Head Over Heels

by Crystal B. Bright

  This time, Michael pulled back from her. “I’m fine. I know you’re always here for me.” He smiled. “I love you.”

  Kari had to keep herself together to not cry in front of her child. Thane’s influence showed in Michael’s response.

  “I want to see Mr. Wells. He tried to help me but he was hurt.” He pointed toward the gym.

  “Let’s see how Thane is.” She held his hand as she led him back to the gym.

  By the time Kari made it the location, she watched the group of children breaking up around the doorway where Thane and Jarrod had been. She weaved through the throngs of people to get to that area. She found an older gentleman wiping the floor and Jarrod pacing.

  Michael cowered behind Kari.

  “Take him to the car.” She nudged Michael toward Reagan.

  “Don’t take my boy from me.” Jarrod started to move toward Michael when Kari blocked his path.

  “Reagan, take him. I’ll meet you all outside in a minute.” Although she smiled at her son and friend, Kari wanted to scream and kick the jerk she’d once loved.

  Once her family moved out of earshot, she let Jarrod have it.

  “Michael told me what you did to him.” She got in his face and said between gritted teeth, “If you ever put your hands on him again, I will kill you. I won’t call the police.”

  “The police? I barely touched him. I took worse hits than that when I was—” He stopped.

  Kari had always had a feeling Jarrod’s home life hadn’t been idyllic. He’d never shared anything with her, not then and not now.

  Jarrod said nothing as he tried to return her stare. He ended up averting his gaze. “I didn’t mean to shove him. I got caught up with arguing with your dude.” He shook his head. “It’s your fault. If you hadn’t—”

  She cut him off before he could say anything else damaging. “Stop it. Be a damn man for once and accept some responsibility.” Kari had wanted to say that to Jarrod for years. “I can’t believe you came all the way over here not to see your son. You wanted to confront a man who has been more of a father to Michael in the short time I’ve been with him than you have for Michael’s entire life. Our son idolizes you.” She shook her head. “At least he did before you showed up here. Go home. Get some professional help. You’ve done enough damage.”

  “Professional help?” He chuckled. “You think I need a shrink? Are you calling me crazy?”

  Kari shook her head. “No. Damaged. You’re not going to continue this cycle with Michael. If you truly want a relationship with him, you’ll get yourself sorted out first. My child is my first, last, and only responsibility. I’m not going to stand by and watch anyone hurt him, especially you.”

  She went outside and met with Reagan and Michael in her rental.

  “I asked a couple of people who saw them take Thane away where they took him.” Reagan put the car in gear and sped off as Kari slammed the car door. “Virginia Beach General.” She waved her phone. “Got it programmed in here. Should take us ten minutes to get there.”

  “Good. Drop me off at the hospital and you and Michael go back to the hotel.” Kari didn’t need Michael mixed up with any adult drama.

  “No. I want to make sure Mr. Wells is okay. Please?” Michael’s voice sounded mature, like he’d skipped the whole little-kid phase.

  She didn’t like that. Michael deserved his innocence. “I’m going to visit with him first and see how he is. If he’s okay, I’ll bring you to check on him tomorrow morning.”

  Michael slumped back and crossed his little arms. “Fine.”

  Reagan pulled up to the emergency room entrance of the hospital. “Are you sure you don’t want us going in with you? What if you can’t see him right now?”

  Kari opened the door. “I’ll take a cab back to the hotel.” She opened the door to the backseat. “I love you, Michael.” She leaned in and kissed her son. “I’m so sorry about what happened tonight.”

  Michael held Kari’s hand. “You’re not sorry, Mom. You apologize.” He smiled. “And there’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

  “When you get back to the hotel, I want you to order room service and get the biggest and best dessert they have.” For his rough night and his amazing attitude, he deserved a treat.

  “I’ll see you when you get back. If I’m asleep, wake me, okay?” He squeezed her hand.

  “I’ll see you two later.” Kari closed the door and ran into the hospital. She forgot about her flashy attire until the security guard and triage nurse scanned her from head to toe. “Hi, I’m looking for someone who was brought here.”

