“You two came at at good time,” the nurse said as she opened the door. “Her husband can answer any questions. He’s in there with her right now.”
Every hair on Cade’s body bristled hearing Declan referred to as Andie’s husband. That guy didn’t deserve the title or position. What had she ever seen in him?
This time, he wasn’t going to let Declan throw him out or threaten him with a restraining order. He was the one who’d called Andie’s mom, not Declan, who, as far as he could tell, was playing husband to Andie for publicity’s sake—garnering sympathy that his costar and wife was in a coma.
Declan looked up from Andie’s bedside, a fake smile painted on his face. “Mrs. Wales, it’s been a long time. Hope Mr. Wales is doing okay.”
“He is, thank you. He had a stroke.”
“Yes, I know. Andie told me.” Declan came toward Mrs. Wales, completely ignoring Cade, which was good, since he wasn’t throwing him out either. Declan continued his smooth undertaker persona, taking Andie’s mother by the hand. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions. I’m so sorry.”
Cade approached Andie’s bedside. She was so pale and subdued. A breathing tube was shoved into her mouth, tape ran across her face, and tubes were threaded into her veins.
Since Declan was in polite mode, no doubt because of Mrs. Wales, Cade took advantage to sit in the chair next to Andie. Tears welled in his eyes as he propped his head, elbows on his knees and stared at the woman he loved. She seemed so fragile, so distant, almost as if her body were a shell and she was somewhere else.
“Andie, I’m here. Cade. The man who loves you. I would have come sooner, but I’m here now. Your mother’s here too.”
Declan’s hand clamped on his shoulder. “Would you mind letting Mrs. Wales sit with her daughter? Give them some privacy?”
Oh, he was smooth all right. His face was devoid of emotion, but his hand was firm on Cade, and he flashed that fake smile again.
What could Cade do? Of course, he had to cede the seat to Andie’s mother. He grasped Andie’s clammy hand and gave it a caress. “I’ll be back, my love. I promise you. I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.”
“That’s enough,” Declan growled close to his ear. “I’m her husband. Have some respect for Andie and her family.”
Not wanting to start a fight, especially with Andie’s mother hovering, Cade let go of Andie’s hand and stood aside.
Pam immediately took the chair and leaned over Andie, sweeping her long, red hair over the pillow. She rested her head close to her daughter and sobbed.
“Come on, let’s go.” Declan grabbed Cade by the elbow.
He flung off the actor’s hands. “Pam, I’ll be outside to take you to the hotel when you’re done.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Declan said. “Mrs. Wales, you’re welcome to stay with me as long as you need to. Since I’m your son-in-law, I think you should stay with family, especially at a time like this.”
“How’s her condition?” Andie’s mother asked, ignoring the testosterone match between Cade and Declan. “What does the doctor say?”
“She’s had a brain injury,” Declan said. “The car she was driving flipped over several times and she hit her head after the airbags deflated. Somehow she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, or she’d loosened it to pick up her phone from her purse. That’s what the police think happened.” He glared at Cade. “This man was texting her. He caused the accident.”
Cade shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose to hold back the tears. Of course, it had been his fault. He already hated himself for asking her to accompany him to pick up Roxanne and the baby. Maybe all this had been too much for Andie. After all, she was a small town girl, a librarian living with her mother and father, before he swooped in and made her into media sensation—and not of the good kind.
“Sure, I’ll leave.” Cade backed away from Declan and edged toward the door. “Mrs. Wales, let me know if you need anything.”
Andie’s mother didn’t answer. She was kneeling by her daughter’s bedside praying.
Cade crushed his fingers inside his fist and stumbled from the hospital room. The only thing he could do now was pray. That and he was going to fix the rest of his life. First stop. Ronaldo.
* * *
“What can I do for you?” Ronaldo ushered Cade into his office. “Why aren’t you at practice? You know they’re fining you by the day. They’ll probably start Todd as soon as his knee’s stable.”
