by Grey, S. R.
They had no idea what was going on; they were just tired and wanted to go home.
Drew remained seated, for no good reason I could discern, other than maybe Mr. Dickhead had a soft spot for babies.
What other reason would explain the extremely concerned look on his face? Plus, he’d really wanted to hold Ava that day we ran into him.
His voice cracked ever so slightly when he went on to ask, “What exactly is wrong with Ava?”
Wow, he must really love babies, remembering Eliza’s daughter’s name and all.
With a sigh, I sat back down next to him, partially to allow the rest of the players to make their way down the aisle unimpeded, but also because I was a little touched by Drew’s concern. Maybe he wasn’t so awful.
Moved by a side of Drew I’d never seen, I quietly replied, “Ava’s really sick. Eliza left me a voice mail about it. She and her mom are taking Ava to the ER. Hell, they’re probably there by now. I plan to drive over to the hospital the second we’re off this plane.”
“I see,” Drew murmured.
I gestured to the front of the aisle, where the last of the players were de-planing. “I’m sure that’s why Coach bolted out of here in such a big hurry. He’s probably already on his way. Speaking of which, I really need to get going.”
“No. Wait.” Drew twisted in his seat.
“Why?” I inquired as I started to get up. I really wanted out of there. “What do you want?”
Drew blew me away, so much so that I had to sit back down, when he then said, “I want to go with you.”
“Huh? You want to go to the hospital?”
“Yes.”
I was mind-boggled. What reason could he possibly have for wanting to come to check on a little baby?
And then it hit me—was this some sort of sick attempt to make a play for Eliza while she was at her weakest?
Fuck, man, he was way more of a prick than I’d imagined.
“Why in the hell would you want to go to the hospital?” I demanded to know.
Leaning forward, he quietly hissed, “Because I’m Ava’s father, dumbass.”
I never saw that one coming
Now It’s All Clear
There comes a time in everyone’s life when priorities are made clear. My time was that night at the hospital.
As I was in the waiting room, awaiting word on Ava—the nurses and doctor had shooed me and Mom out of the examining room because we were too upset to stay—I realized two things.
One was obvious—Ava was and always would be my top priority, even above my own self.
And two—this was the new one—I would not only tell Benny everything as planned, but if he chose to run away this time, I would not let him go. Unlike before, I wouldn’t sit around and wait for him to call. I’d fight for him. That’s what you do for the ones you love.
Speaking of which, I got up and went to the nurses’ station, where I again asked for information on Ava.
“There’s no word yet, Ms. Townsend,” a nurse told me. “It shouldn’t be much longer, though.”
I’d heard that three times now. Groaning in frustration, I returned to the waiting room, where my mom had just returned from the vending machines.
She had coffee, and I said, “I hope it’s strong.”
Holding out one of those cardboard cups with the playing cards on it, she replied, “It’s not Starbucks, but it should keep you awake.”
I snorted. “Ha, I couldn’t sleep right now if my life depended on it. I just want to stay alert.”
“I hear you, honey. I feel the same way.”
I took a sip, and Mom, who was holding an already half-empty cup of what looked to be coffee as black as mine, inquired, “Still no word on Ava?”
I shook my head. “No, nothing yet. They keep saying soon.”
She sat down. “The waiting’s the hardest part.”
I plopped down next to her and agreed, “It sure is.”
Looking around, she quietly stated, “Hey, I know our phones are supposed to stay off, but I couldn’t resist. I checked mine down in the vending area when I was buying the coffee.”
“Oh? Any word from Dad?”
“Yes. He’s back, and he’s on his way here.”
I blew out a breath. “Thank God.”
She continued to watch me like there was something more she wanted to say, so I asked, “What is it?”
After taking a thoughtful sip of her coffee, she lowered her cup and replied, “Your father’s on his way, but you should know something.”
“Uh-oh, what now?”
“He’s not alone, Eliza.”
Huh?
Had Benny received my message and asked to ride with my dad? Yeah, that had to be it. Drew would be the only other option, but him asking to come to the hospital, assuming he even knew what was going on, would be about as likely as hell freezing over.
Still, I figured I’d better check. “Did Dad say if Benny is with him?”
“I don’t know, Eliza. Your dad left just the one voice mail. And all he said was what I told you—that he’s not alone.”
“You should’ve called him back and asked for details,” I murmured, fretting.
“I couldn’t, honey. I was already standing in front of a sign that read ‘absolutely no cell phones.’ I didn’t want to push my luck and have someone confiscate my phone.”
“Oh, Mom.” I rolled my eyes, but assured her, “That’s okay. I’m sure Benny is with Dad. I left him a voice mail on the way to the ER, so he knows what’s going on.”
Benny had clearly gotten that message.
And he was coming through.
He really did care about Ava…and me.
Thank God, because I needed him now more than ever.
Something I especially felt when the doctor who’d examined Ava came around the corner looking somber and grim.
An Uneasy Truce
“What did you just say?”
Surely, I’d heard Drew wrong.
I guess not since he said again, “I’m Ava’s father.”