  “Name?” The surly nurse hovered her hands over the computer keyboard.

  Kari leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Thane Wells.”

  The nurse didn’t bother typing. “Nice try, lady. Unless you’re family, you’re not getting back there and you’re not getting any information.”

  “You don’t understand. I’m his—” Kari didn’t know how to complete that sentence. What did she mean to Thane? Better yet, what did Thane mean to her?

  “Hey.”

  She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Janelle behind her. “Thank God.” She moved away from the window and went to the waiting area with Janelle. “Can you tell me what’s going on with Thane?”

  Janelle shook her head. “Not yet. Gideon and Gunnar were able to go with him when they took him to the back.” She sat down next to Eboni. “They said they would be out when they know something.”

  Kari took a seat in between the women.

  “Can you tell us what happened? Why was Jarrod Townsend here and why was he confronting Thane in the first place?” Eboni shook her head.

  Kari had to steel her nerves before making her confession. “Jarrod is my son’s father. I’m sure he saw video or pictures of Thane playing catch with him recently. It made him angry enough to come here.”

  “Are you two still dating?” Janelle asked.

  “No.” Kari shook her head. “He’s moved on with his life. He needs to realize that I’m going to live my life.”

  The doors going to the back area swung open. Gunnar and Gideon strolled through them and headed straight to the women.

  Kari stood and the other two ladies followed suit. “How is he? What’s going on?”

  Gunnar glared at her for a beat before he spoke. “Did you know about his bleeding ulcer?”

  She blinked, glanced at the women before returning her attention to Gunnar. “No.” She shook her head. “He mentioned something about not being able to play. I thought it was a mental thing, like he didn’t enjoy the sport anymore. He never told me about his medical condition.”

  “Maybe you two aren’t as close as you think.” Gideon draped his arm around Janelle’s shoulders.

  Kari understood Gideon’s anger. To him, he probably saw her as the catalyst for all the drama. Gideon had no idea that Thane had asked her to go with him to the house in the Outer Banks and that he’d planned on confessing some news about himself. Perhaps he had planned on telling her about his ulcer.

  “So now what?” Eboni asked.

  “He’s getting prepped for surgery.” Gunnar smoothed his hand over his head.

  Kari gasped and covered her mouth. “Surgery? It’s that bad?”

  Gunnar nodded. “The confrontation didn’t help. Why would Jarrod Townsend show up to a dance at a community center?”

  Eboni wrapped her arms around him. “I’ll tell you later.”

  “One thing I do know is that Thane doesn’t need any stress in his life.” Gideon took a step toward Kari. “That includes you.”

  She took a step back. “What are you saying?”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be here.”

  Kari scanned the faces of his family. “I would never, ever hurt Thane. I care about him deeply.”

  “As an agent?” Gunnar asked.

  The dig stung. Kari suddenly felt cold and alone. She thought
she would have allies. Instead, Thane’s family gave her suspicious stares.

  “No. As a woman.” She sat down in the waiting area. “I’m not leaving until I know he’s okay.” She crossed her legs. “You can choose to sit with me or go as far away from me as possible. It won’t change the fact that I…” Kari hesitated. The first time she confessed her true feelings for Thane, she wanted to do it to him and not his brothers. “I’m just as concerned about his health like you all.”

  Gunnar held Eboni’s hand. “Good luck trying to get in to see him.” Then he walked to the other side of the waiting area and took a seat.

  “Go back to your hotel room.” Gideon put his arm around Janelle’s waist as he stared at Kari. “I’m sure you’ll get updates on Thane on some social media outlet or something.” He followed Gunnar and took a seat next to him.

  Kari didn’t care what they thought of her. She wouldn’t be leaving until she found out Thane’s condition.

  As the time went by, she kept herself occupied by constantly checking her messages and ignoring calls from Frank and Chelsi. She didn’t care how long she would have to wait to hear news about Thane.