Cade shut the door and glared at his friend, his hands on his hips. “I want Andie off the show. What’s this crap I hear about her being a concubine?”
“Whoa, there.” Ronaldo held up his hand. “Take a seat.”
Cade strode around Ronaldo’s desk until he was up against him, forcing the smaller man to tilt his head up. “I want Andie off the show. No concubine. No working with the scriptwriter. Nothing. She’s coming home with me when she gets out of the hospital.”
“Isn’t that her decision?” Ronaldo gritted his teeth, snarling like the Chihuahua he resembled. “Look, you might be my buddy, but you need to stay out of my business.”
“That shit stopped when you fucked with my life.”
“Fucked with your life? You were the asshole who asked me to hire Andie in the first place.”
“Except this entire show was part of a grand plan, wasn’t it?” Cade was in his friend’s face by now, trying to smoke him out to see if he was also in cahoots with Dick.
Ronaldo straightened his lapels and jutted his chin. “All I’ve ever done was help you. Set up this thing with Andie and tested her to see if she’s good enough for you. This is the thanks I get?”
“You know what I’m talking about.” Cade’s muscles bulged, and it was all he could do to control himself and not slam the twerp against the window. “Roxanne’s baby’s not mine.”
He watched the expressions flitter over his friend’s face, trying on emotions to determine the one best suited to placate him. Surprise was not in the palette. Ronaldo settled on sympathetic and concerned.
He placed a hand on Cade’s bicep, and Cade flung him aside. “Fuck off. I get it, now. I’ve always been a project to you.”
“Look, you got yourself in hot water when you tossed that interception in the Super Bowl.”
“So, you and Dick come up with a plan to blackmail me? Is that it? Blackmail me into taking some other man’s baby?”
“I had nothing to do with it. They came to me. Roxanne returned from Itasca and said you were in love with Andie. All I did was help you get the girl you wanted.”
Cade slapped his own head to keep from punching Ronaldo. “No. All you did was give them more rope to hang me.”
“So, claim the baby. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is that baby’s coming between me and Andie. I can’t live a lie.”
Ronaldo’s eyes narrowed and he swallowed hard. “Maybe your whole life is already a lie.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cade gripped Ronaldo’s shirt. “Tell me.”
“I’m not the only one who knew about this.” He pried Cade’s fingers one by one. “My advice? Keep your head down if you don’t want to get hurt.”
“You’re not telling me what you know?”
“This is much bigger than you, and it could get dangerous, real fast. It’s best you didn’t know. Sorry.”
“You asshole.” Cade made a fist, shook it, and crunched it into his own thigh, then turned and barreled out of the office.
Chapter Five
“You looked awful on the field today,” Coach Settles yelled on the phone a few days later. “I don’t give a shit what’s going on in your personal life. You better get it together. Irvin’s going around saying you don’t deserve the starting job.”
“Maybe I don’t.” Cade brushed his hand over his sweaty forehead. “Are you sure I earned the spot?”
“Of course you did. Unless you don’t want it. What’s wrong with you? You want to be
traded or what? I know you think you screwed up the Super Bowl, but we’ve reviewed the videos. Yes, you could have thrown it into the sidelines and we would have had another down, but you went for the win. You can’t keep second guessing yourself. Should I book you a couple of sessions with a therapist?”
“Not necessary. I’ll be in and ready to play.” Cade couldn’t give up the game. Football paid for Andie’s hospital costs, and God help him if she needed long term care. He didn’t have any other skill but football.
“Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. We have some new sequences to run—keep the defense off balance. See you early tomorrow. No excuses.”
“No excuses.” Cade hung up and unlocked the door to his house.
Red and Gollie were there to greet him, and in the distance, the baby was crying.
“Barbara?” he called for his mother. “Rox? Anyone home?”
There was no answer, except Bret’s cries grew louder and more urgent once he heard Cade’s voice.
Cade rushed to the nursery and picked up the baby. His face was red and bathed in sweat, eyes wide, as if he’d been crying a long time. He stunk too, thoroughly, and his baby T-shirt was drenched.
