Page 74 of Snap

I didn't say a word while Rubie drove too fast all the way to the hospital. Her face was pale. She probably shouldn't be driving, but she hadn't had anything to drink. I'd only had a few beers, but I was regretting them now. Right when she needed me, I couldn't help her the way I wanted to.

We probably should have taken a taxi, but she was behind the wheel of her car before I could even suggest it.

So I hung on until we got to the parking lot and pulled into the nearest available space.

I took her hand and we walked quickly through the front doors.

"Skye said they took him to the emergency room." She nodded towards the sign on the wall.

The colour was back in her face now and she was all business. It was like she had shoved every drop of fear into a box, locked it and pushed it to the back of her mind.

"Rubie, maybe you should take a minute…" I was worried about her. I knew it showed on my face.

She glanced at me. "I just need to see him. To make sure he's still—" She swallowed audibly.

I took both of her hands and drew her aside. "He's going to be okay," I said firmly. I locked my eyes on hers and stayed like that until she nodded.

"I know I just… He’s supposed to retire, and annoy me from a safe distance. If anything happens to him…" She pressed her forehead lightly against my chest. She didn't move, but when she picked her head back up again her cheeks were wet.

In a firm but gentle tone, I said, "If there's anything I know about Carson Thomas, it's that he is a tough old coot. Whatever happens, he's not going down that easily. Okay?" I wiped a tear off her cheek with my thumb.

She nodded. "I know. Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you right now."

"You won't have to find out," I said. "I'll be here for as long as you need me."

Or until I had to go to training on Monday. Right now, all of that seemed less important. At the end of the day, it was a game. This, right here, was about a man’s life.

"Come on, we should check in with the nurse on duty. They'll tell us if your father is still in the ER." There was a chance they wouldn't let us in to see him for a while anyway.

We had a quick chat with the nurse, an older woman named Audrey. She checked on Carson's whereabouts and confirmed that we'd have to wait outside.

"He's currently undergoing some tests," she said in a professional but firm tone. She was obviously used to dealing with stressed-out family members.

I thought Rubie might argue with her, but to my surprise she didn't. She nodded and led me over to some plastic chairs in the corner. She leaned against me and held my hand like she might never let go.

We sat like that for about an hour. Maybe two. Finally, I said, "Do you want a coffee?"

"Have you tasted the stuff they serve here?" she asked softly.

"No," I admitted. Hospital coffee was probably horrible, but it would help to keep us awake.

"I could try to find some all-night place. They might have something better." I'd go all over town looking if she needed me to. Or I could look it up on my phone.

"Or you could have some of the stuff Waves sent over."

I heard Bam's voice before I knew he was there. I looked up to see him and Grace, Hawk and Bec, and Ashley and Chase. Bam's sister Chantel trailed along behind, without Pinky in tow.

"We thought we'd come and check up on you guys," Hawk said. He handed me a coffee cup and gave the other to Rubie. "How's the boss?"

"We don't know yet," I said. "They're still doing tests, I guess." I nodded my thanks and inhaled the smell of coffee.

"They sent burgers too," Chase said. He held up a paper bag with the top folded down. "We might have saved you half of one." He grinned and handed me the bag.

It almost smelled as good as the coffee.

"Thank you," Rubie said. "Your being here will mean a lot to Dad. The team is everything to him."

I put a hand on her arm. "Almost everything," I said softly. "You mean a lot more to him than the Rapids do."

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