were the one who needed mine. That’s done now and so are we. I want you out of my house.” Though bruised and broken in more ways than one, my mom has a backbone worthy of breaking even the most powerful men.
“You think I still need your money? I own a multi-million dollar company. I don’t need shit from any of you. As for—who’s this? The little tramp who picked you up when you ran away from me scared, son?”
“You watch your mouth. You don’t talk to her ever and while you’re at it, never talk to me again either.” My fists clench and Hailey cowers down behind me against my back.
“You talk a big game when we’re in public. You weren’t this brave the other night.” I want to wipe the smug grin off his disgusting face.
“Outside, Anthony. Now.” My grandfather commands attention in an ordinary situation, but when he raises his voice, you don’t ignore him. Not that he’s ever raised his voice at me. He knows I’ve dealt with enough bullshit where my dad’s concerned.
Though he keeps his head high, my dad goes out into the hallway to have a talk with his father-in-law and I follow.
I glance over to my girlfriend before exiting the room and see the three women sitting together. In an unexpected turn of events, Hailey is consoling my mother and my grandmother is holding both of their hands in hers. It’s nice seeing Hailey blend in with my family, my mom included, but I can’t focus on them right now. I have more pressing issues to deal with at the moment.
My grandpop shuts the room door and spins on my father, poking him in the chest. I smile behind my dad’s back, ready to hear how this will go down.
“I think it’s time you leave.”
“Who are you to tell me where I need to be? Besides, I’m already on my way out.”
“Not just out of the hospital, out of the city. Out of the state. I don’t give a damn where you go, but you will stay away from my family from this point on.”
My dad lifts his head, narrowing his eyes. “Or what?”
“Or I end you. Don’t forget who built your company from the ground up, because it sure as shit wasn’t you. I did that for my daughter and if taking you down to protect her is what it takes, then I’ll do that too. I have a lot more power and respect in the business world than you ever will. Now, leave. For good.”
My father swallows but does as he’s told without even a second glance to me or toward my mother in her room. Good riddance. If I ever see him again, it’ll be too damn soon.
34
Hailey
Chase’s father moved on to California to expand his business. At least, that’s what the press is saying. His mom went through rehab and is trying to build a better life for herself. Chase is happy he has his mom back in his life and she’s not acting like a miserable shrew anymore.
This last year has passed in a blur of work and stress. The summer flew by and my final year of medical school passed with a blink. Four years ago I was standing beside Kenzie graduating from undergrad, pushing Chase away with all my might. It feels like just yesterday, but everything is so different now.
I’m graduating today and I’ll be a real freaking doctor. I accepted a position at a top hospital in Philadelphia
and tomorrow I’ll move all my stuff from the apartment to Chase’s house.
“Babe, you’re going to be late.” I’m standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom, fluffing my hair for the umpteenth time. “Wow.”
I spin slowly, allowing my boyfriend to take me in and revel in this moment. “It was hanging in my closet and… it still fits. This dress reminds me of everything good about us and since this is one of the most important days in my life I thought I’d wear it.”
I don’t know why I feel so embarrassed explaining myself to him. His face lights up and the love in his gaze pours over me, warming me from the inside out.
“You look beautiful, Red.” When I saw the red dress hanging in my closet thanks in large part to Kenzie for holding it for me, I had to try it on.
This dress was my first date with Chase. It holds so much happiness and hope for me, for us. It felt appropriate to wear it on another important day, my graduation day from medical school.
“We’re going to play doctor all the time now. You know that, right?”
I throw on my gown and grab my things before heading out of the apartment and toward commencement. “Yes, that’s exactly why I went to medical school, to fulfill all of your fantasies.”
“Glad we’re on the same page.”
I go to elbow him in the ribs playfully, but he catches my arm and spins me around to face him.
“In case I haven’t said it recently, I’m so proud of you, Doctor Blake.” His lips graze mine and I’m floating on cloud nine, not just from the kiss, but from hearing him call me Doctor Blake as well.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Red.”
◊◊◊
“Chase, I’m going to freeze, are you crazy?” He brought me right from the graduation ceremony to an ice skating rink. Now the red dress doesn’t seem like such a smart idea.
“Come on, everyone’s here.” I look around and he’s right. Both of my parents, Hunter and Kenzie, and even Chase’s mom and grandparents came down to celebrate my graduation. Now, they’re all here, lacing up ice skates too.
“Did you rent out the whole rink or what?” He winks at me, and I’m not sure if that’s a yes or not. Either way, I’m glad I won’t have a large audience for this sure-to-be disaster.
“Relax, you’ll be fine. I’ll hold your hand the whole time.” He kisses me and I grumble, but lace up my skates, anyway. We always talked about going on a skating date but with how busy we’ve been, we never got around to it.
“If I fall and everyone sees the sexy red lingerie I put on just for you tonight, you won’t be reaping the benefits of it either.” I’m spewing a bunch of bull, but he doesn’t know that.
“Somehow I doubt that.” My man is always so presumptuous. He’s right, but sometimes I like to pretend I won’t cave in to his sexy as sin ways.
I’m the last person to step onto the rink. Everyone is already skating their lives away, making it look easy peasy lemon squeezy.
“I’m not taking one step away from the wall. I need it for support.” Chase rolls his eyes at me as I step onto the rink. After one loop around, he pulls me toward the center of the ice.
Everyone kind of pauses—as best they can in skates on ice—huddling in one corner while Chase and I are in the middle of the rink. My heart beats faster, pounding a rapid rhythm against my ribcage. Calm down, Hailey.