“What the fuck?” I glared at him. “How could that even be? How could something like that happen?”
I was stunned, too stunned to think rationally.
Drew stared at me, shaking his head until I waved him off. “Wait. Don’t answer that last part.”
He didn’t, thank God.
After a minute, during which I composed myself so I wouldn’t haul off and punch the prick in the jaw, I said, “So Eliza got pregnant from one of those times you two were together?”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “She did.”
Now that it was really sinking in, I was angrier than ever. How had I not put two and two together? I guess because I didn’t want to.
But where had he been all this time? He’d been in Vegas for weeks now.
“I have a question for you,” I ground out between clenched teeth.
“Yeah, what?”
Leaning in close, I growled, “Why the fuck haven’t you been in your child’s life? Eliza has repeatedly told me that Ava’s father has no interest in her. Yet here you are now, telling me you want to go to the hospital with me.”
He shuffled in his seat nervously, no doubt feeling put on the spot. Good.
“Speaking of the hospital, we should get going,” he said.
“Not until I hear your reason for not caring one shit about your daughter up until five minutes ago.”
“I don’t have a good reason,” he snapped. “I guess I’m just a prick, okay?”
“Clearly,” I coughed out.
I got up then, ready to leave. But I had one last thing to say to the asshole. “You can drive your own fucking self to the hospital.”
“Fine,” he spat, standing as well. He had to slouch since he was in the window seat, and I snickered as I walked away.
It didn’t take him long to catch up to me.
“Don’t you dare say a word to me,” I warned.
“Wasn’t planning on it
,” he snapped from behind me.
We started down the metal staircase that was pulled up to the plane, but I faltered when I noticed Coach T on the tarmac below. Everyone else was long gone, but he was waiting for us.
I stopped on the next to last step, and Drew, trailing closely, almost stumbled into me.
“Keep your fucking distance,” I growled as I turned around and pushed him back.
Puffing out his chest, he barked, “Get your hands off me, and move the fuck out of my way so I can go see my daughter.”
“You motherfucker,” I snapped. “I care more about that little girl than you do.”
I was about to deck him, but Coach ran over and stepped in, wedging himself between us.
After breaking us apart, he said, “Enough! Both of you need to knock it the fuck off.”
Focusing on just me then, he said quietly, “I’m guessing you now know.”
Ah, so Coach knows Drew is Ava’s father.
“Yes,” I replied, sighing. “I know.”
“Well, then”—Coach gestured to where the cars were parked—“I think we have someplace we need to be. But I have a problem. I don’t trust you two alone for a minute. Therefore, if you two are planning to come to the hospital, I’ll be the one driving. You’ll ride with me.”
Coach T gave me and Drew a warning glare not to argue with him, so I just replied, “Okay, thanks.”
“Yeah, thank you,” Drew murmured.
I was stuck riding with the prick.
That was okay, I’d ignore him.
Before we reached Coach’s truck, however, Drew turned to me and stuck out his hand. “How about a truce, Benny?”
I reluctantly agreed, shaking his hand, but not without warning, “This lasts only till we make sure Ava is all right.”
“Agreed, dickhead.”
Back Together
Thankfully, it was just his demeanor, the doctor looking somber and grim. He actually had good news—Ava would be fine. She was doing much better already and would recover completely.
“Babies tend to run high fevers when they’re sick,” he explained. “Nonetheless, it was a wise decision to bring her in. You never know.”
“Exactly my thinking,” I agreed wholeheartedly.
The doctor then said, “Even though things look excellent, we’d still like to keep Ava overnight for observation.”
I wasn’t arguing that. “Yes, of course.”
Ava would be fine and that was all that mattered. I was so relieved that I almost collapsed. But my ever-steady mom placed her hand on my elbow, keeping me upright.
“You’re completely sure she’ll be all right?” I double-checked with the doctor. “There’ll be no long-term effects from that high of a fever?”
He smiled reassuringly, the first of the night. “Your baby will be fine, Ms. Townsend.”
“Thank you, thank you.”
My mom echoed my sentiment, and then since we couldn’t really hug the doctor, we hugged each other.
When we broke apart, I asked, “When can I see Ava?”
The doctor checked his watch. “Give it about ten more minutes. I’ll have a nurse come and get you once she’s settled.”
My dad rounded the corner just then, and I ran to him.
“Dad, Dad, Ava’s going to be fine.”
I was about to throw my arms around him, but then I saw who he was with. Benny, which was wonderful, but also, “Drew?”
He nodded curtly. “Hello, Eliza.”
“What are you doing here?” I snapped.
“I heard what happened, and I came to check on my child.”
Ugh, he just said that in front of Benny.
“You’re such an asshole, Drew.” I turned to face Benny. “God, this was not how you were supposed to find out he’s the father. I’m so sorry.”
To my surprise, he just shrugged. “Eh, it is what it is.”
“Wait, you already know Drew is Ava’s father? And you’re okay with it?”
“Yes, I know. And I’m not gonna lie, Eliza, I wish it were someone else.”
