“Miss McGregor, I will get the doctor to come and speak to you as soon as he’s available,” the nurse says, and I thank her before she leaves the room.
There’s nothing familiar about this waiting room; it’s cold and clinical, not warm and inviting. The chairs don’t even look comfy. I take a seat beside my brother and take his hand in mine. Julie sits opposite us and I can see the concern on her face as she watches Callum. He looks lost.
“Callum, please. I need you to talk to me. I need you to tell me Connor is okay. Please?” I glance at Julie and she can only shrug her shoulders. Rubbing my thumb along his hand is all I can do to offer him my support.
The room is almost silent. All I can hear is our breathing and the ticking of the clock on the wall. I close my eyes and try to gather my thoughts. I need to stay positive because I know Connor needs me, but it’s hard. I have an inability to stay focused as my brother’s body shakes beside me. Tears fill my eyes, and I know if I open them, my tears will fall. My body is weak and my mind is numb.
I need Connor to be okay. I need someone to come through those doors and tell me he’s awake and wants to see me.
“Ella, I’m so sorry I couldn’t help him.” I open my eyes and look at my brother. His own eyes are filled with unshed tears.
“It’s okay. This isn’t your fault,” I say as he wraps his arms around me, and I lean my head on his shoulder.
“Callum, how bad is he?” Julie asks.
“I’m not sure. He was unconscious when I found him. There was blood everywhere. So much blood I’m not even sure what injuries he has.”
My tears fall at my brother’s words. I clasp my hands together and say a silent prayer to God, asking him to keep Connor safe. Callum rubs my shoulder in the same way our mum used to do when we were children when she was trying to soothe and comfort us. It always worked.
“Ella, I called Dad and Trevor. They should be here soon.”
“Okay,” I whisper through my tears. “This is all my fault. If it wasn’t for me, Connor wouldn’t it be in hospital.”
“Enough!” snaps Julie. “This isn’t your fault. I can’t sit here and listen to you blaming yourself.” I hear her words but it doesn’t make any difference. If Connor wasn’t in a relationship with me, he wouldn’t be here. He wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed after being beaten up.
Callum and Julie talk in hushed voices, although I don’t know why because there’s no one here to hear their conversation. “Did nobody see anything?” she asks him.
“Fletcher and I saw two men running away from the gents’ bathroom. Fletcher chased after them but didn’t see who it was. We don’t think it was anyone who attended the function tonight.”
“Where is Fletcher?” Julie asks, moving in her chair. It looks as though she’s as uncomfortable as I am.
“He wanted to come here, but it made more sense for him to go home to Jess. He wants me to phone him as soon as we have news.”
I close myself off from their conversation.
Numbness slowly seeps through my body. I can’t move and I don’t want to think about any of the situations running through my mind, because each one is as bad, if not worse, than the last.
He shouldn’t be in here.
I should speak to Trevor, and as soon as it’s possible get Connor moved to a private hospital, I know he has private medical insurance that will cover this.
I’m clinging to hope that God will answer my prayers to keep him safe. Time has stood still; the hands on the clock on the wall don’t seem to be moving. I turn my head to the door and watch as strangers walk past our room.
I shrug out of my brother’s hold and stand, rolling my neck from side to side I stretch the knots out that have formed from sitting against Callum’s shoulder. I feel both sets of eyes on me as I start to pace the floor. Every muscle in my body aches and I have no idea why.
Loud footsteps in the corridor start to slow down and the door opens. I lift my head to see my dad and Trevor standing in the doorway. My dad’s eyes are filled with sadness as he looks at me. I rush toward him and he engulfs me in his arms.
“He’s going to be fine sweetheart,” Dad says softly as I sob in his arms. “He’s a strong lad and it’ll take more than this to keep him down.”
I hope he’s right.
Trevor clears his throat as he sits down beside Julie. As Connor’s agent, I’m hoping he can keep this out of the news for all our sakes. We don’t need swarms of reporters descending on the hospital, looking for a story.
“Ella, come on and we’ll both sit down.” I let my dad lead me back to the chair I was sitting in only moments ago. Callum takes one hand and my dad takes the other. I’m grateful they’re here. “Do we know anything yet about his condition?”
“No,” Callum says.
“I’ll wait five more minutes then I’ll go and see what I can find out,” Trevor says.
I don’t know if I can wait five more minutes. It feels as though I’ve been waiting for hours. I remove my hand from Callum’s and look at my phone and realise we’ve been here in the hospital for not even thirty minutes.
It’s going to be a long night.
There’s a television on one of the walls, which Trevor switches on. I suspect he’s trying to fill the silent, uncomfortable air with a little noise. I glance at it before returning my gaze to the floor. The others chat amongst themselves. I don’t bother listening to the conversation, never mind engaging with them.
My phone buzzes in my hand, and everyone stops talking. I lift my eyes and they’re looking with anticipation.
Dread fills me as I look at the name on the screen.
Donovan: I hope Connor is ok. If he’s hurt, it’s your fault. I’ve told you before and I’ll say it again. He’s not the man for you.