“You poor thing.” Cade kissed the baby’s head. “Look at you, a full diaper. You’re probably hungry.”
Cade peeled off the overflowing diaper. It was heavy and filled with both urine and feces. The baby’s skin was blistered. How long had he been left alone and crying?
True, he was not premature, but dang it all, he was a newborn. Cade cradled Bret’s dirty behind and took him to the sink. There was too much mess to wipe off. Cooing soothing sounds to the little boy, he washed him with warm water, as the baby’s sobs subsided to hiccups.
“There, there,” he calmed his son, er, well, at least he still thought of Bret as his son, since no way was he going to let Dick get his dirty hands on the boy. He found a tiny jersey, the Warthogs one his mother had bought for Andie to gift, and slipped it over the baby’s head, replacing the urine soaked shirt.
Bret squealed and gurgled as Cade wiped diaper rash ointment over his behind and taped on a clean diaper.
“Okay, time to get you some grub.” Cade cradled the baby in the crook of his arm. The little guy fit entirely on his forearm.
At the mention of food, Bret’s mouth made sucking motions. His face turned red as he squeezed his eyes and opened his mouth, preparing to cry.
“Shhh … I’ve got you, buddy.” Cade ruffled the baby’s fine wispy hair and took him to the kitchen.
Poor baby had to settle for formula since Roxanne wasn’t going to inconvenience herself with sagging boobs and expressing milk during her lunch breaks. Not that Cade had anything to say. Except he was sure if Andie were the mother, she’d put her baby as first priority.
Cade stirred the formula powder into warm water and tested it on his wrist. Nice and warm. He shook it up, but there were too many bubbles.
Bret’s arms and legs were kicking and punching, and he wagged his head back and forth. His mouth was wide open, about to let out a large yowl when Cade stuck the rubber nipple in it.
He latched on immediately and sucked heartily. The baby’s eyes were glued to Cade’s. They were so blue and innocent, so trusting, as if all the sum of his happiness lay in Cade’s arms and that bottle he held.
Cade rocked Bret gently, stroking his head as he suckled and finished the bottle of formula. A funny feeling squeezed its way into Cade’s heart. He held the baby over his shoulder and rubbed his back, bringing up a loud, satisfied burp.
Soon, Bret was asleep, but Cade didn’t slip him back into the bassinet. Instead, he walked around his empty house, followed by his two dogs, whose noses were working overtime.
“I don’t stink, do I?” Cade asked Red, who emitted a tiny growl, even as his nose twitched.
Gollie was also sniffing a trail. Cade inhaled and detected a musty odor. Was it a skunk? Something faintly pungent and vinegary. He opened the refrigerator, but there was no casserole or any other food.
“Barb?” he called his mother. How long had she left the baby alone?
Gollie barked and bounded toward the French doors leading to the backyard. Red scampered after her.
Right, she probably hadn’t let the dogs out either. Cade opened the door and stepped into the backyard. The odor of weed was unmistakable. Shit. There was something else, like burnt sugar or tar?
The dogs scrabbled up the path toward the side of the house where the garbage cans were kept. Cade turned the corner and his heart skidded to the floor. His mother lay sprawled among the garbage cans with a used syringe at her side and a band wrapped partially around her arm.
Damn. How could she? Cade stomped his foot and bent over to check for a pulse.
It was faint. She was bluish and didn’t look like she was breathing. His heart racing, he set Bret on the grass in front of the dogs and administered CPR, while calling 911 in between breaths.
Come on, Mom. Don’t die on me. Not now. Come on, breathe.
* * *
Andie heard voices. A firm hand caressed her cheek. He loved her. He said he wasn’t leaving. Her heart reached for him—the man who’d followed her to Jerusalem—the man who wasn’t King David.
“She’s coming out,” a woman said. “She may be disoriented and agitated. Her brain scans are clear, and she should make a full recovery, but there could be memory loss.”
“Dear God, please hold Andie in your hand and keep her,” another voice prayed.