My shoulders slumped as I muttered, “I tried to tell you that night.”
“I know.” He smiled sadly. “And I cut you off. I know now, though, and that’s all that matters.”
It seemed too easy, so I said, “Benny, are you absolutely sure you’re okay with this? I mean, Drew is Ava’s dad. And you hate him.”
“Hello,” Drew interjected. “I’m standing right here.”
My father coughed and mumbled that he had something he needed to talk to my mother about. They took off together, and Benny, to his credit, stepped away, as well. Hell, I’d want out of the direct line of fire, too. ’Cause it was about to get ugly…
Poking my finger in Drew’s chest, I ground out, “You have some nerve, buddy.”
He scoffed, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you haven’t expressed one iota of interest in your daughter’s life. Yet here you are, showing up at the hospital when she’s sick, acting all…I don’t know.” I waved my hand, trying to find the right words. “Fatherly,” I spat out, at last.
“I am her father, Eliza,” he replied tightly. “And as for taking an interest, I’ve been trying to do that lately.”
I let out a snort. “A few texts here and there hardly make you a good dad.”
“But, Eliza, I am her dad. Good or not, I helped create her.”
“Oh, that’s just lovely.” I threw up my hands. “Finally acknowledging a role in her life, huh?”
“I’ve been paying you money!”
“And saying all along not to tell anyone you’re her dad,” I shouted.
“Maybe I’ve changed my mind about all that. I was wrong about some things, and a little harsh.”
“Well, that’s new,” I mocked.
He shrugged. “I’ve had time to think since I’ve been here in Vegas, and what can I say? People change.”
“How convenient, Drew.”
I choked back a sob and Benny glanced over, brow raised. I knew he’d come to my rescue in an instant.
But this was my fight.
I shook my head, and Drew, noticing my communication with Benny, snapped, “What? You have to confer with Perry on this matter? Well, let me tell you, Eliza. If you think I need his fucking permission to be in my daughter’s life, you’re sadly mistaken. Who is he to you, anyway?”
I wasn’t taking Drew’s shit, not anymore.
“He’s the man I love,” I retorted. “Which means his opinion does matter. He gets a say in this whether you like it or not.”
“Wow.” Drew was taken aback. “I thought you two weren’t even together anymore.”
Hmm, technically we weren’t. But I had a feeling we would be soon.
Drew was waiting for an answer, so I went with the truth. “We’re working on figuring things out.”
“Figuring things out, huh?” He laughed. “Well, it doesn’t matter. Neither you nor Benny can keep me from my daughter. I told you before and I’ll tell you again, I’ll fight for her if I have to.”
“So we’re back to that, huh?”
“If need be, yes.”
I made myself calm down then. I couldn’t really keep Drew away from Ava. Nor did I really want to. My little girl was a baby now, but she’d grow up fast enough. She’d need her father in her life. Whatever happened between me and Benny, Drew would always be Ava’s biological dad. And here he was, claiming he wanted to be in her life.
If he was being sincere, I couldn’t take that away from Ava. Drew in her life, in a positive capacity, would only benefit her. Maybe my daughter would end up with two fathers—two fathers to love and look out for her. In this crazy world, we all needed as many people on our sides as possible. Life was hard.
With that in mind, I said, “Look, Drew, you don’t have to fight me to see Ava. I won’t forbid you from spending time with her…if that’s what you really want.”
“It is,” he confirmed. “
I’ve been coming around lately, you know that, but tonight really opened my eyes.”
He sounded like he was being honest, but I had a warning for him. “This can’t be an on-and-off thing. I mean it, Drew. I won’t allow you to jerk Ava around. If you’re going to be in her life, then it has to be for good.”
“Agreed,” he was quick to say. “I swear I plan on sticking around, Eliza.”
“It’s a start,” I conceded, sighing. “Still, we’ll have a lot to work out.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less,” he replied.
Drew didn’t know it, but as far as I was concerned he’d be on probation for a good long time. I didn’t trust him. He was going to have to earn that.
Just then a nurse came over to let us know we could finally see Ava.
I held out my hand for Benny. “Join me?”
“Of course,” he replied, smiling.
He laced his fingers with mine, while Drew cleared his throat.
I glanced over and saw such pleading in his eyes that I couldn’t be mean. I wouldn’t lower myself to his level.
“Do you want to come with us, Drew?” I inquired.
He released what sounded like a pent-up breath. “Yes, I’d like that.” Glancing from me to Benny, he added, “If that’s okay with both of you.”
Deferring to Benny was a huge step in the right direction. If we were going to be making decisions about Ava together, we might as well start now.
Benny nodded that Drew could come along, and I squeezed his hand.
I knew then that he and I were back together.
The Best for Last
Over the next thirty-six hours or so, I spent all my time with Eliza and Ava. First at the hospital, where Drew mercifully didn’t stay that long, and then at her house.
Coach gave us no grief. He even allowed me to skip practice the day after Ava had come home. I suspected his good mood and easygoingness had to do with his granddaughter getting better. She continued to improve, and soon enough it was like she’d never been ill.