Fear grips me. Takes me hostage. I can’t speak. I squeeze my dad’s hand, gripping onto him as though my life depends on it.
No, not my life. It would seem I’m putting everyone close to me at risk.
“Ella, let me see.” It’s my dad’s concerned voice that filters through my head. I look at him as I hand over my phone. “What is it with him? He’s behind this attack on Connor. Why the hell can he not leave you two alone? He was the one that fucked up. If he wanted to stay in your life, he shouldn’t have been so selfish and greedy. Now, because you’re finally happy and in a better place, he wants to destroy that. Well, I won’t let him. He’s finished.”
Everyone seems to have an opinion on this as they all start talking. “Ella, what are you thinking?” Dad asks.
“Connor wouldn’t be hurt if he and I weren’t together. Maybe I should walk away now, before it’s too late.”
“You can’t do that,” Julie says, grabbing my attention. “He loves you and I know you’ve fallen for him.”
“Julie is right. That wouldn’t help either of you. We just need to find a way to keep you safe.” My phone buzzes again and my dad reads the message. “It’s Alex. He’s asking if there’s any news yet.” I watch as my dad types out a reply saying as soon as we know anything I’ll send a message.
I should call Connor’s parents. I know I have nothing to tell them, but as other people know, I don’t want them to hear it from anyone else. It should come from me or Trevor. “We have to let his parents know.”
As I finish speaking, the door opens and I watch the floor as shoes squeak across it and stop. I lift my head to see a doctor taking a seat opposite me.
“I have an update on Mr Andrews.” The even tone of his voice has me thinking my prayers have been answered. Anxiety fills this small waiting room as we wait with bated breath to hear what he has to tell us.
He clears his throat and I suck in a deep breath. He smiles and that gives me hope. “Mr Andrews is now conscious.” My body sags with relief at his words. “He is asking for you, Miss McGregor.” I can’t hide my smile and my eyes dart to Julie. She smiles and I realise my prayers have been answered.
“Can I see him?”
“I’ll have a word with him,” I say before looking at Trevor. “I’ll call his parents after I see him.” Trevor nods in agreement with me.
I stand up. “Ella, can you tell Connor I’m sorry I wasn’t there for him?” I look at Callum as my dad moves seats and tries to reassure him that this isn’t his fault. My brother might be looking at the floor but I can still see the pain and sorrow on his face.
What a pair we make. Callum is blaming himself and I’m blaming myself.
“Give him a kiss from me,” says Julie as I leave the room, following the doctor.
Everything seems quieter as I walk beside the doctor; the waiting room is not as busy. My trainers squeak on the floor and I find myself smirking as I realise we’re walking in line with each other.
We’ve walked through many doors and taken so many turnings, I have no idea how I will find my way back to the waiting room. Although, I’m sure once I see Connor, I won’t want to leave him.
We stop outside a door within the A&E department and there’s a security guard standing at the side of the door. “I’ve ensured Mr Andrews has privacy whilst he’s being treated within the department.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that,” I say as he opens the door.
STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION; IT’S WHAT he needs to see in me. I won’t allow myself to be weak, not when he needs me the most.
I square my shoulders back and keep my head high. My heart thumps deep in my chest and my head spins round and round. I’m not sure if that’s from the alcohol or from seeing him. I stare ahead and take in the sight before me. He might look battered and bruised, but he’s sitting up in bed, smiling as I step toward him. For that, I’m grateful.
“You look . . .”
“Yeah, let’s not go there, with how bad I look. You, on the other hand, look as you always do. Pretty amazing.”
I move the chair beside his bed, but he tugs gently on my hand, “I need you closer,” he says, pulling me toward the bed. I sit down beside him, conscious that I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t want to cause him any more unnecessary pain.
I sit and stare, not wanting to take my eyes off my man. I take in every bruise and cut on his face. He has stitches above his left eye. Four small stitches; it shouldn’t leave a scar. There’s a cut under his right eye, but it doesn’t look too deep. And then my eyes drop to his lips. There’s no cuts or bruises around them and I smile. I’m scared to move closer, but all I want to do is wrap my arms around him and squeeze him tight before kissing him.
I just need him.
He’s okay. He’s really okay.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says, softly nuzzling in and placing the softest of kisses on my neck. This simple act captures my heart yet again.
“Where else would I be?”
“I’m not sure.” He shakes his head and winces briefly from the movement, but I notice it. I cradle his face. I reach across the bed to press the alarm, but he pulls my hand back, stopping me. He lowers his gaze from mine and something doesn’t feel right.
Does he blame me?
Of course he does. This is my fault.
I can’t sit here and watch him struggle with the pain. “I’ll go and let you rest,” I say, trying to move from the bed, but his grip on me tightens. Our eyes lock and I see all his concern and fear, but I see something else too.
“You’ll do no such thing. I need you here. I shouldn’t say it, but you belong with me.” I take in his last words and my body shivers.