Mom? Why would her mother be in the movie? And why was the first woman talking about brain scans?
“Andie, darling, you’re going to be okay.” A man spoke into her ear. “I’m here now. You’re going to wake up.”
“W-wake?” Her mouth was dry, and her eyes were heavy as if someone pressed sandbags into them. She concentrated and lifted her eyebrows, commanding her eyes to open.
“There, she’s coming around,” the first woman said.
A light shone, pinpointing her eyes, and she shut her eyes, twisting away from the harsh glare.
“Please, doctor, can’t you let her open her eyes first?” the man’s voice soothed. “Come on, Andie. You can do it.”
The weight held her still, and she drifted away, feeling for the man who’d followed her in the trail of tears. Where was he?
“Andie,” her mother called, squeezing her hand. “Open your eyes, baby.”
“M-ma?” Andie’s throat cracked dry. “Wh-where am I?”
“You were in an accident, a car accident. You’re in the hospital, but you’re going to be okay.”
Her mother’s face was fragmented, as if the parts didn’t match. Andie blinked and couldn’t focus. “Dad? Where’s Dad?”
“He couldn’t come, sweetie.” Mom kissed her forehead, smoothing her hair back.
“Why?”
“He’s back home in New York. You’re in California.”
“California?” Andie blinked as two more faces came into focus.
The woman took her hand. “I’m Dr. Sotelo. How are you feeling?”
“I-I don’t know.” Andie stared at Declan, her fiancé.
He flashed her a smile and took her other hand. “You know who I am?”
“Dec. Why are we in California? Did you get the part?”
Declan’s eyebrows rose as he kissed her hand. “Yes, I did, and guess what? So did you.”
“Me?” Andie’s mouth was dry, and her throat hurt. She coughed and pointed to her throat.
Immediately, Declan handed her a cup of water with a straw. The coolness soothed her throat and eased the dizziness. She closed her eyes to get her bearings.
“We should let her rest,” the doctor said. “I’ll run a few more tests, but I see no reason why she can’t be released. She might be weak from lying in bed for a week, but she’s young and in good health. She should bounce back.”
“That’s great news,” Declan said. He leaned over and kissed Andie on the cheek. “I’m so glad
you’re back. I missed you.”
“But how did I get here? I thought we were going to Vegas.” Andie didn’t want to speak too loudly, in case her mother was listening.
“We’ve already been to Vegas. Don’t you remember?”
She opened her eyes and stared into his gaze. Something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. “Did we get married?”
“We did.” He stroked her hair. “You’re my wife, Andie Reed.”
“Andie Reed,” she whispered as he covered her lips and kissed her.
Why did that name sound wrong? Totally wrong?
Chapter Six
Cade paced the hallways of Celebrity Highland Hospital. He’d taken his mother to emergency, and was waiting for the doctor’s report. He held onto Bret as he tried Roxanne yet again on her cell phone, only to get her voicemail.
“Where the hell are you? My mother’s in the hospital, and Bret was left all alone. This arrangement isn’t working out. You’re going to need to hire someone more reliable to watch him while you work. He’s a newborn, only a week old.”
The damn woman was technically still on disability, but she couldn’t wait to go back to work. As for his mother, he’d thought she’d stopped using. She’d seemed clean, although one never knew with addicts and how well they hid their addiction.
A nurse paged him, and he hung up the phone. They let him into the ER.
“How is she?” Cade asked the attendant.
“She made it, thanks to your CPR. She should be okay, but she was shooting heroin—strong stuff.”
Cade followed the attendant into his mother’s room. The doctor looked up. “From the looks of her veins, this is the first time she’s shot up in a very long time. As you know, a relapse is especially dangerous since her tolerance is lower than when she was using regularly.”
“Thanks, Doctor. I thought she kicked it. Things were going so well. She moved into my house. I entrusted her with my baby.”
Intercepted by Love: Part Four: A Football Romance (Playing the Field Book 4) Page 3