  Kari felt someone sitting in the chair next to her before she turned and saw Eboni. She gave Kari a sweet smile.

  “Coffee?” She held up a cup.

  Kari shook her head. “No, thank you.” She peered over to the other side of the room and noticed Gunnar still glaring at her. “Should you be talking to me? I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

  Eboni took a sip of her coffee first. “I’ve been in the exact same spot as you. Gunny was not happy with me and refused to talk to me right after he was shot.”

  Kari blinked. “Really?” She glanced down and noticed an impressive engagement ring on Eboni’s finger. “But you two are getting married now.”

  Eboni nodded. “I know. It’s because, like you, I refused to give up on the man I love.”

  “I never said that I love Thane.”

  Eboni patted Kari’s hand. “You didn’t have to. Your actions say it all.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Hang in there. The Wells men are stubborn, but they have good hearts. If they see your commitment, they’ll let you in. Even if they don’t, I will.”

  Kari smiled. “Thank you.” She stared at the large hospital doors. “It’s killing me not knowing what’s happening to him.”

  As though she’d willed it, a doctor came through the doors. Her gut told her this woman in scrubs had operated on Thane. When Kari saw her heading toward Gunnar and Gideon, she bolted to her feet along with Eboni.

  “Let’s go in the conference area to discuss Thane’s condition.” The doctor led the group to a room behind the waiting area.

  Not to be left out, Kari followed them along with Eboni and Janelle.

  “You shouldn’t be here.” Gunnar pointed to Kari.

  “Yes, she should.” To make sure she didn’t get kicked out, Eboni held Kari’s hand. “She cares about Thane as much as we do.” She turned to the doctor. “What’s going on with Thane?”

  “It looks like your brother allowed his ulcer to bother him for far too long. Ordinarily, you don’t need surgery for these things. Thane had a tear in his stomach.”

  Janelle gasped and covered her mouth.

  “Will he be okay?” Kari could care less what Gunnar or Gideon thought of her inquiry.

  “Yes. With a lot of rest and some medication, he’ll be fine.” The doctor removed her surgical cap and threw it in the trashcan behind her.

  Gideon exhaled. “Good.”

  “Can we see him?” Janelle held Gideon’s hand.

  “Yes. He’s sleeping right now. If you want him responsive, come back in the morning. He should be awake by then.” The doctor shook each of their hands before leaving.

  “Some good news finally.” Janelle exhaled.

  Kari said nothing as she started to leave.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Gunnar approached her.

  Even without holding Eboni’s hand, Kari felt powerful enough to face off against this giant. “I’m seeing Thane. I want to make sure he’s okay, and I promised my son that I would check on him.”

  “You don’t think you’ve done enough?”

  “Gunny. Please.” Eboni held her fiancé’s arm. “It’s obvious she cares about him.” She pulled Gunnar toward her. “It wasn’t so long ago that I was in her same position…with you.”

  Gunnar stared at Eboni for a beat before he cupped her cheek and planted a soft kiss on her forehead and lips. “This is different.” He opened the door to the conference room.

  Camera flashes bathed them in sporadic lights. Kari held her hand up to block the blinding beams.

  “Christ, when did they get here?” Gideon held Janelle close to him.

  “How’s Thane?” one nosey reporter asked.

  “Is this the reason he hasn’t returned to spring training?” another blurted.

  “Any truth to the story that Jarrod Townsend stabbed Thane?”

  Gunnar glanced at Kari. “You’re an agent. You’ve been chasing Thane for his business. You take care of this. Let us take care of our family.”

  As Kari watched Thane’s brothers and their fiancées leave her with the den of wolves, anger swelled in her. She understood Gunnar and Gideon being scared and upset. She wouldn’t be the fall guy for this situation. She also wouldn’t be leaving. She made a promise to Michael, and she couldn’t discount her feelings. Damn it, she loved Thane.

  Chapter 21

  Thane blinked so slowly it felt like years in between each time he opened and closed his eyes. He heard the heart monitor that registered each of his beats first before he finally focused and noticed the all-white room. For a moment, he transported back to the final call he’d had with Queen. He remembered hearing the same sounds through the phone.