“I do,” I say, meaning the words and trying not to think about all the times Donovan has said I belong to him. The way Donovan said it or sent it as a message scared me. But with Connor, I’m not scared.
He’s right. We do belong together. It’s just taken me longer than him to realise it.
“Talk to me. What happened tonight? Callum said he found you covered in blood. Where did all the blood come from? Did you see who did this to you?” The questions leave me in a rush.
“Slow down. Yes, I saw them and I should be able to give a good description of the two of them. As for the blood. I don’t think it was as much as Callum is making out, but . . .” He points to the back of his neck where there is a dressing. I gasp. How did I not see this? “From what I’ve been told, I have a nasty looking cut. It’s not too sore,” he says and I notice him wince in pain again.
“I should go and give your parents a call and let Callum come and see you.”
“Please don’t call them. My mum will only panic.”
“I have to. I don’t want them hearing it from someone else, or reading about it.”
“What do you mean?”
I sigh heavily. I didn’t want to tell him this, not yet. “Donovan sent me a message saying that it was my fault you were hurt.”
“That fucking bastard. I had a feeling this had something to do with him.”
“He is right though. It is my fault.”
“There’s no way I blame you. We’re in this together and we’ll get through it together. You and me, we’re a team.”
I nod.
We can get through this. We just need to keep fighting our corner. Show the world that nothing can break us. Show Donovan that he can’t hurt either of us. We are stronger. I’m a stronger person having Connor in my life.
He brushes his fingers across my check. Warmth spreads through me and my emotions get the better of me.
I lean in, doing what I’ve wanted to do since I walked through the door. I give in to the need to feel his lips against mine and I brush my lips lightly against his. The minute our lips touch, our connection is made, and a soft sigh escapes his mouth. My eyes shut and I’m struggling to think. I pull back a little to ensure he’s okay, but his grip on me tightens and he holds me firmly where I belong.
Lips part and tongues mould together as we sink into the depths of our kiss. And as I always do in moments like this, I lose myself to him.
Our lips break and I rest my head against his, our noses touching. Earlier I was worried and upset and now I’m just happy that he’s okay.
“I don’t want to stay here,” he tells me.
“Tough. The doctor wants you to stay. I’d love to take you away from here, but, sorry. I’m with the doctor on this. You should stay to get monitored at least for a while. It would make me happy.”
“Would it? I’d rather be alone with you. Other than a few cuts and bruises, there’s not much wrong with me. I feel okay.”
“You feel okay because of whatever medication you have been given. The doctor only wants to monitor you for a short time. He won’t keep you in here for days.”
“I hope not,” he mumbles. “I’ll stay a few hours and that’s it.”
“Fine, and you’ll have me for company until the doctor decides to let you go.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want to be here with you. But I do need to call your parents and there’s a few other people here wanting to see you.” He looks puzzled. “Callum is here, but there’s also Julie, my dad, and of course, Trevor.”
“Okay, you make the call and please tell my mum I’m fine. She doesn’t need to be getting herself stressed over me. And, I’ll see everyone else.” His phone buzzes beside him. He picks it up and I watch his playful expression of moments ago change to something else. His nostrils flare and there’s a tightness around his eyes that wasn’t there before. The smile on his face is gone and is replaced with a thin white line. For a minute, I think he’s going to throw the phone across the room, but he doesn’t. Instead, he slams it down on the bed, keeping it firmly under his hand.
>
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing for you to worry about,” he says, without even looking at me.
I leave the room, feeling no better than I did when I entered the hospital. Yes, Connor might be okay, but his reaction to the message he received tells me I should be worried. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him look so angry. He looked almost as angry as he did when he found Donovan at my house.
Was the message from Donovan? What is he hiding?
I walk without thinking about the direction I’m going in and surprise myself when I see I’m outside the private waiting room. Opening the door, I walk in with a smile on my face.
“Well, how is he?” Julie asks, standing as I enter the room, her eyes narrowing as she watches me.
“He’s a bit battered and bruised. Apart from that, he wants out of here.”
She sighs and sits back down. “Glad to hear it.”
“You can all go and see him. I’m going to call his parents.”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be calling them?” Trevor asks.
“Yes, it is, but I don’t want them hearing this from someone else or in the news.”
“Are you okay?” Dad asks, standing up.
“Yes, I’m fine. A little tired.”
“That will be the alcohol from earlier,” Julie chimes in.
Callum, Dad, and Trevor all leave the room. “Are you not going?” I ask Julie.
“No,” she says, shifting in the chair. “I think my friend needs me more than Connor. So you can tell me what’s wrong after you’ve called his parents.”
I nod and make the call.
As I speak with Connor’s dad, Julie’s gaze stays on me. I’m glad he answered the phone and not his mum. I know she would panic and she has every right to. I tell him that when he’s released from hospital, I’ll get Connor to give them a call. His dad is grateful that I’ve phoned and tells me to take care of his son.
I sigh heavily after the call and sit down opposite Julie, who is still watching me intently. “I’m waiting for you to tell me what’s wrong.”
Scripted Love (The Scripted Series Book 2) Page 7