There’s no reason for me to freak out. It’s just an ordinary day with everyone I love by my side. They’re celebrating me, anyway. But they are acting weird… and Kenzie has been avoiding me almost all day, which is out of character. No, it’s nothing. My mind is just running wild. There’s no way…
“Chase? What’s going on?” His smile almost knocks me off my feet, which wouldn’t be hard to do in these skates.
“Hailey Blake, you are the light in my life. Every moment over the past five years, good or bad, you were the one person I wanted to talk to. It didn’t matter if we were together or not because I would’ve followed you to the ends of the Earth. I’m more in love with you than I ever thought possible and I’ve said it once before, but I’m done chasing you, Red.”
He kneels down on one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket at the same time. Tears fall down my face faster than I can wipe them away. I’m praying I don’t lose my balance and ruin this moment.
“Help me cross the most important item off my bucket list. Will you marry me, Hailey?” My hand shakes as he reaches for it. He opens the box and the large diamond screams at me. It’s beautiful and tasteful and more than I deserve.
I’ve put this man through the wringer over the years and now I’m on the cusp of my career. I’m only starting my life, my career. I’m still young and have so much I want to accomplish. I open my mouth, but my sobs won’t subside long enough for me to answer.
Is anything worth celebrating if you don’t have the people you love beside you, cheering you on?
I nod. “Yes, you goof. Of course I’ll marry you. I love you so much.” He slides the ring on my finger then stands, lifting me up and spinning me around on the skates.
Our families skate over, circling around us and showering us with hugs and congratulations!
I knew this dress was lucky and I’m glad I wore it today of all days. What I thought was an important day for my career also turned into the most important day thus far of my life.
“You knew about this. That’s why you’ve been avoiding me all day. You bitch.” I laugh as I hug my best friend.
“You know I can’t keep a secret from you. I couldn’t ruin this day because it took long enough to get here.” She’s right and I love her for keeping the secret. “Remember what you said to me on my wedding day? Let’s go get you married.”
Epilogue
Ten years later
Hailey
“Scarlett, time to wake up.” I press play on my phone, playing the soundtrack to my daughter’s favorite Disney movie to pry her out of bed. Her blonde hair is a tangled web on her pink pillowcase and a smile pulls at her lips even though she’s trying to hide it.
“Five more minutes, please.” Her sweet voice is music to my ears and despite wanting more sleep, her toes wiggle under the covers.
“Fine, don’t want to start your birthday with a dance party? Have it your way.” I turn to leave, but her lyrical giggle stops me.
“Wait,” she chuckles and throws the covers off of her. She hops up in bed and jumps on her mattress. She does a silly dance, following the beat. I’m glad she got her father’s rhythm.
“Is the birthday girl ready for her party?” My husband walks in the room with his arms open, but a small present is sticking out of his back pocket.
“Daddy!” Scarlett launches herself off the bed and into Chase’s arms.
“Happy birthday, Little Red.” He winks at me over our daughter’s shoulder, keeping her snug against him in a hug. He sets her back down on the bed and grabs the gift from his pocket. “Want to open one of your gifts before your guests get here?” She’s eager as she snatches the present from his hand.
She tears into the polka dot paper and tosses it aside. With her tiny fingers, she pries open the lid to the black velvet box and squeals at the sight of the charm bracelet.
“The charms are replaceable so we can add more and change them as you get older.” Chase tells her, and the love in his eyes for his daughter knocks the wind out of me.
“Thank you, Daddy. And Mommy,” she adds as an afterthought. Our daughter is such a Daddy’s girl and I can’t even be mad because it makes my heart soar.
Chase fastens the bracelet around her dainty wrist while she beams up at him. “Get dressed, Princess. We have a party to get ready for.” With a kiss on her head he retreats and I follow shortly after.
◊◊◊
“Scarlett, slow down! Don’t be so rough with your cousins!” I watch as my five-year-old daughter runs around, tackling Hunter and Kenzie’s kids. She doesn’t care that they’re older and bigg
er than she is, she just wants to win. That girl is definitely my kid.
A week after my medical school graduation, Chase and I went to the justice of the peace to make things official. I made him wait long enough and all I wanted was to be his wife. I didn’t care about a ceremony or a fancy, traditional white dress. Instead, I wore a white and red dress. Kenzie and Hunter were our witnesses.
I started my career in Philly and transitioned to become a pediatric physician at a private practice so I could maintain a career and a family.
We got pregnant by accident but this little blessing is everything we didn’t know we needed. Even though she was stubborn and nine days late, I still love her more than anything. I’m convinced her late debut was payback for the torture I put her father through all those years ago.
This weekend is mine and Chase’s tenth wedding anniversary and we’re going away, having a little blast from the past.
“Mommy, can we cut the cake yet?”
Before we leave tomorrow, we had to celebrate our daughter’s fifth birthday tonight.
We moved into a bigger house when I got pregnant with a big backyard We decorated the area in a variety of Disney movie themes because my daughter couldn’t decide on one concept. She didn’t want anyone, as in any fictional character, to be left out.
Hunter and Kenzie have three kids running around, my parents are here, still as in love as they’ve ever been, and even Chase’s mom is here to celebrate with her new husband.
We haven’t heard from Chase’s father since he left and I’m grateful. His mom is sober now and happy. She has her son back and now a granddaughter. Life is perfect.
“Sure, honey. Grandma is in the kitchen. Go ask her to bring out the cake.” She takes off running as if she needs any more sugar in her little body.
“So, where are you two heading tomorrow again?” My best friend and brother are watching Scarlett for the weekend and they’re probably already exhausted at the thought of wrangling four hyperactive kids.
“We’re heading to New York City. We have a party to crash.” Chase still manages a boyish grin that dampens my panties even after all this time.
Chasing Red Page 21