  He rested his hand that had tubes coming from it on his midsection. He felt the stiff puke-green striped gown he wore. He tried sitting up to get a better view of the room. Who was he kidding? He wanted to see if Kari had stayed here with him.

  “Easy, Mr. Wells.” A thin, young man placed his hand on Thane’s shoulder. “Let me help you.” He picked up a corded remote and adjusted the bed to elevate Thane’s head. “My name is Orion. You can laugh.”

  Thane could barely muster a smile.

  “I’ll be your nurse.” He glanced behind him. “I have to say, this is the first time I’ve been in a room with so many famous folks.”

  Thane looked beyond the nurse to see Gunnar and Gideon on two different couches, both fast asleep.

  “Anyone else?” Thane knew his abbreviated question wouldn’t be understood.

  “What do you mean?” As he spoke, Orion took Thane’s vitals.

  “Besides my brothers.” Thane nodded toward them.

  “There were a couple of women here with them for a while. They made them go home sometime late last night.”

  Thane nodded. He had a feeling the nurse would say something like that. He’d had hoped for a different outcome. He’d wanted Kari to care beyond him being a star athlete.

  “There was some woman in a smoking-hot red dress who was answering questions after a group of reporters showed up. She seemed to handle them well until security kicked them out.”

  “Really?” Thane noticed a pitcher on a raised tray. He started to reach for it when Orion stopped him and poured a cup of water for him.

  “Yeah. She took care of those folks like a pro.” He positioned the straw to Thane’s mouth and patiently held the cup until Thane took his needed drink. “Is that your manager or something?”

  Thane shook his head.

  “Whoever she was, I wouldn’t let her go.” He set the cup back on the tray. “What’s your pain level? One for tolerable and ten for the worst pain ever, like the kind of pain if you ended up in the ring with him for ten minutes.” He pointed to Gunnar before chuckling.

  Thane fel
t a little sore, but nothing he hadn’t felt before while training. “Five.”

  Orion nodded. “Drugs are still in your system from the surgery.”

  “Surgery?” He glanced down at his body.

  “The doctor will be in soon to talk to you. Until then, you get some rest.” He placed the remote by Thane’s hand. “If there’s anything you need, you hit this button. Are you comfortable?”

  “For now.”

  “I’ll take that.” Orion smiled. “What about food? You hungry?”

  Thane shook his head.

  “They’re still coming by with breakfast. I think you’re on the ultra-bland diet. Oatmeal.” Orion shivered. “The perks of having gastric problems.” He went to the door. “Like I said, if you need me, hit the call button.”

  Thane nodded. “Thanks.”

  He placed his head back on his pillow and closed his eyes.

  “At some point, are you ever going to get out of bed?”

  Thane opened his eyes and turned toward the voice. He saw Gunnar standing from the couch and heading toward him. He noticed that his oldest brother still had on the same all-black ensemble from the dance. Hell, what day was it?

  “What happened?” Thane rubbed his eyes. He turned his wrist to view the time and date.

  “They had to take off your jewelry before the surgery.” Gideon stood from the couch and sauntered toward the bed. “Everything’s in there. We checked.” He also wore the same clothes from the dance.

  “What day is it?” Thane raised his head a bit more to regard his brothers.

  “Sunday.” Gunnar cleared his voice. “The doc should be in soon, but you had a pretty nasty ulcer. Did you know?”

  Thane remained quiet.

  “That’s a yes.” Gideon nudged Gunnar’s arm. “Why didn’t you tell any of us? Did Mom know?”

  “I didn’t tell Mom or anyone that my stomach hasn’t been right for a while. I didn’t think it was that bad.” Thane pushed the white, stiff blanket from his body and pulled up his hospital gown.

  “Hey, easy there.” Gunnar slid the curtain that blocked the view of anyone that might come into the room. “You don’t want to show the whole hospital your business.”